A Heart Worth Stealing
Bow Street #1
By Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: May 2, 2023
Print length: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1639931040
Publisher’s Blurb:
Little Sowerby, England, 1802
Miss Genevieve Wilde―a magistrate’s
daughter and independent heiress―is determined to meet life’s challenges all on
her own, just as her late father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket
watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local
authorities prove incompetent.
Upon reading an advertisement in
the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch.
It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives
on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and
entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a
man.
But after Ginny discovers that the
missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against
her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her
reputation, the two enter into a risky charade―pretending Jack is her cousin so
he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work
together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her
charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.
So True a Love
Bow Street #2
By Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: September 3, 2024
Print length: 256 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1639932948
Publisher’s Blurb:
London, 1803
As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of
high society—and the last woman one would suspect as having worked as a private
investigator. But she has hung up that dangerous hat to live the uninspiring
life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims
of an armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world
of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just
one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner
Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.
Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel
would stay out of her way. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more
difficult as his keen mind, quick wit, and determination to keep her out of
danger muddle her progress—and her heart.
When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning
criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of
cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion
that sets their hearts ablaze.
A Love Most Daring
Bow Street #3
By Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: March 3, 2026
Print length: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1639934713
Publisher’s Blurb:
After years of whispered gossip and
quiet exile in the countryside, Beatrice Lacey arrives in London determined to
reclaim her life. But her resolve is shaken when she witnesses a horrific
attack tied to a chilling high-profile murder case gripping the city.
Thrust into sudden danger, Beatrice
finds herself under the reluctant protection of Alexander Rawlings—a brooding
Bow Street officer with a guarded heart and a fierce sense of duty. Though it's
clear he’d rather be chasing the killer than shielding a scandal-stained
Society miss, their forced closeness begins to unravel his defenses. In the
unnerving moments between danger and discovery, every sharp exchange and
lingering glance fans a slow-burning connection—one neither of them expected
and neither can resist.
With danger closing in and old
wounds resurfacing, trust may be their only refuge—and love their most daring
risk of all.
My Thoughts:
These charming romances are
interconnected, but can be read as standalones. It is definitely more fun to
read them in order.
Each of these stories features an
intelligent, strong young woman. Each has a challenge to overcome. Each finds
herself romantically entangled with a Bow Street Runner (basically, London’s
first professional police force). Each ends up helping to solve a mystery.
The first, A Heart Worth
Stealing has the rather unique circumstance of a young woman who has
inherited and is running her father’s estate. She is determined to prove
herself. There is sort of a man in the picture—he’s proposed a couple of times,
but she’s really not interested. Since he’s the local magistrate, she
definitely doesn’t want to consult him when mysterious things begin to happen
on her estate. So she hires a private investigator—Jack, a former Bow Street
Runner.
As they work to unravel the
deepening mystery, naturally, feelings commence. I love that he is impressed by
her intelligence and determination. She learns to not judge him for his
cockiness—it masks something deeper.
I particularly enjoyed the subplot
between Genevieve and her half-sister.
This first book also introduces
characters that we will see in the future books.
The second book focuses on Jack’s
sister, Verity, who has been working as a sort of investigator herself,
particularly for female clients. A recent traumatic event on the job has made
her pull back from these activities, though, until a case comes up that she can’t
resist.
Naturally, she is forced to work
closely with a Bow Street Runner—Nathaniel Denning—who is naturally reluctant
to work with her. She soon proves her value to the investigation.
Each of the protagonists in this
case have parts of their past that have influenced their outlook on life, and
they must learn to see things as they truly are in order for their relationship
to progress.
The third book was my favorite of
the three. We finally return to Genevieve’s best friend, Beatrice. We know from
the first book that something happened during her “season” in London that sent
her home in disgrace. This book tells us what happened—basically, she’s a
victim of bullying. Now, as she returns to London, she has two goals: Find a
husband, and avoid her bully. Neither of those goals progresses quite as she
had hoped.
Alexander Rawlings has clearly
heard the stories about her and judged her accordingly. So naturally, they end
up having to hide together after an attack that injures him. Again, pasts are
revealed and respect is earned as they unravel the mystery. I liked this one
the best because of Beatrice’s vulnerability and resilience.
In each of these three romantic
mysteries, the mystery and the romance carry equal weight. The women are not
mere accessories, but actively involved in solving the problem.
We do get to see characters from previous books make appearances in the later ones.
There are some issues (at least in
my review copies) of modern language, such as “catching feelings” that are a
bit distracting, but overall, the editing is solid.
Possible Objectionable Material:
These are mystery/detective
stories. People die and are attacked. We see some of the less savory parts of
life in London. There are women who have babies without being married. These
are “clean” romances, so it doesn’t go beyond kissing.
Who Might Like These Books:
Anyone who likes some mystery and
adventure to go along with their romance. Regency romance fans. Those who like
clean romance.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and
NetGalley for providing advanced reader copies in exchange for my honest
opinion.
#bookreview #netgalley
#biblioquacious #bookblogger #regencyromance #romanticsuspense #cleanromance #shadowmountain
#joannabarker #aheartworthstealing #sotruealove #alovemostdaring #properromance
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