Wow. What to say. A ride from the beginning to the very end! I love the DPS series and this final installment was no exception. The gritty side of Victorian England is one of my favorite perspectives because of how colorful and complex the issues they faced are. Sarah M. Eden does an incredible job creating an intriguing and intense plot with characters you love and cheer for. The romance is minimal but I still enjoyed it. The mystery and action in The Queen and The Knave was twisty and so well done. Can’t say enough good things about this series!

If you have tried to get into the Dread Penny Series but have a hard time mentally separating the Penny Serials from the main storylines, I suggest listening to this series on audio. Not only are the narrators fantastic, it helped me keep the stories separate and enjoy them the way the author intended.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Sarah M Eden for the ARC of this book!

This series is fantastic! I have loved every book, and let me just tell you - this one is as awesome as the rest of the series. It has everything I've come to love about this series, from mystery to suspense to danger lurking in the shadows to narrow escapes to villains who deserve a facer (or twenty) to good guys you just can't help but cheer for to the swooniest romance. Ah, the romance. Fitz and Móirín are the best. Their banter was top notch.

There are a few things I think I would've liked to have developed a little more (like maybe a little more insight about how Moirin became the Dread Master or what happened to Nolan or the real full truth of what happened to Fitz's grandfather), but overall I was happy with how this book wrapped up the series nicely and I was happy with how it ended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy; all thoughts are my own.

Wow, I absolutely loved this one! This is the end to the Penny Dread Series so be sure to read the other books before starting this one. Moirin and Fitz were so cute together! I Iiked all the couples and enjoyed all their stories and this was no doubt a great ending to the series. I highly recommend this book, you will be staying up late to finish this one! This was such a creative series and I will miss reading it. Sarah Eden, you are quite talented and this was truly amazing. Now on to find a tale as great as this one.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC. I was not required to write a review and these are my own honest opinions.

With members of the Dread Penny Society disappearing, Móirín seeks help from Detective Constable Parkington. Hindered by his superiors from taking on high-stakes cases, he secretly works with Móirín to hunt the Tempest. As she and Parkington fall in love, Móirín realizes the Tempest is targeting her. Saving the Society may cost Móirín her life.

I enjoyed this historical mystery romance. The characters are interesting, and the plot is strong. The romance isn't highly emotional, but Móirín and Parkington are supportive and devoted to each other.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Enjoyable ending to this fun series!! However, for me, there were a lot of things that just weren't very believable and felt forced to try to tie in all the connections and also things that were described that I just couldn't wrap my head around to comprehend and visualize in the action and some of the places. Still, I enjoyed this finale and the characters and world that Eden built with this series. There were a few things that were explained from earlier in the series and some that weren't (Vera's injuries were referred to frequently but not a reminder as to how they were actually sustained). While I enjoyed the concept of the Penny Dreadfuls and how they related to the storyline itself, they do tend to take away from the story itself in a way for me, but they are a fun addition to each book and learning about this style of writing from this time period and also how the authorship of them were a requirement for members of the Dread Penny Society. I did wonder about the identity of The Dread Master and if Eden had that planned all along or added it in for the reveal at the end of book 4 and as the set-up of this final book later on in the writing of the series. I have really enjoyed all the characters and their romances throughout each book and how every DPS member did finally find their person and that they all made repeat (and sometimes only small, minor) appearances in this book. While this did push the believability factor for me, I still really enjoyed this conclusion, the characters, the banter between Moirin and Fitz, the coming together of all the diverse members of the DPS and their urchins, and the good dominating over bad pursuits of the DPS. Looking forward to what Eden has plans for writing next!!

Content: Clean, although there could be possible triggers with the fighting, mentions of murder, child abuse, etc. but no graphic descriptions.

4.5/5

Okay, first some initial reactions while I was reading:

•I am LOVING all these books with the romance starting around 50% rather than 90% 😂
•There is so much happening my goodness!
•Their teasing and banter is so fun and made me giggle so often!
•Major Sherlock and Moriarty vibes going on

This book! It was crazy! It all moved so fast and you just never knew what was going to be thrown their way next.

Móirín has always been a fun character and I enjoyed getting to know her better. She has not had an easy life but she has done well for herself and her friends. Plus she’s pretty funny 😄

Fitz was delightful! I love how much he teased but also how much he fell in love! He was more wrapped up in the DPS than we knew and I loved watching him get involved!

I do feel like a lot of it was all wrapped up a little quick at the end, but overall I really enjoyed it and think it’s a great end to the series! So sad that it’s over!

The PERFECT ending to this fun series!

First of all, this book series is unlike other books. I love the penny dreadful inserts-it's genius and so much fun to shake things up. I love having these books come out in early fall because they are always the perfect setup for fall, mood-reads with a little bit of gothic type suspense!

This series needs to be read in order. If you haven't read book 1, skip this review until you're caught up because this is a series that you don't want spoiled! I will be keeping this review as spoiler free as possible, but seriously, just go back and start at book 1 and read them in order.

You'll thank me, I promise!

I have been waiting for this conclusion and quickly devoured this book once I got it!

The vibes in this book are perfect for those who want a little bit of spooky suspense, but still want to sleep at night. The Tempest was the perfect villain and she kept me guessing with each twist and turn. After each of these books I also fall a little more in love with the DPS. I LOVE good characters-always have, always will.

"For the poor and infirm, the voiceless and hopeless, we do not relent. We do not forget. We are the Dread Penny Society."

Get this book. Read this book (in order!). Experience the suspense through crazy plot twists and things you never saw coming. And enjoy a book series that is out of the ordinary in one of the best ways possible!

Thanks to the publisher for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Contents: murders, cat and mouse chase, mild suspense and kisses.

I had a feeling that this book would be my favorite of the Dread Penny Society series, and I'm happy to report that my instincts were correct. This book has it all: adventure, intrigue, forbidden love, suspense, witty banter, and a whole cast of familiar and loveable characters. Moirin has long been a favorite of mine, and this book did her justice. I found myself reading as fast as I could, just to find out what happens next.

I definitely recommend reading the whole series before opening this book. Also, read it when you are in the mood for mystery and suspense--if you are looking for a light escape, look at one of Sarah M. Eden's other fantastic books, and save this one for when you are ready to be fully immersed in a criminal underworld that will get your heart pumping!

Thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a complementary advanced copy to review. All opinions are entirely my own.

This was a thrilling conclusion to the Dread Penny Society series. I loved getting to know Móirín and Fitz. We learn Móirín‘s background and see how much weight she bears as she tries to protect the DPS and the poor of London. The Tempest is ready to take everyone out, and she pulls out all the stops to attack and stop Móirín. Fitz, who has begun working with Scotland Yard, is pulled into helping the DPS as he realizes that sometimes doing the right thing means going against the grain. He also has his own ghosts to face as he joins in the fight.
I loved seeing members of the DPS that were in previous books. You will want to read those before reading this books so you understand what is going on.
Definitely a great conclusion to the series.

After the jaw dropping cliff hanger ending of the last book, The Bachelor and the Bride (Sept 2022), I was anxious to read the concluding book in The Dread Penny Society series. The DPS is a collection of serial story authors who help the poor in London. They try to and provide safe houses and jobs to women and street children so they don’t end up in undesirable situations. The big villain who controls the impoverished streets is referred to as The Tempest. Because the DPS has disrupted her power and control she is out to destroy the DPS members.

In this book Moirin Donnelley, a leading member of the DPS trusts Constable Fitzgerald Parkington, a new detective to Scotland Yard. They share information to try and stop The Tempest, but she is always one step ahead. Characters from previous books are of course a part of the story and this is a series that should be read in order to make sense of the overall big threat.

The writing continues to be great and Sarah Eden uses accents and colloquial slang to lend authenticity to the time period. She is a good serial writer because at the end of each chapter you want to turn the page and continue reading to see what happens next. As with her other books she includes two separate and shorter serial stories. One is a fantasy involving a queen and a sorcerous, the other an elderly pair, Posie and Pru, who solve a mystery.

I said after the last book I was ready for the series to end. I prefer romance as a genre, and while a couple is formed in each of the books, it isn't the primary focus, especially in the last few. But I do like mysteries and I had to see how it all comes to a conclusion. I will be ready for whatever Eden writes next as she is one of my favorite authors from this publisher.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

"Aye, but the heart doesn't pay much heed to a person's calendar, does it? Simply does what it wants to do whenever it wants to do it."

Oh, what a journey it has been finally getting to finish the incredible Dread Penny Society series. Sarah Eden has crafted a beautiful, entrancing, suspense-filled story to finish out the thrilling series of The Dread Penny Society. I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion to the series.

While this installment in the series doesn't have quite as much romance as the others, it was definitely balanced out by the sheer amount of suspense and excitement woven through the story.

Móirín and Fitz were fantastic, and I loved watching their story unfold while they chased down the villains and found the answers they were searching for. The tension and anticipation in their romance was delightful, and absolutely worth every moment of waiting.

The Queen and the Knave was the perfect blend of suspense, mystery, and romance. Definitely would recommend for fans of historical romance and historical suspense.

This Dread Penny Society is a delightful series—unique and full of twists that keep you guessing and romance that keeps you swooning.

Note: This series definitely builds on itself. Reading these books in order will give the best experience.

London,1866

I am a little late to this series as I started with the book before this last one, but I don’t feel I have missed anything, well the first three books, but I promise to read those (there are on my Kindle.)!

I found The Queen and the Knave to be full of adventure, quick to gain speed and keep my attention. I really liked all of the characters even the villains were well written, and yes they’re not meant to be liked but they still they’re honorable mentions for sure. I liked the connections among the Penny Dread members. The Dreadfuls really are family and you can feel it as you read it. No one will be forgotten. I really enjoyed my read.

My gratitude to Shadown Mountain and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine.

I am very impressed how everything was brought together in this explosive finale. I will say it started out a tad slow for me but with each plot twist and piecing together all the clues it became more and more riveting. I was at the edge of my seat thinking “wait, WHAT?” It was a brilliant ending to a fantastic Victorian mystery series!

Book review: The Queen and the Knave
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The whole book I felt like I was riding space mountain, a rollercoaster in the dark. I never knew where the next turn would take me. My stomach was in knots during so much of the book. This series has everything…romance, mystery, suspense, word riddles, and more. I think the fact that Sarah M. Eden writes 3 stories for each of the dread penny books is amazing. Each story weaves into each other adding extra depth to the overall story. I’m sad to see this series come to an end, but now I think I’ll go back and read it all again to see if I can pick up on any clues left along the way!
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Content: clean romance, wholesome and uplifting main characters
Thank you NetGally and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advanced copy of the book!

What a fun end to the series! I enjoyed the Penny Dreadfuls included in this book. It was fun trying to solve the mysteries and stay one step ahead of the villain. I enjoyed the sweet love story, too!

A suspenseful, thrilling ride from start to finish! I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning! The whole series has been building to this final showdown. There are still a few surprises to be revealed but for the most part it is a race against time to see if good will beat evil.

I really like Moirin and Fitz as characters and their banter is hilarious! Also, Moirin is so clever!!! I was blown away at what she figured out and planned. And while it wasn’t highlighted a lot, I enjoyed Brogan and Moirin’s relationship. It was just so sweet.

Mr. King’s story was almost as captivating as the main story! I wasn’t as much of a fan of Posie and Pru.

This was a cool series that I am very glad to have read.

What. A. Conclusion. That ending was so intense! The way everything came together was brilliant and so well done. I'm going to have to go reread the whole series just to pick up on those small clues left along the way. Definitely a great book (and series) for those who love mystery, romance, and adventure!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was bittersweet for me. I loved Moira and Fitz's story, but it kind of hurts saying goodbye to an extended set of characters that I have grown to love. Hoping that we may still hear from some of the other characters that weren't given their own story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m sad to see this series end, but my what an adventure! These books should be read in order, a lot of events have been building up between books. We now know who the Dread Master is. (I’m not telling.). A criminal known as the Tempest is terrorizing London and out to destroy the Dread Penny Society. Crime and fear are increasing, and people are going missing. This book had a lot of action! I loved the romance in the midst of it all, and the clues that were scattered like bread crumbs. My only wish was a little bit longer epilogue.

Loved this conclusion! High stakes and adventure and romance, what's not to love? Lol
This time it's the Dread Master vs The Tempest and some are shocked to learn who they were.
The Tempest decided her mission was to take down the Dread Master because the Dread Penny Society had been sabotaging the villains plans too often (unwittingly). That lead to a vicious game of cat and mouse in which lives were at stake and some of the Dreadfuls were taken!
I was starting to get frustrated when the Dreadfuls kept losing and seemingly defested but...wow. That confrontation at the end was SO worth all the suspense! Loved the ending! It was best way to end and glad for the Dreadfuls and their future 😍