This is the third book of the Rookery Rogues, but can be read as a stand alone.

Beauty and The Rake is the first of this series I have read.  Author Erica Monroe has created a wonderful take on the old fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast.  This is a different type of Victorian novel as it does not involve nobles nor people of quality.  I found this very refreshing.

 

Abigail and Inspector Michael Strickland are definitely not from the noble class. Abigail Vautille lives in impoverishment in the poorest area of Whitechapel. Life is an exhausting business in the rookery.  She was disfigured by evil and can no longer work. Her father is a wastrel, who only lives to gamble. She must make a decision that will change everyone’s life. To pay her father’s gambling debt and save her sister from starvation or worse;  she offers herself to Michael for two weeks.

 

Her virginity is a small price to pay for her sister. Michael carries his own demons.  Unbeknownst to Abigail, Michael saved her after the torture she received, he felt guilty.    He had failed to stop the evil stalking Abigail. He couldn’t save his mother and couldn’t save Abigail; guilt is a heavy burden.

 

 

What follows is fast paced, well-developed novel of property, personal demons, real evil, innovations in crime solving, sex, acceptance, and love.  A very refreshing historical novel. Thank you Ms. Monroe for such delightful entertainment.

 

I would recommend this book for young adults to adults.

 

I received this novel from Netgalley in return for an honest book review.

 

Books reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion;  book reviews on line under my name and on my blog are my opinion.

 

Other Books You Might Like

A Radical Arrangement

Nine Buck Row

Silk and Scars

An Elaborate Hoax

 

Link To Erica Monroe’s Web Site