This may be my favorite Mary Lancaster book yet. I haven't read any of the other full-length novels in this series, but I had read a short story featuring Griz and Tizsa so I was familiar with some of their background and their penchant for solving mysteries. It was nice to get to see them in action again. I loved the character of Elizabeth right from the beginning because she wasn't easily scared off despite what was going on around her and she kept with the investigation to the end. It look a little longer to like James only because he initially wasn't kind to Elizabeth - but that wasn't really his fault given the information he started out with. Once he realized things with her were not what he thought and he teamed up with her my opinion of his changed very quickly. The mystery is well crafted and although the villain isn't a complete surprise it's not 100% obvious either. I also liked the part of the story involving James reconnecting with his family. The only thing I would have liked in this book that wasn't there was a resolution between Elizabeth and her parents - I really want to know if they ever reconciled.

5 stars

Great story. Lovely to reconnect with Griz and Dragan Tizsa. Lord James Andover has been released from prison after a three year stretch for murder and diamond theft. Another man is committed for the crime and the authorities realise there has been a miscarriage of justice. During that time James lost his financee, became estranged from his family and higher society, had to learn to live in a violent prison environment and has a hatred and burning desire for revenge.

Elizabeth is living under a false name so that her 'husband' doesn't find her. She returns in the fog from collecting sewing to find Jarman dead upstairs. She'd seen James in the fog and she realised that he blames her. James is recommended to ask Dragan for help and so Griz, Beth, James and Dragan start the hunt for the culprit and justice. Lots of interesting well rounded characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

James, a lord, has just been released from a 3 year prison stay for a crime he did not commit. He hopes by following Elizabeth he will find her ex-lover and the diamonds he set James to take the fall for. Banding together they try to solve the mystery while trying to ignore their attraction to each other. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this story just everything about it pulled me in and quiet frankly I couldn't get enough, and now I'm hooked. This story isn't dark but it does have dark themes.