Lady Avely doesn’t know what infuriates her more: that someone used her image to provoke the Duke of Sargen into killing a man, or that the duke actually believed it was her trysting in the maze that night.

Now she and the duke must concoct their own subterfuge to shake out the culprit. Otherwise, Dacian might be arrested for murder, or worse, the shadowy guardians of the Musing might inflict their own cruel punishment for the misuse of his Gift. Judith will need her most respectable mobcap, and unfortunately, the duke will need a false moustache.

With Judith’s ability to detect lies and Dacian’s now carefully contained power, they set out to uncover the truth - but their own hearts make them easy to manipulate. Facing a master of deception, as well as the duke’s renewed determination to win her, Judith will need a stiff drink of chocolate and the help of her cheerful, tiny vampiri companion before she can find her way out of the deadly tangle…

Can Judith and Dacian unmask the killer before more blood is shed? And how many different ways can one disguise a duke?

Pick up Lady Avely's Guide to Lies and Charms for a cosy adventure with a mid-life heroine, a twisty murder mystery, and a slow burn second-chance romance.

Advance reader praise from Goodreads:

"fast paced, well written and entertaining. Dacian is hot chocolate himself.”

“I truly didn't expect all the twists and turns.”

“Such a breath of fresh air to read a book with middle-aged main characters.”

“I adored the slow burn”

“Charm, excitement… and the delightful humour we know and love.”