In Regency London, an unconventional scientist and a fearless female
artist form an unlikely alliance to expose a cold-hearted killer . .
.
The Earl of Wrexford possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but boredom
and pride lead him to reckless behavior. So when pompous, pious Reverend
Josiah Holworthy publicly condemns him for debauchery, Wrexford
unsheathes his rapier-sharp wit and strikes back. As their war of words
escalates, London's most popular satirical cartoonist, A.J. Quill,
skewers them both. But then the clergyman is found slain in a
church--his face burned by chemicals, his throat slashed ear to ear--and
Wrexford finds himself the chief suspect.
An artist in her own right, Charlotte Sloane has secretly slipped into
the persona of her late husband, using his nom de plume A.J. Quill. When
Wrexford discovers her true identity, she fears it will be her undoing.
But he has a proposal--use her sources to unveil the clergyman's
clandestine involvement in questionable scientific practices, and unmask
the real murderer. Soon Lord Wrexford and the mysterious Mrs. Sloane
plunge into a dangerous shadow world hidden among London's intellectual
enclaves to trap a cunning adversary--before they fall victim to the
next experiment in villainy . . .
"Thoroughly enjoyable . . . with sharp, engaging characters, rich
period detail, and a compellingly twisty plot, Andrea Penrose delivers a
winner."
--Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author
**"Fans of C.S. Harris take note! A riveting ride through Regency
London, from the slums of St. Giles, to the mansions of
Mayfair."--Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author
"Historical chemistry meets alchemy . . . A delight of a book."
--Joanna Bourne, award-winning author
