Download or read book The Daredevil Snared The Adventurers Quartet Book 3 written by Stephanie Laurens and published by HarperCollins UK. This book was released on 2016-06-28 with total page 269 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Responsibility knocks, and a reckless, hedonistic man responds and opens the door to love—thus is a daredevil snared.

Download or read book The Daredevil Snared written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2024-05-01 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Responsibility knocks, and a reckless, hedonistic man responds and opens the door to love—thus is a daredevil snared. #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens brings you the third installment in THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, continuing the drama of Regency-era high seas adventure, laced with a mystery shrouded in the heat of tropical jungles, and spiced with the passionate romances of four couples and their unexpected journeys into love. Captain Caleb Frobisher, hedonistic youngest son of a seafaring dynasty, wants to be taken seriously by his family, and understands he has to prove himself sufficiently reformed. When opportunity strikes, he seizes the next leg of the covert mission his brothers have been pursuing and sails to Freetown. His actions are decisive, and he completes the mission’s next stage—but responsibility, once exercised, has taken root, and he remains in the jungle to guard the captives whose rescue is the mission’s ultimate goal. Katherine Fortescue has fled the life of poverty her wastrel father had bequeathed her and come to Freetown as a governess, only to be kidnapped and put to work overseeing a child workforce at a mine. She and the other captured adults understand that their lives are limited by the life of the mine. Guarded by well-armed and well-trained mercenaries, the captives have been searching for some means of escape, but in vain. Then Katherine meets a handsome man—a captain—in the jungle, and he and his crew bring the sweet promise of rescue. The sadistic mercenary captain who runs the mine has other ideas, but Caleb’s true strength lies in extracting advantage from adversity, and through the clashes that follow, he matures into the leader of men he was always destined to be. The sort of man Katherine can trust—with her body, with her life. With her love. The first voyage is one of exploration, the second one of discovery. The third journey brings maturity, while the fourth is a voyage of second chances. Continue the journey and follow the adventure, the mystery, and the romances to the dramatic end. A historical novel of 120,000 words interweaving romance, high adventure, and intrigue.

Download or read book The Daredevil Snared written by Stephanie Laurens and published by MIRA. This book was released on 2016-06-28 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hoping to prove himself by taking up his brothers' covert mission in Freetown and freeing captives in the jungle, Caleb Frobisher falls for captive governess Katherine Fortescue, who is being targeted by a sadistic mercenary.

Download or read book The Adventurers Quartet Complete Collection The Lady s Command A Buccaneer At Heart The Daredevil Snared Lord Of The Privateers written by Stephanie Laurens and published by HarperCollins Australia. This book was released on 2018-06-01 with total page 1018 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Stephanie Laurens, No.1 New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Cynster novels, brings you The Adventurers Quartet, a riveting blend of Regency–era high seas adventure, a mystery shrouded in the heat of tropical jungles, and the passionate romances of four couples and their unexpected journeys into love. Now together in one complete collection! The Lady's Command Declan Frobisher, scion of a seafaring dynasty, is accustomed to getting his way. But his new bride, Lady Edwina Delbraith is unconventional and has a spine of steel. Bare weeks into their honeymoon, Declan is recruited to sail on a secret mission, and Edwina – naturally – declares she must accompany him. Facing unforeseen perils and unexpected enemies while battling to expose a dastardly scheme, Declan and Edwina discover that their tempestuous marriage demands something they both possess – bold and adventurous hearts. A Buccaneer At Heart When an urgent summons from the Crown arrives, Captain Robert Frobisher agrees to set sail for Freetown immediately. His covert mission is to locate a slavers' camp and return to London with the information. Miss Aileen Hopkins is determined to find her brother, a naval lieutenant who has mysteriously disappeared, and she will not allow anyone to turn her from this dangerous path. Joining forces with Aileen, Robert vows to complete his task and secure the woman he wants as his wife. Compelled to protect the innocent and bring retribution to a heartless enemy, they plunge into the jungle with only each other to rely on, and the courage of their hearts as their guide. The Daredevil Snared Captain Caleb Frobisher, hedonistic youngest son of a seafaring dynasty, has something to prove. So he seizes the next leg of the covert mission his brothers are pursuing, and stays on to accomplish its ultimate goal. Katherine Fortescue fled a life of poverty and came to Freetown as a governess, only to be kidnapped and forced to oversee the child workforce at a mine. Guarded by mercenaries, the captives have lost all hope. Then Katherine meets Caleb – and he brings the sweet promise of rescue. Through the clashes that follow, he becomes the leader he was destined to be, and the sort of man Katherine can trust – with her body, with her life. With her love. Lord of the Privateers Royd Frobisher is set to execute the final stage of the rescue mission his brothers have begun. What he does not expect is to bring Isobel Carmichael, his childhood sweetheart, with him. Isobel has her own mission: to find and bring a young cousin safely home. Following a full–scale rescue–assault on the slavers' compound deep in the jungle, Royd and Isobel discover that freeing the captives is only half the battle. To identify and convict the conspirators behind the illicit enterprise – and save England from political disaster – they must return to the ballrooms of the haut ton and hunt the villains on their home ground. But having found each other again, how much are Royd and Isobel willing to risk in the name of duty?

Download or read book A Buccaneer at Heart written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2024-05-01 with total page 449 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unexpected love—plus passion, intrigue, and danger—challenge our hero to embrace his true nature. #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens continues THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, a riveting blend of Regency-era high seas adventure, a mystery shrouded in the heat of tropical jungles, and the passionate romances of four couples and their unexpected journeys into love. After a decade of captaining diplomatic voyages for Frobisher Shipping, alongside covert missions for the Crown, Captain Robert Frobisher decides that establishing a home—with hearth and wife—should be his next challenge. But an unexpected mission intervenes. Although Robert sees himself as a conservative businessman-cum-diplomat and this mission is far from his usual sphere, it nevertheless falls within the scope of his abilities. As matters are urgent, he agrees to depart for West Africa forthwith. To Robert, his way forward is clear: Get to Freetown, determine the location of a slavers’ camp, return to London with the information, and then proceed to find himself a wife. Already in Freetown, Miss Aileen Hopkins is set on finding her younger brother Will, a naval lieutenant who has mysteriously disappeared. Find Will and rescue him; determined and resolute, Aileen is not about to allow anyone to turn her from her path. But all too quickly, that path grows dark and dangerous. And then Robert Frobisher appears and attempts to divert her in more ways than one. Accustomed to managing diplomats and bureaucrats, Robert discovers that manipulating a twenty-seven-year-old spinster lies outside his area of expertise. Prodded by an insistent need to protect Aileen, he realizes that joining forces with her is the surest path to meeting all the challenges before him—completing his mission, keeping her safe, and securing the woman he wants as his wife. But the villains strike and disrupt their careful plans—leaving Robert and Aileen no choice but to attempt a last throw of the dice to complete his mission and further her brother’s rescue. Compelled to protect those weaker than themselves and bring retribution to a heartless enemy, they plunge into the jungle with only their talents and inner strengths to aid them—and with the courage of their hearts as their guide. The first voyage is one of exploration, the second one of discovery. The third journey brings maturity, while the fourth is a voyage of second chances. Continue the journey and follow the adventure, the mystery, and the romances to the riveting end. A historical novel of 120,000 words interweaving romance, high adventure, and intrigue..

Download or read book Lady Osbaldestone And The Missing Christmas Carols written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2018-10-18 with total page 251 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Lady s Command written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2024-05-01 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How does marriage work? If convention is set aside and is no longer there to guide…what then? #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens brings you THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, a riveting blend of Regency-era high seas adventure, a mystery shrouded in the heat of tropical jungles, and the passionate romances of four couples and their unexpected journeys into love. The instant Captain Declan Frobisher laid eyes on Lady Edwina Delbraith, he knew she was the lady he wanted as his wife. The scion of a seafaring dynasty accustomed to success, he discovered that wooing Edwina was surprisingly straightforward—not least because she made it plain that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Declan’s vision of marriage was of a gently-reared wife to grace his arm, to manage his household, and to bear his children. He assumed that household, children, and wife would remain safely in England while he continued his life as an explorer sailing the high seas. Declan got his wish—up to a point. He and Edwina were wed. As for the rest—his vision of marriage… Aunt of the young Duke of Ridgware and sister of the mysterious man known as Neville Roscoe, London’s gambling king, even before the knot was tied Edwina shattered the illusion that her character is as delicate, ethereal, and fragile as her appearance suggests. Far from adhering to orthodox mores, she and her ducal family are even more unconventional than the Frobishers. Beneath her fairy-princess exterior, Edwina possesses a spine of steel—one that might bend, but will never break. Born to the purple—born to rule—she’s determined to rule her life. With Declan’s ring on her finger, that means forging a marriage that meets her needs as well as his. But bare weeks into their honeymoon, Declan is required to sail to West Africa. Edwina decides she must accompany him. A secret mission with unknown villains flings unexpected dangers into their path as Declan and Edwina discover that meeting the challenge of making an unconventional marriage work requires something they both possess—bold and adventurous hearts. The first voyage is one of exploration, the second one of discovery. The third journey brings maturity, while the fourth is a voyage of second chances. Start the journey here and follow the adventure, the mystery, and the romances to the thrilling end. A historical novel of 85,000 words interweaving romance, high adventure, and intrigue.

Download or read book The Tempting of Thomas Carrick written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2015-02-24 with total page 521 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do you believe in fate? Do you believe in passion? What happens when fate and passion collide? Do you believe in love? What happens when fate, passion, and love combine? This. This… #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to Scotland with a tale of two lovers irrevocably linked by destiny and passion. Thomas Carrick is a gentleman driven to control all aspects of his life. As the wealthy owner of Carrick Enterprises, located in bustling Glasgow, he is one of that city’s most eligible bachelors and fully intends to select an appropriate wife from the many young ladies paraded before him. He wants to take that necessary next step along his self-determined path, yet no young lady captures his eye, much less his attention...not in the way Lucilla Cynster had, and still did, even though she lives miles away. For over two years, Thomas has avoided his clan’s estate because it borders Lucilla’s home, but disturbing reports from his clansmen force him to return to the countryside—only to discover that his uncle, the laird, is ailing, a clan family is desperately ill, and the clan-healer is unconscious and dying. Duty to the clan leaves Thomas no choice but to seek help from the last woman he wants to face. Strong-willed and passionate, Lucilla has been waiting—increasingly impatiently—for Thomas to return and claim his rightful place by her side. She knows he is hers—her fated lover, husband, protector, and mate. He is the only man for her, just as she is his one true love. And, at last, he’s back. Even though his returning wasn’t on her account, Lucilla is willing to seize whatever chance Fate hands her. Thomas can never forget Lucilla, much less the connection that seethes between them, but to marry her would mean embracing a life he's adamant he does not want. Lucilla sees that Thomas has yet to accept the inevitability of their union and, despite all, he can refuse her and walk away. But how can he ignore a bond such as theirs—one so much stronger than reason? Despite several unnerving attacks mounted against them, despite the uncertainty racking his clan, Lucilla remains as determined as only a Cynster can be to fight for the future she knows can be theirs—and while she cannot command him, she has powerful enticements she’s willing to wield in the cause of tempting Thomas Carrick. A neo-Gothic tale of passionate romance laced with mystery, set in the uplands of southwestern Scotland. A Cynster Second Generation Novel – a classic historical romance of 122,000 words. Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens “Stephanie Laurens’ heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong.” Cathy Kelly “Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters.” Historical Romance Reviews “Stephanie Laurens plays into readers’ fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again.” Romantic Times Magazine

Download or read book Melting Ice written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2016-10-05 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A Family Of His Own written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2024-03-14 with total page 435 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to the quintessential question of what family means to a Cynster in this tale of the last unmarried member of the Cynster Next Generation and the final mission that opens his eyes. Toby Cynster is not amused when informed that his new mission is to be his last in the shadowy service of Drake, Marquess of Winchelsea. Courtesy of Toby being the last unmarried Cynster of his generation and the consequent martial obsession of his female relatives, he will be given no more excuses to avoid society and, instead, expected to devote himself to finding a suitable bride. But Toby sees no point in marrying—thanks to his siblings, he has plenty of nephews and nieces with whom to play favorite uncle, and he has no thoughts of establishing a family of his own. But then the mission takes an unexpected turn, leaving Toby to escort the irritatingly fascinating Diana Locke plus the three young children of a dying Englishman from Vienna to England. Diana is no more enthused about their journey than Toby, but needs must, and forever practical, she bows to events and makes the best of things for her godchildren’s sakes. She’s determined to see them to safety in England and does her best to ignore her nonsensical and annoying awareness of Toby. But then their journey becomes a flight from deadly pursuit, and their most effective disguise is to pass themselves off as a family—the sort of family Toby had been certain he would never want. Through a succession of fraught adventures, Toby, Diana, and the children lean on each other and grow and mature while furthering their ultimate aim of reaching England safely, and along the way, Toby and Diana both learn what having a family actually means to them, individually and together, and each discovers the until-then-missing foundation stone of their future lives. A classic historical adventure romance that sprawls across Europe to end in the leafy depths of the English countryside. A Cynster Next Generation novel. A full-length historical romance of 108,000 words.

Download or read book Four in Hand The Dissolute Duke written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Harlequin. This book was released on 2016-08-01 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: WHEN THE FOX INHERITS THE HEN HOUSE… Infamous rogue Max Rotherbridge unexpectedly inherits a dukedom—and four lovely young wards along with it. Suddenly he has to protect the four ladies from other rakes like him. But it's the eldest sister, Caroline, who is giving him real trouble. Because she's the one he wants for his own… Caroline Twinning's beauty is matched only by her intelligence and shrewdness. She's determined to see her sisters—and herself—well married before the season is through. And no one is more inappropriate for her than the new duke. After all, the whole of London knows he's not the marrying kind. So why is he the only one who interests her? BONUS BOOK INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME! The Dissolute Duke by Sophia James After circumstances force them to marry, Taylen Ellesmere, Duke of Alderworth, leaves his new wife and disappears. Three years later, he returns with an offer for Lucinda. But after all this time and pain, will she accept it?

Download or read book A Comfortable Wife written by Stephanie Laurens and published by MIRA. This book was released on 2017-04-10 with total page 211 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rediscover this classic tale of Regency romance by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens. Miss Antonia Mannering had made plans, and Lord Philip Ruthven played a large part in them. They had been childhood friends, but had not seen each other for years. She knew Philip was popular with the ladies, but he had never married any of them. Wouldn’t he now be ready for a wife? If she could prove to him that she could run his home, not disgrace him in Society and be a comfortable wife for him, surely he would be prompted to propose to her. But she never expected that love and passion would enter into their arrangement! Originally published in 1996

Download or read book Lord of the Privateers written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2024-05-01 with total page 512 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Can true love die? Or, neglected, does it lie dormant until the object of true desire is again within reach? Denied, does passion smoulder, like embers waiting for the right conditions to flare into an all-consuming conflagration? #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens delivers the thrilling conclusion to her acclaimed series, THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, a passionate Regency-era drama played out on the high seas and in the sweltering heat of tropical jungles, ultimately reaching a scintillating climax in the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair. The eldest of the Frobisher brothers and widely known as the lord of the privateers, Royd Frobisher expects to execute the final leg of the rescue mission his brothers have been pursuing. What he does not expect is to be pressured into taking his emotional nemesis, childhood sweetheart, ex-handfasted bride, and current business partner, Isobel Carmichael, with him. But is it Isobel doing the pressuring, or his own restless unfulfilled psyche? Resolute, determined, and an all but unstoppable force of nature, Isobel has a mission of her own—find her cousin Katherine and bring her safely home. And if, along the way, she can rid herself of the lingering dreams of a life with Royd that still haunt her, well and good. Neither expects the shock that awaits them as they set sail aboard Royd’s ship, much less the new horizons that open before them as they call into London, then, armed with the necessary orders and all arrangements in place, embark on a full-scale rescue-assault on the mining compound buried in the jungle. Yet even with the support of his brothers and their ladies and, once rescued, all the ex-captives, Royd and Isobel discover that freeing the captives is only half the battle. In order to identify and convict the backers behind the illicit enterprise—and protect the government from catastrophic destabilization—they must return to the ballrooms of the haut ton, and with the help of a small army of supporters, hunt the villains on their home ground. But having found each other again, having glimpsed the heaven that could be theirs again, how much are they willing to risk in the name of duty? Learn the answer and revel in the action, drama, intrigue, and passion as the Frobishers—with help from Wolverstone, the Cynsters, and many familiar others—steer the adventure to a glorious end. A historical novel of 135,000 words interweaving romance, high adventure, and intrigue.

Download or read book The Reasons for Marriage written by Stephanie Laurens and published by MIRA. This book was released on 2017-05-01 with total page 243 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rediscover this classic Regency romance by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens. Miss Lenore Lester was perfectly content with her quiet country life, so she took steps to remain inconspicuous when managing her brothers’ house parties–but to no avail! Though Lenore hid behind glasses and pulled-back hair, she couldn’t disguise her beauty. The notoriously charming Jason Montgomery, Duke of Eversleigh, easily saw behind Miss Lenore’s brilliant disguise, and while she was determined not to be thrown off balance by this charming rake, he was equally determined to loosen the hold she had on her heart. Originally published in 1994

Download or read book The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh written by Stephanie Laurens and published by MIRA. This book was released on 2018-04-24 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with a new series that captures the simmering desires and intrigues of early Victorians as only she can. Ryder Cavanaugh’s stepsiblings are determined to make their own marks in London society. Seeking fortune and passion, THE CAVANAUGHS will delight readers with their bold exploits. An independent nobleman Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is loyal and devoted—but only to family. To the rest of the world, he’s aloof and untouchable, a respected and driven entrepreneur. But Rand yearns for more in life, and when he travels to Buckinghamshire to review a recent investment, he discovers a passionate woman who will challenge his rigid self-control… A determined lady Felicia Throgmorton intends to keep her family afloat. For decades, her father was consumed by his inventions and now, months after his death, with their finances in ruins, her brother insists on continuing their father’s tinkering. Felicia is desperate to hold together what’s left of the estate. Then she discovers she must help persuade their latest investor that her father’s follies are a risk worth taking… Together—the perfect team Rand arrives at Throgmorton Hall to discover the invention on which he’s staked his reputation has exploded, the inventor is not who he expected and a fiercely intelligent woman now holds the key to his future success. But unflinching courage in the face of dismaying hurdles is a trait they share, and Rand and Felicia are forced to act together against ruthless foes to protect everything they hold dear.

Download or read book The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2021-07-15 with total page 424 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to the world of the Cynsters’ next generation with the tale of an unconventional nobleman and an equally unconventional noblewoman learning to love and trust again. A jilted noblewoman forced into a dual existence half in and half out of the ton is unexpectedly confronted by the nobleman who left her behind ten years ago, but before either can catch their breaths, they trip over a murder and into a race to capture a killer. Lord Grayson Child is horrified to discover that The London Crier, a popular gossip rag, is proposing to expose his extraordinary wealth to the ton’s matchmakers, not to mention London’s shysters and Captain Sharps. He hies to London and corners The Crier’s proprietor—only to discover the paper’s owner is the last person he’d expected to see. Izzy—Lady Isadora Descartes—is flabbergasted when Gray appears in her printing works’ office. He’s the very last person she wants to meet while in her role as owner of The Crier, but there he is, as large as life, and she has to deal with him without giving herself away! She manages—just—and seizes on the late hour to put him off so she can work out what to do. But before leaving the printing works, she and he stumble across a murder, and all hell breaks loose. Izzy can only be grateful for Gray’s support as, to free them both of suspicion, they embark on a joint campaign to find the killer. Yet working side by side opens their eyes to who they each are now—both quite different to the youthful would-be lovers of ten years before. Mutual respect, affection, and appreciation grow, and amid the chaos of hunting a ruthless killer, they find themselves facing the question of whether what they’d deemed wrecked ten years before can be resurrected. Then the killer’s motive proves to be a treasonous plot, and with others, Gray and Izzy race to prevent a catastrophe, a task that ultimately falls to them alone in a situation in which the only way out is through selfless togetherness—only by relying on each other will they survive. A classic historical romance laced with crime and intrigue. A Cynster Next Generation-connected novel—a full-length historical romance of 115,000 words Praise for The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child "This full-bodied novel should please all long-time fans of novels about romance and intrigue set in nineteenth-century England." Virge B., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing “Two old lovers embark on an investigation that is brimming with danger and intrigue. Their simmering, suspenseful tale is one that fans of Regency romance dare not miss.” Angela M., Copy Editor, Red Adept Editing “After ten years apart, former lovers Lord Grayson Child and Lady Isadora Descartes work together to solve a high-stakes mystery (and) secrets from their past. Is it wise to rekindle their romance, or will the search for love be their undoing? The attention to detail in both setting and characters brings the story to life. Fans of Regency romance are sure to enjoy uncovering The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child." Brittany M., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing

Download or read book Dead Beside The Thames written by Stephanie Laurens and published by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited. This book was released on 2024-10-17 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: #1 NYT-bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with a confounding case that sees her favorite sleuths acting to save a friend wrongly accused of murder. When a detested viscount is found murdered by the banks of the Thames and Charlie Hastings becomes the prime suspect, Barnaby and Penelope Adair join forces with Stokes to discover the real story behind the unexpected killing. Charlie Hastings is astonished to find himself accused of murdering Viscount Sedbury. Admittedly, Charlie had two heated altercations with Sedbury in the hours preceding the man’s death, but as Charlie is quick to point out to Stokes – and to Barnaby and Penelope – there are a multitude of others in the ton who will be delighted to learn of Sedbury’s demise. As Penelope, Barnaby, and Stokes start assembling a suspect list, Charlie’s prediction proves only too accurate. Yet the most puzzling aspect is who on earth managed to kill Sedbury. The man was a hulking brute, large, very strong, and known as a vicious brawler. Who managed to subdue him enough to strangle him? As the number of suspects steadily increases, the investigators are forced to ask if, perhaps, one of their suspects hired a killer capable of taking Sedbury down. With that possibility thrown into the calculations, narrowing their suspect list becomes a futile exercise. Their pursuit of the truth leads them to investigate the many shady avenues of Sedbury’s life, much to the consternation of Sedbury’s father, the Marquess of Rattenby. Rattenby does not want Sedbury’s distasteful proclivities exposed for all the world to see, further harming the other family members who Sedbury has taken great delight in tormenting for most of his life. In the end, the resolution of the crime lies in old-fashioned policing coupled with the fresh twists Barnaby and Penelope bring to Scotland Yard’s efforts. And when the truth is finally revealed, it raises questions that strike to the very heart of justice and what, with such a victim and such a murderer, true justice actually means. A historical novel of 62,500 words interweaving mystery and murder with a touch of romance.