AND THEN THERE WAS THE ONE
Coming October 14, 2025 from Atria Books
From Martha Waters, the author of the “enchanting” (Entertainment Weekly) Regency Vows series, a new historical romance set in 1930s England with a murder mystery twist.
In a quaint village in the Cotswolds, Georgiana Radcliffe has accidentally become an amateur detective after helping solve four murders in a single year. When the chairman of the village council turns up dead, everyone agrees with the official ruling of a heart attack, but Georgie can’t help but suspect that the council chairman is a fifth victim. Now, murder tourists are flocking from around the country, in hopes of becoming sleuths themselves.
Along with her reporter friend, she reaches out to a famous London detective for assistance in ascertaining why they have become a magnet for murder. But the fancy detective is simply too busy—or can’t be bothered—to help, and instead dispatches his secretary, Sebastian Fletcher-Ford—a posh womanizer who, truthfully, is just trying to get out of his hair, much to practical, no-nonsense Georgie’s dismay. But as they investigate in the charming Buncombe-upon-Woolly—with plentiful scones, sheep on the village green, and murder tourists at every turn—Georgie finds that her previous assessment of Sebastian may have been wrong, and rather than solving a murder, she may be solving for love instead.
PRAISE FOR AND THEN THERE WAS THE ONE
“Waters’ (Christmas Is All Around, 2024) latest cleverly crafted novel is not only a brilliant hybrid of romance and mystery, it is also a love letter to the delights of Golden Age detective novels by the likes of Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. Infused with a delectably dry sense of humor, graced with an unforgettable cast of characters, and written with charm to spare, this is pure reading bliss.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Filled with an abundance of witty banter, a lovably plucky woman lead, a classic murder-mystery storyline, and a wonderfully quaint setting, this slow-burn romance, set in the English countryside in the 1930s, scrumptiously mixes historical fiction and cozy mystery. Known for her ‘Regency Vows’ series, Waters shines brilliantly with her newest novel.”
—Library Journal
“Fans of smart, snappy heroines and dapper heroes will find a new favorite in this fun tale… The whodunit element is unexpected, especially for the historical subgenre; it adds a new layer of story, strengthens the bond between Georgie and Sebastian, and gives this 1930s love story a very modern feel. Waters’ humor shines throughout, as does her love of the period. In the vast sea of historical romances, she continues to rise above.”
—BookPage
“An amateur sleuth finds love in this clever homage to Golden Age detective fiction. . . . Striking a beautiful balance between sweet romance and cozy mystery, this memorable tale is sure to please.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Paired with a dash of steamy romance, Martha Waters’ And Then There Was The One is the perfectly witty, crisp, and cozy English murder mystery to brighten anyone's day."
—Evie Dunmore, USA Today bestselling author of Bringing Down the Duke
"My favorite Martha Waters book yet! A romance/historical mystery mashup featuring a grumpy, whipsmart heroine and a foppish, charming hero set in the Cotswolds? Somehow Martha fit all of my favorite things into And Then There Was The One. The writing and humor feel both timeless and refreshingly modern, and I enjoyed every moment I got to spend hunting for clues with these delightful characters (especially Egg the beagle, whose ears I want to pet). I can't wait to shout about this one to everyone who will listen!!”
—Sarah Adler, USA Today bestselling author of Finders Keepers
“And Then There Was The One charmed me from the moment I picked it up! Equal parts sparkling romance and delightfully cozy mystery, this book was a treat from start to finish. Martha Waters is at the top of her game!”
—Jilly Gagnon, author of What If It's You?
"In And Then There Was The One Martha Waters has crafted a delightful homage to Golden Age mysteries featuring her signature wit and humor along with a generous dash of romance and a plot that kept me guessing. I would read an entire series featuring Georgie, Sebastian, and Egg the beagle!"
—Emily Sullivan, author of A Death on Corfu