Robert Fairfax is hired by Robert Appleton to tutor his young sons.  Upon his arrival, he finds his new charges are visiting an aunt.  To fill his time, Mr. Appleton asks Robert to take on another job – finding out if his daughter and son-in-law, Lord and Lady Mortlock, are cheating on each other.  Although this is not necessarily a cause for great concern in Georgian England, where A DISTINCTION OF BLOOD takes place, it could be if it leads to a divorce.  A self-made man, this is something Mr. Appleton cannot bear the thought of, as it will ruin his reputation.

As a man who must work for a living, Robert has no choice but to do as Mr. Appleton asks.  He spends the night with Lord Mortlock, and the following morning with his wife.  Robert can see that their marriage is obviously not a happy one but is unable to find out anything else before Lord Mortlock is murdered in his own bed. 

Robert’s job changes yet again as he is asked by Mr. Appleton to find out who killed his son-in- law.  Unable to accept the most obvious suspect is the killer, Robert agrees and sets out to solve what the police believe to be an open and shut case.  His task is not the easiest, as life in Georgian England is one of rules and class systems that get in the way of finding out the truth. 

A DISTINCTION OF BLOOD was a great book.  It was well written, with great characters.  You really are kept guessing to the end.  Although it was set in a period I am not familiar with, I did not feel bogged down in too much period detail, but there was enough to make me believe in the setting.  This is not the first mystery with Robert Fairfax as the reluctant sleuth, and I will definitely be getting copies of the others too.  Highly recommended.