A Talent for Trickery

by Alissa Johnson

[Amanda]

4.5

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw a new book by Alissa Johnson on NetGalley, I had no hesitation in requesting it. I had to have it. I've read her Providence series and enjoyed it immensely, and I figured she would not lead me wrong. I was right; she did not.

There's something about a couple with previous history that I absolutely adore. Owen and Lottie have that, in spades. He had worked with Lottie's father, a known thief and criminal, years earlier, until his murder. Thus began the estrangement between Lottie and Owen, until he needs her assistance to solve the murder of someone she knows.

Oh. OH. I adored so many things about this book. Owen and Lottie have a lot of secrets between them, and secrets don't allow for a lot of trust. And without trust, it is difficult for a relationship to flourish. This is the basis for their romance arc, and it was a delightful one. Watching them slowly come together and trust each other and their feelings for the other... perfection.

And then there was the mystery of who was behind the original murder, and later, the odd happenings at Willowbend, and it was excellent. EXCELLENT. With so many pieces in play, including what Lottie's father was up to, it took me a while to figure out who it was, but I got it. And, again, it was fun to unravel it and all the secrets.

And I can't forget to mention the rest of Lottie's family and Owen's friends. Because I hope there's more where they're concerned, especially between Esther and Samuel. A Talent for Trickery is the kind of book you don't want to finish because you don't want it to end, but you want to reader faster so you can get to the HEA. Can't wait for more from Alissa Johnson!