Meh. For an independent world traveling writer, the female protagonist was pretty clueless. Not enough scientific stuff for my tastes (though I loved the line, "I'm an engineer, not a poet!"). If you're a Quick/Krentz fan, you'll probably get a kick out of it. ( )

With OTHERWISE ENGAGED Quick returns to an old familiar style and handles it excellently. This is an excellent mystery story without even a hint of the paranormal.

Amity Doncaster is a world traveler who hopes to write a book about traveling for gentlewomen. She rescues Benedict Stanbridge on a tropical island and nurses him back to health. Stanbridge is an upper class member of society who is wealthy and very interested in engineering. He is on a mission for his uncle to gather information on a possible solar weapon. It is his first and, if he has anything to say about it, last foray into the Great Game of spying.

However, chasing down a Russian spy who wants the plans is only part of the story. When Amity returns to London, she finds herself an object of gossip because of her suspected relationship with Benedict. The gossip draws the attention of a mad serial killer named the Bridegroom. When he kidnaps her in broad daylight, it is her quick wits and unusual weapon that saves her.

She and Benedict need to track down the Bridegroom before he kills again. And find the Russian spy. And fall in love.

Amity is an interesting character who considers herself a free-thinking, woman of the world. She is outspoken and rather eccentric. Benedict styles himself as a boring engineer who is very unlikely to ever write poetry to his love. However, Amity likes the man Benedict is.

A secondary romance between Amity's widowed sister and the Scotland Yard inspector assigned to the case also adds interest to this story.

Fans of historical mysteries and romances will enjoy this story. ( )

With OTHERWISE ENGAGED Quick returns to an old familiar style and handles it excellently. This is an excellent mystery story without even a hint of the paranormal.FansoFan

Amity Doncaster is a world traveler who hopes to write a book about traveling for gentlewomen. She rescues Benedict Stanbridge on a tropical island and nurses him back to health. Stanbridge is an upper class member of society who is wealthy and very interested in engineering. He is on a mission for his uncle to gather information on a possible solar weapon. It is his first and, if he has anything to say about it, last foray into the Great Game of spying.

However, chasing down a Russian spy who wants the plans is only part of the story. When Amity returns to London, she finds herself an object of gossip because of her suspected relationship with Benedict. The gossip draws the attention of a mad serial killer named the Bridegroom. When he kidnaps her in broad daylight, it is her quick wits and unusual weapon that saves her.

She and Benedict need to track down the Bridegroom before he kills again. And find the Russian spy. And fall in love.

Amity is an interesting character who considers herself a free-thinking, woman of the world. She is outspoken and rather eccentric. Benedict styles himself as a boring engineer who is very unlikely to ever write poetry to his love. However, Amity likes the man Benedict is.

A secondary romance between Amity's widowed sister and the Scotland Yard inspector assigned to the case also adds interest to this story.

Fans of historical mysteries and romances will enjoy this story. ( )

Her usual thing. I enjoyed it well enough, but I'd love to see this author try something new. ( )

Otherwise Engaged
4 Stars

When Amity Doncaster saves the life of Benedict Stanbridge, she unwittingly becomes the target of a deranged serial killer known only as The Bridegroom. Narrowly escaping the madman’s clutches, Amity must join forces with Benedict to stop the killer’s reign of terror before he strikes closer to home...

Anyone expecting something innovative and original from JAK is bound to be disappointed as Otherwise Engaged follows the same formula as the majority of her historical romances written under the pseudonym Amanda Quick. That said, readers interested in a light and entertaining book with enchanting characters and a touch of suspense are in for a treat.

Reader’s familiar with Quick’s books, will rapidly recognize the characters. Amity is a well-educated, independent woman with a yen for world travel and Benedict is the sexy yet slighty bookish Alpha male on the trail of a Russian spy. While their chemistry isn’t exactly off the charts, it is subtle and engaging.

The serial killer plot is gripping with an action packed climax and a satisfying resolution. The secondary plot involving the Russian spy is, unfortunately, not as good and the book would have been better without the unnecessary complexity.

All in all, Quick demonstrates that predictability is not necessarily a bad thing in this delightful historical romance. ( )