Roseanna M. White kicks off another series with A Beautiful Disguise.
Book Blurb
Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father’s death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm marketed to the elite . . . to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society when they want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend’s father as a potential traitor.
Sir Merritt Livingstone has spent a decade serving the monarch in the most elite guard, but when pneumonia lands him behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they’re creating a new secret intelligence branch, he’s intent on showing his worth. He suspects a man of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries, but needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare.
Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend’s sake, and she’s more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client . . . who can’t possibly be as noble as he seems.
My Thoughts
Combine intrigue and mystery with a historical setting and romance, and I am there!
Marigold is perhaps one of the most intriguing heroines I’ve ever encountered, and I loved every second of her story. White broke the mold with A Beautiful Disguise by having a heroine who, while part of the elite, had a much different background. And by different, I mean of the circus variety. You’ll understand once you read it.
Merritt was an interesting character too as he has a strong sense of justice but a little bit of pride. Mainly because he’s used to being on the front lines instead of behind a desk and chafes at the very idea. But that’s what causes him to cross paths with Marigold time and time again, and it was wonderful.
Really the whole romance was beautiful. I loved how highly Merritt thought of Marigold and his respect for her. There is not a ton of angst (which I find tiresome after a while), so this novel was refreshing for me.
As for the mystery, White, per usual, includes many twists and turns and an ending I did not expect. I had trouble putting this novel down and for good reason.
And with so many interesting side characters, I’m excited to see what happens next in this series!
Overall, A Beautiful Disguise is an engaging historical romance with plenty of mystery and compelling characters.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley for review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
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