Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A photographer and a detective go from friends to lovers while searching for a killer in this thrilling Victorian romance from Allen (The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart). Detective Nathan Winston, eager to avoid his mother's matchmaking attempts at a weeklong fund-raising house party, recruits his good friend Eva Caldwell, the photographer for the event, to pretend to be his intended. Faking courtship is complicated by the fact that neither realizes the other's feelings are real. When Nathan receives a threatening message from an unknown criminal seeking revenge for Nathan putting his family away, Nathan fears for his guests' safety. As he and Eva band together to stop the villain, pretense falls away and real romance blooms--but not before the killer sets his sights on Eva. As tensions rise at the house party, everyone becomes a suspect, making the mystery read like an especially lively game of Clue. Meanwhile the couple's connection is so undeniable that even readers who usually look for heat in their romances won't mind the lack of steamy scenes. This delectable treat is sure to keep readers guessing. (Oct.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Detective Nathan Winston and photographer Eva Caldwell work together on crime scenes. Then Nathan's mother hosts her annual week-long house party that serves as a fundraiser and matchmaking event and hires Eva to photograph the party. Hoping to curtail interest from certain young ladies, Nathan asks Eva to pretend they are courting, although they both secretly harbor real feelings for each other. Shortly before the event, a villain who escaped justice threatens Nathan for imprisoning his family. As odd occurrences escalate into murder, Eva and Nathan investigate which guests might be caught up in the escaped criminal's quest for revenge. While working together, Eva and Nathan fall deeply in love, but Eva's past romantic history makes it hard for her to trust her heart or Nathan. VERDICT Allen once again combines love and mystery in her second "Matchmakers" series installment (following The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart). Readers will enjoy how the intrigue and romance increase in tandem, ratcheting up the suspense, while Eva's competent demeanor that hides a bruised heart makes this love story all the more touching.--Eve Stano
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