A spinster's guide to danger and dukes

Manda Collins

Book - 2023

"Miss Poppy Delamare has been living a lie. To escape an odious betrothal, she hid as the quiet and unassuming Flora Deaver, secretary to London's most infamous female crime reporter. When her beloved younger sister is accused of murder, however, Poppy returns home to keep her sibling from the hangman's noose. But a collision with the most unexpected-and unwelcome-of travel companions interrupts her journey. To her surprise, the arrogant, albeit handsome, Duke of Langham offers to help clear her sister's name . . . in exchange for a favor of his own. Despite his rakish reputation, Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, has no intention of abandoning a lady-or ladies-in need. A fake betrothal will benefit both him and Popp...y. Langham will have protection from the society misses flocking to his grandmother's birthday celebration, and Poppy will have the power of the dukedom when proving her sister's innocence. Only the longer the ruse goes on, the less pretend the engagement feels, until neither are acting at all. But before Langham can propose in truth, their search reveals a tangled web of lies and betrayals leading back to his own family. With time running out to save Poppy's sister, can Poppy and Langham find the true murderer before the curtains fall?"--

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Subjects
Genres
Historical fiction
Romance fiction
Published
New York ; Boston : Forever 2023.
Language
English
Main Author
Manda Collins (author)
Edition
First Edition
Item Description
Includes reading group guide.
Physical Description
335 pages ; 21 cm
ISBN
9781538725573
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

At the start of Collins's crafty third Ladies Most Scandalous romance (after An Heiress's Guide to Deception and Desire), Poppy Delamere has been living in disguise as Flora Deavers for two years to avoid the unwanted marriage her parents attempted to force on her. She returns to the family fold, however, to clear her sister of accusations that she murdered her philandering husband. When a pickpocket relieves her of her funds on her journey home, she reluctantly accepts assistance from Joshua Fielding, Duke of Langham. The way Joshua sees it, they can help each other: he needs a fake fiancé to spend the week with him at his family's house party and curtail his grandmother's matchmaking schemes, and Poppy could benefit from the protection of his title while investigating the crime and trying to catch the true killer. As they work together, Poppy learns that the duke is not arrogant and heartless, as she first believed, but gallant and genuine, while Joshua falls for Poppy's fire, quick wit, and loyalty to her sister. The mystery unfolds effortlessly, delivering a slew of suspects, tantalizing clues, and danger around every corner without ever overshadowing the love story. This sensual romance will have pages flying. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (Mar.)

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review

The third installment in Collins's Victorian England-set "Ladies Most Scandalous" series (following An Heiress's Guide to Deception and Desire) focuses on Poppy Delamare, who fled to London to avoid a disastrous marriage and reinvented herself as a humble secretary. When Poppy sees the half-sister she left behind accused of murder in the headlines, she rushes home to her aid. After being robbed in the train station, Poppy must accept the help of the rakish Duke of Langham, who is traveling to the country for his grandmother's birthday. A faux engagement is mutually beneficial, with the Duke's position and title assisting Poppy in her efforts to clear her sister's name while sparing the Duke all of the unwanted attention from the eligible young women at the birthday celebration. Multiple murder motives are unearthed while a simmering heat grows between Poppy and Langham until the true murderer has Poppy in his sights. VERDICT Collins keeps the heat smoldering between the well-drawn main characters in this installment, and the mystery keeps the pace moving nicely. Recommend to fans of Julia Quinn and Evie Dunmore.--Nicole J. Suarez

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

When her sister is accused of committing murder, Poppy Delamare returns home to uncover the truth and winds up in a fake betrothal to a duke. Since she fled home two years ago so her stepfather couldn't force her into a marriage with his private secretary, Lovell, Poppy has lived in London under the identity Flora Deaver. But when she discovers her younger sister married Lovell and is now blamed for his murder, Poppy doesn't believe it and sets out to uncover what really happened. Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, is taking a train in the same direction for his grandmother's birthday party. He wants to help Poppy, so the pair make a pact: They'll pretend to be betrothed so she'll have more resources to help her sister and he won't have to deal with Grandmama's matchmaking attempts. At first, Poppy thinks Langham is arrogant and entitled, but her feelings change as she gets to know him. As they try to decide what to do about the very real chemistry developing between them, the case becomes bigger, twistier, and more dangerous. Like the previous titles in the series, this third installment mixes romance, murder mystery, and feminist sensibilities. The romance here is a simple slow burn that pairs well with the increasingly complex mystery providing most of the tension, and each arc has a satisfying, well-earned conclusion. The story bucks gender stereotypes with not just the obviously intelligent, fierce heroine, but more notably with a hero who's learning to be vulnerable and imperfect. Compelling, evenly paced, and delightfully fun. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.