ABOUT THE BOOK
Vera Sorokina loves reading the penny dreadfuls and immersing herself in tales of adventure, mystery, and romance. Her own days are filled with the often mundane work of running the book and print shop she owns with her father. The shop offers her freedom and an income, and while she is grateful for the stability it brings to her life, she often feels lonely.
Brogan Donnelly was born and raised in Ireland, but has lived in London for several years, where he's built a career as a penny dreadful writer. He has dedicated himself to the plight of the poor with the help of his sister. But with no one to share his life with, he fears London will never truly feel like home.
When Brogan and Vera's paths cross, the attraction is both immediate and ill-advised. Vera knows from past experience that writers are never to be trusted, and Brogan has reason to suspect not everything at Vera's print shop is aboveboard. When a growing criminal enterprise begins targeting their area of London, Brogan and Vera must work together to protect the community they've both grown to love. But that means they'll need to learn to trust each other with dangerous secrets that have followed both of them from their home countries.
REVIEW
This third volume of the Dread Penny Society series focuses on Brogan Donnelly. When word of a plot against the Russian Ambassador arrives at the Dread Master's door, he sends Brogan to investigate the possible connection to a print shop. But in order to protect the Society, Brogan has to pretend to quit and work on his own, something he isn't comfortable doing. He also doesn't like to lie, but he has to use a fake name when he realizes that writers aren't welcome in the print shop where he takes a job. As he searches for information regarding the plot, he finds his interest in the printer's daughter who runs the shop growing. But without the help of his friends and the society can he figure out what's going on and stop it? And what about the lies? Will Vera forgive him when she discovers his deception or is he doomed to failure.
Sarah Eden has once again created an entertaining yet thoughtful tale of Regency England. I've especially enjoyed this series because the characters come from a variety of backgrounds, none of which involve wealth. In addition to the delightful romance, the mystery related to the plot involving the Russian ambassador was intricate and exciting. And the plot becomes even thicker when Vera and her whole neighborhood are extorted for protection money. The witty banter and the fabulous characters combined with intricate, fascinating plots make this series thoroughly engaging and fun. The inclusion of the penny dreadful tales adds interest as it reveals things about the characters who 'wrote' them. This is a series that I thoroughly enjoy and highly recommend.
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