Late for the Wedding

Late for the Wedding
4 Stars

In this third and final installment, private inquiry agents Lavinia Lake and Tobias March attend a house party in the country in an attempt to finally have some intimate time together. Unfortunately, their amorous interlude is interrupted when a man plummets to his death right in front of them. Soon they are on the trail of a daring assassin with a troubling connection to Tobias's past.

This series has been a delightful romp from start to finish. Tobias and Lavinia's ongoing romantic exploits are very entertaining as is their banter and chemistry.

While the mysteries in each book are on the predictable side, and the investigation in this book is no exception, the cases are interesting enough to keep turning show more the pages and the final explanations and resolutions are satisfying - there is even a solid twist at the end of this particular case.

All in all, I'm sad to say goodbye to these charming characters, but loo forward to continuing my foray into Amanda Quick's backlist. show less

I liked the first part of this and excitedly thought that this might be my favorite of the three, but then it muddled along for a while in the middle, and the end was largely a series of long explanations. It just wasn't as engaging and satisfying as I'd hoped. I do like these characters though, and have enjoyed their relationships.

An invitation to a country house party at Beaumont Castle provides a perfect solution to Tobias and Lavinia's most exasperating challenge: how to escape the chaos of London for a remote, relaxing--and above all romantic--retreat from prying eyes and wagging tongues. But the lovers' plans are foiled when their first cozy interlude of the weekend is disrupted by the appearance of a stunning woman from Tobias's past. Aspasia Gray's beauty is as haunting as her connection to Tobias. Her long-deceased fiance was a friend of his--in addition to being an eccentric assassin. The mysterious nature of the bond between Tobias and Aspasia makes Lavinia more than a little uncomfortable. Especially as her first encounter with Aspasia occurs when she show more finds her in Tobias's bedchamber...

It seems Aspasia is seeking protection--and solace--after receiving an ominous message that eerily recalls the past. Suddenly the obstacles standing betweenTobias and Lavinia appear greater than just a little London gossip--and far more deadly.When events at the castle suggest someone is imitating the dead killer's methods, the team of Lake and March fervently pursue the investigation--and each other--as their leads take them from Society's most elegant haunts--and most discreet hideaways--to London's shadiest backstreets. As their relationship heats up, so does the intrigue. Soon Lavinia will have to employ all her talents to flummox the scoundrel who so rudely interrupted her rendezvous. And then she and Tobias can get back to more pleasurable affairs. show less

Lavinia Lake and Tobias March, introduced in Slightly Shady and making their second appearance in Don’t Look Back, are back in action, this time investigating a hired killer known as the memento mori man. At the same time, they separately ponder their future together: Lavinia whether she wants to marry again, Tobias whether he can afford to. Likewise, her niece and Tobias’s young brother-in-law wait anxiously and impatiently for the means to wed—especially as society’s rules do not permit a young lady the same freedoms in which a widow like Lavinia can indulge. The growing commitment and continued passion between them is moving and sweet.

Quick continues to channel her inner Elizabeth Peters - Lavinia Lake might as well be called Amelia Peabody (minus Egypt), while Tobias is a fair rendition of Emerson. When a killer strikes while the pair are attempting some country canoodling, the pair are once again on the hunt accompanied and assisted by faithful sidekicks Emiline and Anthony.

A fun early victorian romp. Tobias thinks the Momento Mori killer is dead but his calling card is appearing again with dead bodies. Lavinia and he investigate and while investigating find out about their own relationship.

Couple in Victorian time investigate the death of a guest at a country house party. Lots of silly goings on with sneaking in and out rooms in dark hallways. Very proper dialog but it was a Harlequin bodice-ripper type of story.