An exciting new book in the series featuring Elizabeth Miles, con woman turned Lady, from the beloved national bestselling author of the Gaslight Mysteries.Elizabeth Miles finds herself in a position no con can help her escape. Her beloved fiancé, Gideon Bates, is awaiting his turn in the draft to fight in the Great War. Elizabeth is finding it hard to think of anything else, but Gideon has … but Gideon has thrown himself into his work, preparing wills for soldiers before they ship out. Corporal Tom Preston is part owner of Preston Shoes, a company that is making footwear for the army, so he has a rather large estate. He needs a new will, however, because he has just been secretly married to a woman whom his family would never approve. He wants to make sure she and their unborn child are provided for if he does not return.
When Tom is later reported killed, Elizabeth and Gideon learn that the new will has gone missing after Tom’s bride revealed her identity to his family. Unless the new will is found and validated, the original will, which leaves everything to Tom’s brother, will prevail and the wife and child will get nothing. If Tom’s new bride survives, that is. Some terrible threats have been leveled against her, and Elizabeth and Gideon must figure out a way, legal or not quite, to secure Tom’s fortune for his wife and child while saving her life in the process.
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It’s the fall of 1918, and the draft age for World War I has been increased, upsetting Elizabeth Miles since her fiance, Gideon Bates, has been drafted. Gideon is focusing his last few weeks as a civilian on drafting wills for soldiers. Most of them are, but one of the exceptions is Tom Preston, part owner of Preston Shoes, which has made a fortune providing shoes to the soldiers. Tom wants a new will leaving his share of the family business to his new wife and their unborn child – a wife the rest of his family knows nothing about. When word comes back that Tom has died, this new will goes missing, and his family doesn’t want to acknowledge his widow. Elizabeth is quick to jump in, getting her family, all conmen, to come up with a scheme to get this war widow the money she should have inherited. But what complications might there be along the way?
Yes, there are complications. We wouldn’t have much of a novel without them. It would have been nice if they are started a little sooner, but that’s a minor complaint. I was hooked the entire time, and it only became harder to put the book down the further I got into it. History came alive, and I felt like I was part of what was happening in the New York City area during this time. It helps that the characters are extremely strong. Through them, I came to care about the plot and the history that was unfolding around us. Yes, I felt that welcomed into the world that I was actually part of what was happening on the page. If you aren’t taking these trips back in time, you need to do so today.
I really enjoy this series and this one did not disappoint. Gideon is getting ready to head over seas as World War I continues. Before he leaves Gideon is helping soldiers with their wills before they ship out. When a widow is attacked and the will is stolen Gideon and Elizabeth decide to help her out. All the same wonderful characters are present and there are lots of cons and twists and turns. The book moves along really quickly and is a fun read. It was strange to read about the flu pandemic now esp since it mirrors our current time. This series should be read in order. Enjoy
The third in the series, City of Scoundrels deals with the drafting of soldiers for WWI and the mystery is connected to the death of one well placed soldier. This is also the period of the influenza epidemic that swept the continents– the descriptions of the illness and the issuing of facial coverings was eerily like the COVID epidemic of today. The book has a depth and richness that many cozies lack. I love this series
Victoria Thompson’s CITY OF SCOUNDRELS captured my full attention and wouldn’t let go. Cheating a widow of her livelihood is low, as is selling shoddy goods to the army, and that’s just the beginning of why “they had it coming.” Justice comes in many guises, and it’s fascinating to follow the workings of a successful con done for a good cause. There are nerve-wracking moments also, at the mercy of evil, greedy persons or facing the less personal but deadly flu virus and war. Love, honor, concern for others are the antidotes . . . of which we are in need. Elizabeth might be a “counterfeit lady” but she’s a genuine good person, as are her co-conspirators. I’d join in, if I thought I had the talent. Meanwhile, I hope to read more wonderful books in this series.
Thought to ponder: “When she became a wife, a woman gave up all rights . . .” Scary!
Book 3 of a series . . .and they just keep getting better!
Another excellent offering in this series.
An in-depth look at the time with aspects of WWI and the horrible flu epidemic.
I find the cons fascinating. The details that go into them and the inevitable adjustments needed along the way are impressive.
The ending had a double “happily ever after”.
I’ve been having a hard time getting past 3.5 star ratings for the books in this series. There are some elements that I really love and then there are always a few aspects that are simply meh. I’m usually delighted by the historical references that the author inserts into her story line. The grifting is also fun to watch play out. Currently, it’s the blandness of the remaining elements, mostly the overarching romance. While I really like the characters, I find their romance lacking in authentic development. Probably because I’m a romance reader at heart. Although, the ending was very sweet and in that regard, this book was the best of bunch.
What was eerily compelling in this story, was the coincidental publishing of the book a mere few months before the world went into Covid-19 lockdown. These books regularly rely on true historical events, usually focused on The Great War and the Suffragist Movement. Yet, coinciding with the mystery in this story was the beginning stages of the Spanish Flu epidemic. Relevant to today, the increased fear and panic, deaths, wearing of masks, as well as questioning the validity of masks were all portrayed. This author must have been surprised when soon after publication our world was again in a similar state. Also depicted in this story, was the increase in anti-German sentiment along with the historical Black Tom explosion by German agents.
There was a lot more going on in this entry and I found that it also increased my enjoyment. I’m giving this book four stars, finally breaking free of the 3.5 zone.
I’m a huge fan of this series. It’s a most wonderful blend of history, high society and the art of the con. Elizabeth is a unique and engaging character at the heart of the series due to her semi reformed ways as she prepares to become the wife of Gideon the scion of an old money family fallen on hard times.
I commend the author on the very realistic and sometime heart wrenching portrayal of the events surrounding both the entry of the US into the First World War and the horrid flu pandemic of 1918. All of this a backstory or undercurrent of the main plot of a war widow being cheated of her rightful inheritance. Of course Elizabeth wants to help and when legalities yield no relief she and her family concoct a plan. A lovely con with some unexpected happenings and a most enjoyable surprise or two at the end. A must read!