Mystery Woman (Ladies of Lantern Street Book 2)

Amanda Quick's second novel in the Ladies of Lantern Street series delves into the dark underbelly of Victorian London, exploring crimes, passions, and paranormal mysteries. Concealed beneath the plain gray skirts of Miss Beatrice Lockwood's gown rests a pistol, symbolizing her dual role as a paid companion on a covert mission, hiding a secretive past that necessitates constant vigilance against danger.

Unexpectedly, Beatrice's equilibrium is disrupted by a rugged man during their joint thwarting of a crime outside a lavish ball, who vanishes into the night after leaving his calling card. This man, Joshua Gage, asserts familiarity with Beatrice's employers. He exudes an aura of mystery, characterized by his calm demeanor, resonant voice, and distinctive ebony-and-steel cane.

Joshua, conducting clandestine inquiries for the Crown, finds himself equally captivated. He holds a personal stake in Miss Lockwood, suspected of theft, murder, and deception through her claims of psychic abilities. His pursuit of her whereabouts diverts him from thoughts of self-destruction, piquing his fascination with the real Beatrice Lockwood—a woman whose inner strength belies her delicate appearance.

One undeniable fact binds them: Beatrice, with her fiery red hair, was present the night Roland Fleming perished at the Academy of the Occult. Whether culpable or innocent, she becomes Joshua's conduit to a labyrinth of murder, blackmail, mesmerism, and insanity—a dangerous path that leads them into the clutches of a killer known as the Bone Man.

As they navigate this treacherous terrain, their alliance grows fraught with tension and reluctant attraction, bound by a shared quest for truth amid the murky depths of London's secrets. Joshua and Beatrice must confront their own demons while racing against time to unravel a sinister conspiracy that threatens not only their lives but also their burgeoning connection.

With Quick's signature blend of suspense, romance, and historical intrigue, this novel immerses readers in a vividly depicted Victorian world where danger lurks behind every ornate facade and where love and betrayal intertwine amidst the gas-lit streets and shadowy corridors of power.

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