February 2, 2015
A homicidal vigilante is on the loose in Cleeland’s diverting but flawed third romantic mystery featuring Scotland Yard’s Kathleen Doyle, newly promoted to detective sergeant, and her husband, Det. Chief Insp. Michael Sinclair, Lord Acton (after 2014’s Murder in Retribution). Meanwhile, an old nemesis of Acton’s seems to be plotting against him from prison, and this kicks Doyle’s protective instincts into high gear. More attention is paid to machinations against the unconventional Acton, and fallout from past events, than the vigilante killer case, so some plot nuances may be hard to follow without having read the previous books. Cleeland writes with a light and witty touch, and there’s never a shortage of clever banter and interesting characters, but some readers may tire of Doyle’s constant self-deprecation in the face of her husband’s well-bred upbringing, in spite of instincts that rarely fail her and a sixth sense that makes her a virtual human lie detector. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.
April 15, 2015
Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle and her husband, Chief Inspector Acton, a peer, have their hands full with a series of murders that appear to be vigilante killings. All of the victims were accused of crimes, but they managed to avoid any penalty until the unknown avenger put a bullet into the back of their heads. As they work determining what connects the cases, Doyle finds a mysterious stranger following her. When he rescues her from an attacker, she begins to wonder who he is and why he is protecting her. Lord Acton must deal with a sexy and unscrupulous reporter who is getting information from someone inside Scotland Yard. Since Acton's work methods are unorthodox, to say the least, his job and reputation could be threatened. This is an entertaining, fast-moving procedural for those who enjoy British cop dramas, and, as a bonus, it delivers genuine insight into the British class system.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)