The Dread Penny Society #5 The Queen and the Knave by Sarah M. Eden - book review

 

The Dread Penny Society #5

The Queen and the Knave

Sarah M. Eden

Romance and mystery come full circle in the fifth and final book of Sarah M. Eden’s best-selling Victorian Proper Romance series.

London, 1866

Móirín Donnelly has spent the last five years working in the shadows for the Dread Penny Society, but spending so much of her life in secret is taking a toll on her soul—and her heart.

When members of the Dread Penny Society begin disappearing, Móirín turns to Detective Constable Fitzgerald Parkington for help. The two have developed a friendly rapport, and Móirín feels like she can trust him, though perhaps not with all of her secrets.

Fitzgerald Parkington has a sixth sense when it comes to hunting down criminals, which is why he’s recently been transferred to the Detective Department at Scotland Yard. But when red tape keeps him from tracking down the criminal mastermind known as “The Tempest,” he must rely on the one woman who has unexpectedly captured his heart—the bold and fiery Irish lass, Móirín Donnelly.

As the Tempest’s deadly reach threatens to overwhelm all of London, Móirín and Fitz are caught in an elaborate game of cat and mouse that leads down back alleys, through dark London buildings, and right to the gates of Kensington Palace. Móirín has one chance to save Fitz and the Dread Penny Society from the Tempest, and she might have to sacrifice her one chance at love to do so.

 

My Review: 7.5/10

 I thought this was a fitting end to the Dread Penny series. I had a little difficulty remembering / understanding the tangled threads and the Tempest's backstory. And I didn't really understand why she had the power she did. For example, the Kincaids seem the be the scariest, how exactly was she able to control them? That aside, I appreciated that in the end, it came down to cleverness. I also enjoyed the Queen and the Knave serial interspersed throughout.

Windsong Manor by Julie Wright book review

Windsong Manor

Julie Wright

A young widow. A gentle stable master. A secret that could change everything. Will Nora dare risk her heart?

The London Countryside, 1820

Eleanora Coventry comes from a life of title and privilege, but even that isn’t enough to prevent her from being wed at sixteen to a controlling and dismissive husband. So when she finds herself a widow at only twenty-seven, the idea of choosing her own path forward both thrills and terrifies her. She knows how to be a daughter and a wife and mother, but she has no idea how to be Eleanora.

She moves her son and daughter to her late husband’s country estate, where she meets Ridley, the young stable master. He is ruggedly handsome, but also kind, and Eleanora finds herself drawn to him. There is only one problem: Eleanora has a title, and Ridley does not.

Ridley Ellis has a way with horses. Even the most spirited stallions trust his soft voice and gentle touch. He has the same effect on people, and when he first lays eyes on Eleanora, he is smitten by her beauty. But he quickly discovers it will take more than soft words to gain her trust—Lord Coventry had been cruel to people and animals alike. But the closer he gets to Eleanora, the more he is willing to share his heart, and more importantly, his secret.

In a world where title and privilege mean everything, will Eleanora and Ridley risk it all to find happiness? Or will the shadows of their pasts destroy everything they hope to build together?

 

 

 

 

My Review: 9/10

Couldn't put it down. The tension in all corners of Nora's life was so palpable and I was so thoroughly invested in all of the characters... it was a definite page turner for me.


SPOILERS

My only issue was at the very end. Nora seemed to solve her problem herself, then it was indicated that no, it was solved for her, as a means of reconciliation. Personally, I would have preferred her to have fixed things based on her own merit and tireless efforts. I think it takes something away from the story when a long concealed title rises to the surface and fixes all the problems.

And while that's a pet peeve of mine, it did little to diminish my enjoyment. Loved this story and continue to love what this author creates. Can't wait for the next!