Another great addition to the Pleasure Garden series. Matty and Francisco are wonderful leads with an abundance of chemistry. Mary Lancaster has a way of writing that brings the reader into the story. Definitely recommended.
Thank you Mary Lancaster, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Title: Unmasking the Thief
Author: Mary Lancaster
Pages: 287

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Governess Matty Mather has grown to love her pupils of the Dove family. When a borrowed ring is stolen from Catherine Dove and her friend, now in their first London Season, the redoubtable Matty goes alone to Maida Pleasure Gardens to confront the thief – who turns out to be outrageous, charming and utterly mysterious.

Francisco de Salgado has been long employed by the British government to take care of insoluble problems, both home and abroad. Returning to England to resign before he loses his soul entirely, he accepts one final mission that he regards as both foolish and beneath him. Making a rare mistake, he returns to Maida to right it – only to be faced with a severe young woman demanding he return the ring he stole.

So begins an attraction that is both unwise and irresistible. Mutual suspicion dissolves eventually into an alliance to discover who is behind a plot to overthrow the British government and why. And the eventual solution will involve several old friends from the previous Pleasure Garden books.
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What a fun and seriously enjoyable plot! We all enjoy a bit of mystery in a romance and include historical romance and I am sold. Goodness I enjoyed this read, which was light-hearted, fun and engaging.

The characters felt well developed but not unable to change, as they both developed a lot along the way. Matty being confronted by the flirty Francisco was fun to read every time it happened and Francisco being confronted by a woman who doesn't fall at his feet was just as amusing. The chemistry between the characters felt realistic (and hot) while the romance was definitely there.

A good plot an enjoyable romance and an engaging writing style I enjoyed every moment of this story and am excited to see what comes next.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Miss Matty Mather loves being a governess for the Dove family, so much so that she is willing to go to Maida Gardens, risking her reputation, to help her charges. There, she meets the mysterious Francisco de Salgado, the thief who stole the opal ring she is looking for, and there's more to him than meets the eye. Francisco has been involved in many things, from Spain, to England, and even further afield, but he's ready to retire. For his final job, he's tasked with discovering who is plotting against the government, and stop them before it's too late. Crossing paths with Matty, though sh'es very much not involved in the case, it seems she might be close to the villain, and Francisco can't help but be drawn to her.

This is the final book in the Pleasure Garden series, and I really felt as if it tied up a lot of loose ends. We see many of the couples from previous books, and Matty and Francisco were good characters in their own right. Matty was from a respectable family, but after her father died, and she was jilted, she became a governess, and had a great position with the Dove family. However, her family - recently come into some money, and her sister engaged to her former partner - want her to return to them, and stop being an embarrassment as a governess. She really doesn't want that, and meeting Francisco has shown her that she doesn't have to be beholden to them. Francisco has always been a mysterious character, and we learn a lot about his background, which makes sense with what we already know. I liked his character arc, and the epilogue really tied up the whole series well for me. A fitting end to the series.

Enjoyed this book, just like the previous Pleasure Garden series. Pleasant read set in the historical back ground. Does not dwell on historical facts, much. The romantic part are well written. The main protagonists of each book of this series seem to have varied back grounds and is interesting.

Such a wonderful series by such an exceptional author! Mary Lancaster has long been a favorite of mine and I try to grab her books any time that I can. The MCs in this book were so vividly portrayed and seemed to come to life right off of the page. I always enjoy the suspense that is the underlying story with the romance woven intricately within. This is a standalone book but it is doubly enjoyable when read in order within the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of the book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

This was a great read! Matty's story captures you right away and keeps you engaged for the rest of the book. There is no better combination than romance and adventure. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Book Five in Mary Lancaster’s Pleasure Garden Series is now available: Unmasking the Thief. I’ve enjoyed this series all along and recommend starting with Book One: Unmasking the Hero.

The current hero is Francisco de Salgado y Goya de Valdecara, otherwise known as Mr. Francis. He’s a world-weary Spaniard who considers England his adopted country. For this country he has been a spy and other unsavory things. However, he is honorable at heart and so is tired of the man he has become. He wants to retire, but England needs him to do just one more thing.

The heroine is Mathilda (Matty) Mather, a country gentlewoman turned governess to the Dove family. (We’ve met the Doves in previous books.) Matty loves her work and adores her charges, even if they do get into scrapes. Her main problem is that her sister has inherited a fortune and is now being courted by Sir Anthony Thorne, a rising political star, an obvious fortune hunter, and Matty’s one-time fiancé. She can see through him, but unfortunately, her sister cannot.

Francis and Matty meet, both incognito, at the Maida Pleasure Garden. Francis was there to intercept a message about an intended violent political uprising. But he made a rare mistake, stealing not the ring that was supposed to contain the hidden message, but a ring belonging to one of Matty’s charges. Matty is there to retrieve the ring. Sparks fly.

The ton is a rather small world and their paths keep crossing. Suspicious of one another at first, they quickly dispense with that and join forces, falling in love along the way.

The characters are admirable. The relationship is credible. The plotting is fast paced. It’s nice to see so many of the characters from the previous books returning. This series is highly recommended.

A Spy in Thief’s Clothing

Francisco is a spy, but he can be a thief, too if the need arises, and it did arise. However, he stole from the wrong chap, and now, a determined woman is after him to set things straight. He has no idea that she is about to change his life and hers. Just knowing Francisco was dangerous. The people in his sphere just might put her life in peril. It would be an adventure for Francisco and Matty, in many ways. Could Francisco save the day and get the girl, all at once? I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with adventure and intrigue.

This is the fifth installment of the Pleasure Garden series. This has been such an entertaining and enjoyable series so far and this latest addition also did not disappoint. The story pulled me in from the very start and held my interest throughout and I found myself thoroughly immersed in Francisco and Matty's story. Francisco is covertly working for the British Government and is trying to find the person who is trying to launch a rebellion against the government. His search leads him to the Maida Pleasure Garden and to Matty. Matty has connections to the man that Francisco is trying to stop. He steals a ring that belongs to Matty and when she comes to retrieve her ring, he is captivated and intrigued by her. They realize they have some of the same acquaintances and decide to work together to help the government. There are plenty of moments of intrigue and drama as well as swoon worthy moments as well! The pair make an excellent couple and they complement each other well. The chemistry between them was undeniable and I enjoyed the witty banter between them. The story really had me captivated and I was glued till the end. A great addition to the series!
I can't wait to read the next installment!

I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Another delightful addition to the Pleasure Garden series. Miss. Matty Mathers was the perfect understated heroine. A governess not quite a lady, leaving her connected yet separate from the world of upper society. Lending her an air of knowledge while lacking the confidence to be a part of that world. And yet, she remains a strong-willed, fiercely loyal woman leading her into the chaos of intrigue. Protecting her young charges, leads her into the arms of Francisco. And after that first initial touch, neither will ever be the same. Following this mystery ensues as she struggles to trust Francis, and struggles with her ever-growing feelings. The pairing of these two has so many charmingly sweet moments that it can’t help. It melt your heart. Being the final chapter in the Pleasure Garden series, I was so happy to see each of our couples from books past play an integral part in their story. Coming together as a family to conquer the villain of this tale, was a beautiful goodbye of a series I truly enjoyed from start to finish. Mary Lancaster writes each of these stories with a perfect blend of mystery, romance and the art of the perfect Happily Ever After!

Unmasking the Thief by Mary Lancaster is another in the Maida Pleasure Gardens' series, and possibly the best yet. Francisco de Salgado y Goya is a spy for the crown. There is no better way to say it and he is ready to retire and become a country gentleman. When he goes to announce his decision to his superior he is convinced to take one final case and so finds himself at Maida Gardens looking for a woman wearing a red tulip. He sees a woman who once was his mistress and in the rush to avoid her, he fails to notice the red tulip she is wearing. Instead he comes upon two young people, one a young woman trying to masquerade as a man; she, wearing a red tulip and he, in possession of a ring that might be what he is looking for. Stealing it was not difficult, only for Francis (English name) to discover it was nothing more than a ring. The young people, distraught at losing their brother's ring, tell the story to Miss Matty, their siblings' governess, who immediately decides to return to Maida to confront the thief and retrieve the ring.


Plenty of things happen in this story to make one's heart beat a little faster. One can always rely upon Mary Lancaster to deliver a good story. It is disturbing to realize just how prejudiced people were in this time period. And frightening. It is also disconcerting to realize that politicians were just as corrupt then as now. And that criminals were just as heartless. It was beyond frightening to contemplate the number of deaths that might have occurred if Francis' mission has not been successful. This book was a joy to read, from the characters, to the plot, to the myriad of subplots and peripheral characters. Great job, Mary Lancaster!

I was invited to read Unmasking the Thief by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #marylancaster #unmaskingthethief

From the very first book, this series has been a delight. I found myself engrossed in the plot of this book from the opening chapter and time stood still for me as I immersed myself in the Maida Pleasure Gardens' latest adventure. Just one last job, he said. Little did Francisco de Salgado realize that his life was about to be turned upside down. Mistaking two young ladies masquerading in the Gardens for his intended mark, he later comes face to face with their governess, who demands the return of the property he stole from them. Matty Mather has had her disappointments, but having made her choice, she is satisfied with the way in which her life has turned out. She enjoys her charges, lesson planning, and outings with the children, accompanied by their massive hound named Pup, who brings humor and entertainment to the story. The interaction between Francis and Matty is tangible and I loved both their characters, especially as Francis was protective towards Matty without smothering her. He appreciated her intelligence and humor, as well as her bravery. Together they unravel a plot meant to cause chaos, whilst at the same time bringing justice to Matty's own family. I received a copy of this heartwarming romance, which comes to a delightful conclusion, as a gift through Dragonblad and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Loved this book great character's and a bit of intrigue to boot. I haven't read the other's in this series but didn't feel it mattered it worked as a stand alone although some of the other character's were intriguing enough for me to look them up. Recommended just as good a read as the blackhaven series by this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Francisco de Salgado wants to resign from working for the British government, but he agrees to one last mission to find out if there is any truth to the rumor that someone is organizing an insurgency movement across Britain in the hopes of toppling the government. His first lead takes him to Maida, the Pleasure Gardens. He follows the wrong woman and by chance he meets governess Matty Mather. Francis can't get the young woman out of his mind and he risks his mission to be closer to her. Matty is content with her life as a governess, that is, until she meets Francis. She knows he's dangerous, but she's drawn to him like a moth to the flame. Can she help him with his mission without losing her heart to the handsome spy?

This was another enjoyable read in the Pleasure Garden series. There was a good mix of intrigue, danger, tension and attraction between Francis and Matty. Ms. Lancaster knows how to drawn in the reader with her dark and sexy heroes. I also loved Matty. She knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. I was happy to see she didn't turn into a whimpering miss once she had feelings for Francis. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Lancaster's heros in this series are so seductive. They have just a little darkness to keep them from being totally good. Francisco de Salgado is no exception. Working discreetly for the British Government in various mysterious capacities, he wants nothing as much as to retire and live in the country. But not, yet. The government has one more job for him to do. Someone is trying to incite rebellion against the government. A mistaken identity at the Maida Gardens, leads to an introduction to Matty Mather, a governess with connections to the man Francis must stop.
What begins as theft turns into an affair of the heart and a gathering of friends to stop a rebellion. One more for Hope?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

What is lost can be found... Plus a whole lot more!

Another delightful addition to this fabulous series and this time it involves Matty, governess to the Dove children.

When a ring goes missing, she is determined to retrieve it from the last place seen. The Maiden Pleasure Gardens, where of course, anything can happen... She does find the thief.

Francisco is a "fixer" for the Crown and is ready to retire, but decides to do one more job. Unfortunately he ends up with the wrong ring and is confronted by Matty. Really? He has to find out who is trying to overthrow the government and now he finds himself entangled with this lady...

A partnership begins and so does the sparks of attraction!

Governess Matty Mather has grown to love her pupils of the Dove family. When a borrowed ring is stolen from Catherine Dove and her friend Hope, now in their first London Season, the redoubtable Matty goes alone to Maida Pleasure Gardens to confront the thief – who turns out to be outrageous, charming and utterly mysterious. Francisco de Salgado has been long employed by the British government to take care of insoluble problems, both home and abroad. Returning to England to resign before he loses his soul entirely, he accepts one final mission that he regards as both foolish and beneath him. Making a rare mistake, he returns to Maida to right it – only to be faced with a severe young woman demanding he return the ring he stole. So begins an attraction that is both unwise and irresistible.
The fifth & final book in the series, it could be easily read on its own but if you have read the earlier books it makes for a wonderful finale as past characters do make appearances & help in the denouement. Matty & Francisco have made appearances & I love that these secondary characters came into their own. A very well written fast paced story, which I read in a sitting. I loved the verbal banter between the pair & the chemistry between them sizzled. I was totally invested in their journey to a HEA, which was strewn with obstacles but made for an engrossing read. I've thoroughly enjoyed the series & sad to see it finish
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Just why would a masked man steal a ring off the finger of a disguised young lady during her evening of adventure at the Pleasure Garden? What could be so tempting that it would be hidden in the ring? Was the worth or need so irresistible? That is what governess Matty Mather is determined to find out. As governess to the Dove family, she feels it is her responsibility to find and return the ring to the rightful owner. As it was stolen off the finger of one of her charges. So, the adventure begins. Wonderful characters, hidden plots to uncover and a chance at love along the way. Interesting narrative and a terrific read.

I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley. These are my honest opinions.
Another wonderful romance taking place at the Maida Pleasure Gardens. Matty and Francisco were wonderful characters. There was intrigue, suspense and a very large dog in this great story.
A 5-star read. I would highly recommend this book.

The story sucked me in from the start and held my attention and made me not want to put down the book. It is worth your time.