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Stolen jewels, secret identities, and death abound in this sparkling tale of suspense set in Victorian England, from New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander. London's social season is in full swing, and Victorian aristocracy can't stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. But he's not the only topic of wagging tongues. Drawing rooms, boudoirs, and ballrooms are abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been systematically stealing valuable items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen. Light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is found murdered, and the mysterious thief develops a twisted obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It will take all of Lady Emily's wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, while faced with a brewing scandal that threatens both her reputation and her romance with her late husband's best friend, the dashing Colin Hargreaves.… (more)
I throughly enjoyed this second book in the Lady Ashton series. The main character is very likeable and the story, involving stolen antiquities and murder, is interesting. In fact, I think this is the best of the two book series. I'll be reading number three when it comes out. ( )
Highly enjoyable second installment in the Lady Emily series. I wish I'd had access to it on audio, but it was quite a delight to read in any format. Very intrigued to see where this goes next, esp. with Davis and Odette. ( )
The author deftly works in background material pertinent to Emily's life as well as period detail that never slows the narrative. Emily sometimes behaves in unlikely ways. . . , but readers looking for a lighter version of Anne Perry will be well rewarded.
At last the secret is out, as it always must come in the end, the delicious story is ripe to tell to the intimate friend; over the tea-cups and in the square the tongue has its desire; still waters run deep, my dear, there's never smoke without fire. Behind the corpse in the reservoir, behind the ghost on the links, behind the lady who dances and the man who madly drinks, under the look of fatigue, the attack of a migraine and the sigh there is always another story, there is more than meets the eye. For the clear voice suddenly singing, high up in the convent wall, the scent of elder bushes, the sporting prints in the hall, the croquet matches in summer, the handshake, the cough, the kiss, there is always a wicked secret, a private reason for this.--W.H. Auden
Dedication
For Xander, who prefers his books read aloud.
First words
There are several things one can depend upon during the London Season: an overwhelming barrage of invitations, friends whose loyalties turn suspect, and at least one overzealous suitor.
Quotations
"I'm to meet Margaret here," he said, dropping into a chair after greeting the two of us with perfect politeness. "It's exhausting arranging these clandestine meetings for public consumption."
"I hope it was the gentleman. I didn't like the docent's beard." "Really?" "Too scruffy." "Is that so? I was thinking of growing one. It might look fashionable." He rubbed his smooth chin. "Since when are you concerned with fashion?" "A wife, Emily, might be able to influence matters concerning her husband's appearance. As it is, I have no one to answer to but myself. I'd look quite distinguished with a beard." "I shan't dignify that with a response," I said.
"I'm beginning to despise my no-kissing policy," he said, leaning so close to me that our heads nearly touched. "Only beginning to despise it? I've deplored it from the moment you adopted it."
We stopped in front of a decent, middle-class house, nothing at all like I had expected. I must confess that my reaction horrified me. For all that I thought I was enlightened, liberated, free from the ignorant biases of society, I had judged this woman from the moment I knew she was having an affair with someone else's husband.
"Can't do that, madam. I offer my clients absolute confidentiality." Apparently, absolute confidentiality was worth somewhere in the vicinity of six shillings.
Last words
I can say without hesitation that all the time I'd waited had served only to heighten the moment; never before had there been such a kiss.
Stolen jewels, secret identities, and death abound in this sparkling tale of suspense set in Victorian England, from New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander. London's social season is in full swing, and Victorian aristocracy can't stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. But he's not the only topic of wagging tongues. Drawing rooms, boudoirs, and ballrooms are abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been systematically stealing valuable items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen. Light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is found murdered, and the mysterious thief develops a twisted obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It will take all of Lady Emily's wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, while faced with a brewing scandal that threatens both her reputation and her romance with her late husband's best friend, the dashing Colin Hargreaves.
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Tasha Alexander is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
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