- The backstory: Owen Renderwell helped rescue a kidnapped duchess with the aid of a thief and his brilliant daughter Charlotte Walker. The thief ended up dead and Charlotte along with her siblings ended up in the countryside under assumed names. Owen got all the glory and a title to boot. Owen was smitten with Charlotte and reached out over the years, but she refused to see him and returned his letters unopened.
- The situation: Someone is murdering folks in London and leaving cryptic messages. Viscount Renderwell, now working as a private detective seeks help from the Walkers, Charlotte in particular. The setup for both the romance and the suspense was brilliant, engaging me as the reader from the start.
- The characters: Charlotte (Lottie), having grown up with a thief for a father has developed into a strong, somewhat outspoken lady. I loved her remarks and the banter that ensued upon Owen’s arrival. Owen, the poor smitten sod, Charlotte both fascinates and confounds him. He is hoping this case allows them to connect again,. It won't be easy as she is very angry with him. Owen is use to being the leader and quickly takes charge. Charlotte on the other hand will never accept second in command making things interesting. Their chemistry was sizzling and they were equally matched.
- Secondary characters: All were well-developed and added to the story. Ester, Lottie’s younger sister is a tad scary but I adored her and look forward to her story. Their younger brother Peter at fifteen considers himself the man of the house and is not aware of the truth behind his father or his sister's past. Gabriel and Samuel are private detectives who work with Owen and I am curious to learn more. It is clear the three men trust each other and we see hints of another budding romance.
- The murder mystery: Johnson created a captivating set up with the murders in London, and brought it all to the countryside estate. She weaved the past into the present mystery with twists and turns that kept everyone guessing. Our characters faced danger keeping the suspense high even as we allowed time for this second chance romance to develop.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer