Noelle Mack, Wicked

Wicked

Noelle Mack

Kensington Brava, Sep 2009, $14.00

ISBN: 9780758222800

Angelica Harrow feels fortunate to have escaped from her odious stepbrother Victor Broadnax. In London she obtains work as a "coat check" girl at a ball. Russian werewolf Semyon Taruskin, renowned for his way with the ladies, is attracted to her. However, before he can do anything about his regard, she vanishes.

Semyon knows something is not quite right even with Angelica's vanishing act. He begins a search for her, but had not expected a fight to the death with a more powerful supernatural being over who claims Angelica. His advantage is love enhances his prowess, but he failed as the evil St. Sin forces him to act wickedly at a sex club in front of a malevolent crowd.

The latest Pack of St. James paranormal Regency romantic suspense (see WILD and WANTON) is an action-packed thriller that is even darker than the previous entries as the underbelly of London's seediest is exposed. The story line is fast-paced but owned by the cast as, the werewolf, the lady in trouble and the vile villains make Noelle Mack's portrayal of early nineteenth century London vivid but gloomy.

Harriet Klausner