Unladylike lessons in love

As the out-of-wedlock daughter of an English earl and his Indian mistress, Lila Marleigh is well acquainted with life on the outskirts of society. However, she does enjoy some degree of social status as the eccentric hostess of a celebrated gambling salon. One ill-fated evening, she is confronted at her salon by both Ivor Tristram, who accuses her of being his father's mistress, and Maisie, a friend she let down in the past, who is now a pregnant prostitute in desperate need of help. Against the odds, the three join forces, venturing from society soirees to seedy slums to solve a crime and clear an innocent man's name. Murray ("Arya Winters" mystery series) makes her romance debut with this first series installment, a Regency romance that doubles as a moving mystery. Rich, realistic detail immerses readers in all manner of London locales, from regal to rat-infested. The narrative is both charming and charged with suspense, yielding a captivating and compelling reading experience. VERDICT This book will appeal to readers seeking a multicultural historical romance heavy on adrenaline and intrigue. Recommended for fans of Sarah MacLean, Eva Leigh, and Julia Quinn.--Lauren Hackert