Scandal proves deadly in this Gothic Regency RomanceLady Jemma Forster knows all too well how ruthless gossip-mongers can be. She sacrificed her own happiness to restore her family’s reputation. Her marriage of convenience to an affluent earl meant saying goodbye to passion, and any chance at love with the dashing lawman who set her soul aflame. She leads a sedate, practical life as the Countess … sedate, practical life as the Countess of Wolverston. Until her husband is murdered, and the only man who can bring his killers to justice is her former love.
Bow Street Runner Gabriel Sinclair has spent the last three years trying to forget about smart, beautiful Lady Jemma, who broke his heart when she married his best friend. The Earl of Wolverston’s death thrusts Gabriel and Jemma back together, as they work to find his murderer. Their investigation takes them into the darkest, most dangerous parts of London, with threats coming from all sides. They’re perfect partners for solving crimes, but can they be partners in love too?
The Gothic Brides series: emotional, atmospheric Gothic Romance, exploring the dark, dangerous corners of Regency England. Each book stands on its own.
- THE MAD COUNTESS
- THE DETERMINED DUCHESS
- THE SCANDALOUS WIDOW
“Dark, edgy and gripping romance. Monroe captures the essence of the time period, while entwining each scene with Gothic goodness.” -Christina McKnight, USA Today Bestselling Author on The Determined Duchess
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It all began with a murder…..and a beautiful widow who still haunts the dreams of Bowstreet runner Gabriel..Jemma is such a great character, she tried to do the right thing for her family, marry ‘UP’ to the “right” man, from the “right” family to save her sister’s reputation, to save her family..and it was for nothing.
She never forgot the man she loved, her Bowstreet runner, Gabriel.
Now Jemma’s husband is dead, murdered, and she knows who did it…but proving it, requires asking Gabriel…..the man she has always loved…but also the man she was forced to turn away, the man who she let believe it was because he had no title, that he wasn’t good enough for her…for help.
Gabriel is such a great hero, he is moral, but human, hurt when his heart is broken he turns away from his friend, and when his friend Philip, he is full of guilt and regret, of what-if’s and should’ve’s…and he wants justice for his friend, as well as the woman he still loves..
We know right away who the culprit is, Jemma points the finger along with the crime scene, but the race to solve it, the trips to London’s seedy underbelly along with the help of Philip’s spirit perhaps, makes mystery much more dangerous and far more intriguing.
And Wolverston Hall, well she is a character all on her own…just wait until you meet her.
Our heroine, Lady Gemma Forster, whose husband was murdered, turns to an old friend, Gabriel Sinclair, a bow street runner, because she feels they did not find the true murderer of her husband. Gemma and Gabriel fell in love before she married an earl in order to restore her family’s reputation. Gemma believes Gabriel is the only one who can help her as Gabriel was at one time the best friend of Gemma’s husband Philip.
The two work together and tread into some of the most dangerous and darkest parts of London to find proof of who murdered Philip. At the same time they are dealing with the resurfacing of old feelings for one another.
Erica does a good job of character development and weaving it into the storyline. I wish this would have been a little longer work as I felt the ending was a little rushed. But overall would recommend as an entertaining read.
Please note, I received a gift copy of the novella from the author and this is a voluntary and unbiased review of what I read.
The Scandalous Widow by Erica Monroe is book Three in the Gothic Brides series. This is the story of Jemma Forster and Gabriel Sinclair. I have read the previous books but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Jemma and Gabriel once was in love but Jemma had to make the choice to marry another to help her family. Now a few years later her husband has been killed and Gabriel is the one that can help her find out what happened.
This was a nice second chance at love story.
This was a fun, exciting novella, showing the dark side of Regency London. Though this was the third book in the Gothic Brides series, I didn’t feel totally lost. I’m glad it was standalone; however, it does make me want to go back and read the first two installments! Jemma just lost her husband, and she believed the wrong person was accused of being the murderer. She contacts Gabriel, with whom she shared a past. Gabriel was a Bow Street Runner, and they began to investigate. Let the excitement commence! The romance was very sweet, rather PG-13. The story was fun, so I didn’t care.
I received this book for review courtesy of NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
Good romance and murder mystery; tugs at the emotions.
Gossip and reputation drive the Ton. In order to try to save her sister’s reputation, Jemma married Philip Forster, Earl of Wolverstone. They were friends and it was a marriage of convenience. Some has murdered Philip, Jemma thinks she knows who the murderer is, and turns to Gabriel Sinclair, a friend and Bow Street Runner for help. It given the choice, Jemma and Gabriel would have married three years ago, but circumstances took that choice away. Gabriel agrees to help her and, to his chagrin, she insists upon being his partner in the investigation. There are two very pressing questions here: can they prove who murdered Philip, and can they be together.
Erica Monroe creates interesting characters. Claire and Felicity (the Mad Countess and the Determined Duchess) are her friends, and they and their husbands are here for support. Jemma and Gabriel are strong and determined in their quest, and kind and devoted in their love. The characters they deal with are sad, creepy survivors of the city’s worst parts. The villain is mean and crazy. There is mystery, drama, friendship, and forgiveness in this story. I recommend this one. I think you’ll like it.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The review and opinions are my own.
The Scandalous Widow by Erica Monroe takes on a little darker side of the Ton. Gabriel Sinclair, a bow street runner has seen a lot. But when he finds a peer murdered whom he recognizes, he can hardly believe it was a random act. Lady Jemma Forster, Countess of Wolverston believes her husband’s murder was for financial gain and she is determined to find the truth. Gabriel and Jemma have a past that cannot be ignored as they work together to find Lord Wolverston’s killer. Can old feelings come back alive? An intriguing story that will keep you guessing! Erica Monroe has a gift of bringing the Gothic to Life! Love her stories!
Bow Street Runner Gabriel Sinclair has spent the last three years trying to forget about smart, beautiful Lady Jemma Forster, Countess of Wolverston, who broke his heart when she married his best friend killer. Their investigation takes them into the stews & rookeries of London.
Another engrossing page turning novella from the author. This book takes us from the drawing rooms of the ton to the depths of the poorest in the capital & the differences are so well described. I love the author’s books the characters are very well portrayed & the plot is fast moving.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Exciting!! The Scandalous Widow by Erica Monroe is book 3 in the Gothic Brides series. Bravo Erica for a book well written! This book reels you in from the first page to that last that you just can’t put it down. Erica has a way of writing that her characters just come alive and the visual is so clear that you feel like you are apart of her book. This mystery is amazing and you are in anticipation for the twist of who is the murderer. This story has murder, a long lost love, cruelness, death, mystery, a sister’s scandal, gossip publication, marriage of convince, forever friendships, heartbreak, grief, morning, a difference in station, partnership, regret, greed, memories, shady places, danger and love! I loved every minute of this book and I highly recommend it.
Go on this mystery with Lady Jemma Forster and Bow Street Runner Gabriel Sinclair to fine out who did this murder.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.