The Duke and Lady Scandal
A Novel
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4.0 • 8 Ratings
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
In the swoon-worthy opener of her Princes of London series, Christy Carlyle takes readers on a breathless romantic suspense chase through Victorian London. A wild bluestocking from a family of treasure hunters and a handsome, serious gentleman from Scotland Yard butt heads while attempting to thwart a plot to steal the Crown Jewels, inspired by National Treasure.
Alexandra Prince is clever, outspoken, and, yes, perhaps a bit impulsive. Yet she’s always been overshadowed by her siblings. While they are off on adventurous expeditions, she’s the one left to keep the family’s antique shop going while she works on a book about lady pirates—and longs for an adventure of her own. When she overhears a group of suspicious customers whispering about a plan to steal the Crown Jewels, she knows it’s her opportunity to shine. But she needs a little help.
Detective Inspector Benedict Drake takes his duties at Scotland Yard seriously. In fact, he takes almost everything seriously. Except for the breathless bluestocking heroine who crashes into his office to tell him about a ludicrous scheme to steal the Crown Jewels. Despite his turning her away, she keeps popping up wherever he goes, and he’s not sure whether she’s determined to cause a scandal or is trying to drive him to distraction. Just when he thinks he’s rid of her, an event compels him to believe her account, and he begrudgingly enlists her aid to thwart the heist of the century.
But while thieves seek the Crown Jewels, the troublesome bluestocking he can’t seem to keep away from might just steal his heart as this delightful enemies to lovers romance unfolds…
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A plot to steal the Crown Jewels animates this rip-roaring Princes of London series launch from Carlyle (the Love on Holiday series). In 1896 London, Allie Prince holds down the fort at her family's antique shop while her treasure-hunting relatives take off for an archaeological expedition in America. She's disappointed to be stuck with this boring task and sure she's missing out on all the adventure, until she overhears a group of thieves discussing their ambitious plans. She reports the conversation to Scotland Yard Det. Insp. Ben Drake, who's skeptical of her claims but agrees to look into it. His investigation leads him to the dangerous underbelly of the city, where Allie turns up, determined to assist him. As they work together, their mutual attraction becomes impossible to ignore, but Ben fears that his sordid family history will prevent him from ever marrying. Carlyle makes her progressive leads perfectly matched: dogged detective Ben values Allie as his intellectual equal, and plucky bluestocking Allie loosens him up a bit. This is a promising start.
Customer Reviews
Duke and Lady Scandal
Interesting story, but there is no duke or scandal. It’s more of a mystery than romance. Alexandra joins Ben, a Scotland Yard Inspector, to help him solve a puzzling case. The problem is that clues are outright ignored and information is conveniently forgotten and in the end there are many loose ends left dangling. The main one being whether Ben is really the illegitimate son of a duke and why his boss knows who he is and why Ben isn’t even curious to know. This author writes well and her characters are well developed but it’s obvious she should stick with romance.
Exploring each other
Alexandra Prince may desire adventure outside of London, but now she can explore Detective Inspector Benedict Drake in The Duke and Lady Scandal by Christy Carlyle!
I enjoyed the mystery in this historical romance, first of the Princes of London series. There were twists that kept me guessing what is happening and who is making the unfortunate events happen. The ending chapters was definitely a page turner.
I enjoyed that Benedict aka Duke and Allie got caught up in each other’s world in this slow burn. They’re both ambitious and driven yet she unraveled his buttoned-up ways and he kept her safe. She turned out to be who he needed and we learned how much of a cinnamon roll he can be. He turned out to be who she needed, someone how would support her less dangerous activities.
If you enjoy mystery and suspense in a historical romance plus adventure with the law, then I highly recommend this book!!!
Thank you to Net Galley, Avon, and Harper Voyager US for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.