A wonderful, suspenseful, conclusion to this series.

An Unsuitable Heir is the 3rd book in the Sins of the City series and it brings the underlying story arc to a very satisfying conclusion.

Book 1 in this series was a bit of a struggle for me but I loved book 2 and devoured book 3. Each of the first two books had satisfying conclusions for the couples featured in those stories but the mystery behind the series wasn't concluded until this book. While you could read An Unsuitable Heir without reading the first two – Ms. Charles does an excellent job of reminding us of what we need to know from the prior books – I think you might enjoy it more if you read the others first. And, if you haven't read the others yet you will have the wonderful experience of reading all three books straight through without having to wait in between like I did. 😊

Mark Braglewicz has been hunting for the missing heir to the earldom of Moreton and he finally finds him performing as a trapeze artist, along with his twin sister. Pen Starling wants nothing to do with being an Earl. After he and Mark make a romantic connection he wants to be left alone to live his life without the public scrutiny that would come with being an Earl.

I loved this story and it kept me on the edge of my seat nearly the entire time I was reading it. I had no idea throughout this series who would end up being the bad guy. How it all played out in this book was just brilliant writing on the part of Ms. Charles. It was fun to get to visit again with characters from the first two stories and I loved how some of them were integral to the solving of the mystery.

Sins of the Cities was a well-crafted trilogy and I will certainly be reading more books by K.J. Charles.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions***

Reviews shared on Goodreads Amazon and V'S Reads: https://vsreads.com/2017/10/05/replacing-an-unsuitable-heir-a-review/

4.5 Stars for this historical M/M romance set in Victorian-era London. This is the third book in a series and is likely best enjoyed when read in sequence.

The first book, AN UNSEEN ATTRACTION, featured the mystery, mischief and murder that befell Clem Tallyfer, bastard son of his Grace, the (late, late) Earl of Moreton as he managed a lodging house, and fell in love with Rowley Green, one of his lodgers. The second book, AN UNNATURAL VICE continues the investigation of whomever killed one of Clem’s lodgers, Reverend Lugtrout, and also Clem’s half-brother, Edmund, then the earl. Lawyer and journalist Nathanial Roy is working hard for Clem to ensure he doesn’t get put out of his lodging house by his uncle, an mean elderly man who is claiming the title as Edmund had no legal offspring. But spiritualist Justin Lazarus met Edmund’s secret wife, and knows a son was born. They spend most of their book on the run from London’s killer fog, and a real-live killer, while they hunt down the rightful Earl of Moreton.

We already know the identity of the apparent earl by the end of the second book, and he’s not what anyone expected. Pen, and his twin Greta, christened Repentance and Regret after being born in a religious sect where their mother took refuge when her scoundrel of a husband married her, had his merry way, and discarded her at the age of 16, are now performers. And Pen likes it that way. He and Greta have a good life where Pen can allow some room for his…unusual and generally unacceptable behavior.

See, Pen is gender dysmorphic. He’s not happy in men’s clothes all the time, and he’s also not happy in women’s clothes either. He has long, lush hair, and often paints his face to match that of Greta–and not only for their performances. There are days he can’t bear to look as his naked form, and his broad, strong hands–tools of his trade–horrify him in their masculinity. In the musical hall, he can dress in ways that are counter to society’s dictates and pass it off as a lark, or the eccentricity of a performer. And he likes it too much to give up for some stuffy title. There’s no way he could mask his nature for the twenty–or fifty–years he’d need to as an earl. And the idea of marrying a woman to sire an heir? *Pen shudders*

Mark Braglewicz was born to a Polish anarchist, and endured life with only one arm. He’s an enquiry agent, what you might call a private investigator in today’s terms. His dear friends Clem and Nathaniel need his help tracking down the missing twins, and there’s no shortage of death and destruction that follows this search. Already three men are dead, and two properties were either burned or vandalized. It’s actually not hard for Mark to find Pen, nor is it hard to woo him. Pen hasn’t found a man before who had such flexibility in his desires. Mark finds Pen’s gender-bending appeals to him far too much, and he’s in a bad spot. He’s falling for Pen, but the murderer is still on the loose. It’s with no other choice than to save his friends and protect Pen from the murderer that he reveals Pen to be the rightful Earl of Moreton.

Pen is furious at the betrayal. And he’s not happy with the process of investigation. As his great-uncle and cousin dispute the situation, Pen and Greta are sent to pass the time at the family seat in the country. With their new “relations.” It’s uncomfortable, and unnerving, for Pen to be scrutinized so. Clem and his half-cousin Tim, also make the journey and they are good companions. Greta seems so happy on her walks with Tim, and Pen can’t escape his title, though he desperately wants to do so. Once the lawyers finish their investigation, he’ll be sealed into the title forever. And, man, is he mad with Mark for this burden!

Though, it wasn’t Mark’s fault. It was his rotten father’s fault. If Pen is destined to be this earl, then he’s going to make things right within this whole dysfunctional family, by golly! Well, if he lives that long. It’s clear the danger didn’t remain behind in London, and Pen’s fears that he’s being stalked are only assuaged when Mark turns up at the country estate to search for a possible killer among the house staff and visitors. And, Mark’s able to win back his beloved Pen.

The mystery was, as in the previous books, slowly revealed and had a great twist. The open love between Mark and Pen is tender and thoughtful. I could see why both men were so conflicted. If Pen is a earl, Mark has no hope of sharing any sort of love, clandestine or not, with him. But, the story ends happy–and realistically so. Pen is a quick thinker, and when his chance appears to make his life as he sees fit, he grasps that lifeline with both his strong hands and runs like the devil chased him. This is a fantastic mystery-romance series with just the right amount of intrigue and affection and a beautifully-rendered historical setting.

I’ve read An Unsuitable Heir twice now and enjoyed it both times, although perhaps more so the second time around. A re-read helped me better appreciate all Ms. Charles accomplishes in 246 pages; it also helped me decide how I wanted to approach my review. An Unsuitable Heir presents (for me) a unique challenge – instead of simply asking myself whether I liked it and why (and then sharing it with you), I had to first ensure I understood it, and could therefore appreciate – and review – it properly. Ultimately, I’ve decided the principal characters and the complexity of their relationship is stronger than the mystery/plot that wraps up the trilogy, and for that reason, my grade represents a compromise of sorts.

If you’ve read the first two books in the Sins of the City trilogy (and really you must, or none of this will make sense and you’ll spoil the mystery), you know that the overarching story concerns the missing heir to the Moreton earldom. When An Unnatural Vice concluded, private inquiry agent Mark Braglewicz had located the missing Godfrey twins, Repentance and Regret, who now call themselves Pen and Greta Starling, and informed them that they are the children of the late Earl of Moreton and his first wife, Emmeline Godfrey. Mark is miserable, the twins are miserable – and angry – and a killer is still on the loose, intent, it would seem, on preventing Pen becoming the Earl of Moreton.

An Unsuitable Heir opens weeks before the appearance of Pen and Greta and the chaos that ensues at the end of the previous novel once Pen is introduced as the heir to the Morton estate. A newspaper advertisement asking for information about them leaves the twins apprehensive and they decide to take a week off from performing and lie low. Owing to the horrible pea-souper that descends on London, this period of quiet is extended and Pen, who is frustrated and bored heads out one evening, with the intention of having a drink at the nearby Gin Kitchen. On the way, he meets a lost stranger, who offers to buy Pen drink in exchange for directions. Pen agrees and spends an enjoyable afternoon with his new acquaintance.

Mark Braglewicz doesn’t exactly lie about who he is, but he was never really lost, and after spending an afternoon with Pen Starling, he knows he’s at last found the Godfrey twins. Unfortunately, he keeps forgetting his professional responsibilities and finds himself attracted to his beautiful companion. The pair make plans to meet the following evening, but the planned meeting doesn’t come off. Returning to practice at the theatre, they discover Mark Braglewicz, a private enquiry agent, has been asking questions about them.

After a heated confrontation wherein the twins deliver a scathing set-down and refuse to hear Mark out, he eventually finds a way to speak to Pen by lying in wait for him after a performance.

Mark slid out of the shadows as quietly as he could, and caught up within a few paces. “Hello, Pen.”

Pen stopped and looked around. Those high boots put him a good two inches above Mark, and he didn’t look friendly. “Oh, it’s you. Why don’t you go away?”

“Because I need to talk to you,” Mark said.

“Unfortunately, I don’t need to talk to you.” Pen turned on his heel.

“Mate, you do. I swear it’s important, and I owe you a drink. Come and have a quick one with me. Please?”

Pen turned back to face him fully. There were a few dark ringlets framing his face; he was indeed painted, with his eyes darkened and, Mark suspected, reddened lips. He looked…

He looked strange. Phyllis at the Jack would never dress like this, both male and female. Mark wasn’t entirely sure what was going on.

Pen agrees to join him only after Mark reluctantly agrees not to discuss why he’s been searching for the twins, and the men head off to the Jack and Knave, a place we could get a drink and nobody would look at you twice.

With the investigation off the table, Pen and Mark spend the night talking and falling for each other. One of the pleasures of this book is the marvelous way Ms. Charles develops the tender affection Mark and Pen feel for each other, in spite of how different they are. Pen isn’t a him or a her – Pen is Pen. And to Mark, Pen is just beautiful – his bit of stuff. He doesn’t struggle to understand the person he’s falling for, he just falls. For Pen, Mark is a gift. A man who wants Pen’s love, and accepts Pen in all his incarnations – his bit of rough. It’s such a romantic and tender love without expectations or demands, and it’s wonderful. I admit I struggled a bit understanding who Pen is or wants to be, but this is where I believe my second reading was so beneficial. It didn’t matter; they belong together. Though I think Pen’s character is in very capable hands with Ms. Charles, what transcends the page, her writing and the complexity of the novel and the relationship, is the simplicity of the affection and love that emerges between the men – Mark loves Pen, Pen loves Mark – without judgment or reservations.

Ms. Charles does a marvelous job introducing us to Pen and Greta, whom readers assumed they already knew quite a bit about, through Mark’s eyes and experiences. As we already know, once Mark forces the earldom on Pen – their relationship changes. Pen feels betrayed – he has no desire to become an Earl, and his inability to do so (because really, it will kill him) presents all sorts of challenges – with his sister, the Godfrey family, with Mark, with his career… and Mark is similarly devastated. But when the killer goes after Pen, Mark, unable to stay away and still trying to protect and safeguard Pen, returns to his lover’s side, and it becomes clear that though this novel is ostensibly about uncovering the identity of a killer – and Ms. Charles keeps us in suspense until the bitter end – its larger focus is on the relationship at its heart – the one developing between its two damaged, complex and enigmatic principal characters, and on the families we choose vs. the one we’re given.

An Unsuitable Heir – much like the trilogy it concludes – is moving, challenging and special, and the development of Pen and Mark’s relationship rather brilliantly dovetails with the (happy ever after) resolution of the trilogy.

AN UNSUITABLE HEIR is the third and final installment in KJ Charles’ Victorian England, adult SIN OF THE CITIES M/M romance, mystery trilogy. This is private investigator Mark Braglewicz, and trapeze artist and reluctant earl Repentance ‘Pen’ Starling’s story line. AN UNSUITABLE HEIR can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise and plot throughout the series focusing on the search for the heir to the Earl of Moreton’s estate.

NOTE: AN UNSUITABLE HEIR and the SINS OF THE CITIES series contain scenes of M/M sexual situations and may not be suitable for all readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Twenty three years earlier, sixteen year old and pregnant Emmeline Godfrey Taillefer’s life fell apart when the man that she married walked away without a backwards glance. Fast forward and the son to whom she gave birth is said to be the legitimate heir to the Earl of Moreton-a position coveted by more than one surviving relation.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Pen and Mark) AN UNSUITABLE HEIR focuses on the search for the truth as a group of friends endeavors to find the missing heir to the Taillefer fortune and title holder to the Earl of Moreton. Mark Braglewicz has been commissioned to locate a young man known a Pen Starling-one half of the Flying Starling trapeze artists, and the man who is quite possibly the missing heir to the Moreton estates. Enter Repentance Taillefer aka Pen Starling, a man whose lifestyle will never be conducive as the Earl of Moreton, and the man with whom Mark Braglewicz will fall in love. With a killer on the loose, searching for the missing Taillefer twins, Mark struggles to convince Pen and his sister Greta (Regret) that Pen’s life hangs in the balance as a killer sets his sights on the Moreton heir.

Pen Starling is an anomaly – a bi-gendered man living in Victoria England; a flamboyant trapeze artist whose ‘professional persona’ crosses over into his daily life including an attraction to men that must be hidden in light of the times. Pen’s ‘gender fluidity’ is expressed by the way he presents himself as a girl or a boy (woman or man) depending upon his current state of mind or emotions. Mark Braglewicz, a private investigator is a bisexual man (with a missing left arm) whose captivation with Pen is palpable and intense.

The relationship between Pen and Mark is one of mutual fascination; a forbidden romance between two men who must remain closeted at a time when homosexuality is criminal and a sin. Mark’s ongoing need to convince Pen to acknowledge his rightful title builds a wall between our leading couple, a wall that will harden the heart of Pen Starling as betrayal and lies force Pen to face the truth about the man with whom he is falling in love. Pen is a reluctant heir knowing his personal lifestyle will become fodder for the people in charge-his fears are legitimate and painful. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The world building continues to focus on the hunt for a killer; the search for the missing Moreton heirs; and the developing friendships and relationships between a group of gay men in Victorian England. All of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles. Once again, the tone of the story is not conducive to the era or the time-I was expecting a tighter interpretation of the language e.g. euphemisms, slang, sentence structure, and because of this, the story line reads more modern than historic (see my review of books one and two). The premise is entertaining and enlightening; the characters are colorful but flawed; the romance is seductive and intense.

NOTE: I would like to add that political correctness did not exist in Victorian England, and to apply modern standards to an historical romance novel would alter the perceptive believability of the era. Some readers may take offense to the ‘presentation’ of Pen’s sexuality or Mark’s physical disability but for readers to apply contemporary criteria, standards, measurements or guidelines to this series and story line would be a grievous error that should be avoided.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

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Note: In the story Pen says he is neither a man, nor a woman but for lack of better term, Pen uses he/his pronouns. In present-day terms I see him as genderfluid or enby. I've decided to follow the author's choice and go with he/his pronouns and genderfluid for the sake of clarity in my review.

I must admit this is a rather difficult review for me to write. On the one hand I did enjoy a lot about this story and liked how it completed the mystery/crime arc of the series. I was excited to finally read Mark's story and was curious about Pen since I haven'rt read many genderfluid characters so far.

Overall, I'd say reading this romance was a positive experience but still there are some things that bothered me and took away from my enjoyment.

WE get the usual, detailed, engaging rich writing that we have come to expect from KJ Charles. The story is rich in details and follows the tone and general atmosphere of the whole series. I have to admit that finally uncovering the mystery was rather satisfying,

I liked Mark from the earlier books but here I had mixed feeling about him. I liked how open he was to everyone, how his pansexuality was expressed, his desire to care for others, to give them pleasure was an admirable character trait. Yet, especially at the beginning his "I like everyone and everything" made him appear bland, I felt it made him lack any personality of his own. As it turned out (to his own surprise) he is far from ordinary and simple in his likes. And it was Pen who encompassed in himself everything Mark found appealing, the mix of male and female had an irresistible pull on him.

I was very curious about Pen. I liked how his genderfluidity was presented (I'm saying this from POV of a cis het female reader). His struggles with himself, the society in general and the particularly difficult situation he found himself in were terrible.

I felt bad for him, forced to make a choice and suffering through Mark's betrayal (though I understood both sides here, Mark did it as the only way he saw to keep Pen safe, and Pen felt betrayed because his explicit wishes were so blatantly disregarded). Pen's very real sense of lack of choice in his life was very vividly presented and had a powerful impact on me as a reader.

My biggest concern was the comparison between Mark's disability and Pen's gendefluidity. It was done a few times and worked as a way for both of them to understand the other. I see its usefulness in that aspect but I also felt it carried the the subtext that only someone with a "flaw" could understand another person with a different "flaw". This didn't sit well with me at all from my very limited, outsider's perspective on both being disabled and being gendefluid.

I saw Mark as loving everything about Pen, his appearance, his character, his strength and vulnerability and i was convinced of the depth of his feelings for him. It was a sudden realization that Mark has a type, a preference and Pen is exactly what he wanted/needed in his life and he did his best to keep Pen in his life and make him happy.

On the other hand, I wasn't very much convinced of Pen's feelings for Mark. I saw him as grateful for being accepted for who he is, feeling good about being loved and cherished but for most part of the story I really didn't see his own affection/love for Mark. I it was only in the end that we saw Pen showing his feeling for Mark for who he is not for what he did for him.

On a more positive note, I liked how things worked all for everyone in the end. I felt the good people got the chance at happiness they deserved (we see the couples from the previous series, as well as Pen's sister in HEA/HFN situation) and bad guys got what they deserved.

In conclusion, it would say it is moving, thought-provoking story exploring some complex issues of personal identity, disability, love, acceptance and the choices we make in life.

Readers are well-served if they tackle An Unsuitable Heir, the third in K.J. Charles’ Sins of the Cities series, after An Unseen Attraction and An Unnatural Vice.  For now, suffice it to say, the best reason to read them all, is that each book is laudable. Together they are a tour de force.
 
Pen and his sister, Greta, are the Flying Starlings, trapeze artists. They don’t yet know Pen has inherited an Earldom. Others in line to be Earl of Moreton aren’t aware of his existence either. But one person does know and wants to kill Pen, while the siblings remain blissfully unaware.
 
Private Enquiry Agent Mark Braglewicz, a friend of Pen’s Uncle Clem, undertakes to bring Pen and Greta safely to Pen’s Coronet. This will protect Clem, and his lover, Rowley, as well as Mark’s friend Nathaniel and his lover, Lazarus, all of whom have personal knowledge to affirm the Starling’s identities. Each has already been endangered by the killer, and remains threatened while Pen and Greta are undeclared.
 
Only K.J. would pair men whose sexual fluidity contrasts. 
 
Mark, who is cisgender (comfortable as male), doubts he’ll find a mate, since he’s pansexual, (enjoys partner variety - females, males, and non-binary.) Pen’s gender and sexuality are so fluid he can’t predict which acts his body will permit on a daily basis. While Pen is non-binary, however, he’s certain his partners must be male.
 
Pen identifies with Mark, born with one arm, as someone who has also been mocked for failing to meet “the laws of nature.” As Pen tells Mark, “’I feel right with you, Mark. And I know it’s right, because I spend quite a lot of my life feeling wrong, and I can tell the difference. I feel like we fit.’”
 
Mark tells Pen he’s a “’practical man, that’s the long and short of it. We can’t all fly.’” And he realizes their attraction is highly impractical, if not unethical. Given that Pen and Greta refuse to learn why Pen sought them, even while an Earldom and/or a killer awaits, how can Mark bed an Earl, who refuses to know he’s Earl, without taking advantage of Pen’s bounty? How can Mark do so while his purpose is to force the Starlings to acknowledge their true identities?
 
The Sins of the Cities series was meticulously mapped to create intricately overlapping plots, such that the timelines of each novel also overlap. When scenes are revisited, from a different character’s perspective, readers see how reality changes according to one’s situation. To read the novels out of order would destroy this treat.
 
K.J. might as well be describing her own impeccable plots when she has Mark reflect on the Starling’s trapeze act, as a “harmony of the spheres…When it was set going, the various parts swung smoothly through one another in a complex, balanced perfect dance.”
 
Each novel adds to our previous understanding of the characters, their personalities and kinship. By reading the novels as written, we watch the men grow, as their relationships mature.
 
And without learning the context set by previous novels - the difficulties of poverty, class, and by gay men in general, how could readers appreciate the exquisite agony of living without gender identity, especially by Pen, a man whose impending wealth and power will shed a spotlight on his “unacceptable” differences.
 
Simple wisdom is always imparted by K.J.’s characters. “’If someone tells you what they want to be called, that’s what you call ‘em; if someone tells you how they wanted to be treated, that’s how you treat ‘em,’” is one barkeep’s refrain.
 
And then there’s K.J.’s hallmark elegant prose, often gently brushed with a slice of humor. Here’s a bit from her first two paragraphs: “Omens ought to come with fanfare. That was how it was in the theater...They weren’t meant to turn up in the newspaper while you were eating kippers.”
 
I would love to sit at K.J.’s feet, to learn how she manages to tick off every category that makes a great novel – smooth plots with suspenseful twists, endearingly flawed characters, suspense, humor, authentic dialog, and delightful social commentary.
 
Once more, thank you K.J., for An Unsuitable Heir, and for proving that a tight-knit, accepting community can make the harshness of life worthwhile.

Great plot with interesting characters kept me totally engaged from the very first page until the turn of the very last page!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

This is the final book in this series, it is a M/M romantic suspense set in Victorian times. This was a great ending to the series, it wraps up all the story lines and gives the reader closure on the characters. This story contains more suspense than the previous installments which I really enjoyed. It is extremely well written and paced just right to keep the reader interested. Loved it!

"-I'm not a woman, but that doesn't make me a man either."
"Right. what?"
"You heard."

K.J. Charles returns with the last addition to the Sins of the Cities, book #3 An Suitable Heir. And I have been waiting on this book since reading about 31 year old private enquiry agent Mark Braglewicz in the first book. He's the plain speaking detective that will seek the truth no matter if it hurts.

You must read this series in order and don't skip to get to the one armed detective to get why Mark is so great. He's on the hunt for the lost heir and what he finds is not what he expects.

The Flying Starlings, 23 year old twins Pen and Greta have been right under everyone's noses in London, working as trapeze artists. When I learned who Mark's lover would be I wondered how it could ever work, an acrobat aristocrat in Victorian Britain? No way! And then make the long lost heir gender fluid? Say what?

Thankfully, the premise was handled in Charles' more than capable hand. and the story despite the gloomy setting was light. With the mystery of "Fogman" looming, a noble family's dirty secrets just dripping out of various sources, I thought Pen being non binary in Victorian times when it wouldn't have a word to exist at the time was going to be a lot.

Not so. It was relatively easy once Pen had found a person to listen and understand. There were minor struggles but nothing that brought the plot to a halt.

"Bit of a leap in the dark, though?" Mark suggested, in a last gasp of decency.

Pen smiled, gloriously, a full, wide smile that lit his face and gave him a startling resemblance to Clem. "Mark. Leaping in the dark is what I do."




The romance was uncomplicated. Pen and Mark are round pegs in society's square hole and they don't need to fit it, nor should anyone. Being as most of the conflict was internal for Pen: how Pen's perceived, how others expect Pen to fit society's gender norms and Pen's trauma from a lifetime of battling the expectations, other than the murder lurking about, nothing much happens.

It's a case of boy meets Pen. Boy doesn't care which way a person is as long as they're happy. Pen likes that someone gets the way Pen's world is. And they fall for each other super quick. It's borderline insta-love and light and sweet really. The 'I love you's' come pretty quick with the amount of time the main characters spend together on page. Granted, some parts were time jumped.

The strongest character of the book: Lazarus.

Mark is rock solid as always. And consistent which is a perfect foil for Pen.

But Justin Lazarus, the shining smarmy star from Book #2, returns to assist when needed. And I hands down adore the snake! Some might say he's a hustler, liar and cheat.

And they're correct.

But I also say he's deviously clever.

He stole the show for me, even though his page time is limited. I might be seeing this through green colored greasy glasses. But dude is awesome. I would seriously read a book of his misadventures. He goes into K.J. Charles fave characters list for sure.

A close second for this book? Greta. What a great sister to have.

The mystery is wrapped up quite neatly. And there is a solid HEA despite the time period. All of the couples introduced found a great match. This book isn't my most favorite of the series. It didn't turn out to be what I hoped for. I wanted more page time between Mark and Pen, more intimate moments. Mark's super practical and plain speaking, I don't think it would have added more to the plot. I think it's part greed, part being ensnared by the Mark from books #1-2. Any angsting he did was told tot he reader instead of being read about.

I love the way Pen was written and respect that was given. Both main characters are strong and though the story is told through dual POV, it's really Pen's book.

As it should be. Pen's glorious. ;D

I definitely recommend this series.

The final book in the Sins of the Cities series starts off in the middle of Mark’s investigation to find the true heir of the earldom. In the midst of a fog that grips London, and provides cover for a killer, Mark tracks down Pen.

But things don’t go according to plan, because Pen and Mark hit it off from the start. Business quickly turns into pleasure, and Mark finds himself fascinated by Pen.

Pen is equally intrigued, and pleasantly surprised when Mark accepts Pen’s differences without fuss. Because Pen is neither man nor woman, and he hates the idea of a life of social conformity.

One thing I absolutely love about KJ Charles is that she walks the walk when it comes to diversity and inclusion. Pen’s gender identity is never glossed over in the book, and it’s central to the story.

Pen and Mark just click from the moment they meet. I thought the two were so sweet together. Plus, the physical chemistry between them was just as undeniable as the emotional chemistry.

I immediately connected to both MCs, and was rooting for their romance from the start. However, the honeymoon is short as the truth about Pen’s parentage inevitably comes to light.

Given that the earldom and its sordid history were responsible for pushing much of the story forward in the last two books, I was expecting a more climactic showdown in book 3. That didn’t really happen. But even so, the mystery was entertaining enough to keep me engaged.

Also, I really liked seeing how Pen dealt with the huge changes in his life, and how Mark was on his side every step of the way, even when things were shaky.

Overall, ‘An Unsuitable Heir’ was an entertaining read. It wasn’t my favourite, but it definitely wraps up the series on a high note. If you’re looking for complex characters, sweet romances, and a gripping mystery, give this series a try!

This is truly a great mystery series. KJ does historical like no one's business.
I love a good "handi-cap" story and Mark's is truly unique, as he was born with it instead of having "lost it", which gives it a different twist from others that i have read. I also like that the characters are NOT their "flaws" ((i use this loosely)) but are lifted to another dimension by them.

Pen was written rather smartly. I don't think KJ made him a stereotypical trans like you read in other books, he wasn't "token" or "cookie-cutter" if you will.

I thought this book capped off the series very nicely, though i did feel that some parts dragged on a bit, but i am NOT complaining about that, because everything else was so wonderful.

This is definitely a series you want to read if you're heavy into historical mysteries

I was very curious as to how Charles was going to wrap up the Sins of the Cities trilogy.

Each book has had a different couple but the overreaching story arc has always been the rush to find the heir of the Taillefer estate and have Pen claim his title and fortune before a cold blooded murderer kills again.

Most of the conflict derives from Pen not wanting the money or Earldom. Pen is gender fluid and the thought of having to constrain his true self is suffocating. He finds solace is the arms of Mark who accepts him just as he is.

However, Mark, an inquiry agent sent to find Pen, still needs to get Pen to claim what is his in order to save his friends and in his mind - keep Pen safe. Pen even considers doing it in order to give his sister a better future.

I really loved this story and how there were no easy solutions. Conflicting loyalties and desires abound but it was still sad to see Pen always on the shit end of things. Mark and Pen's sister clearly love him but they both, at least partially, put their needs ahead of Pen's believing his suffering isn't that bad - or that money can buy him happiness.

All in all an great conclusion to the murder mystery and I enjoyed Mark, Pen and in particular Pen's relationship with his sister and trapeze partner, Greta, even if this was a one of the more difficult K.J. Charles books I've read.

I wouldn't recommend reading this series out of order. While each couple stands alone, there is a lot of crossover with the murder plot but lucky for you they are now all out and deserving of a binge read!

K.J. Charles writes beautifully of Victorian London and at the end of her Sins of the Cities series, the back alleys and nooks and crannies of London and the Jack and Knave pub feel real, and the lives of working men (Clem and Rowley), lawyer / journalist Nathaniel Roy, the faux spiritualist Justin Lazarus, and acrobats Pen and Greta and the enquiry agent Mark Braglewicz are beautifully interwoven and give us a glimpse of life beyond the typical Lords and Ladies historical novel.

In the background of the two prior books in the series, Mark has been looking for the heirs to the Tallyfer fortune, and in <em>An Unsuitable Heir</em>, he finds Repentance (Pen) and Regret (Greta) Godfrey hiding in plain sight as the Flying Starlings at the Grand Cirque. We finally get the answer to the mystery of who is the killer, and the issue of the inheritance is (rather neatly) resolved. But the real heart of this story is the romance between Mark and Pen.

Pen identifies as gender non-binary and all he really wants out of life is for people to let him to be himself, but as the heir of a fortune and a member of the Peerage, he is doomed to a life of "normality." Pen wants a life where he doesn't have to hide or sneak, and "dressing as I wanted wasn't an eccentricity to tolerate, it was what I was <em>supposed </em>to do:

"Pen's mind didn't always fit his body. Jaw, beard, shoulders, prick; they all said one thing and it wasn't him. He couldn't change what parts his body had ... but he could change how it looked. Long hair and eye paint, jewelery and scarves; he put adornments that said 'woman' on a body that said 'man' and together it added up to something else. To him."

Mark is the son of an anarchist, can't be bothered about "God and religion and whatnot" and his mantra is "I'm not going to tell anyone how they should be." Mark sees Pen "well, looking like you should be." The costume, the movement, the power and grace. Masculine, feminine, human, animal, physical, and elemental, all at once." Born with one arm, Mark is uniquely suited to understand Pen, as Pen says:

"Are you the man you would be if you'd been born with two arms? Don't you think that changed anything about you - how you were treated, how people saw you, how you reacted to them? Or if you'd been born with two arms and lose one aged twenty, say. Would you be the same as you are now?""

I think this is the strongest book of the series and I give it 5 stars and a Recommended Read.

4.5 Stars!!!

An Unsuitable Heir is the third installment in the Sins of the Cities series by KJ Charles and it absolutely can't be read as a standalone. Even if all three books have featured a different couple, there's an ongoing mystery that concludes in this book. This review may contain spoilers if you haven't read the first two books.

I loved Mark, he was so protective and loyal. I felt so bad for how torn he was when he realized Pen didn't want anything to do with claiming his rightful title, but it was the only way he could keep him relatively safe from the man who was trying to kill him. I loved Pen, too, in all his gender-fluid glory. He was compassionate and sweet and I adored his bond with Greta. The chemistry between Mark and Pen was great, but above all, what really won me over, was the way Mark treated Pen. He truly cared and loved Pen and just wanted what was best for him. The way he constantly reassured Pen that no matter what he wanted to be, he was just what Mark wanted was absolutely swoon-worthy.

I adored Greta, too! She was a kick-ass character and I was ecstatic that she got her own HEA with Tim. It was awesome catching up with the rest of the crew, too!

Overall, this book was a whirlwind as the mystery of who was behind everything that's happened since the first book came to a riveting conclusion. The start dragged in a bit since it overlaps with what we saw in the second book, but it was a nice recap. The second half, though, was fast-paced and I couldn't turn the pages soon enough to find out how it all would play out in the end and still, even if I sort of guessed who the bad guy was shortly before it was revealed, I was awestruck at the amount of detail and research a project such as this series must have entailed. The mystery was captivating and the love stories were awesome, I just can't recommend this series enough for lovers of both historical romances and mysteries.

*** Copy provided to the reviewer via NetGalley for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

This book was well written, had plenty of action and an interesting, unusual romance. While really not my taste the storyline was really good. Enjoying a lifestyle suited to himself, Pen performs as a trapeze act with his twin sister, but finds that someone is looking for them and is uneasy as he and his sister had runaway from an abusive fostering situation. Pen meets Mark a PI who has been looking for the twins. Mark show a great interest in Pen and his unusual looks and lifestyle. Mark tries to tell the twins why he is looking for them but they are unwilling to hear what he has to say. Meanwhile people have been harmed and there is a killer looking for Pen. Mark introduces the twins to there family and the inheritance to which Pen is entitled. This action causes friction between Mark and Pen and the friendship is broken. The mayhem continues and Mark is asked to come back into the picture to help find the killer. This leads to a highly interesting adventure and a very surprising but satisfactory ending. I loved the author's description of the London lifestyle, the aristocratic lifestyle to which Pen is entitled and what is involved with claiming a titled inheritance.

This is the conclusion to a beautiful historical trilogy. You truly feel immersed in the gritty and dark streets of London. You emphasize with these queer characters for the everyday struggle it is for them to live as themselves. I think that Pen is the most striking example of this, unlike the previous characters, he has not had the privilege of access to the Jack and Knave and had been forced to express his gender identity in seedy clubs where he was even arrested at one point. Pen needed someone willing to accept him despite his gender dysphoria and Mark was the perfect man for him. The endearments that Mark uses were so sweet that it was so easy to see how Pen would fall for him.

Pen, on the other hand, is the exotic butterfly that Mark needed in his life to make it truly glow and I think Pen certainly achieves that. Mark needed someone to love and protect and the complicated inheritance mystery fit the bill, even though it might have led to them having to live separate lives. I really liked how the mystery figured itself out. It reminded me of an exciting game of Clue and the trilogy long conspiracy is finally solved and ends up as a happy ending for all of the protagonists involved.

While I’m sad to see these characters go, it was a rewarding end for this series and a very sweet HEA for each couple, even if they will still struggle to express their love due to the oppressive time they’re in. This entire series is comprised of 5 star reads and this beautiful story is no different.

An Unsuitable Heir is the final book in the Sins of the Cities trilogy, and follows Mark, a returning character from the previous two books, as he tracks down and tries to protect Pen, the true heir of the Taillefer estate and title. The stakes are getting higher for the killer, and Pen has to wrestle with the expectations of the world around them and their true identity, making everything just that much worse. As the threats on Pen's life loom and increase, they also have to contend with their feelings for Mark, who brings something into Pen's life that they never thought possible.

This was such a fitting end to the series! The mystery of who the killer was wrapped up quite nicely, and I thought it was definitely a surprise, I wasn't able to tell who it would be at all. This series is so character driven that to me, the mystery itself was almost secondary to the relationships and dynamics of the characters. Pen and Greta's relationship was so good, twin siblings that protect each other and look after each other at all costs, with no holds barred. Greta being protective of Pen as they pursues a relationship with Mark was delightful. And then the surprise of Greta's own relationship!! I loved it.

Pen was incredible, honestly - this is the first book I've read where the protagonist (or one of them, at least) is unapologetically nonbinary. There needs to be more like this! I loved the conversations between Mark and Pen, where Mark was genuinely listening and asking questions about Pen's identity and what would make them most comfortable. While Mark didn't always understand, and sometimes misstepped, he apologized and worked toward being better, which is so refreshing to see in a book featuring trans or nonbinary characters. How relieved Pen felt as Mark accepted them and loved them for who they are, male or female or anything inbetween, made my heart hurt, but I loved their romance all the same.

The return of characters and locations that I loved in the previous two books made everything that much better. I'm ever so fond of Clem, and I was delighted to have more of him in this book. Honestly this book was a great read from start to finish.

<blockquote>"...How do I look?”
Greta surveyed him. “Handsome and beautiful.” [loc 1525] </blockquote>

The concluding volume of the 'Sins of the Cities' trilogy: see <a href="http://tamaranth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/201721-unseen-attraction-kj-charles.html"><i>An Unseen Attraction</i></a> and <a href="http://tamaranth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/201759-unnatural-vice-k-j-charles.html"><i>An Unnatural Vice</i></a> for my reviews of the previous two novels. Also, potential spoilers for the events of those novels.

Pen and Greta, who perform a trapeze act as the famous Flying Starlings, are alarmed to discover that one Erasmus Potter is offering a reward for the whereabouts of 'Repentance and Regret Godfrey' -- the names their mother gave them. They thought they'd escaped the Potters' repressive 'rustic sect', but their nine years of freedom and success in London might be about to run out.

Mark Braglewicz has his own reasons for approaching Pen Starling: but he finds himself fascinated by Pen's looks and character, and the fluidity of Pen's identity. Pen is strong and broad-shouldered from all the trapeze work; he also likes to wear his hair long, paint his face and wear silks and frock coats. He's sick of people thinking his gender is an either/or: but Mark seems to understand.

But Mark knows something that Pen and Greta don't, and it's a dangerous secret to keep...

I spent a lot of this novel commiserating with Pen, because I couldn't see how the situation could end happily for anyone. In the final chapters, when the protagonists of all three novels are gathered at Crowmarsh, the ancestral home of Clem's family, the tension ratchets up and up. But, like clockwork -- like a trapeze act -- the pieces all fall into place.

One of the things I like most about this series is that each novel has different viewpoint characters. It's interesting to see them through one another's eyes. In <i>An Unsuitable Heir</i>, we have Mark's and Pen's perspectives on Justin Lazarus and on Clem, and Pen's initial impressions of the Jack and Knave regulars -- though Clem is already familiar to Pen and Greta as the 'Mysterious Stranger' who's a regular at their shows. Characters who made only brief appearances in the previous novels assume more significant roles; and the murderer known (to Mark and Nathaniel, at least) as the Fogman is more of a threat than ever.

And it's good to have a female character who's the equal (socially and in terms of plot) of the male characters. Greta, Pen's twin (she's described as looking more like Pen than he does) is more pragmatic and practically-minded than her twin, and is fiercely protective of him. She's aware that they can't be trapeze artists for the rest of their lives: she has a plan, and it doesn't involve Pen compromising his identity.

Pen's genderqueerness feels wholly credible for Victorian England. He (the pronoun Pen uses: “I’m not a she and I’m not an it, and at least 'he' doesn’t cause trouble") sometimes feels masculine, sometimes feminine. Circus life gives him considerable freedom in matters of dress and behaviour: on the other hand, he's stood trial for unnatural offences before, and he's never been to a safe space like the Jack where queer people can be themselves in public.

Pen's hair -- waist-length, chestnut-coloured, the subject of Mark's fantasies -- becomes a symbol of his refusal to fit in with society's expectations. "He would have to cut his hair if there was a trial. ... He’d have to cut away and ignore every part of himself that didn’t fit the box, and he felt the nauseating lurch of a dizzy spell at the thought." Mark -- son of a Polish anarchist -- points out how differently Pen's behaviour would be treated if he were a member of the aristocracy: "they are foibles, not offences, when the man doing ’em pays the wages. One law for the rich, another for the poor.” [loc 1089].

I haven't said much about Mark: Mark is delightful. Early in the book, Phyllis (the landlady at the Jack) tells him that he's 'penny-plain' while Pen is 'tuppence-coloured': and that's true, but not the whole truth. Mark loathes being termed 'incapable' or 'cripple' despite being born with only one arm -- a very visible difference. He's also competent, bisexual, protective, considerate, and has a slanted humour that meshes well with Pen's. And he's a very credible Sarf London bloke.

This is a romance with multiple layers: a murder mystery, a Gothic tale of aristocratic scandal, an exploration of gender and sexuality, a convincing romance, and a homage to Victorian literature. I applaud K J Charles -- and am very happy to have scored a free ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for this honest and appreciative review.

K J Charles writes excellent paranormal, but she also produces straight-forward historical novels perfectly and with strong clear messages. Pan's inability to articulate his gender is very much a sign of his time. Today, Pan would have more words, more freedom, (and more admirers probably!) But that he doesn't suffer serious mental health issues is a testament to his sibling Greta, and the community in which he surrounds himself. Always, throughout history, it's important to find your tribe.

Mark's practicality, his strength and moral sensibilities are depicted beautifully. He is a product of his upbringing, and it's interesting to note that environment is crucial here. Having a mother like his means he is able to see beyond the strict societal norms of the (hypocritical) class structure of the time. His devotion to Pan, his ability to accept his fluidity, his desire to see Pan happy make him both amazing and deserving of his own happiness. I loved his portrayal.

This book wraps up the mystery started in [book:An Unseen Attraction|30517107] and continued in [book:An Unnatural Vice|32161804] most satisfactorily. All characters are present (although some more than others), and the tension remains high. I didn't see a way for Pan to live his life if he became the Earl, even though I know that rich people do get away with so much more than other people. I was happy with the way Charles resolved the issue. The ending made me so happy.

I am glad to have received an advanced copy from publisher, via Netgalley. The final book in the Sins of the Cities series comes out on October 3. Highly recommended for all the emotions, mystery and romance.

I find it very hard putting into words what this series, and this book in particular, means to me. Whenever I stop to think about it, my heart becomes unbearably full and I feel the need to start reciting poetry to the nearest person. It’s slightly embarrassing, to be honest, but I can’t seem to do anything about it, since it feels like this entire year was spent waiting for more of this series. I knew I was excited for the final book, but I didn’t expect to feel so much.

(Side-note: I will be using he/him pronouns for Pen, because while I believe he’d chose different pronouns if he had the access to them, these are the ones he uses in the book and it didn’t feel right for me to make the choice for him.)

When Mark Braglewicz, a private enquiry agent, is tasked with searching for the lost heir of the late Earl of Moreton, he doesn’t expect to find a soulmate. Pen Starling, the beautiful and joyous non binary acrobat doesn’t want anything to do with his earldom. He loves his life on the trapeze with his twin sister and his evenings with Mark. But with a violent murderer still at large, Mark knows the only way to save Pen’s life is to get him to claim his birthright. The decision taken from his hands, Pen is forced to put up with his new relatives, at least while his parentage is investigated. But the murderer is still out there, bidding his time.

I adore the characters. Pen. Dear lord, Pen. He’s such a wonderful, cheerful person who managed to retain his kindness and joy towards others, despite the world not returning the courtesy. He’s funny and full of love and all he wishes for is to be able to live out his life and to be left alone. His world is magical and full of colors and he managed to carve out a place for himself, where people respect him and his gender. And now that that safety is torn away from him, my heart absolutely ached for him. His experiences with dysphoria hit so close to home: the dizzy spells, the inability to look into a mirror or even at his own body. It made me feel raw and aching, with a desperate need to help him.

Pen and Greta’s relationship won me over in under a minute. Greta is fiercely loyal, protective, careful and so, so funny. Their mantra of “No repentance, no regret” made me tear up. I also wanted to applaud every instance of the twins not backing down under the hatred the older Taillefers threw their way, because they were magnificent.

Mark is someone I wanted to see more of ever since we met him in the first book and he didn’t disappoint. His quiet, calm acceptance, the strength and will to help and make things right for others. He insists he’s just a simple bloke, but there’s nothing unremarkable about Mark. There is nothing simple about the way he respects people, their boundaries and identities, the way he listens and strives to understand, the way he makes others feel safe. There is a good reason why both Clem and Nathaniel come to him to seek help.

The background characters need to be mentioned too. Clem was his usual wonderful supportive self, delighted over his new relatives. But for me, it was Justin who absolutely stole the show. He’s excited and enthusiastic to show how hard he’s working now. His budding, teasing friendship with Mark is delightful and he has some of the best lines in the entire book. Seeing how far he’s come made me want to cry.

Mark and Pen fall into the kind of comfortable love where it feels like they’re been together for years. They work hard on understanding each other, their quirks and needs and limits. They listen to each other and clearly communicate what they need. They flirt adorably and make silly jokes and horrible puns and my heart ached so, so painfully at their despair of being kept apart. They also had a beautiful case of body worship going on and I could feel some deep part of my soul being healed at the sight of a disabled character being treated with such a reverent care.

I knew their relationship was going to be beautiful the moment Mark took Pen into the Jack and Knave and told him embarrassing stories about himself. In one stroke, Mark gave him a community and showed him he’s not alone. Pen’s overwhelmed reaction reminded me of the first time I attended a Gay Pride, the way the sight of so many proud, openly queer people made me break down and sob my heart out. Mark gave him the best possible gift he could.

Unfortunately, while the characters, romance and the overall plot are amazing, the conclusion to the murder mystery isn’t. Without spoiling anything, I’m afraid the reveal itself falls flat. And while everything surrounding it felt great, the reveal itself made me somewhat disappointed.

An Unsuitable Heir was a wonderful ending to one of my favorite trilogies. While it has some aforementioned problems, the emotional resonance from the characters themselves was so strong I ended up not caring much. This trilogy brought me so much joy in a year where I desperately needed it.