Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Counterfeit Suitor by Darcie Wilde Series: Rosalind Thorne Mysteries #5
Published by Kensington Books on November 30, 2021
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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It is every mama’s dearest wish that her daughter marries well. But how to ensure that a seemingly earnest suitor is not merely a fortune hunter? Rosalind is involved in just such a case, discreetly investigating a client’s prospective son-in-law, when she is drawn into another predicament shockingly close to home.
Rosalind’s estranged father, Sir Reginald Thorne—a drunkard and forger—has fallen into the hands of the vicious scoundrel Russell Fullerton. Angered by her interference in his blackmail schemes, Fullerton intends to unleash Sir Reginald on society and ruin Rosalind. Before Rosalind’s enemy can act, Sir Reginald is found murdered—and Fullerton is arrested for the crime. He protests his innocence, and Rosalind reluctantly agrees to uncover the truth, suspecting that this mystery may be linked to her other, ongoing cases.
Aided by her sister, Charlotte, and sundry friends and associates—including handsome Bow Street Runner Adam Harkness—Rosalind sets to work. But with political espionage and Napoleon loyalists in the mix, there may be more sinister motives, and far higher stakes, than she ever imagined..
After turning down the offer of marriage to a duke, a woman with precarious status in society needs to prove her worth, but the appearance of her ne’er-do-well father and his subsequent murder is more than a ticklish problem that she can deftly snap her fingers at. The Rosalind Thorne stories are more than a mystery series, but the story of a woman living down unearned family reputation and making her own way in English high society. I’ve cheered her on from the beginning and love the cunning mysteries she must tackle along the way.
A Counterfeit Suitor is the fifth in the Regency era historical mystery series of books that really must be read in order to see Rosalind’s personal story and growing romance from the beginning.
Rosalind turned down her first crush and love along with his title and fortune when it only made sense to take him up on his marriage offer. A gambling father who shattered the family fortunes and left with his oldest daughter for the continent while Rosalind remained with a depressed mother who eventually passed away and left her alone to face the sneers and snubs of their former high society acquaintances. She made do by becoming society’s Useful Woman for a monetary consideration that was the sole means of keeping her from penury. All this would have been swept away if she had accepted his hand. But, too much time has passed and Rosalind has learned to appreciate being an independent woman making her own way. Not to mention her heart might be tugging in her in an entirely different direction and toward the hard-working lower class Bow Street Runner who has admired and supported, plus aided her in her mystery-solving work all along.
But, now her reputation and work are in jeopardy once again when the malice of an enemy aids her father back into London society right about the time Rosalind has her hands full helping a mother determine if her daughter’s suitor is in love or merely a fortune hunter. Sir Reginald Thorne’s death has Rosalind and her courtesan sister, Charlotte, at the top of the suspect list along with another surprising candidate, her enemy, Russell Fullerton. She has to get to the bottom of the murder and not just to be declared innocent. There are ties to espionage and Napoleon behind all this.
While the last book was okay and I was relieved to have the love triangle resolved, it didn’t exactly sparkle for me. A Counterfeit Suitor jumped back into all that makes this series something special. Rosalind is active and in her stride even when she is harried by all that is thrown at her. There are no wishy-washy moments and she charges right into the fray. She had to adjust when her housekeeper took off and she went in with Alice and she has to face her embarrassing and ugly past when her father is back in the picture, but Charlotte is there as is the redoubtable Adam and her small circle of friends to get her through. I loved the added suspense from the war-time espionage aspect and the mystery was well beyond me figuring it out. But, most of all, I liked seeing her acknowledge her feelings for Adam and that she was in love with a working class man and that was all right.
All in all, this one sparkled and was a cover to cover satisfactory read. Historical mystery fans who love the Regency world, a growing and strong female lead, and clever mystery plots should check out this series.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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Rosalind Thorne sounds like a very interesting and likable character. I’ll have to see if the library has the first book in this series. 🙂
Glad to introduce you, Lark. Hopefully the library will carry the series.
I like the sound of this series! Glad to hear the love triangle is resolved. I’m not a fan of those. Sounds like a series best read in order.
Yeah, the triangles aren’t my thing, either. Yes, definitely try it in order. 🙂
I’m not familiar with this series but it sounds wonderful. I’m not a big fan of love triangles either so I can understand being glad that’s resolved. Thanks for the head’s up on reading the books in order to watch Rosalind’s progression. She sounds like a character I would really enjoy.
Glad to put you onto the series, Suzanne. Definitely relieved the triangle is done with. Rosalind is a growing heroine across the series so glad you caught the part about getting her story in order. 🙂
I know I’d enjoy this one… Why so many great books and so little time? I am glad to hear it found its mark again, especially after a love triangle (I’m not a fan, so that is very good). Thanks for sharing.
Yes, we all need Hermione Granger time turners so we can read as much as we would like. 🙂 Yeah, needed the triangle to end and now I can relax about the relationships and enjoy all the mystery and historical side.
I would enjoy this…ugh, another series to add to my list. Thanks for feeding my addiction.
LOL, sorry not sorry! Your reviews put so many books and authors on my pile, too. 🙂