Thief of Shadows

Hoyt’s fourth Maiden Lane Georgian-era romance (after Scandalous Desires) is an expert blend of scintillating romance and mystery. The masked Ghost of St. Giles rescues orphaned children from the streets of one of London’s less than savory neighborhoods. Widowed baroness Isabel Beckinhall rescues the unconscious “ghost” after finding him injured in the street; before she can ascertain his identity, he awakens and begs her to leave his mask in place. Little does she know he is Winter Makepeace, manager of a local orphanage, whom Isabel finds “dour” as she tutors him in charming potential donors. Neither anticipates the passion blossoming between them, a passion that will likely end in heartbreak in their class-conscious society. Suspense adds intensity as “lassie snatchers” kidnap orphans before the Ghost can save them, and the romance between the beautiful and quick-witted Isabel and the masked champion of the downtrodden propels this novel to the top of its genre. Agent: Susannah Taylor, Richard Henshaw Group. (July)