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A review by cj_mo_2222
The Vanishing Thief by Kate Parker
4.0
Georgia Fenchurch leads a double life. She runs an antique bookshop in Victorian London, but is secretly a private investigator for the Archivist Society, led by Sir Broderick duVene. Georgia gets some satisfaction by seeking justice on behalf others to try to make up for not being able to save her parents from a murderer over ten years ago. Something doesn’t add up about the story their latest client is telling about the disappearance of her neighbor, but Georgia believes everyone deserves a chance to be rescued, even a notorious thief and possible blackmailer like Nicholas Drake. So in spite of being warned off the case by several members of the upper class, including the charming but dangerous Duke of Blackford, Georgia will not give up the search for Nicholas, even when it puts her own life in danger.
"The Vanishing Thief" is a good start to a brand new historical mystery series. Although the story does bog down a bit near the middle, there are plenty of sub-plots to keep the reader’s interest through most of the book. In addition to the hunt for Nicholas Drake and his kidnapper, Georgia also wants to know what the Duke of Blackford is hiding and why he’s so interested in Drake’s disappearance. Georgia also has a new lead in her parents’ murder, so that search is never far from her mind and adds interest when the other parts of the story start to lag.
Georgia is a likeable and sympathetic heroine who is very independent, especially for the times. Georgia is a great detective, and the mystery is eventually resolved in a satisfactory way. I really enjoyed the setting and the interesting characters in this book. Georgia’s beautiful assistant Emma Keyes is also likeable, as well as their “Aunt” Phyllida Monthalf have interesting backstories and play important roles in the book. The Vanishing Thief is well-written, but the realistic way the Victorian times are portrayed is also the thing that makes portions of the book hard to read. The strict class divisions and snobbery are unsettling. As one point, even Georgia’s friend and fellow archivist Lady Westover tells her “You are not one of us.” when they have a disagreement on how to handle an aristocratic witness.
There is plenty of chemistry between Georgia and the Duke of Blackford, even though the Duke is often demeaning and disrespectful to Georgia asking impudent, personal questions of her. Although Georgia admires him, I don’t know what their future will hold. Georgia finds him fascinating, but says he is “out-of-bounds for a nonaristocrat.” Although societal constraints say the two can’t be together, the author does offer hope. Georgia tells herself, “I knew someday…the Duke of Blackford…would return. I planned to be ready.” I am also ready for the sequel to this intriguing debut to a new series. Readers who enjoy Victoria Thompson or Anne Perry are in for a treat with this historical mystery by Kate Parker.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
"The Vanishing Thief" is a good start to a brand new historical mystery series. Although the story does bog down a bit near the middle, there are plenty of sub-plots to keep the reader’s interest through most of the book. In addition to the hunt for Nicholas Drake and his kidnapper, Georgia also wants to know what the Duke of Blackford is hiding and why he’s so interested in Drake’s disappearance. Georgia also has a new lead in her parents’ murder, so that search is never far from her mind and adds interest when the other parts of the story start to lag.
Georgia is a likeable and sympathetic heroine who is very independent, especially for the times. Georgia is a great detective, and the mystery is eventually resolved in a satisfactory way. I really enjoyed the setting and the interesting characters in this book. Georgia’s beautiful assistant Emma Keyes is also likeable, as well as their “Aunt” Phyllida Monthalf have interesting backstories and play important roles in the book. The Vanishing Thief is well-written, but the realistic way the Victorian times are portrayed is also the thing that makes portions of the book hard to read. The strict class divisions and snobbery are unsettling. As one point, even Georgia’s friend and fellow archivist Lady Westover tells her “You are not one of us.” when they have a disagreement on how to handle an aristocratic witness.
There is plenty of chemistry between Georgia and the Duke of Blackford, even though the Duke is often demeaning and disrespectful to Georgia asking impudent, personal questions of her. Although Georgia admires him, I don’t know what their future will hold. Georgia finds him fascinating, but says he is “out-of-bounds for a nonaristocrat.” Although societal constraints say the two can’t be together, the author does offer hope. Georgia tells herself, “I knew someday…the Duke of Blackford…would return. I planned to be ready.” I am also ready for the sequel to this intriguing debut to a new series. Readers who enjoy Victoria Thompson or Anne Perry are in for a treat with this historical mystery by Kate Parker.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.