A Thieving at Carlton House

Vetsch (The Gentleman Spy) kicks off her Of Cloaks and Daggers series with a propulsive Regency-era mystery featuring stolen treasure, royal secrets, and plenty of intrigue. Bertrand Thorndike is thrilled when his boss, the Duke of Haverly, taps him to investigate a cache of jewels stolen from the Prince Regent’s palace. He’s less enthused by the instruction to recruit Philippa Cashel, once the “most desired courtesan in London,” who now runs a school where she teaches former prostitutes life skills and helps them to find jobs. Though Bertie’s sure that Philippa’s too recognizable to be useful, he enlists her help questioning the prince’s scorned mistress. Philippa gets further enmeshed in the case when Nell and Lydia, former prostitutes she helped find jobs as maids at the prince’s residence, become prime suspects. As Bertie and Philippa work to hunt down the real thief, Philippa struggles to trust that God will let justice prevail. Vetsch expertly ratchets up the suspense and provides plenty of fodder for future entries. Readers will be on the edge of their seats from first page to last. (July)