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Elizabeth Bailey
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The Unwanted Corpse (Lady Fan Mystery Book 8) Kindle Edition

by Elizabeth Bailey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,275 ratings
This time Lady Fan is juggling motherhood with murder! For fans of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Barbara Erskine and Jane Austen.

What do you do when a dead body lands on your doorstep…?

1794, England

When a body is unceremoniously dumped outside her home, Lady Ottilia Fanshawe is once more drawn into a murder case.

Ottilia is recovering from the birth of her first child and her husband, Lord Francis Fanshawe, is worried that she has finally taken on more than she can handle.

But Ottilia will not be diverted. Motherhood has always been her deepest desire, but solving crimes is her passion. And she is determined to balance both.

No one in her household recognises the dead man, and yet a note was left with Lady Fan’s name on it. Clearly, someone wants her to investigate the crime, but why?

Who is the dead man? Why was he killed?

And what led to him being dropped at Lady Fan’s door…?

THE UNWANTED CORPSE is the eighth book in the Lady Fan Mystery series: historical romance murder mysteries with a courageous woman sleuth embarking on a traditional British, private investigation in eighteenth-century England.

‘The late Regency writer Georgette Heyer lives—and she's writing mysteries as Elizabeth Bailey!’ - Meritorious Mysteries

‘Ottilia is a strong, intelligent character with a real enthusiasm for detective work’ – She Reads Novels

‘They have everything you love in romances, plus continuing characters you can really come to love, and murders as well! Her heroine sleuth, Ottilia, is a fantastic character.’ - Historical Romance UK

LADY FAN HISTORICAL MYSTERY SERIES
BOOK ONE: The Gilded Shroud
BOOK TWO: The Deathly Portent
BOOK THREE: The Opium Purge
BOOK FOUR: The Candlelit Coffin
BOOK FIVE: The Mortal Blow
BOOK SIX: The Fateful Marriage
BOOK SEVEN: The Dagger Dance
BOOK EIGHT: The Unwanted Corpse
BOOK NINE: The Vengeance Trail
BOOK TEN: The Hanging Cheat
BOOK ELEVEN: The Killing Cave
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  1. Book 8 of 11
    Lady Fan Mystery
  2. Print length
    381 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    April 6, 2022
  6. File size
    2.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Elizabeth Bailey is the author of more than a dozen Regency novels, including Mademoiselle At Arms, the Brides By Chance Regency Adventures, and the Lady Fan Mystery series. She grew up in Africa with unconventional parents, where she loved reading and drama. On returning to England, she developed her career in acting, theater directing and finally writing. Elizabeth lives in Sussex, England.

Esther Wane is a British actor and voice-over artist. After a career in finance Esther fulfilled a childhood dream of going to drama school in London, and her life as an actor began at age forty. She has a lifelong passion for literature and can often be found browsing bookshops at any spare moment. She owes her career in audiobooks to her impression of Joanna Lumley and has since narrated books in many genres, including memoir, politics, romantic fiction, and children's literature. She enjoys taking her listeners on a journey in time and space and bringing the characters on the page to life in their imagination. She lives with her family and collection of books in Hertfordshire, just outside London, where she has built a professional voice studio in the bottom of her garden.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09PLN928H
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 6, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.7 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 381 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800555662
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 8 of 11 ‏ : ‎ Lady Fan Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,275 ratings

About the author

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Elizabeth Bailey

Elizabeth Bailey

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Elizabeth Bailey grew up in Africa with unconventional parents, where she loved reading and drama. On returning to England, she developed her career in acting, theatre directing and finally writing.

Elizabeth's latest venture is The Lady Fan Mystery series, published by Sapere Books. The novels feature amateur sleuth Lady Ottilia Fanshawe and a cast of family members including her husband and champion Lord Francis Fanshawe. She originally published Regency romances with Harlequin Mills & Boon and has many titles in her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures series, now also published by Sapere, as well as standalone Regency and Georgian romances.

Elizabeth also writes edgy women's fiction: Her dual time novel Fly The Wild Echoes, which deals with past lives, and For One More Tomorrow, where the ghost of the real Macbeth returns, protesting his villainous portrayal by Shakespeare. And she has published a romantic suspense novella, Silence of a Stranger.

Elizabeth lives in Sussex, England. She is still an inveterate reader with eclectic tastes and she spends her spare time helping other writers improve their craft.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,275 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this period-piece murder mystery, praising its well-thought-out plots and numerous twists. The book features fully developed characters, and one customer notes there are no wasted chapters retelling past stories. Customers find the writing quality excellent, and one mentions it's a fun read for beach relaxation. The book series receives positive feedback, with one customer particularly appreciating Lady Fan's thought processes.

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21 customers mention "Story quality"17 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, praising its great twists, well-thought-out plots, and period-piece murder mystery elements. One customer notes that the narrative doesn't include wasted chapters retelling past stories.

"...The murder mysteries are each unique and the way in which they are solved reflects the abilities and information available at the time in which they..." Read more

"...mother, Ottilia’s employer when she was her companion, I liked their impertinent relationship, plus to see again some other protagonists I..." Read more

"...Who is the man and was he even murdered? This was a clue-based mystery...." Read more

"For me not a page turner but I love the characters and it presented in the end. The exploits of Lady Fan continue and I do love the language an ,..." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one customer noting the warm relationships between them and another mentioning there are no unknown characters or zipped-up endings.

"...I can't say enough good things about these books. The characters are well rounded and continue to evolve throughout the series...." Read more

"...A good mystery with a sweet romance between side-characters and lady Fan settling into domestic life. 4 stars..." Read more

"For me not a page turner but I love the characters and it presented in the end. The exploits of Lady Fan continue and I do love the language an ,..." Read more

"...no wasted chapters retelling of past stories, and no unknown characters or zipped together endings...." Read more

8 customers mention "Enjoyment"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one mentioning it's a fun read while relaxing at the beach, and another noting they were engrossed from the start.

"...There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel." Read more

"I liked this book. I am glad to see that Lizzie and Vivian are now engaged with everyone's approval...." Read more

"...Each book in the series is suspenseful and engaging and pure pleasure to read." Read more

"This book, like all in the series, is quite good. The characters are fully developed and the story line is complete...." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...for you to discover, but I hope this piques your interest in this well written, can't put it down series." Read more

"...Each book is wonderfully written and Bailey has gently evolved each of the characters...." Read more

"Great read . I thoroughly enjoyed this most recent addition to the series. Looking forward to the next one already ." Read more

"...Too much discussion of nursing the baby! But it had some interesting language." Read more

5 customers mention "Book series"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book series, with one mentioning it's the 8th book in the Lady Fan series, while another appreciates Lady Fan's thought processes.

"...The exploits of Lady Fan continue and I do love the language an ,d conversation...." Read more

"...This is the 8th book in the Lady Fan series. She has settled down and her marriage with Francis is all she could hope it be...." Read more

"...I love the characters, their dialogs, Lady Fan's thought processes and the eventual reveal...." Read more

"I have enjoyed visiting with Lady Fan and her family in another adventure. I can’t wait to read what happens next." Read more

Lady Fan do right
4 out of 5 stars
Lady Fan do right
⚰️ The Unwanted Corpse ⚰️ Lady Fan Mystery Book 8 ✒️ Elizabeth Bailey 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Will she be able to patch all the stories to only one lead… I came late in this series, so when the last book was released, I was a bit lost between the characters dynamic and some past issues with the heroine, so I cut my read short and went to read the first book to finally come back to book 7 with new knowledge. And this new adventure features Fanshawe’s mother, Ottilia’s employer when she was her companion, I liked their impertinent relationship, plus to see again some other protagonists I discovered in my last read. Like the previous books, I am always astonished by the praise Ottilia receives, how she leads everyone by the nose and they are all unable to refuse her. Yet the humor was brought in by the antics of a miss play-acting every moment of her life. And while the solving of the case was imperfect, I liked how all the clues and hints were brought together to help Ottilia draw the general pattern of the affair. A good mystery with a sweet romance between side-characters and lady Fan settling into domestic life. 4 stars 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 none I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Ginny
    5.0 out of 5 stars I Love this series!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is the 8th book in the Lady Fan mystery series, and at this time, there are only 2 more left to read. I would first suggest that you go back to the first book in the series and start reading from there. The books can be read alone, but I feel like they really do build on each other. Characters and events pop up throughout the series which are related to previous books. The relationship between Lady Fan and her husband grows through the series as well.
    I can't say enough good things about these books. The characters are well rounded and continue to evolve throughout the series. I love the natural development of relationships along with the honesty in which they communicate with each other. The murder mysteries are each unique and the way in which they are solved reflects the abilities and information available at the time in which they occur.
    I don't write book reviews by giving away the story. That is for you to discover, but I hope this piques your interest in this well written, can't put it down series.
    Helpful
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  • Élodie Nicoli
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lady Fan do right
    Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    ⚰️ The Unwanted Corpse ⚰️
    Lady Fan Mystery Book 8
    ✒️ Elizabeth Bailey
    🌟🌟🌟🌟

    Will she be able to patch all the stories to only one lead…

    I came late in this series, so when the last book was released, I was a bit lost between the characters dynamic and some past issues with the heroine, so I cut my read short and went to read the first book to finally come back to book 7 with new knowledge.
    And this new adventure features Fanshawe’s mother, Ottilia’s employer when she was her companion, I liked their impertinent relationship, plus to see again some other protagonists I discovered in my last read.

    Like the previous books, I am always astonished by the praise Ottilia receives, how she leads everyone by the nose and they are all unable to refuse her. Yet the humor was brought in by the antics of a miss play-acting every moment of her life. And while the solving of the case was imperfect, I liked how all the clues and hints were brought together to help Ottilia draw the general pattern of the affair.
    A good mystery with a sweet romance between side-characters and lady Fan settling into domestic life.
    4 stars

    𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 none

    I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
    Customer image
    Élodie Nicoli
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Lady Fan do right

    Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2022
    ⚰️ The Unwanted Corpse ⚰️
    Lady Fan Mystery Book 8
    ✒️ Elizabeth Bailey
    🌟🌟🌟🌟

    Will she be able to patch all the stories to only one lead…

    I came late in this series, so when the last book was released, I was a bit lost between the characters dynamic and some past issues with the heroine, so I cut my read short and went to read the first book to finally come back to book 7 with new knowledge.
    And this new adventure features Fanshawe’s mother, Ottilia’s employer when she was her companion, I liked their impertinent relationship, plus to see again some other protagonists I discovered in my last read.

    Like the previous books, I am always astonished by the praise Ottilia receives, how she leads everyone by the nose and they are all unable to refuse her. Yet the humor was brought in by the antics of a miss play-acting every moment of her life. And while the solving of the case was imperfect, I liked how all the clues and hints were brought together to help Ottilia draw the general pattern of the affair.
    A good mystery with a sweet romance between side-characters and lady Fan settling into domestic life.
    4 stars

    𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 none

    I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Debbie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clue-based puzzle mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    "The Unwanted Corpse" is a mystery set in 1794 in England. This novel is the 8th in the series, but you don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one. This story didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous books, but it did spoil some of the events in the previous book.

    Lady Fan and her husband are settling into domestic bliss with the birth of their son when relatives show up, bringing their drama. Then someone delivers a corpse to their doorstep with a note saying it's for Lady Fan. Who is the man and was he even murdered?

    This was a clue-based mystery. Lady Fan, her husband, and their relatives asked plenty of questions of gossips and suspects to sort out what had happened. Most were willing to talk but were lying or hiding something, making it more difficult to sort out the truth. Historical details were woven into the story to create the feeling of a specific time and place.

    There were just a few of uses of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Unwanted Corpse
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I liked this book. I am glad to see that Lizzie and Vivian are now engaged with everyone's approval.
    I was hoping that Otilla could really prove who killed the young man, but as the "friend " would not admit what he had done there was nothing Otilla could do except let him go.
    I hope that this is not the last of the series as I like reading about Lady Fan and would like to know what other things she will get into and drag her husband with her.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • KMAC783
    4.0 out of 5 stars Slow going but sufficient in it's ending
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    For me not a page turner but I love the characters and it presented in the end. The exploits of Lady Fan continue and I do love the language an
    ,d conversation. While sometimes exaggerated I enjoy reading words and words in conversations you don't get to see or hear anymore especially in "Bridgerton" which the TV version has reduced significantly.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it so much, but sad to see this final book . . . .
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    . . . . In this series by Elizabeth Bailey. (Book #1) Otellia, a well educated and widowed woman comes to serve as a temporary companion to a crotchety woman only to find herself and the houshold entangled in solving a murder. (Book #2) As the relationships between Tellie, Fan, and the extended family grow, they team together to find justice for another. With assistance and exposure to medical procedures, Tellie and Fan aid the recently arrived neighbors address a variety of issues and "adopt" another member to their circle and, in the process, address drug addiction, abuse and murder. Each book is wonderfully written and Bailey has gently evolved each of the characters. Life is no easier in this time period as Otellia and Francis deal with events of slavery, witch craft, evil,, deceit, class and standards of a class system, contracted marriages, mental illness and so much more. There are no ends left dangling, no wasted chapters retelling of past stories, and no unknown characters or zipped together endings. Each book in the series is suspenseful and engaging and pure pleasure to read.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Long Life Fun Life
    5.0 out of 5 stars A cracking story of murder and intrigue with big personality-filled family life
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Lady Fan always provides such a satisfying read and yet comes up with endings that aren't the usual saccharine sweet wrapped up in a bow. The ending of this book is particularly interesting since it provides Lady Fan with a moral dilemma of what to do when she's nailed her man but has to let him get away with it. It makes you realise how important forensics are today and how important face and status was in certain classes in the eighteenth century. Some of her protagonists this time aren't particularly likeable people although cleverly their actions are all too believable until their multiple failings are revealed towards the end of the story when you realise the extent of the various craven iniquities. And even some of the more horrid of them are understandable. It's only after the story ends that you wonder what possessed all those young men to collude in such a shocking way and how galling it is for the villain to escape justice. So much for the villains. We are rewarded with the tugs of frustrations and love in more normal families: the little doubts and jealousies as Lord Fanshawe takes to his new role as papa. I particularly liked the contrast of the father and daughter relationships: Lord Francis with Pretty, Gil with the headstrong Lady Eliza and the aptly named Lord Vexford with the vexing Richenda. Then there is the realisation of the love-story sub-plot that promises an enlargement to Lady Fan's burgeoning family. And realistically, this time the action fell far more on Lady Fan's loving husband since she is blessed with caring for her new son. But of course, it's Lady Fan who continues to provide the brains and thinking - hopefully right into the next book.
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  • kslaid
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Australia on May 19, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I love this series and this book develops the series further. I am thrilled that a small addition is brought into the narrative so well, it’s great to see that added characters can develop a story line. The baby has brought a new side to everyone and has been woven into the storyline really well. I love seeing the main characters happy in their family but also able to handle a mystery as well.
    Report
  • Cate Scolnik
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner
    Reviewed in Australia on April 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Another great Lady Fan adventure!
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  • Charlotte Pawson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good addition to this series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Lady Ottilia Fanshawe has a reputation for solving murders in Georgian England. Her reputation is so hot she has a dead body dumped on her doorstep and she must work backwards to find their identity and the most available suspects. This is a zippy mystery that skips along at a pace. You have plenty of personal drama in Ottilia’s house with a most unusual murder? Or was it?
    Book 8 in the Lady Fan series does not disappoint.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend this series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely love this series of Lady Fan mysteries, the characters totally grow on you, and the Fanshaws feel like part of the family. The plots are excellent and I dare anyone to say they know the answer quickly. The development of the main characters is sympathetic and the way the extended family is drawn in is makes for a fun read. I also like the fact Lady Fan is taken seriously by those that count when she makes medical statements, especially at a time when it was considered that most women were air heads, no wonder so many played on it with their swoons and vapours.
    Report

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