Author: Amanda Quick
Publication: Putnam Adult (April 19, 2011)
Description: Virginia Dean wakes at midnight beside a dead body, with a bloody knife in her hand and no memory of the evening's events. Dark energy, emanating from the mirrors lining the room, overpowers her senses. With no apparent way in or out, she is rescued by a man she has met only once before, but won't soon forget.
Owen Sweetwater inherited his family's talent for hunting the psychical monsters who prey on London's women and children, and his investigation into the deaths of two glass-readers has led him here. The high-society types of the exclusive Arcane Society would consider Virginia an illusionist, a charlatan, even a criminal, but Owen knows better. Virginia's powers are real-and they just might be the key to solving this challenging case.
My Thoughts: This was an excellent second book in the Looking Glass trilogy. This one moves the setting to England in the 1800s when being psychic or seeming so was a career path. Virginia Dean is the illegitimate daughter of a member of the peerage who is also a glass-reader. She has carved out a life for herself using her talents. At 26 and with her current profession, she is certain that she will never make an acceptable marriage but she isn't opposed to an affair if the right man should happen to come along.
Owen Sweetwater is in his early 30s. He is a member of the mysterious and secretive Sweetwater family. They are paranormal hunters and investigators and sometimes assassins of those who are abusing their psychic powers. Sweetwater men are in danger of losing their minds to nightwalking if they don't find their destined mate. Owen sees Virginia and knows that she is the one for him. All he has to do is convince an independent, strong minded woman who sees herself unsuited for marriage that he is the one for her.
Owen and Virginia meet in the course of Owen's investigation into the deaths of two other glass-readers but their relationship takes a new turn when he rescues her from the evil Lord Hollister. It so happens that Virginia has been overcome and wakes up next to a dead Lord Hollister.
I love the quirky characters and crisp dialog in Quick's work. Both characters are strong and quirky and just right for each other. The secondary characters including Virginia's best friend Charlotte and Own's cousin Nick also add depth to this story. I was especially fond of Virginia's housekeeper Mrs. Crofton. Virginia is constantly worried that she will find a better offer and leave Virginia's employ. Mrs. Crofton, however, finds Virginia's household very interesting and is eager to become involved in the investigations.
I recommend this story to lovers of romantic suspense and historical fiction. The first volume was In Too Deep (Dec. 23, 2010) by Jayne Ann Krentz and the third volume will be Canyons of Night by Jayne Castle (August 30, 2011) as Krentz tells the story across her three pseudonyms and her three worlds.
Owen Sweetwater is in his early 30s. He is a member of the mysterious and secretive Sweetwater family. They are paranormal hunters and investigators and sometimes assassins of those who are abusing their psychic powers. Sweetwater men are in danger of losing their minds to nightwalking if they don't find their destined mate. Owen sees Virginia and knows that she is the one for him. All he has to do is convince an independent, strong minded woman who sees herself unsuited for marriage that he is the one for her.
Owen and Virginia meet in the course of Owen's investigation into the deaths of two other glass-readers but their relationship takes a new turn when he rescues her from the evil Lord Hollister. It so happens that Virginia has been overcome and wakes up next to a dead Lord Hollister.
I love the quirky characters and crisp dialog in Quick's work. Both characters are strong and quirky and just right for each other. The secondary characters including Virginia's best friend Charlotte and Own's cousin Nick also add depth to this story. I was especially fond of Virginia's housekeeper Mrs. Crofton. Virginia is constantly worried that she will find a better offer and leave Virginia's employ. Mrs. Crofton, however, finds Virginia's household very interesting and is eager to become involved in the investigations.
I recommend this story to lovers of romantic suspense and historical fiction. The first volume was In Too Deep (Dec. 23, 2010) by Jayne Ann Krentz and the third volume will be Canyons of Night by Jayne Castle (August 30, 2011) as Krentz tells the story across her three pseudonyms and her three worlds.
Favorite Quote:
"Come now, Miss Dean. Are you not at least somewhat relieved to see me tonight? If I hadn't arrived when I did, you would still be trapped in this room with the body."
"Your point is well taken," she admitted.
"You can thank me later."
"I'll try to remember to do that."
I purchased this hardcover at Amazon. It is also available for the Kindle and in various audiobook formats.
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