May 16, 2011
Former attorney Gabrielle (Lady of Scandal) launches a Regency series with legal backbone. Bluestocking Lady Evelyn Darlington's marital plans go awry when her scholarly intended, Randolph Sheldon, is suspected of murder after fleeing the scene of a courtesan's brutal slaying. Forced to seek help from the successful barrister Jack Harding, Evelyn insists on taking part in his investigation of the crime and soon becomes uncomfortably attracted to Jack. Along with well-matched lovers, Gabrielle provides an amusing cast of suspects and supporting characters, including the three bachelor barristers who share Harding's legal chambers and will presumably fill out the series. While the romance is more strongly written than the mystery, and Harding, despite his protestations, admires Evelyn's body more than her intellect, the tale is bolstered by tantalizing love scenes, enthusiastically detailed portrayals of England's Regency-era legal system, and witty comradely repartee.