Smitten by Books

To Catch A Rogue
Author: Amanda McCabe
Publisher: Harlequin Historicals
Pub. Date: April 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0373295890
Retail: $5.99
288 pages

When antiquities begin to go missing from London drawing rooms Miss Calliope Chase sets out to restore order. The thief must be a well-connected member of the Ton. And she doesn’t need to look much further than Cameron de Vere, Earl of Westwood, for a suspect.

What she doesn’t realize is that her determined pursuit of a criminal is beginning to look like a budding romance. Until Cameron kisses her, and her ordered life is thrown into appalling confusion!

~*~*~

Amanda McCabe has crafted a spell-binding, sensuous read grounded in Greek mythology. Filled with muses, romance, intrigue and mystery, this thrill-of-the-hunt regency historical, evokes visions of Aphrodite and Apollo amongst the ton setting. Like any great read, I was sad for it to end!

A refreshing plot with a compelling start from page one sets the course for this delightful read with perfect-pacing and well-developed characters that follow a Greek theme threaded throughout the book.

The compelling, aristocratic Chase women – Calliope, Clio & Thalia – are regarded for their education and upbringing in Greek arts & culture thanks to their parents, Lord and Lady Chase. Known affectionately as the Chase Muses for their slightly eccentric ways, the eldest sister Calliope is the most reserved yet passionate about Greek antiquities, which is exactly what life-long family friend, Cameron de Vere, Earl of Westwood likes about her.

Of Greek descent himself, Lord Westwood returns to England after years of traveling the Mediterranean to assume his title and sets about returning his family’s collection of Greek artifacts to their home lands.

An unknown thief apparently has a similar agenda: to retrieve artifacts believed to be ill-gotten. Known as the Lily Thief, he boldly steals precious artifacts displayed during these gatherings, setting in motion a chain of suspicion, doubt and intrigue.

The Ladies Artistic Society is headed by Calliope, and as the Lily Thief continues to make daring raids against the British ton, the chase is on! Calliope cannot resist tracking down the bandit with the help of her fellow society friends. She, along with her sister Clio, attends social events investigating and narrowing down a potential list of thief suspects. Her problem is she highly suspects Cameron to be the thief even as her feelings for him grow and concern for Clio‘s well-being emerge.

Drawn to the same events and venues that showcase ancient artifacts, Cameron spars regularly with Calliope, sparking an undeniable attraction and mutual respect despite her distrust and fear that he may be the Lily Thief. De Vere’s attraction and need for Calliope grows to fever pitch until he eventually consents to help Calliope discover the thief’s identity and reveals his love for her.

Against a backdrop of British aristocracy, the cultured ton partake of the usual society events typical of the ‘season’ but with a twist: ancient antiquities is the focal point. As the elite set about acquiring then showing off their garnered antiquities during dinner parties and lectures, danger and intrigue winds its way from the drawing rooms of London to the more remote yet lovely countryside, bringing Calliope and Cameron together regularly to build a delicious sexual tension. As the reader attends cotillions, balls and meetings featuring the Society ladies and mercurial Lord Averton, their romance blossoms along with the intrigue of this mystery and a unique plot twist that threatens to separate them, and unravel her family.

The cozy settings and heightened sensuous play between Calliope and Cameron is conveyed effortlessly in their dialogue and settings so well described that gazing at a portrait becomes intimate. Their love scene is tender but intense and very satisfying for the reader who has been on the journey with this couple.

In my opinion, McCabe has done a tremendous job drawing the picture and placing the reader in it without too much back-story, dialogue or narrative, making it a read to look forward to. It is so well-paced and the description so refreshing, it was truly a pleasure to read.

Further, McCabe introduces such appealing characters, the reader yearns for additional books about them. I would love to read books on her secondary characters Emmeline, Lotty and even Lord Averton a.k.a. the Lord of Avarice. I confess, I took more time with this book because I did not want it to end and would highly recommend it!

Rating: 8.5 (Very, Very Good )

Heat-Level: 3: (Sensuous)