Shirley Karr, Confessions of a Viscount

Confessions of a Viscount

Shirley Karr

Avon, December 2006, $5.99

ISBN: 0060834129

In 1816, Charlotte Parnell wants to become an undercover agent working for the crown, just like her older brother Steven is. She knows about their ender bias, so the courageous Charlotte must prove her worth by solving the latest case her sibling and his cohorts are working on resolving, the theft of a snuffbox with a letter inside it that could cause damage to England.

Her efforts lead her to Alistair Viscount Montcreiffe at a ball and a rooftop fall. However, he feels honor bound to propose marriage to Charlotte for "catching" her; she accepts, but plans to use her engagement as a masquerade to solve the case. Afterward she will end their betrothal, though that thought makes her depressed. Soon her plan goes further awry, as adversaries want them stopped, while love openly blossoms between the pair.

Charlotte with her sleuthing makes this a fun Regency romantic suspense, as Alistair is hard-put to keep up with his slippery beloved, though he seems to be there when she falls down. The storyline is filled with action, perhaps capers is a better word, as Charlotte leads Alistair into one misadventure after another. Readers will appreciate this fun amateur sleuth historical romance starring a congenial daring duo.