Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
When reading a mystery, I always expect some degree of excitement. It's unfortunate, then, that this book ends on a cliffhanger and was so lackluster; I'm not even interested in the sequels to find out about the culprit.
I've given this a B at AAR.
Madeline Hunter’s new series, A Duke’s Heiress, opens with Heiress for Hire, a nicely done combination of romance and cosy mystery in which a young widow is left a large sum of money by a man – a duke, no less – she never met. There’s also a mystery to be solved surrounding the duke’s death – was it due to natural causes or something more sinister? I didn’t realise, when I started the book, that that question would remain unanswered at the end - clearly we’re going to have to wait until the third book for that – but the central characters are likeable and their romance is engaging enough for that not to have been too much of a disappointment.
Having survived an abusive marriage and then narrowly avoided being accused of having had a hand in her husband’s death, Minerva Hepplewhite changed her name and removed to London with her faithful friend and housekeeper Beth and Beth’s son Jeremy. On the night the book opens, Minerva and Beth are hovering over the intruder Minerva has just konked on the head with a warming pan – who eventually manages to introduce himself as Chase Radnor, a gentleman who on occasion conducts discreet enquiries, and to explain that he had not planned on stealing from her, but had been searching for evidence that she is the same Minerva Hepplewhite who has just inherited a fortune from the recently deceased Duke of Hollingburgh. It’s Minerva’s turn to be stunned at that; she never met the duke or anyone connected with him, so to discover that he left her a large sum of money plus a stake in his business that’s worth even more is a complete surprise.
Minerva’s assertion that she has no connection whatsoever to the duke surprises Chase, too. The late duke – who was Chase’s uncle – was widely known as an eccentric who almost never did what was expected of him, but giving away his entire monetary fortune to three ladies nobody within the family has ever heard goes way beyond eccentricity, and Chase has been quietly working on locating the three beneficiaries. His task is complicated still further when, the morning following his… er … meeting with Minerva, he is asked by the Home Secretary, Sir Robert Peel, to conduct a discreet and unofficial enquiry into Hollingburgh’s death to ascertain if it was accidental or if he was murdered – and if so, by whom.
Of course, the most likely suspects should the duke have been murdered would be those who stood to gain most by his death – although suspicions that Minerva Hepplewhite may be the guilty party aren’t the only reasons she hasn’t been far from Chase’s mind since their inauspicious encounter the night before.
The news she is an heiress doesn’t exactly fill Minerva with giddy glee. Establishing her identity, as will be required before she can claim her inheritance, will almost certainly mean digging up aspects of her past she’d hoped to leave behind when she moved and changed her name. As Margaret Finley, she was suspected of the murder of her violent husband – and should that come out, she realises it will only increase speculation as to her involvement in the duke’s death. As she, Beth and Jeremy have already successfully completed a number of enquiries in the past, Minerva decides to tackle things head on and investigate the death herself – if she can identify the culprit, she will be exempt from suspicion. And now she has the means to do so, she decides to set up an enquiry agency of her own, one that will cater to women and other people who are unlikely to be able to access the services of men like Chase Radnor.
Chase and Minerva are likeable, intelligent and well-written, and their romance is based on a solid foundation of mutual respect as well as strong mutual attraction. They converse with good sense and humour, and once they agree to collaborate and share information about the investigation into the duke’s death, they do so without arguing for arguments’ sake or withholding information for the other’s ‘own good’, which I found refreshingly mature. I also appreciated that Minerva, while engaged in an unusual profession for a woman (not to mention the fact that her being engaged in any profession was unusual for the time) isn’t one of those ‘look at how unconventional and awesome I am!!’ heroines that are so prevalent in historical romance these days. She’s perceptive and intuitive, although she does make one rather large miscalculation about the nature of the job she’s doing, which was a bit naïve. But she’s also strong and resilient, and the way she has re-invented herself after the truly horrific abuse she suffered at her late husband’s hands – treatment that could easily have broken her – is admirable.
Chase is perhaps a little less well-rounded, although I liked that he isn’t your usual marriage shy, bored aristocrat, and how perceptive he is when it comes to Minerva. Realising there’s something holding her back from moving their relationship to the next level, he never pushes her and lets her lead the way.
There’s a great secondary cast, consisting mostly of Chase’s disgruntled relatives, all of whom have had their noses put out of joint by the duke’s will and which provides a great pool of possible suspects. On the downside, there’s a lot of set-up, which takes time away from the romance, I wasn’t completely convinced by Minerva’s investigative abilities, and the book doesn’t have a strong sense of period. Apart from the mention of Peel as Home Secretary, which puts events as taking place between 1822 and 1830, the story could have taken place at any point during the nineteenth century. I wasn’t too worried about the central mystery remaining unsolved, although perhaps the blurb should have indicated that – and it’s misleading in another way, because it indicates Minerva and Chase have met before, or at least knew of each other, but it’s pretty clear within the novel that neither of those things is true.
Heiress for Hire wasn’t one of those books that compelled me to pick it up at every opportunity, but it was an entertaining read, and one that is at least mercifully free of overdone mental lusting, feisty heroines and aristocratic gambling hell owners. If you’re looking for a well-written, sensual romance featuring engaging characters who behave like adults, it’s worth a look.
Madeline Hunter’s new series, A Duke’s Heiress, opens with Heiress for Hire, a nicely done combination of romance and cosy mystery in which a young widow is left a large sum of money by a man – a duke, no less – she never met. There’s also a mystery to be solved surrounding the duke’s death – was it due to natural causes or something more sinister? I didn’t realise, when I started the book, that that question would remain unanswered at the end - clearly we’re going to have to wait until the third book for that – but the central characters are likeable and their romance is engaging enough for that not to have been too much of a disappointment.
Having survived an abusive marriage and then narrowly avoided being accused of having had a hand in her husband’s death, Minerva Hepplewhite changed her name and removed to London with her faithful friend and housekeeper Beth and Beth’s son Jeremy. On the night the book opens, Minerva and Beth are hovering over the intruder Minerva has just konked on the head with a warming pan – who eventually manages to introduce himself as Chase Radnor, a gentleman who on occasion conducts discreet enquiries, and to explain that he had not planned on stealing from her, but had been searching for evidence that she is the same Minerva Hepplewhite who has just inherited a fortune from the recently deceased Duke of Hollingburgh. It’s Minerva’s turn to be stunned at that; she never met the duke or anyone connected with him, so to discover that he left her a large sum of money plus a stake in his business that’s worth even more is a complete surprise.
Minerva’s assertion that she has no connection whatsoever to the duke surprises Chase, too. The late duke – who was Chase’s uncle – was widely known as an eccentric who almost never did what was expected of him, but giving away his entire monetary fortune to three ladies nobody within the family has ever heard goes way beyond eccentricity, and Chase has been quietly working on locating the three beneficiaries. His task is complicated still further when, the morning following his… er … meeting with Minerva, he is asked by the Home Secretary, Sir Robert Peel, to conduct a discreet and unofficial enquiry into Hollingburgh’s death to ascertain if it was accidental or if he was murdered – and if so, by whom.
Of course, the most likely suspects should the duke have been murdered would be those who stood to gain most by his death – although suspicions that Minerva Hepplewhite may be the guilty party aren’t the only reasons she hasn’t been far from Chase’s mind since their inauspicious encounter the night before.
The news she is an heiress doesn’t exactly fill Minerva with giddy glee. Establishing her identity, as will be required before she can claim her inheritance, will almost certainly mean digging up aspects of her past she’d hoped to leave behind when she moved and changed her name. As Margaret Finley, she was suspected of the murder of her violent husband – and should that come out, she realises it will only increase speculation as to her involvement in the duke’s death. As she, Beth and Jeremy have already successfully completed a number of enquiries in the past, Minerva decides to tackle things head on and investigate the death herself – if she can identify the culprit, she will be exempt from suspicion. And now she has the means to do so, she decides to set up an enquiry agency of her own, one that will cater to women and other people who are unlikely to be able to access the services of men like Chase Radnor.
Chase and Minerva are likeable, intelligent and well-written, and their romance is based on a solid foundation of mutual respect as well as strong mutual attraction. They converse with good sense and humour, and once they agree to collaborate and share information about the investigation into the duke’s death, they do so without arguing for arguments’ sake or withholding information for the other’s ‘own good’, which I found refreshingly mature. I also appreciated that Minerva, while engaged in an unusual profession for a woman (not to mention the fact that her being engaged in any profession was unusual for the time) isn’t one of those ‘look at how unconventional and awesome I am!!’ heroines that are so prevalent in historical romance these days. She’s perceptive and intuitive, although she does make one rather large miscalculation about the nature of the job she’s doing, which was a bit naïve. But she’s also strong and resilient, and the way she has re-invented herself after the truly horrific abuse she suffered at her late husband’s hands – treatment that could easily have broken her – is admirable.
Chase is perhaps a little less well-rounded, although I liked that he isn’t your usual marriage shy, bored aristocrat, and how perceptive he is when it comes to Minerva. Realising there’s something holding her back from moving their relationship to the next level, he never pushes her and lets her lead the way.
There’s a great secondary cast, consisting mostly of Chase’s disgruntled relatives, all of whom have had their noses put out of joint by the duke’s will and which provides a great pool of possible suspects. On the downside, there’s a lot of set-up, which takes time away from the romance, I wasn’t completely convinced by Minerva’s investigative abilities, and the book doesn’t have a strong sense of period. Apart from the mention of Peel as Home Secretary, which puts events as taking place between 1822 and 1830, the story could have taken place at any point during the nineteenth century. I wasn’t too worried about the central mystery remaining unsolved, although perhaps the blurb should have indicated that – and it’s misleading in another way, because it indicates Minerva and Chase have met before, or at least knew of each other, but it’s pretty clear within the novel that neither of those things is true.
Heiress for Hire wasn’t one of those books that compelled me to pick it up at every opportunity, but it was an entertaining read, and one that is at least mercifully free of overdone mental lusting, feisty heroines and aristocratic gambling hell owners. If you’re looking for a well-written, sensual romance featuring engaging characters who behave like adults, it’s worth a look.
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Alcohol
This was my first time reading this author's work, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a fascinating mystery mixed in with romance. While the beginning was a bit slow, the storyline and characters quickly drew me in, making it an engaging read.
Minerva was a fantastic strong and independent heroine, and I loved how Chase could keep up with her. His perceptiveness and ability to see through her ruses—especially when she was undercover at his family’s house—added such a fun dynamic to their relationship. They balanced each other perfectly, being highly observant and naturally suited for investigative work.
Their romance was a slow burn, built on mutual respect, admiration, and attraction. They shared witty banter, a great sense of humor, and an undeniable connection that felt genuine. I especially appreciated how their relationship wasn’t just about physical chemistry but about truly valuing each other’s minds and skills. Watching them grow closer and eventually start their inquiry business together, both as partners in work and marriage, was so satisfying.
Beyond the romance, I also loved Minerva’s journey—overcoming past fears and experiences to embrace her new life and fall in love again. The blend of mystery, romance, and character development made this such an engaging read, and I can’t wait to find out more about the other heiresses in future books!
Rated: 3.5/5.0
Minerva was a fantastic strong and independent heroine, and I loved how Chase could keep up with her. His perceptiveness and ability to see through her ruses—especially when she was undercover at his family’s house—added such a fun dynamic to their relationship. They balanced each other perfectly, being highly observant and naturally suited for investigative work.
Their romance was a slow burn, built on mutual respect, admiration, and attraction. They shared witty banter, a great sense of humor, and an undeniable connection that felt genuine. I especially appreciated how their relationship wasn’t just about physical chemistry but about truly valuing each other’s minds and skills. Watching them grow closer and eventually start their inquiry business together, both as partners in work and marriage, was so satisfying.
Beyond the romance, I also loved Minerva’s journey—overcoming past fears and experiences to embrace her new life and fall in love again. The blend of mystery, romance, and character development made this such an engaging read, and I can’t wait to find out more about the other heiresses in future books!
Rated: 3.5/5.0
Didn't like it. I think the main characters had very little chemistry, outside of what was plot forced. And the mystery goes unsolved! I'm sure more will be uncovered in the sequals but I won't be reading them.
4.5
This was so good. I love a mystery that cuts through the entire series so each book doesn’t wrap up too neatly. I love the way triggering subjects of intimate partner violence were handled here. I also love that despite the inauspicious start there was a real friends to lovers arc here.
The blurb on Goodreads isn’t entirely accurate - it says MMC nearly got her convicted of her late husband’s murder but as far as I can see he didn’t know about her or her husband’s death until he met her at the beginning of the book.
This was so good. I love a mystery that cuts through the entire series so each book doesn’t wrap up too neatly. I love the way triggering subjects of intimate partner violence were handled here. I also love that despite the inauspicious start there was a real friends to lovers arc here.
The blurb on Goodreads isn’t entirely accurate - it says MMC nearly got her convicted of her late husband’s murder but as far as I can see he didn’t know about her or her husband’s death until he met her at the beginning of the book.
Too many sex scenes and worst of all, they never solved the murder.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Heiress for Hire is the first book in the Duke's Heiress series and the concept itself is interesting. A Duke dies under mysterious circumstances and leaves the bulk of his fortune to three women he has no relation to. The heroine, Minerva, is one of those women. She has no idea why she was given this fortune because she had never even met the late Duke. Chase is one of the late Duke's many nephews and his entire family is enraged that his uncle had decided to give away most of his money to three strangers. Given his career in inquiries, Chase investigates his uncle's death as well as the three mysterious women who were bequeathed a fortune. Minerva also has a knack for inquiries and begins her own investigation because she doesn't want to be considered a suspect in the late Duke's suspicious death.
First of all, who in the hell wrote this blurb? Quoted directly from the blurb: "...Chase Radnor, the man who nearly got her convicted of her late husband's murder." This is FALSE. This never happened. Chase didn't even know that Minerva's late husband was murdered. The blurb would lead you to believe that Chase not only knew about the murder, but had even tried to get Minerva convicted for it. And based on the way the blurb is written, you are led to believe that this all happened before the drama with the Duke's death and will. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN!! What a terribly misleading blurb.
Heiress for Hire was unbearably dull. It is perhaps the dullest book I've read this year. I've enjoyed Madeline Hunter's books in the past, but I genuinely don't recall her prose ever being this unexciting. The romance is dull and boring. The hero and heroine have zero chemistry. We are told that there is a superb attraction between Chase and Minerva, but I didn't feel shit. The mystery is also dull. I can't believe that the author managed to make SLEUTHING and MYSTERY SOLVING boring?? The prose is apathetic, unengaging, and quite simply, boring. There is emotional development, but the prose is so dry that I didn't feel anything for the hero and heroine. There is no life in this book. Why did I keep reading? Well, I was curious enough to find out just how the Duke died...and guess what? His suspicious death doesn't even get solved! It looks like this simple mystery will be dragged throughout the series. I am not curious enough to continue the series, so I will stick to Madeline Hunter's older books from now on.
P.S. Parts of this book gave me Kat Holloway vibes. I feel like Heiress for Hire would have been a lot more engaging and compelling if Jennifer Ashley had written it.
Heiress for Hire is the first book in the Duke's Heiress series and the concept itself is interesting. A Duke dies under mysterious circumstances and leaves the bulk of his fortune to three women he has no relation to. The heroine, Minerva, is one of those women. She has no idea why she was given this fortune because she had never even met the late Duke. Chase is one of the late Duke's many nephews and his entire family is enraged that his uncle had decided to give away most of his money to three strangers. Given his career in inquiries, Chase investigates his uncle's death as well as the three mysterious women who were bequeathed a fortune. Minerva also has a knack for inquiries and begins her own investigation because she doesn't want to be considered a suspect in the late Duke's suspicious death.
First of all, who in the hell wrote this blurb? Quoted directly from the blurb: "...Chase Radnor, the man who nearly got her convicted of her late husband's murder." This is FALSE. This never happened. Chase didn't even know that Minerva's late husband was murdered. The blurb would lead you to believe that Chase not only knew about the murder, but had even tried to get Minerva convicted for it. And based on the way the blurb is written, you are led to believe that this all happened before the drama with the Duke's death and will. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN!! What a terribly misleading blurb.
Heiress for Hire was unbearably dull. It is perhaps the dullest book I've read this year. I've enjoyed Madeline Hunter's books in the past, but I genuinely don't recall her prose ever being this unexciting. The romance is dull and boring. The hero and heroine have zero chemistry. We are told that there is a superb attraction between Chase and Minerva, but I didn't feel shit. The mystery is also dull. I can't believe that the author managed to make SLEUTHING and MYSTERY SOLVING boring?? The prose is apathetic, unengaging, and quite simply, boring. There is emotional development, but the prose is so dry that I didn't feel anything for the hero and heroine. There is no life in this book. Why did I keep reading? Well, I was curious enough to find out just how the Duke died...and guess what? His suspicious death doesn't even get solved! It looks like this simple mystery will be dragged throughout the series. I am not curious enough to continue the series, so I will stick to Madeline Hunter's older books from now on.
P.S. Parts of this book gave me Kat Holloway vibes. I feel like Heiress for Hire would have been a lot more engaging and compelling if Jennifer Ashley had written it.