Publisher's Weekly Review
Jeffries's lively third Duke's Men 19th-century romance finds Lady Zoe Keane determined to learn the truth about her origins, even if it means hiring the decidedly unsettling Tristan Bonnaud, one of the famous "Duke's Men" of Manton Investigations. Tristan is far from thrilled to work for a woman with a "penchant for sticking [her] nose where it doesn't belong." Zoe should, one day, become Countess of Olivier, but if the couple who raised her weren't her real parents, she'll lose claim to the title and the estate. As the bastard son of Viscount Rathmoor, Tristan was denied his meager inheritance by his half-brother, George. Now he's counting on using his commission from Zoe's case to fund his own quest for revenge. As their investigations proceed, Zoe and Tristan's growing mutual attraction becomes just one more secret that's bound to be revealed. The setting is vivid, the lovers are well-drawn and colorful, and the mystery is intriguing, making this a winner for fans and new readers. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Manton's Investigations owes Lady Zoe Keane, and she knows exactly how its owners can repay her. Zoe is in something of a pickle. When her father dies, she expects to inherit the family title and estate. However, Zoe's aunt has hinted that Zoe's parents actually got her from a Romany woman named Drina. Zoe needs to find this woman, if she actualy exists, in order to make informed decisions about her future. Since both Dominick Manton and Victor Cale are already involved in other investigations, that leaves only Tristan Bonnaud free to pursue Zoe's case. Tristan has his own reasons for agreeing to work for Zoe, and he is certain that he can use his roguish skills to convince her to go along with his plan. What Tristan doesn't expect is that Zoe will prove to be the one woman in the world immune to his infamous charm. In the third book of her consistently excellent Duke's Men series, Jeffries skillfully entwines potent passion and dangerous intrigue into a completely captivating love story.--Charles, John Copyright 2014 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Starred Review. When a search for the truth about her background for the sake of her inheritance sends Lady Zoe Keane to the "Duke's Men" of Manton's Investigations, she is sure of two things: she must know if she is truly her father's daughter and she doesn't want rude, mocking Tristan Bonnaud, a man who once held her at gunpoint, handling her case. Naturally, Tristan ends up being the only person capable of doing the job and for dangerous reasons of his own is more than willing to oblige. A cynical, well-born bastard hero who doesn't believe in romance and a spirited, titled heroine who would prefer to marry for love are conflicted from their first mind-shattering kiss. VERDICT Vivid, well-described characters, both old and new, add depth, while a brash, adventurous American cousin spices things up. Old animosities, cruel betrayals, life-changing secrets, and class issues fuel the plot of this sexy, vengeance-driven tale that touches on cultural diversity, explores the question of honesty, and nicely expands Jeffries's world. Jeffries (When the Rogue Returns) lives in Cary, NC. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
