A Poetic Pox: A Lady Librarian Mystery
by Samantha Larsen
Today, I welcome historical mystery author Samantha Larsen to Salty Inspirations! Samantha is the author behind the Lady Librarian Mysteries, a series set in Regency England. But instead of hearing from Samantha herself today, we have a special treat: a guest post written by none other than Mrs. Tiffany Woodall Lathrop. So brew a cup of tea, settle into your favorite chair, and enjoy a visit from one of Regency England’s most unexpected detectives.
Welcome, Mrs. Lathrop!
A Letter from the Lady Librarian
Dear Gentle Reader,
My name is Mrs. Tiffany Woodall Lathrop and I am the librarian at Astwell Palace. I am delighted to be writing to you today about the incredible poets of our age. 1787 is such a wonderful literary time to be alive! However, I shall restrain my enthusiasm and merely share my five favorite lady poets and snippets of their poetry. Do be sure to read my book A Poetic Pox for more excellent poet suggestions in the bibliography.
Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1784)
Readers, Miss Wheatley is the first African American woman to publish a book of poems. She was born in Gambia, Africa. She was enslaved and brought to America in 1761. She was purchased by the Wheatley family who taught her to read and write in English, Greek, and Latin. In 1773, she published her first book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.
Did Fear and Danger so perplex your Mind,
As made you fearful of the Whistling Wind?
— “On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin”
Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)
Readers, Mrs. Bradstreet married at the tender age of sixteen, and then two years later, sailed with her husband and parents to Massachusetts Bay. She wrote poems while raising eight children—an impressive feat! In 1650, her brother (without her knowledge) took her poems to England and published them under, The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America.
I nurst them up with pain and care,
No cost nor labour did I spare
— “In Reference to her Children, 23 June 1659”
Laetitia Pilkington (1708-1750)
Readers, Mrs. Pilkington was born in Ireland. In 1725, she wed Matthew Pilkington, but their marriage sadly did not last. In 1732, she moved with her husband to London, where he fell in love with another woman. Mrs. Pilkington obligingly fell in love with another man, which led to a divorce. The poor woman struggled financially and was imprisoned for debt in 1742. Luckily, she wrote her way out.
Lying is an occupation
used by all who mean to rise:
— “A Song (II)”
Mary Barber (1685-1755)
Readers, our Mrs. Barber was the wife of clothier and mother to four children. She lived in Dublin, Ireland and even enjoyed the patronage of the famous Jonathan Swift. Mrs. Barber claimed to write to inform the minds of her children—a noble task for us all.
When you gain her Affection, take care to preserve it;
Lest others persuade her, you do not deserve it.
— “Advice to Her Son on Marriage”
Charlotte Smith (1749-1806)
Readers, Mrs. Smith was born in our very own London. Alas, she was forced to flee to France with her husband because of his creditors. Happily, they were able return to English soil but she eventually left him in 1787. Then she began writing support herself and her twelve children. Oh, dear that’s a lot of little mouths to feed!
Yet may thy pity mingle not with pain,
For then thy hapless lover—dies in vain!
— “Sonnet XXV”
I need to get back to my own children. But never forget, dearest Reader, every house needs a proper library. Add another book to yours today.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Tiffany Woodall Lathrop
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
A Poetic Pox: A Lady Librarian Mystery
by Samantha Larsen
About A Poetic Pox
A Poetic Pox: A Lady Librarian Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – 1786, England
Publisher: Dreamscape First
Audible.com Release Date: July 22, 2025
Listening Length: 8 hours and 18 minutes
Author: Samantha Larsen
Narrator: Marni Penning
ASIN: B0FBBG4GZC
1786, EnglandIt is the twelve days of Christmas, and Mrs. Tiffany Lathrop is happily juggling her duties as a new mother and a librarian to Catharine, the Duchess of Beaufort. Her employer receives a mysterious letter from an old paramour, the Marquess of Harwood, who is the biological father of Catharine’s son. He promises to leave his estate and fortune to Beau if he can see the boy before he dies.
Her elder son, Thomas Montague, has a terrible cold, so Catharine asks Tiffany to accompany her and Beau. When they arrive at the dilapidated abbey, they discover a dead body—only it isn’t the marquess, but his valet! Lord Harwood is alive, but unconscious with suspicious-looking pox marks on his hands. Tiffany wonders if the marquess is really dying, or if it is all poetic revenge? Especially when she discovers the secrets that haunt Rosedean Abbey.
Between breastfeeding and dirty diapers, Tiffany must discover who killed the valet and attempted to murder the marquess before anyone else dies.
©2025 Samantha Larsen (P)2025 Dreamscape First
About Samantha Larsen
Samantha Hastings met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, having tea parties, and chauffeuring her four kids. She teaches World Literature at Brigham Young University. Her young adult fiction books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selections and her historical romances are published around the world. She also writes murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen that Publisher’s Weekly called “wildly enjoyable.”
Author LinksWebsite: www.SamanthaHastings.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthahastingsauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaHastingsAuthor
X: https://x.com/HastingSamantha
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/samantha-hastings
Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N
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A big thank you to Samantha Larsen (and Mrs. Tiffany Lathrop!) for visiting the blog and sharing a peek into A Poetic Pox. I hope you enjoyed the visit as much as I did!
Thank you, readers, for spending a little part of your day here! If you’re new to Salty Inspirations, I’m Michelle L. Clifton, author of the Taryn O’Kelly Mysteries. Take a stroll around the blog, there’s plenty more cozy fun, author chats, and bookish treats waiting for you!
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As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations!
