Description
“Vetsch keeps the stakes high and the plot twists frequent . . . Readers will have a hard time putting this down.”
—Publishers Weekly
Evil is masquerading in the halls of Parliament, and Sir Bertrand Thorndike is tasked with investigating from the inside. With his new position as a member of the House of Commons, he has access to the power brokers of English government. His tactic is to listen and learn, careful not to reveal his true motives, and he’s quickly inducted into the mysterious Theban Club.
Miss Philippa Cashel’s mission, the Princess Charlotte Eleos School for Women in Need, is thriving with donations, and the students are learning skills to help them earn their livings in honorable ways. But when a dear friend’s past is revealed by blackmail, Philippa must wrestle with the question, Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?
Bertie’s and Philippa’s missions collide when Bertie uncovers a dangerous plot involving vulnerable women. He and Philippa join forces against the corruption threatening to topple England’s government, all while navigating their outward reputations and inward feelings for each other.
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Sexual Content - 1/5
1/5
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Violence - 3/5
3/5
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Language - 0/5
0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 1/5
1/5
Summary
Book Review: A Scheming in Parliament by Erica Vetsch
A Scheming in Parliament is book two in Erica Vetsch’s Cloaks & Daggers series, and I loved it every bit as much as A Thieving at Carlton House. In some ways, I may have enjoyed this one even more because we get to see the friendship—and those slowly developing feelings—between Philippa and Bertie continue to grow.
There are mysteries everywhere in this story! Bertie is investigating suspicious activity in Parliament, while Philippa is dealing with the death of her father, a blackmail scheme, and troubling circumstances involving some of the women she is trying to help. This installment felt a little darker than the first, particularly because of what was happening to the young women, but Vetsch balances those heavier elements with moments of warmth and humor and strong Christian undertones.
I especially loved the lighter scenes involving the girls and their animals. Those moments provided a wonderful contrast to the mystery and danger. We also meet a new minister who caught my attention, along with several other characters I hope we haven't seen the last of.
And can we talk about the side characters? Erica Vetsch has a wonderful talent for creating characters who make you immediately start wondering when they're going to get their own books. Is Fox eventually going to get a story? What about Bridie? I already want more of both of them!
But Philippa and Bertie continue to be the highlight for me. I love that their relationship is developing gradually rather than rushing into romance. Their growing friendship, trust, and awareness of one another have me completely invested in where Vetsch is taking them.
I'm starting book three tonight, and I cannot wait!
Technically, you could read these books as standalones, but my question is the same as it was after book one: Why would you?! The series is soooo good, and the connections between the characters make reading them in order even more rewarding.
In fact, I'm enjoying the Cloaks & Daggers series so much that it has made me want to go back and reread Vetsch’s previous two series just so I can experience this entire cast of characters all over again. That's probably the best compliment I can give a series—I don't just want to know what happens next; I want to go back to the beginning and spend more time in this world.
Content Notes: Philippa is a former courtesan, and her work involves helping young women escape prostitution and abusive situations. Some of the women have experienced physical and sexual abuse, and the story also involves girls being drugged against their will. These are serious themes and contribute to the darker tone of this installment, but they are handled within the context of the mystery rather than portrayed for shock value.