This was another great book by Sarah eden. She is a great storyteller that knows her history. I liked the slang she used and I think it was appropriate for the Victorian time frame. It was a light mystery horror. It wasn’t too creepy or too descriptive. But I was worried there for a bit for Moirin. I cringed at the end at the things the tempest did. It made my heart sad. It was a good book to see how two people could go through the same background but come out two different people based on choices. It was a good ending with a HEA.

I have been dying to read this book since finishing "The Bachelor and the Bride" last year. I could tell by the ending of that book, that "The Queen and the Knave" would be intense, and I was correct. I was sitting on the edge of my seat while reading, dying to know what happened next.

In "The Queen and the Knave," the Dread Penny Society has never been in such dire straights. They are on the brink of losing everything. Most of the members are in hiding, and many members are mysteriously disappearing. They're finally paying the price for taking on the Tempest, the most powerful criminal mastermind in London. Will they be able to rally and save themselves and London in the process, or will the Tempest keep staying one step ahead of them? Most importantly, will Maureen be able to save her friends who rely on her so much? And can she really trust Fitz Parkington, a constable, when she has her own criminal history to hide from him?

Overall, Sarah Eden did an amazing job with this book. It can't have been easy to add romance into a book this action packed, but she did it beautifully. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. I truly think the Dread Penny Society series is Sarah's best series yet, and I couldn't have asked for a better ending.

Where to even begin?

It would be an understatement to say that I had high expectations for this final installment of The Dread Penny Society series, but I absolutely loved it in every way! It is brilliantly done and my expectations were not only met, they were exceeded!

When members of the Dread Penny Society start to vanish, Moirin Donnelly and police detective Fitz Parakington team up to rescue them, but the criminal mastermind The Tempest seems to be one step ahead as they only find traps and dead ends.

Time is quickly running out for their missing friends and though Moirin and Fitz have realized that their feelings for each other go far beyond a partnership, the sacrifice they may have to make to save their friends may cost them their chance at happiness.

What to love:
Victorian era
Dual POV
Moirin -confident and compassionate
Fitz- patient and loyal
Lots of page time with characters from previous books
Mystery
Strong sense of friendship
Wit and humor
The dread penny stories
So many cute flirting scenes!
And the kisses!!
Suspenseful scenes
THE ENDING!!!

This book completely consumed me! I am not sure that I took a breath for the last 100 pages and my heart is still racing from the non-stop action and suspense. This is a sleep-stealer!

This is the fifth and final book and you absolutely must read the books in order.

I really don't want to say too much because I want to avoid spoilers, but I have loved the entire series and this book is the perfect ending! Sarah truly is a gifted storyteller and this series has my heart. Highly recommend and this one gets all the hearts and stars from me!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

This whole series has been excellent. This book is the conclusion to the series and does not disappoint. It is action packed and full of intrigue and mystery. All of the Dread Penny Society is involved somehow in this book, but it mainly centers around Moirin Donnelly and a Police Detective by the name of Fitzgerald Parkington. They need all hands on deck to take down the infamous Tempest. She seems to always be a half step ahead of the DPS and their network. I love the sense of family and comraderie that the DPS have for each other. It was fun to try and figure out what the next step of the Tempest was going to be and to see if and how Moirin would anticipate that step. I would highly recommend this book and this series to anyone.

Wow! The final book in the series. It was so good. I could not put it down. I loved reading Moirin's story. Fitz and Moirin banter back and forth and made me laugh. I am in awe at the Penny Dreadfuls inside each book. I love having them interspersed into the main story. I loved seeing all the characters from past books. The banter and suspense was a perfect balance. I am sad to have the series end. A beautiful story of family and fighting for good.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This book is the conclusion of the Bread Penny Society. It has a great plot, that is fun and full of mystery. I absolutely love the main characters Moirin and Detective Fitzgerald. This book has romance, mystery and adventure. This book is a must read if you enjoy mystery or historical novels.

The conclusion to the Dread Penny series. This time the Dreadmaster is pitted against the Tempest. I felt like the last book really set up this epic battle between these two and sort of envisioned it as this epic battle of the mind where one gains an advantage one minute, the other the next. And for me, the build up was better than the execution. Moirin always seemed two steps behind Tempest and it felt like Tempest was just an evil, vindictive bully who our heroes didn't have much chance of besting. I guess I wanted a fairer battle than feeling like my heroes were getting trounced at every turn. Tempest didn't seem particularly nuanced either, just, evil, violent, threatening. How was her organization even built? Why were people threatened by her? She had thugs, again, how did she acquire them, why are they loyal to her? To me, Tempest was just a big bad, and I expected more. I liked seeing more Stone, and some returning faves, though none have a very large role. Fitz is great, though the mystery that plagued him personally could have gotten more of a resolution than it did. I liked the love story, particularly as we've followed these two as minor characters throughout the series. Despite my critiques, I did enjoy this, maybe this is a case of check your expectations at the door, A great series overall. Oh and a side point, Posie and Pru as detectives, can this be a series? I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.

I give 4.5 stars for this exciting and immersive book.

At times, I was a bit confused between the many, many secondary characters, but that is probably my fault for not reading the earlier works in the series. For the most part, I felt able to pick up in the middle of (or at the end of) the series with this book. In fact, this book made me interested in reading the other books in the series. I loved the Dread Penny Society's motto, and the idea that writers change lives positively in ways additional to their literature.

With so many characters, I felt the book started out a little slow, but about a third of the way in, I was totally hooked and found it hard to put the book down. I was eager to find out what would happen next! I was a bit unsure as to part of the Tempest's motivation (though a good part of it seemed to just enjoy being bad, like Moriarty), and the ending felt a little more anticlimactic than I expected. Overall though, the plot was very interesting and well-done.

The penny dreadful excerpts did not bother me; I found them enjoyable, and of course, one of them was a fun metaphor for the main book.

Overall though, this was a fun and immersive read with a satisfying ending for the likeable main characters.

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic advanced reader copy from NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive review.

Delivered with a capital “D” for Dazzlingly Dreadful. This is a riveting finale, not a standalone, so don’t you dare not enjoy this mystery and peril crescendo from the beginning.

I’ve been up and down with the books in this series (#4 still my favorite) but mostly because of personal predilection for internal conflict romance, which here is mostly lacking between our highly secretive but sweet low-angst couples. It is a fabulously fun Victorian world, I adore the penny dreadful stories format, and our main banterrific couple was once again, as Ms. Eden does so well, stellarly complementary.

Spoiler free, I’ll just throw out my main suggestion of what, as a reader and fan, I sorely feel we needed and didn’t get: a prologue. I absolutely was floored and SO on board for the reveals in the previous book, and yet I needed/wanted some on- page set-up to how the DPS came to be, how both the Tempest and the Master rose up (safe houses and cohort thugs don’t grow on trees, you know?). That would’ve been so great to see those beginnings as part of the finale and further cement some characterization for the founders while we’re at it. That, and that one of the secondary penny storylines was as charming as it was skimmable. But the other one is all very high stakes, magic, class difference, sweet couple, agh, more than made up for it in all it’s parallel themes magnificence. I loved it! Even spine of steel resilient queens need loyal knaves to call them “love” *sigh*

Wishful comments out of the way, I marvelled from beginning to end at how so many moving parts to this series end were managed so satisfactorily. The climactic peril, the developing romance, the proportional presence of the ensemble, the pacing and placing of the secondary storylines, and that third act ramped up to the appropiate heart-pounding level of “How will this work out?” bonkers. The ending was perfectly full circle, and I’m so happy I read this series.

Content notes: kissing only, mention of attempted assault, some non-graphic bloody violence.

I wholeheartedly enjoyed this final installment of the Dread Penny Society series. It was excellent!

London, 1866.

Móirín Donnelly has lived a life in the shadows, and in difficulty, all while keeping important secrets, some that can harm her and those around her. When members of the Dread Penny Society start disappearing, she enlists the help of Detective Constable Fitzgerald Parkington.

Fitzgerald Parkington has just been promoted to Scotland Yard, but someone seems to want to make sure he doesn't further investigate "The Tempest". When Móirín asks for his help, he gladly joins her in her quest to make sure the DPS and their loved ones and friends stay safe.

With the amazing cliffhanger that The Bachelor and the Bride ended on, The Queen and the Knave picked up that intense pace from the get go. Even though the story focused on Móirín and Fitz, the story and plot retained so much heart and emotion from the other stories leading up to this one.

The overarching plotline with "The Tempest", really increased in intensity and danger. I wasn't sure how everyone was going to stay safe. It was thrilling and nervewracking.

The romance was also really fun. Móirín and Fitz had some lovely banter and I thoroughly enjoyed their friendship, and then their growing attraction. I also really loved how Fitz wasn't intimidated by Móirín's strength, capability, and leadership. He himself had strengths, and was happy to use them, but he followed her leadership gladly, and was a true support when she needed it.

This set of Dread Penny stories (in the chapters in between) were some of my favourite so far. Of course I enjoyed them in the other books, but I particularly loved Mr. King's story. I would love this as a full book.

I really love and enjoy this series and I can highly recommend this book and the whole series as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! Every time I read one of Sarah’s books, I feel like she’s outdone herself, and that holds true here. I loved how the Dread Penny Society wrapped up, and yet I’d read a whole bunch more books in this series! Character-wise, I thought Fitz and Moirin were fantastic. I loved their banter and their easy manners. They just fit so well. I’m definitely hearing up for a series reread!

What a thrilling conclusion to the Penny Dreadful novels! Sarah kept me hopping from start to finish. From platonic relationships, romantic relationships, enemies, suspense, and so much more! This novel held everything a Sherlock t.v. episode mixed with the sweetest of romance the Queen and the Knave work side by side. While the Penny Dreadfuls were not as present in this installment, it followed the story as to why. I love how Sarah Eden has branched out from historical romance to adding in this taste of suspense and mystery. She will stay on my must-read list no matter the genre!

Fantastic work, as always. Very much enjoyed this one. Thank you to the author and publisher for my arc copy, opinions stated are my own.

Sarah Eden’s Dread Penny Society series is a fun tour through Victorian England. In The Queen and the Knave, the Society’s secret Dread Master, Moirin Donnelly, is in danger of being unmasked and much worse. The uber-villain known as Tempest has set her sights on destroying both Moirin and the Dread Penny Society and begins by kidnapping the members one by one. Moirin enlists the help of constable Fitz Parkington and they embark on quests through dark alleys, secret hideaways, and even the sewers of London in their efforts to stop the Tempest from destroying everything they care about and much of London as well.
As with previous books in the series, there is plenty of mystery, adventure and a little romance along with accurate descriptions and details of the era. Chapters are interspersed with excerpts of the Penny Dreadful stories written by the members and add both entertainment and depth. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Moirin, Fitz, and all of the entertaining recurring characters and look forward to reading about their next adventures.

This book is the perfect ending to a brilliant series!

Sometimes I find myself at a loss of words when it comes to giving my opinion on a book. "The Queen and the Knave" puts me in the same situation. There's a lot to process ;)
While the entire series was amazing, "The Queen and the Knave" has my heart. Móirín caught my attention from the first volume, with her knife to boot;) The relationship between Móirín and Fitzgerald is what I loved the most. I simply love the way they tease each other.
Romance is not the main theme of this series, which, in my opinion, makes it so good. I always enjoy a healthy dose of mystery and suspense laced with romance.
I also love how all the previous volumes pave the way for the final battle.
The whole series, and this volume in particular, is truly brilliant. (Point to the mastermind behind it;)❤

The author's writing style is one of the reasons why her books are so beautiful. Funny, witty and easy to understand. For this reason, Mrs. Eden is one of my favourite authors (and because she's a true genius when it comes to plotlines.)

A part that I really liked was: "She turned to face them all. The bruises hadn't entirely faded, and the scuffs and cuts were still healing. But they were all there, still standing, still dedicated to the cause they'd pledged themselves to."

// I really thing that, for a clearer understanding, the series should be read in order.//

*I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.*

This was a perfect conclusion to the Dread Penny Society series! I am sad to see it end, but this definitely gave the series an ending full of adventure, mystery, action, and of course, love!

Móirín Donnelly is one of my favorite characters of the entire series. One of my favorite things about her is her love for those around her. She is a great leader, and uses her friends' strengths to form her strategies. I loved seeing what she could do now that people know she is the leader!

Fitz was such a great addition to the DPS group, and I loved his role in the book.

I loved the two penny novels included in the book. I haven't always loved them in past books, but they worked really well in this one!

I would definitely recommend reading the series before reading this last novel!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing, NetGalley, and Sarah M. Eden for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Penny Dreadful Society continues in it’s epic fight against evil in Victorian London. By day, the PDS members write, you guested it, Penny Dreadfuls…serialized gothic tales and thrillers published weekly and priced at 1 penny to be affordable and addictive to the masses. In reality, this is a diverse group of people who fight for the poor and forgotten in a grim Victorian society with no social safety nets….no laws against child labor or provision of old age pensions, no laws governing workplace safety, minimum wage, or requiring decent living conditions.
The Queen and the Knave brings to a head the DPS’s fight against a network of mysterious and ruthless criminals lead by the terrifying and invisible Tempest. Who is he/she, what do they want, and what is the extent of their power? Moirin Donnelley, a brave and audacious young Irish woman living in London and on the run from a terrible incident in Dublin, is the Dread Master…the leader of the PDS, None of the members knows of her role but they do know her as the sister of a fellow member. Her intelligence and street smarts give her the ability to guide the Dreadfuls anonymously. Added to this mix of characters is Detective Constable Fitzgerald Parkington, an honest, smart and savvy cop who has is own secrets and and an interest in Moirin….not as a fugitive but as the most intriguing woman he’s ever met. As the join forces to fight evil, can their mutual attraction overcome their many differences and obstacles to love?

This is the end of the series. I have liked each story less and less and this was no different. It was a culmination of everything and I was lost. The middle was slow. The action was all over. The romance got lost in the bigger story. I am not a fan of the penny stories' in the middle. It really breaks up the flow and I just haven't liked them or felt they were relevant.

Sarah M. Eden delights readers with "The Queen and the Knave", the riveting conclusion of her Dread Penny Society series. The familiar three-story format is used here, but with one significant difference in Mr. King's story. The Tempest is a major character in the penny dreadful that mirrors the main story.

Móirín Donnelly's story is finally told, and she must outwit the clever Tempest. A strong and intelligent woman, she joins forces with unlikely ally Fitz Parkington as they engage in a complicated cat and mouse with the criminal puppet master. These two apparent opposites nevertheless engage in witty banter, and they find they're not so dissimilar after all. Indeed, all characters are well-drawn, and descriptions of Victorian London are vivid, down to some characters' Cockney or common speech. In addition, I now know what a pine marten is. They're adorable, but can be fierce. I did expect a more detailed conclusion of Fletcher and Elizabeth's story; however, there is a lot going on in this book. The main characters in the previous installments, as well as several ancillary players, make appearances. This novel does not stand alone, and this unique series is best understood if the tales are read in order.

Sarah M. Eden is a very talented wordsmith, and she employs three distinct writing styles in each book of this unusual serial. I have thoroughly enjoyed all five books, and am sad to say farewell to the Dread Penny Society.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an ARC of this outstanding work.

I really enjoyed the final installment of the Dread Penny Society series. I liked but didn't love all the books in the series, but I really loved this one and felt like it fully wrapped up everything and ended it great! Lots of suspense and excitement, a nice little romance, two great penny serials intermixed and overall a great read!