Wealthy but uncouth Sebastian Nolan has invited his lawyer, Gideon Bates, and his lovely new wife, Elizabeth, to attend the famous Belmont Stakes. Nolan is anxious for Gideon and Elizabeth to help his daughter, Irene, acquire a bit of polish, now that his venture into thoroughbred racing has allowed them entry into society. He is also hoping to find her a rich potential suitor. Elizabeth is not exactly the society girl Nolan believes her to be, but she is eager to attend the races. Her con artist family has made a lot of money at racetracks, although not from betting on the horses, and she enjoys the excitement of the track.
Irene Nolan seems more interested in horses than husbands, and she jumps at the chance to show Elizabeth her horse, Trench, and introduce her to his rider, Cal Regan. Elizabeth soon realizes there is more than just a working relationship between Irene and Cal. But she also knows that Irene’s father would never allow his only daughter to marry a jockey. When Cal takes a terrible tumble injuring both himself and Irene’s beloved Trench, Elizabeth and Gideon learn that the mishap was not simply bad luck—the horse and rider are victims of sabotage. Â
It turns out that Sebastian Nolan has more than a few skeletons in his closet and someone is out to get their long sought-after revenge. Elizabeth knows that to help Irene and Cal, she is going to need some help in creating the quintessential con. With the ever honest Gideon at her side, she enlists those closest to her to come up with a scheme that will either ensure young Irene and Cal a first-place finish or have disastrous consequence. . . .
Release Date: Dec 6, 2022
Series:Â Counterfeit Lady
Book: 6
Publisher:Â Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $14.99
Elizabeth Miles Bates is a reformed con woman whose days of cheating innocent people out of their money are in the past. Elizabeth is now happily married to Gideon Bates, a very honest attorney. Elizabeth, her mother-in-law Hazel, and Gideon are excited to attend the Belmont Stakes and mingle with some of the racehorse owners. They become involved in the life of the daughter of one of Gideon’s clients, Sebastian Nolan, who owns one very promising horse. During a race, that horse has a strange accident, severely injuring the jockey, Cal Regan. Elizabeth thinks this is suspicious and also notices that Cal seems to have an unexpectedly close relationship with Nolan’s daughter, Irene. Elizabeth is determined to find out who is behind this sabotage and use her skills to help Irene and Cal.
City of Fortune is the sixth in the Counterfeit Lady novels. It’s the first I’ve read, and I think it works well as a standalone. Elizabeth is a unique main character, especially for a cozy series. She was friends with her husband’s mother first when the two women met in prison after a protest for women’s voting rights. It’s refreshing that Elizabeth and Hazel are friends as well as in-laws. Elizabeth is considered a member of society now, but her background would shock the people she now socializes with. She isn’t afraid to speak her opinion and now uses the skills she learned as a con woman to help those in need. Gideon is very supportive of his wife and is willing to help her as long as he is not required to lie. He seems a bit stuffy at first but loosens up by the end of the book and seems like a good match for Elizabeth.
There is a subplot involving a con woman posing as a Spanish widow waiting to get a large inheritance which becomes important to the main plot as the story progresses. It’s interesting but gets very confusing since there are several side characters mixed up in this con, and all are lying. It goes on for too long and becomes more and more convoluted. I wasn’t fully engaged with this part of the book, so this middle part moved slowly for me. The “Senora ” has another reason for running this con, which I guessed right away, but it does set up a nice ending for a couple of the characters. Overall, I enjoyed the premise of the book and the satisfying ending. Fans of the series should enjoy the latest of Elizabeth’s adventures.
~ Christine
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