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In this intriguing novel of romance, mystery, and clever disguise set in Victorian England, a young woman investigates the murder of her own father.

After the mysterious death of her father, Miss Gillian Young takes a new job as the principal costume designer at the renowned Drury Lane Theatre Royal. But while she remembers her father as a kind, well-respected man of the Police Force, clues she uncovers indicate he’d been living a double life: a haunting photograph of a young woman; train stubs for secret trips just before his death; and a receipt for a large sum of money. Are these items evidence of her father’s guilty secrets? His longtime police partner thinks so.

Then Gillian meets the dashing Viscount Thomas Lockwood. Their attraction is instant and inescapable. As their romantic involvement grows, Gillian begins to suspect even Lockwood’s motives. Does Lord Lockwood truly love her? Or is his interest a front for the desire to own her newly inherited property? And what should she make of her friend’s suggestion that Lockwood or men like him were involved in the murder of her father?

Soon Gillian is convinced that her father has left evidence somewhere that can prove his innocence and reveal the guilty party. But someone wants to stop her from discovering it. The closer she comes to uncovering it, the more menacing her opposition grows. With her life on the line, Gillian takes on an ingenious disguise and takes on the role of a lifetime to reveal the true killer—before it’s too late both for her and for those that she loves.

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My Thoughts

This story transports readers back in time to the misty, dreary streets of Victorian London with vivid descriptions and an overwhelming sense of apprehension. Readers are completely immersed in the main character’s perspective, thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Gillian is a hardworking and intelligent young woman who is making her own way in a man’s world. She doesn’t know who to trust after her father’s death especially when more than one man seems to be offering her his protection and guidance. I most admire Gillian’s compassion and resourcefulness. She doesn’t hesitate to reach out to others even when her own life is full of uncertainty. Gillian makes me proud and I want to give her a big hug!

Readers get a look behind the scenes of theater life and missions work during this time period as well as a few high-class functions. If you enjoy a good mystery with loads of intrigue and historical charm, this book steals the show.

I requested the opportunity to read and review this title through the author. The opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published fifty books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named by Library Journal as a Best Books Pick, as was The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr.

A life-long lover of Victorian Gothic romances, Sandra’s new series, Daughters of Hampshire, weaves elements of that mystical, traditional genre with inspirational and literary threads. Mist of Midnight, the series’ first book, was honored with a coveted Editor’s Choice designation from the Historical Novel Society. The second book in the series, Bride of a Distant Isle, launched in March 2016 and the third, A Lady in Disguise is out in 2017.

A devotionalist as well as a novelist, Sandra’s best-selling devotional for tweens, One Year Be-Tween You and God was followed up with her first devotional for adults, The One Year Home and Garden Devotions. The One Year Experiencing the Love of God devotional will publish in Fall, 2017.

She is passionate about helping new authors develop their talent and their work toward traditional or independent publication. As such, she has mentored and coached hundreds of new writers and continues to edit and coach dozens to success each year. Please visit www.novelcoaching.com to learn more.