Spring 1763: Country house murder and mayhem. Alec Halsey returns to London and the shocking news his estranged brother has not only killed his friend in a duel but is engaged to the woman he hoped to marry. At a weekend house party to celebrate the engagement, house guests get more than they bargained for when a lady's maid is murdered, the bride-to-be is attacked, and a guest is shot dead. Uncovering a connection between these sinister acts, Alec confronts a cruel twist of fate and why his brother will go to any lengths to ruin him in Polite Society. Lucinda Brant's mysteries explore the darker side of her richly authentic 18th century world. Along with trademark wit and high drama there are deeper subplots and even quirkier characters that will have you shuddering and laughing in equal measure.