I didn’t read the first book in this series, but that didn’t detract from my reading of this one. This was a very well-written and well-plotted story, but, for some reason, it just didn’t reach out and pull me into the story. I am sure that is purely a flaw in me and not the book. I found I couldn’t like the heroine at all – I kept trying, I just couldn’t get there. Again – I am sure it is me and not the book.

Alexander Sloane, a former Barrister for the defense, is a by-the-book, to-the-letter-of-the-law man who now works for the undersecretary to the undersecretary to the Duke of Newcastle. Alexander has been promised a promotion as Baron of the Exchequer if he successfully completes his current task of tracing the money assigned to Bow Street and deciphering a Jacobite manual they’ve found. Alexander has worked long and hard for that promotion and he is so very, very close – but then – Mr. Fielding of Bow Street blackmails him into an additional assignment. Following and reporting on a young Jacobite sympathizer.

Cecelia MacDonald is a bit dismayed to find herself as the unofficial leader of a group of Scottish women who are in England to reclaim some property that was ‘stolen’ from their clan by the English. The first book saw the ladies reclaiming some of the gold that was taken from the clan. Now, Cecelia is determined to find and recover the ceremonial sgian dubh belonging to their clan chief. She knows where it will be displayed – now she just has to manage to gain entry. Well, gain entry and then gain exit once she acquires the item.

I liked Alexander, but I thought he didn’t fight to keep the dream he’d had for years. I would have thought a little more effort on his part to gain his dreams would have been good. I’m not sure I would have given up on a dream that quickly or easily. Then, Maura just didn’t grab me at all. For me, she was a bit too loose with her favors and I felt as if I were reading a contemporary character rather than a Georgian character. I just couldn’t warm up to her for several reasons.

While the writing was good, I wouldn’t read this book a second time and I’m not currently contemplating reading the third book in the series. I would like to see The Countess get her comeuppance, but I still probably won’t read the next book to see it.

Should you choose to read this book, I hope you will enjoy it

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )