*Although uplifting and morally grounded media certainly exist, it’s often buried beneath a flood of content that clashes with gospel-centered values. As a result, many Latter-day Saints—especially youth and parents—find themselves trying to balance cultural awareness with a commitment to spiritual integrity. In this occasional column, I highlight books and authors from a variety of genres that can be enjoyed without compromising our beliefs. Today, I’m exploring one of my favorite Regency-era mystery series. If you are a fan of historical mystery fiction and character-driven storytelling, the Wrexford & Sloane series offers a compelling, ongoing journey. It is a series I can recommend without reservation as it respects the intelligence of its readers, celebrates the resilience of its characters, and elevates the genre of historical mystery to something truly resonant.
The Wrexford & Sloane mystery series by Andrea Penrose occupies a distinctive niche in the landscape of historical detective fiction. Set against the backdrop of Regency-era London—a period more often reserved for drawing-room romance than bloody murder—this series marries the elegance of historical detail with the grit of criminal intrigue. With its unconventional pairing of a scientifically-minded earl and a gifted, socially transgressive illustrator, Penrose’s books blend deductive prowess with emotional depth. They offer a fresh twist on the traditional detective duo while delving into the social, political, and scientific undercurrents of the early 19th century.
At its core, the series is structured around the evolving partnership between Lord Wrexford, a brilliant and caustically rational aristocrat with a gift for chemistry, and Charlotte Sloane, a sharp-witted and independent woman who ekes out a living as the satirical cartoonist A.J. Quill. Each mystery unfolds within the tension-laden strata of Regency society, exposing not only murderers but also the hypocrisies and injustices embedded within the social order. Penrose uses these narratives to illuminate the era’s scientific advancements, class disparities, and shifting gender dynamics.
Lord Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane are, on the surface, a mismatched pair. He is a peer of the realm, scientifically inclined, gruff, and often blunt to the point of abrasiveness. She is an impoverished widow with a scandalous past, determined to retain her independence in a society that affords women little of it. Yet it is precisely their differences that allow them to function as complementary investigators. Wrexford’s logical mind and access to upper-crust society contrast with Charlotte’s intuitive understanding of human nature and her immersion in London’s less savory quarters. Over the course of the series, their mutual respect and affection grow in believable increments, giving the books a slow-burn romantic undertone without sacrificing the integrity of the mystery plotlines.
In many ways, Wrexford and Sloane evoke comparisons to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, or even to the later pairings in cozy historical mystery fiction such as Thomas and Charlotte Pitt or Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves. Yet Penrose avoids the trap of direct homage. Instead, she gives each character agency and narrative depth. Charlotte is not a mere foil or helper; she has her own investigative instincts and brings a distinct lens to each case. Likewise, Wrexford—while brilliant—is not infallible or emotionally detached in the Holmesian mold. His growth is evident across the novels as he begins to shed the armor of cynicism and privilege.
One of the series’s most distinctive features is its integration of contemporary scientific developments into its plots. Andrea Penrose has clearly done extensive research into the history of chemistry, engineering, medicine, and other nascent scientific disciplines. Each mystery often revolves around a real-world invention, discovery, or theoretical breakthrough—whether it be chemical compounds, steam-powered machines, or anatomical research. This attention to historical authenticity not only lends credibility to the mysteries but also highlights the way science was shaping society, for better and worse, during the Regency period.
The early 19th century was a time of enormous intellectual ferment—the era of Humphry Davy, Mary Wollstonecraft, and the Royal Institution. Penrose cleverly embeds this ferment into her stories, using it as both backdrop and catalyst. Often, the murder victims or suspects are directly tied to scientific or technological fields, and the motives for crime emerge from debates over industrial innovation, patent rights, or the exploitation of scientific knowledge. The tension between progress and ethics—between discovery and destruction—is a recurring theme, and one that resonates beyond the historical setting.
Just as the series engages with the intellectual ferment of the era, it also delves into its social contradictions. Penrose deftly exposes the double standards of Regency society, where wealth and appearance often masked cruelty, exploitation, and systemic injustice. Through Charlotte’s background and connections, readers are taken into the world of London’s poor and working class—particularly the foundling homes, printing shops, and taverns where survival is a daily battle. This provides a necessary counterpoint to the glittering ballrooms and exclusive gentlemen’s clubs of Wrexford’s world.
The inclusion of Charlotte’s two young wards, nicknamed Raven and Hawk, further deepens the series’ exploration of class and opportunity. These clever street urchins, whom Charlotte has taken under her wing, are not merely comic relief or plot devices. Instead, they represent the precarity of childhood in a society with little social safety net. Their gradual education and integration into the Wrexford-Sloane household highlight themes of chosen family, social mobility, and redemption. In this way, Penrose allows the reader to invest in a growing circle of recurring characters whose lives reflect different aspects of a rapidly changing England.
Unlike many historical mysteries where romantic subplots can overshadow the crime-solving narrative, Wrexford & Sloane keeps the romance grounded and hard-won. The deepening bond between Wrexford and Charlotte is earned through shared danger, intellectual respect, and emotional honesty. Theirs is not a relationship of high passion or melodrama, but one forged in mutual resilience and the gradual breaking down of barriers. Penrose resists the temptation to idealize their relationship; their conflicts are real, often rooted in the limitations imposed by class and gender.
This slow development of intimacy feels particularly authentic in a series that is also preoccupied with secrets—both personal and political. Charlotte’s carefully guarded identity as A.J. Quill—whose work often dangerously skewers those in political power—is a source of tension in early books, and her past haunts her choices even as she builds a new future. Likewise, Wrexford’s disdain for his peers masks wounds of his own, which Penrose reveals with sensitivity rather than drama. The emotional arcs of these characters unfold with the same care and precision as the mysteries themselves.
Currently, the Wrexford & Sloane series comprises nine novels with more on the way. Each of the books deepens the thematic concerns of the previous novels while introducing new characters and challenges. Rather than stagnate in formula, the series evolves. Charlotte’s identity becomes more public, and with it comes both risk and recognition. Wrexford confronts familial obligations and political entanglements that test his independence. Secondary characters—like the energetic Bow Street Runner Griffin, Kit Sheffield, Lady Cordelia, and Aunt Allison—gain complexity and offer subplots that enrich the main narrative.
Moreover, the mysteries themselves remain inventive and tightly plotted. Penrose avoids repetition by varying the nature of the crimes and the social milieus they explore—from political conspiracies and industrial sabotage to artistic rivalries and medical ethics. There is an evident intention to keep the reader engaged not only through suspense but through historical immersion.
Andrea Penrose’s Wrexford & Sloane series stands out as a model of how historical mystery can be both entertaining and thought-provoking. By merging rich period detail with layered character development and intelligent plots, Penrose creates a world that is immersive, dynamic, and surprisingly modern in its concerns. The series explores justice not just as a matter of solving crimes, but of challenging the inequities that make such crimes possible. Through Charlotte and Wrexford, readers experience a Regency London teeming with life, danger, and possibility—a place where intellect and integrity can sometimes triumph over cruelty and corruption.
