I was thrilled when I saw there was a new addition to the Crime & Passion series! We got three books – one right after the other – in 2021 and then they stopped, so I was afraid there wouldn’t be any more of them. Since I really loved our sleuths, Grizelda (Griz) and Tizsa, I didn’t want the series to be over! Well, now they are back and this time they are helping Lord James Andover and Elizabeth Barker – and believe me – those two really need help!

Lord James Andover, youngest son of a marquess, has just been released from Newgate prison after serving three years. Now, he is out for revenge and to be sure that whoever was responsible for his wrongful conviction is the one in Newgate. The person who committed the crime isn’t a secret – everybody knows who did it – yet there is no proof. James wants that person – and he wants everyone who conspired with him. To that end, he is following the man’s wife in hopes she will lead him to the stolen diamonds and the proof he needs. Though her home is modest on the outside, he’s quite sure the inside will be sumptuous – after all – well – stolen diamonds. And . . . why isn’t she living with her husband?

Elizabeth Barker was just seventeen years old when Joshua Jarman wooed her into sneaking off to marry him. He put on a false front and made her believe that he loved her and that he was undoubtedly a better alternative than those staid old bankers her father was trying to marry her off to. That was the worst mistake of her young life and she’s paid for it ever since. As soon as she could, she ran away from him and had only just returned to London. She knows nothing about a diamond robbery and certainly doesn’t have access to any diamonds – but she lives in constant fear that Jarman will find her.

When Jarman is found dead – in Elizabeth’s bedroom – she or James should be the prime suspect, but our amateur sleuths don’t believe either of them are guilty and set about helping them find the guilty party. They’ll have their work cut out because Jarman is not a popular fellow – even among his fellow criminals. With a suspect list a mile long, can they actually manage to identify the real culprit(s)?

Goodness, it was fun to watch Griz and Tizsa help guide the investigation through the lowest and highest parts of London where we encounter mightier-than-thou Lords and lowlier-than-the-low criminal elements. Of course, it was also great fun to watch Elizabeth and James come to trust and love each other as they worked through the case. That said, I would have appreciated it being just a tad longer because I wanted more of a wrap-up for family matters – like James’s sister and her outcome, etc. Plus – I NEVER want a story to end before the wedding.

From the spooky beginning through the harrowing end, this was an exciting read. The main characters were relatable and interesting and the supporting characters were such an eclectic mix that I hope to see more of them in future additions to the series. I recommend this book and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This may be my favorite Mary Lancaster book yet. I haven't read any of the other full-length novels in this series, but I had read a short story featuring Griz and Tizsa so I was familiar with some of their background and their penchant for solving mysteries. It was nice to get to see them in action again. I loved the character of Elizabeth right from the beginning because she wasn't easily scared off despite what was going on around her and she kept with the investigation to the end. It look a little longer to like James only because he initially wasn't kind to Elizabeth - but that wasn't really his fault given the information he started out with. Once he realized things with her were not what he thought and he teamed up with her my opinion of his changed very quickly. The mystery is well crafted and although the villain isn't a complete surprise it's not 100% obvious either. I also liked the part of the story involving James reconnecting with his family. The only thing I would have liked in this book that wasn't there was a resolution between Elizabeth and her parents - I really want to know if they ever reconciled.

5 stars

Great story. Lovely to reconnect with Griz and Dragan Tizsa. Lord James Andover has been released from prison after a three year stretch for murder and diamond theft. Another man is committed for the crime and the authorities realise there has been a miscarriage of justice. During that time James lost his financee, became estranged from his family and higher society, had to learn to live in a violent prison environment and has a hatred and burning desire for revenge.

Elizabeth is living under a false name so that her 'husband' doesn't find her. She returns in the fog from collecting sewing to find Jarman dead upstairs. She'd seen James in the fog and she realised that he blames her. James is recommended to ask Dragan for help and so Griz, Beth, James and Dragan start the hunt for the culprit and justice. Lots of interesting well rounded characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

James, a lord, has just been released from a 3 year prison stay for a crime he did not commit. He hopes by following Elizabeth he will find her ex-lover and the diamonds he set James to take the fall for. Banding together they try to solve the mystery while trying to ignore their attraction to each other. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this story just everything about it pulled me in and quiet frankly I couldn't get enough, and now I'm hooked. This story isn't dark but it does have dark themes.