An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire

This enjoyable sequel to A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem skillfully blends Victorian-era romance and mystery. Lady Caroline Hardcastle is the cowriter of an infamous crime column that everyone reads, but society has not forgiven her for being so gauche as to author it. She broke off her engagement to Viscount Valentine Thorn many years ago when he was too callow and cowardly to defend her to his snobby family. They felt she was wholly inappropriate as a spouse since her father earned his fortune in trade instead of inheriting it. Years later, when Caro’s friend Effie goes missing and Val’s cousin is entangled in the disappearance, the two are thrown together to investigate. Feelings are reignited, but neither is sure they can trust the other. Mary Jane Wells narrates with lively charm, a musical voice, and great facility with accents. The archness can be cloying and the mystery tends to overshadow the romance, but fans of Victorian romance and mystery will be rooting for the two characters who are so clearly meant for each other.