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gwalt118's review against another edition
4.0
A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes, the third in Manda Collins' Ladies Most Scandalous series, is just as wonderful as the first two novels. Collins has just the right amount of love and suspense in this historical romance mystery. I listened to all three on audio, and Mary Jane Wells was a fantastic narrator.
In this novel, we follow Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, and Poppy Delamere. We were introduced to them in a previous novel in the series, and we know they don't like each other very much. After running into each other at a train station, they concoct a plan to pretend to be engaged to ward off Langham's grandmother's matchmaking and use Langham's influence to help free Poppy's sister from a murder charge, of which she is innocent. Of course, they fall in love.
I loved the reappearance of Kate and Eversham from the first book and Caro and Val from the second book. These women are spunky and these men love them so much. I just thoroughly enjoy all three of these couples. Seeing them work together in the last third or so of the novel to solve a crime was incredibly fun.
Like the other two novels in the series, everything gets tied up very quickly at the end. It feels a little whiplashy after an entire novel of suspense over the murder and when will they (because you know they will) over the romance. I wish Collins would have drawn that out a bit more, especially since this is the last one in the series.
Although...there is a moment toward the end of the novel where she creates an opening for a fourth novel that focuses on Lord Adrian (Langham's brother) and Miss Halliwell (a governess to their nieces and nephews). Dare I hope?!?!
In this novel, we follow Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, and Poppy Delamere. We were introduced to them in a previous novel in the series, and we know they don't like each other very much. After running into each other at a train station, they concoct a plan to pretend to be engaged to ward off Langham's grandmother's matchmaking and use Langham's influence to help free Poppy's sister from a murder charge, of which she is innocent. Of course, they fall in love.
I loved the reappearance of Kate and Eversham from the first book and Caro and Val from the second book. These women are spunky and these men love them so much. I just thoroughly enjoy all three of these couples. Seeing them work together in the last third or so of the novel to solve a crime was incredibly fun.
Like the other two novels in the series, everything gets tied up very quickly at the end. It feels a little whiplashy after an entire novel of suspense over the murder and when will they (because you know they will) over the romance. I wish Collins would have drawn that out a bit more, especially since this is the last one in the series.
Although...there is a moment toward the end of the novel where she creates an opening for a fourth novel that focuses on Lord Adrian (Langham's brother) and Miss Halliwell (a governess to their nieces and nephews). Dare I hope?!?!
kelseyannereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
saville08's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
izmc's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It was a quick and light read and required no thought.
amym84's review against another edition
5.0
After her sister is accused of murder, Poppy Delamere finds herself returning to the family she left two years ago running away from an unwanted marriage. Escaping to London Poppy took on the assumed name of Flora Deaver to work as a secretary.
Of course, Poppy has no idea what she's going to do, but she can't abandon her sister. Running into the Duke of Langham on the train out of London proves fortuitous because he offers his assistance in ensuring the power of his title provides a fair investigation into the murder.
However, Langham needs something from Poppy as well. He's on his way to visit the dowager duchess and of course, he expects to be inundated with all the eligible ladies of the ton. Unless that is, he already comes with a betrothed in hand. Poppy agrees to pose as the Duke's intended for his help with her sister's case.
Soon, it's less about keeping up appearances and more about discovering their true feelings for one another.
I've really enjoyed this series and I have to say this one is by far my favorite. I just felt like the stakes were a little higher than in the previous books which upped the suspense and that was something I liked a lot. I really became invested in the mystery. I don't know if it's something about the history of the town and the kind of secrets that can grow from small communities and things from that past that are kept hidden. It really drew me in.
I liked that Poppy and Langham finally got to the forefront of the story. They've both been interesting secondary characters and I remember thinking in the previous book that they had a good brief interaction that would be wonderful to expand upon.
I think that Manda Collins did a great job of balancing so many aspects of the story. The fake engagement played well into the overarching mystery aspect of the story which of course includes murder, secrets, and deception. It never felt like there was too much or that anything was out of place within the narrative.
I don't know if there will be any more in this series. There were no secondary characters who stuck out and clicked for me this time around like in the previous, but there are certainly other characters who could become involved in a mystery of their own.
Overall, another page-turning mystery full of romance from Manda Collins.
Of course, Poppy has no idea what she's going to do, but she can't abandon her sister. Running into the Duke of Langham on the train out of London proves fortuitous because he offers his assistance in ensuring the power of his title provides a fair investigation into the murder.
However, Langham needs something from Poppy as well. He's on his way to visit the dowager duchess and of course, he expects to be inundated with all the eligible ladies of the ton. Unless that is, he already comes with a betrothed in hand. Poppy agrees to pose as the Duke's intended for his help with her sister's case.
Soon, it's less about keeping up appearances and more about discovering their true feelings for one another.
I've really enjoyed this series and I have to say this one is by far my favorite. I just felt like the stakes were a little higher than in the previous books which upped the suspense and that was something I liked a lot. I really became invested in the mystery. I don't know if it's something about the history of the town and the kind of secrets that can grow from small communities and things from that past that are kept hidden. It really drew me in.
I liked that Poppy and Langham finally got to the forefront of the story. They've both been interesting secondary characters and I remember thinking in the previous book that they had a good brief interaction that would be wonderful to expand upon.
I think that Manda Collins did a great job of balancing so many aspects of the story. The fake engagement played well into the overarching mystery aspect of the story which of course includes murder, secrets, and deception. It never felt like there was too much or that anything was out of place within the narrative.
I don't know if there will be any more in this series. There were no secondary characters who stuck out and clicked for me this time around like in the previous, but there are certainly other characters who could become involved in a mystery of their own.
Overall, another page-turning mystery full of romance from Manda Collins.
amym84's review against another edition
5.0
After her sister is accused of murder, Poppy Delamere finds herself returning to the family she left two years ago running away from an unwanted marriage. Escaping to London Poppy took on the assumed name of Flora Deaver to work as a secretary.
Of course, Poppy has no idea what she's going to do, but she can't abandon her sister. Running into the Duke of Langham on the train out of London proves fortuitous because he offers his assistance in ensuring the power of his title provides a fair investigation into the murder.
However, Langham needs something from Poppy as well. He's on his way to visit the dowager duchess and of course, he expects to be inundated with all the eligible ladies of the ton. Unless that is, he already comes with a betrothed in hand. Poppy agrees to pose as the Duke's intended for his help with her sister's case.
Soon, it's less about keeping up appearances and more about discovering their true feelings for one another.
I've really enjoyed this series and I have to say this one is by far my favorite. I just felt like the stakes were a little higher than in the previous books which upped the suspense and that was something I liked a lot. I really became invested in the mystery. I don't know if it's something about the history of the town and the kind of secrets that can grow from small communities and things from that past that are kept hidden. It really drew me in.
I liked that Poppy and Langham finally got to the forefront of the story. They've both been interesting secondary characters and I remember thinking in the previous book that they had a good brief interaction that would be wonderful to expand upon.
I think that Manda Collins did a great job of balancing so many aspects of the story. The fake engagement played well into the overarching mystery aspect of the story which of course includes murder, secrets, and deception. It never felt like there was too much or that anything was out of place within the narrative.
I don't know if there will be any more in this series. There were no secondary characters who stuck out and clicked for me this time around like in the previous, but there are certainly other characters who could become involved in a mystery of their own.
Overall, another page-turning mystery full of romance from Manda Collins.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Of course, Poppy has no idea what she's going to do, but she can't abandon her sister. Running into the Duke of Langham on the train out of London proves fortuitous because he offers his assistance in ensuring the power of his title provides a fair investigation into the murder.
However, Langham needs something from Poppy as well. He's on his way to visit the dowager duchess and of course, he expects to be inundated with all the eligible ladies of the ton. Unless that is, he already comes with a betrothed in hand. Poppy agrees to pose as the Duke's intended for his help with her sister's case.
Soon, it's less about keeping up appearances and more about discovering their true feelings for one another.
I've really enjoyed this series and I have to say this one is by far my favorite. I just felt like the stakes were a little higher than in the previous books which upped the suspense and that was something I liked a lot. I really became invested in the mystery. I don't know if it's something about the history of the town and the kind of secrets that can grow from small communities and things from that past that are kept hidden. It really drew me in.
I liked that Poppy and Langham finally got to the forefront of the story. They've both been interesting secondary characters and I remember thinking in the previous book that they had a good brief interaction that would be wonderful to expand upon.
I think that Manda Collins did a great job of balancing so many aspects of the story. The fake engagement played well into the overarching mystery aspect of the story which of course includes murder, secrets, and deception. It never felt like there was too much or that anything was out of place within the narrative.
I don't know if there will be any more in this series. There were no secondary characters who stuck out and clicked for me this time around like in the previous, but there are certainly other characters who could become involved in a mystery of their own.
Overall, another page-turning mystery full of romance from Manda Collins.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
agb101103's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5