India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy by Carol K Carr Series: Madam of Espionage #3
Published by Berkley on February 5, 2013
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 322
Format: eBook
Source: Library
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"In Victorian London, India Black has all the attributes a high-class madam needs to run a successful brothel--wit, beauty, and an ability to lie with a smile. Luckily for Her Majesty's Government, all these talents also make her a first-rate spy..."
India Black, full-time madam and occasional secret agent, is feeling restless, when one of Disraeli's men calls on her to meet the prime minister--alone. Even though all her previous meetings have been organized by the rakishly handsome spy French, it's been decided this is a mission India must attempt on her own.
Revolt has spread across Europe and reached the shores of England--anarchists have begun assassinating lords and earls, one by one. Now India must infiltrate the ranks of the underground group responsible for those attacks, the sinister Dark Legion. To stop their dread plot, India will go from the murkiest slums of London to the highest levels of society, uncovering secrets that threaten her very existence...
Daily life has grown dull- and a little desperate for clients when India gets called upon once again to do her patriotic duty- this time infiltrating an extremist secret anarchist society. Most would give odds of no chance at all that she comes through unscathed, but then, again, India never counts the odds. Carol K Carr’s indomitable and clever Victorian madam turned spy is back and ripe for adventure as ever.
India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy is book three in the Madam of Espionage series. While the mysteries are wrapped up with each book, there are some ongoing plot threads since the first book that make the reader enjoy them best when read in order.
After the last mission in India Black and the Widow of Windsor, India is impatient for both Mr. French, Disraeli’s top spy to make his move (and not out of reach on some secret mission she’s not allowed to know about, ugh) and for the Dowager Marchioness to spill the tea on what she knows about India’s mother. As neither prospect is in the offing, India snatches up the opportunity to work the new case “Dizzy”, the PM offers her. She didn’t miss the side eye of disbelief the superintendent of Scotland Yard gave Disraeli when he gave a most volatile situation into India’s amateur hands. She’d show Stokes how to get it done right with a woman who knew how to lie and scheme with the best of them slipping past the anarchists’ suspicious guard, tagging the leader, and putting this secret group out to pasture before the tarts in her brothel kick up too much trouble for her.
India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy was as full of mischief and mayhem as the previous installments. One can’t go into these and expect them to take a serious tone because there is little resemblance to an edge of your seat spy thriller as one can get. Oh, not that there is attention to historical detail in the backdrop or the situations of the characters. This time, the very real threat of anarchist groups that were a threat historically during this late Victorian period.
Beyond the latest mission, which was an entertaining suspenseful romp, I really loved seeing India get some answers about her mother’s past and a few really good hints about French’s life beyond his spywork. And, oh yes, what was suspected about this pair came out in the open in this one when French showed his protectiveness and feelings and India got a case of jealousy when she caught sight of a certain sweet little blond very unlike herself. Oh, and wasn’t that unexpected to encounter a familiar face from the past.
I sputtered laughter several times, held my breath through a few suspenseful moments, and was all-around entertained by India, French, sidekick and street urchin Vincent, her lush of a housekeeper Mrs. Drinkwater, and even Disraeli himself.
Another India Black book was devoured swiftly and now I am lurching forward reluctantly toward the fourth and final book. I look forward to seeing where things go with India and French especially now that she got that zinger on the last page of this book. Those who like light comedy blended with historical mystery should definitely take this series for a spin.
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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Suspenseful and makes you laugh? Sounds like a good time, Sophia!
Quite the combo, right? I’ve had a good time with these.
She sounds like she has an interesting life.
Oh yeah, this gal makes other lives seem boring what with spying and running a brothel. 🙂
Gah! I keep forgetting about this series. I read book 1 a million years ago now.
This was a series I put off for many years, but I’ve had a good time reading through it for the Series challenge.
I love when a book makes me laugh that way! I might have to check these out! Great review!
Oh yes, I’m a sucker for humor. Glad to put them on your radar, Lisa.