As this engaging effort demonstrates, Quick has the Regency–murder mystery mix down to a fine science.
Lake and March's lusty if predictable romps should please Quick fans, as should the contrasting "demure" period flirtation between Lake's niece, Emeline, and March's adopted brother, Anthony, which is tested by the arrival of Dominic Hood, Anthony's half-brother, suggesting future fireworks. Quick, a pseudonym for prolific romance author Jayne Anne Krentz, relies on her quicksilver sense of humor and tart research into period hairdressers and British upper-crust society. A murder is promptly committed at Beaumont's estate, and Lake and March launch their investigations, centering on a certain unstylish blonde wig and a trio of dangerous, dowagers. Lake, however, is dismayed, since Gray wants more than just March's investigative skills. A confirmed loner, Ambrose nevertheless finds himself taking Concordia and her students under his wing. And a woman and four girls are fleeing on horseback. Elland, March's fellow spy (during the Napoleonic wars), committed suicide after March unmasked him, so when a memento mori ring turns up on the doorstep of Elland's rich lover, Aspasia Gray, March is not surprised when she seeks him out at Lord Beaumont's country-house party. During an investigation into a woman’s death, private inquiry agent Ambrose Wells finds himself on the castle groundsand in the middle of chaos. Three years before the start of this novel, the same "ghastly signature" was employed by Zachary Elland in tribute to his predecessor.
The original Memento Mori Man murdered for hire decades earlier, taking on assignments only if he thought the target thoroughly deserved death. This time a macabre murderer appears to be copycatting two killers who left behind memento mori rings at the scenes of their crimes. Private investigators Lavinia Lake and Tobias March ( Slightly Shady ĭon't Look Back) return to the chase in Regency England, hot on the trail of a murderer for hire when not disporting themselves discreetly beneath the sheets.
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