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styxx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
My copy of this book has in quite noticeable letters on the front cover that this is a 'ladies of lantern street' novel. I am not sure why because I don't believe that it is. I suppose that it is possible that the author may plan to bring some of the characters from this novel into future 'lantern street' books, but as a reader I have to review based on what I know for certain at this point in time, and I would argue that a book that does not mention once lantern street, the agency based there or any of the ladies belonging to it should not be classified as part of that series. I honestly do not know why it has been published with that on the front cover and I feel that it is misleading.
However, that said, the story itself is a solid romantic suspense plot. This is, I believe, the first novel the author has written for awhile that does not feature paranormal elements. That did not detract from the story though. The author set herself quite a challenge with the suspense elements because there are two major plotlines on that front: one featuring a serial killer nicknamed the Bridegroom, one a case of international espionage. There are a number of characters with different agendas and more than one 'bad guy'. A lot of romantic suspense can be quite simplistic on the suspense side of things with it being used merely to add a little dramatic tension to the romance. This more complex plotline was interesting and, I felt, handled well.
The characters are also classic Amanda Quick, especially the heroine who, like many of her female leads, is strong willed and a little unconventional.
However, that said, the story itself is a solid romantic suspense plot. This is, I believe, the first novel the author has written for awhile that does not feature paranormal elements. That did not detract from the story though. The author set herself quite a challenge with the suspense elements because there are two major plotlines on that front: one featuring a serial killer nicknamed the Bridegroom, one a case of international espionage. There are a number of characters with different agendas and more than one 'bad guy'. A lot of romantic suspense can be quite simplistic on the suspense side of things with it being used merely to add a little dramatic tension to the romance. This more complex plotline was interesting and, I felt, handled well.
The characters are also classic Amanda Quick, especially the heroine who, like many of her female leads, is strong willed and a little unconventional.
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Abandonment