Starred review from February 8, 2016
Bowen's irresistible Regency is like the most popular debutante at the ball: pretty, witty, mysterious, and full of coquettish allure. From the first line to the happy dénouement, Bowen builds enough romantic heat to melt midwinter snow. A dead man has been found in the bed of the virginal Lady Beatrice Harcourt, and Bea has gone missing, apparently clad only in her chemise! Enter Ivory Moore, whose job is whisking away the sordid remains of what appears to be an evening's debauched revelry and concocting a fiction that will preserve Bea's reputation. Her task requires the cooperation of Bea's errant brother, Capt. Maximus Harcourt. Naturally, he's outraged when Ivory orders him around. Max and Ivory conduct a merry tug of war over who takes the reins of investigating Bea's disappearance while pleasantly losing their battle with mutual attraction. Good reading is assured as Bowen weaves wonderful romantic fiction. Agent: Stefanie Lieberman, Janklow and Nesbit Associates.
