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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
An Improbable Scheme by Laura Beers follows Lady Elsbeth Caldwell, who suspects her stepfather, Alfred Stockton, is hiding secrets, possibly connected to her father’s death. Disguised as a highwaywoman, she mistakenly intercepts Niles Drayton, the Earl of Westcott, drawing him into her dangerous pursuit. As Elsbeth digs deeper, she uncovers coded meetings, financial schemes, and attempts on her life, including a near-fatal shooting and a falling planter. Her cousin Charles pressures her into marriage to access her dowry, while Alfred grows increasingly evasive. Throughout, Elsbeth’s tentative alliance with Niles grows as he offers aid, challenges her choices, and becomes something of a protector. After recovering a key, searching Alfred’s desk, and witnessing a clandestine meeting between Alfred and her late father’s solicitor, Elsbeth resolves to follow her mother and Alfred to a village meeting, convinced they hold the final pieces to a dangerous conspiracy surrounding her father’s death and her inheritance.
“I will not run. Not yet. There are still too many unanswered questions. But if I do decide to leave, it will be because I choose to, not because I’m being forced.” An Improbable Scheme by Laura Beers is a fantastic tale set in the Regency era, and our protagonist, Elsbeth, is a refreshingly unconventional heroine with a sharp wit. As a “girl dad,” I am always looking for reads that reflect stronger stories, factual or fictional, driven by women, and Elsbeth's refusal to be defined by societal norms totally fits the bill. The evolving connections between the characters come about in brilliant, cinematic scenes, including a pheasant shoot gone awry and a stolen moment of trust. The dialogue feels natural, and Beers' ability to spin all the plates without dropping a single one is a testament to her skill as a writer. With its beautifully drawn setting, machinations, and spirited characters, An Improbable Scheme serves up an enjoyable read with a little romance, a lot of mystery, and loads of female-forward high jinks. Very highly recommended.
