'Til death do us part by Amanda Quick
Ladies of Lantern Street, bk 3. Piatkus, 2016. ISBN
9780349409443
(Age: Adult) Recommended. Romantic suspense. Historical. Victorian
period. Calista Langley operates an exclusive salon where lonely men
and women from society are able to get to know each other. Her
business keeps her brother Jack and herself afloat in a time when it
is very difficult for women to earn a living. Trent Hastings, an
author of popular crime novels is convinced that Calista is taking
advantage of his lonely sister and doesn't trust her, but when she
asks for his help to find the stalker who is leaving her mourning
objects, he decides to help her. Together they plunge into a world
of danger and desire.
Quick is one of my favourite romantic suspense authors, whether
writing historical novels as Amanda Quick, contemporary stories as
Jayne Ann Krentz or paranormal tales as Jane Castle. 'Til Death
Do Us Part will not disappoint her fans. Right from the first
spine chilling chapters when the unknown stalker peers at her from a
small cage and leaves her frightening mourning objects inscribed
with her initials, the reader becomes engrossed in the fate of
Calista and the growing attraction between her and the enigmatic
Trent.
Quick always manages to draw spirited and intelligent female
characters, who no matter how difficult their circumstances, do
their best to overcome the odds. Calista is certainly one of these -
left with a large old house, no money for upkeep and a younger
brother to look after, she analysed her situation and strengths and
started her introduction agency, which has provided a living for
both of them. Trent Hastings is a crime writer and Quick gives the
reader lots of background information about the way he writes and is
treated as an author (probably from her own experience) as well as
the people that he has come to know through his investigations. The
spark between the two is inevitable, but the romance in the book is
balanced by the suspense of the creepy unknown villain and the
customs that the people of the Victorian era have surrounded
themselves with. The plight of the isolated governesses in this
society is also explored as some become prey to the deranged killer.
The suspense ensures that the reader won't put this book down
easily. It is certainly a great read for people who enjoy the
romantic suspense genre.
Pat Pledger