Description
“Vetsch (A Gentleman Spy) kicks off her Of Cloaks and Daggers series with a propulsive Regency-era mystery featuring stolen treasure, royal secrets, and plenty of intrigue. . . . [She] expertly ratchets up the suspense and provides plenty of fodder for future entries. Readers will be on the edge of their seats from first page to last.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Vetsch has masterfully crafted another page-turner full of mystery, adventure, sparkling dialogue, and shimmering Regency details!”
—Amanda Wen, Carol Award–winning author of The Rhythm of Fractured Grace
The Home Office has asked Sir Bertrand Thorndike to head an investigation into stolen royal jewels. And as with everything concerning the Prince Regent, discretion is paramount.
It’s the perfect chance for Bertie to step out of his brother’s long shadow. Unfortunately, his superior, the Duke of Haverly, has a plan that makes him balk. In order to sell his cover, Bertie must play the part of a man looking for love, ready to reform his rakish ways.
Philippa Cashel escaped a life as one of society’s best-known courtesans and now devotes her time to helping other women in dire straits. Her hope is that laboring hard enough at her charity work will allow her to feel worthy of God’s forgiveness of her past. So when Sir Bertrand Thorndike approaches her about becoming an agent of the Crown, she is skeptical. Why her? She’s focused on getting her school for underprivileged women up and running, not on cloak-and-dagger skullduggery.
But when two of Philippa’s rescued girls become targets, Philippa risks partnering with Bertie to find the loot and stop a killer.
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Sexual Content - 0/5
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Violence - 2/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
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Summary
Book Review: A Thieving at Carlton House by Erica Vetsch
A Thieving at Carlton House is the first book in Erica Vetsch’s Cloaks & Daggers series, and I absolutely loved it! I’m a huge fan of Vetsch and have read every one of her books that I’m aware of, so starting a new series from her is always exciting. This one did not disappoint. And can we take a moment to appreciate that gorgeous cover? 😊
Longtime readers of Vetsch are in for an additional treat because several familiar characters from her previous books make appearances. I loved seeing them again! Bertie has connections to the spy network involving his brother and Marcus, the Earl of Haverly, while Marcus also happens to be Philippa’s brother-in-law. Those connections made me want to go back and reread the previous two series.
Philippa was a minor character in an earlier book, and I was thrilled to see her take center stage here. She has a complicated past as a former courtesan, but she is now determined to use her experiences to help other women escape that life. Her goal is to establish a home where women can learn practical skills that will give them another way to support themselves.
I absolutely loved Philippa. She carries herself with such poise and strength, and her determination to maintain control over her own life, particularly after a past where men held so much power over her, gave her character incredible depth.
Then there's Bertie. Having already encountered him through the previous series and his work within the spy network, I loved getting to know him better. The dynamic developing between Bertie and Philippa was one of my favorite parts of the book.
My only wish was for a little more romance! You can definitely see the beginnings of something developing between them, but this book focuses more heavily on the mystery, suspense, and characters. I'm hoping that slow burn means there is much more romance waiting for us as the series continues.
The mystery itself kept me completely engaged, but what really stood out was how rich the entire story felt. The characters have history, complicated relationships, and lives that extend beyond the mystery they're trying to solve. This is the kind of historical fiction where I want to settle into the world and stay awhile.
One small note: I did find myself looking up several unfamiliar words while reading. It didn't take away from my enjoyment, but the vocabulary occasionally sent me looking up words!
How much did I love this book? I immediately started book two and am already halfway through it—and book three releases this week. Perfect timing! I'm also seriously considering going back and rereading Vetsch's earlier series because spending time with these characters again reminded me how much I enjoyed them.
If you love historical mysteries with espionage, wonderfully developed characters, strong heroines, and a slow-burn romance simmering beneath the suspense, I highly recommend A Thieving at Carlton House. I adored this one.
Content Notes: Philippa is a former courtesan, and part of the story involves her efforts to help women leave prostitution by providing them with housing and opportunities to learn other skills. These themes are part of her backstory and mission rather than presented as explicit sexual content.