'Til death do us part by Amanda Quick

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

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