ASIN: B00FJ2YTU6
ISBN-13: 978-0062068668
Publisher: HarperCollins
Line: Avon
Release Date: Apr 29, 2014
Pages: 449
Digital Retail: 7.99
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Genre: Historical
Heat Level: Hot
Rating:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens pulls back the curtain on a world that has been hidden from us . . . until now.
Montague has devoted his life to managing the wealth of London’s elite, but at a huge cost: a family of his own. Then the enticing Miss Violet Matcham seeks his help, and in the puzzle she presents him, he finds an intriguing new challenge professionally . . . and personally.
Violet, devoted lady-companion to the aging Lady Halstead, turns to Montague to reassure her ladyship that her affairs are in order. But the famous Montague is not at all what she’d expected—this man is compelling, decisive, supportive, and strong—everything Violet needs in a champion, a position to which Montague rapidly lays claim.
But then Lady Halstead is murdered and Violet and Montague, aided by Barnaby Adair, Inspector Stokes, Penelope, and Griselda, race to expose a cunning and cold-blooded killer who stalks closer and closer. Will Montague and Violet learn the shocking truth too late to seize their chance at enduring love?
Review
The Masterful Mr. Montague is the romantic tale of Violet Manchamps, a lady’s companion, and Heathcote Montague, a man who handles the monetary affairs for many of the Ton. Violet’s employer solicits Heathcote’s council on the matter of extra funds being deposited into her bank account, and then is violently murdered! This ensues a mystery of who did it. We come across past characters of Ms. Laurens’ like Adair & Priscilla Barnaby, Inspector Stokes and his wife Griselda.
This book is the second in the Casebook of Barnaby Adair series. This was my first Stephanie Laurens book. I found this book to be charming. I do believe it is for readers looking for a more mature type of story. It flowed very well and I found her prose sophisticated. Like a good glass of wine. The love scenes were eloquent and elegant. It left everything to the imagination while describing the emotional aspects of making love. You felt their love, not heard about it. I was enchanted by the characters chemistry.
I believe the book was very realistic in love scenes between the main characters Violet and Heathcote. I found their romance to be sweet, instead of passionate. It was very refreshing to see a hero in his 40’s and a heroine in her 30’s. If you are looking for a good old bodice ripper this is not the story for you. While I did enjoy the writing and the story, I thought it was lacking a bit in the build up between the main characters. There were plenty of love scenes between the other two married couples, but not as much interaction between the main two.
The mystery aspect of this book is where the real story lies. That too I thought was well written and kept you wanting to read more. There were many twists and turns in the story. It is written in a way that you do not guess until the very end who the killer is. I did find the books to be a tad too long. I believe that if you are a Stephanie Laurens fan you will enjoy this book. It can certainly be read as a stand alone, but because of all of the time that the other couples have you might appreciate it more if you read those first. All in all an enjoyable read if you like a little romance with your mystery.
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