From the national bestselling author of the Gaslight Mysteries comes the first Counterfeit Lady novel—the intriguing start of a historical mystery series featuring woman-on-the-run Elizabeth Miles.Like most women, Elizabeth Miles assumes many roles; unlike most, hers have made her a woman on the run. Living on the edge of society, Elizabeth uses her guile to relieve so-called respectable men of … so-called respectable men of their ill-gotten gains. But brutal and greedy entrepreneur Oscar Thornton is out for blood. He’s lost a great deal of money and is not going to forgive a woman for outwitting him. With his thugs hot on her trail, Elizabeth seizes the moment to blend in with a group of women who have an agenda of their own.
She never expects to like or understand these privileged women, but she soon comes to respect their intentions, forming an unlikely bond with the wealthy matriarch of the group whose son, Gideon, is the rarest of species—an honest man in a dishonest world. Elizabeth knows she’s playing a risky game, and her deception could be revealed at any moment, possibly even by sharp-eyed Gideon. Nor has she been forgotten by Thornton, who’s biding his time, waiting to strike. Elizabeth must draw on her wits and every last ounce of courage she possesses to keep her new life from being cut short by this vicious shadow from her past.
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Rich with fascinating historical detail, Thompson’s new series dives into the worlds of suffragists and con-men. City of Lies combines a cunning protagonist with a simmering romance and gripping suspense to form a story that is certain to beguile readers hook, line and sinker.
Elizabeth Miles makes her living as a con woman, an unusual profession for a woman in 1917. However, when her latest con goes south, she finds herself on the run from the mark’s goons. In her attempts to escape, she joins a group of suffragists outside the White House and is delighted when they are arrested. But has she truly escaped the men searching for her?
If you pick up this book expecting a murder and five suspects, you’ll be disappointed. However, with those adjusted expectations pick up this book because it is wonderful. The story is captivating and moves quickly; I always had a hard time putting the book down. This may be the first in a series, but the characters are already strong. I’m not normally one to root for a criminal, but I couldn’t help but root for Elizabeth in this book. Real history is woven in without slowing down the fictional story at all. I’m not sure where the series will go from this wonderful beginning, but I can’t wait to find out.
This is the first time I have ever read anything by Victoria Thompson and I really had no idea what to expect. City of Lies seems to be best suited for those who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of mystery. Elizabeth Miles is a grifter. Raised to do con jobs on unsuspecting men, Elizabeth has led a dangerous, but exciting life. When a con goes wrong, Elizabeth fears for her life. Running from thugs, Elizabeth joins a group of suffragists demonstrating in the streets with the hope of being arrested so she can find safety in jail. What Elizabeth doesn’t expect is to form bonds with some of the women she is jailed with however. The story then becomes Elizabeth’s quest for survival while ultimately not betraying her newfound friends.
I really enjoyed this story but it felt a bit incomplete to me. It seemed like this book was a set-up for the series rather than a story in and of itself. While some attention is given to Elizabeth trying to figure out how she is going to escape her adversary, I felt there was a greater focus on learning who Elizabeth is, what her background story is, who the people she meets in jail are, and how they will eventually become a part of the series.
I have already started the second book in the series and am enjoying it as well. I like the idea of a female grifter and her attempts at trying to find a way to fit in with societal ladies. I also like the attention given to the Suffragist Movement. The historical information is interesting and definitely a highlight of the series so far!
I would definitely recommend this book to others!
“CITY OF LIES” by Victoria Thompson is the first book in the Counterfeit Lady series.
“CITY OF LIES” is a historical suspense story taking place around 1917 when the country is going to war and women are fighting their own battle in the woman’s suffrage movement for the right to vote.
The story starts with Elizabeth posing as Betty Perkins. She along with her brother Jake are pulling a con on Oscar Thornton when it goes sour. Jake ends up getting beat within an inch of his life and Elizabeth is on the run. She finds protection within the suffragist protesting at the White House. This move protects her form Oscar, but lands her in Occoquan Workhouse, one of the worst jails. She changed her name to Elizabeth Miles so Mr. Thornton couldn’t find her. She is befriended by a young girl, Anna Vanderslice, and an elderly lady, Mrs. Bates.
While in the workhouse, Elizabeth has protection from Mr Thornton, but she also learns of feeling she’s never experienced before like true friendship and what it really means to sacrifice oneself for someone else or for a cause. It’s through the diligence of Anna’s brother, David, and Mrs. Bate’s son, Gideon, along with Mr. Thornton, who had figured out about the name chance and whose reasons were purely to get revenge, all the prisoners were finally released. However, Elizabeth’s problems were only starting.
I loved the twists and turns in this story. You can see the transformation of Elizabeth from con artist to the person who cares about others and learns to let her heart feel love. Although some times the means weren’t quite on the up and up, it was satisfying to see certain folks get their comeuppance as justice from past and present are served. The story will keep you turning pages rooting for Elizabeth and that she finds true happiness. Enjoyed the way the author weaves historical facts into the story.
Elizabeth Miles is an outstanding character. She was raised a con artist and thinks on her feet. When she is arrested with Suffragists picketing the White House in her effort to escape Thornton’s thugs, she assists the women in dealing with the ordeal at the Occoquan Workhouse. Once they are released she really has to be creative to stay alive with Thornton on her trail and maintain her new identity.
Anna Vanderslice is a gentle and fragile suffragist that Elizabeth befriends and assists to get through the workhouse. Anna bonds with Elizabeth quickly, relying on her courage. David Vanderslice is Anna’s brother who becomes a part of the story once they are released from the workhouse. Mrs Bates is an older lady arrested who takes Elizabeth under her wing. Gideon Bates, is her son and a lawyer who fights to get the Suffragists released and remains a key figure.
The settings are all a matter of historical record, even the Occoquan Workhouse. Ms. Thompson did an amazing job of bringing the Suffragist movement to life, and gives the reader a slight taste of what women endured to get us the vote. I found the depiction of the workhouse and the infamous “night of terror” well done without getting graphic.
The plot twists and weaves and kept me turning pages. The pacing is perfect, suspense is maintained and I never had to drag through any sections. The interweaving of the historical events of the Occoquan Workhouse with Elizabeth’s flight to escape a murderous man was pure genius.
The climax was full of tension and some edge of your seat thrills, loved it! The wrap up was equally enjoyable, with it’s own twist.
I had high expectations from the book blurb, and the story lived up to all of them. Besides the importance of what it took [historical accuracy is high in the story] from many brave women to literally fight for the vote as a backdrop to the plot, the characters shined. Elizabeth is a complex lead and Anna has her own depths that come forward. The plot twists kept coming and I had to known how Elizabeth was going to get out of each challenging situation. I give high praise for this novel and already am a fan and want the next installment.
Rating: Shear perfection – Couldn’t Put it down. Buy two copies, one for you and one for a friend.
Elizabeth Perkins is a fascination heroine. I loved watching her evolve. This book also taught me many things I didn’t know about the women’s suffrage movement. I’ve always made sure to vote in every election whether it’s local, state or national, but now I’m even more determined! This was a great read and an inspiring one, with just the right touch of romance.
Interesting historical mystery with a strong flea Lee leading character.
Great independent lead character, she has a back ground that wasn’t exactly explained in this first book. So we can look forward to more information in the following books.
A con artist escaping from an angry victim gets mixed up with the women’s suffrage movement. The ensuing stint in prison, complete with force-feeding, leads to her introduction to New York’s social elite.
An interesting and unusual premise executed with a seasoned author’s skill.
This is one of the best historical fiction mysteries I’ve read this year – the author has outdone herself on this first of the Counterfeit Lady Novel series! She has given us a protagonist to love, her endearing friends, and plot twists to keep this armchair sleuth busy.
Elizabeth is escaping from the thugs who are beating up her partner because of an expensive scam they ran on someone. When they follow her, she races into and joins a suffragist march in front of the White House. Not only was it a group of many women, it was closely watched by police. Police who arrest the many women who will be given a jail sentence. Jail, where Elizabeth felt the safest, where the bad guy couldn’t get her.
This time, she began to change through the helping a couple ladies she was incarcerated with. Never realized what the friendship of women meant, what it was like to have a friend. Never thought she would care enough about someone else’s welfare or about what someone thought of her. Then when they were released, one young lady insisted that she go home with her. She would only stay until she could get hold of money and escape the bad guys’ trackers.
The layers of mystery are gripping, and the historical touches, especially of WWI fighting needs, are but the beginning of how great this novel is. The characters just pull the reader into their lives and won’t let go! There are surprises aplenty, right through the end. I can’t recommend this highly enough! It is definitely not to be missed.
I received a copy of this from the publisher and was under no obligation to give a review of any kind.
City of Lies is the first in the Counterfeit Lady series featuring Elizabeth Miles, a grifter. It is a pleasing blend of history, women’s rights–or lack thereof–,and a well written mystery. Elizabeth is strong, with and inventive mind and a willingness to learn from others. I so enjoyed the storyline and was happy to see Gabriel give David a run for his money. The setting is New York City, Washington DC ,and ‘somewhere’ Virginia–all interesting. I loved this story and am on to the next in the series.
There is some mention of one character’s sexual/gender identity.
Set against the backdrop of the suffragists’ movement in New York City, Victoria Thompson crafts a story with an unorthodox heroine to highlight an important time in history. Fast paced and intriguing.
I really enjoyed reading this first book in the new historical Mystery series by Victoria Thompson. The book takes place in the early 20th century in New York City. Elizabeth and her family are con artists. When they target a wealthy man bent on revenge Elizabeth gets herself thrown in jail with a group of suffragists ro hide out. While in jail she befriends them and helps them survive the workhouse. Since this is the first book there is a lot going on. I liked a lot of the characters and their relationships. There is the beginning of a romantic relationship for Elizabeth. The author does a very job with the historical details. The mystery was OK but the characters and historical setting were the highlights. I am looking for word to reading the next one in the series. Enjoy
Con Artist meets Attorney. How can this work? Can love really be in the offing?
I LOVE the Gaslight Mysteries by Victoria Thompson, so I was hoping for another series like the last.
Is it? No. Did I love it? YES!!
I like well written books. I like well researched books. This new book has all of that and more. Writing about Suffragists (not to be confused by the offensive moniker Suffragettes), what they went through to try to get the vote, how they were treated, how they were jailed, hunger strikes, and more, is not easy. Ms. Thompson got it right! Intertwining historical with historical fiction is her forte, and this book highlighted her ability.
Elizabeth Miles is working a con. She’s been working cons her whole life. When her mark finds her, she hides out with a group of Suffragists and is taken to jail. While there she cons her way into the group and makes an impression on one of the leaders of the movement. After a hunger strike and the men in the women’s lives finally springing them from the workhouse, she is whisked away to NYC, and rushed to an engagement she’s not ready for and true feelings for an attorney she’s not engaged to!
A great read. Great historical accuracy. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!
I loved the historical backdrop of the suffragette movement is this novel. The characters were well developed and the story very interesting.
Different and in this case, different is good.
Another Victoria Thompson hit!
I thought that this was very good! I have had this book in my queue for years but never seemed to be able to work it into my reading schedule. When I noticed that my local library had a copy of the audiobook available to borrow, I decided that it was finally time to see what this book was about. I found it be quite entertaining so I am glad that I finally gave it a chance.
Elizabeth isn’t like most women in her time since she works with a team of grifters. To escape capture, she joins a group of women fighting for the right to vote and ends up going to jail with them. I loved the group of women that she was with while in jail. She became a vital member of the group and I really enjoyed the way that they supported and encouraged each other. When they are released, she goes home with one of the women she became close to in jail and has the opportunity to get to know Gideon a lot better.
I thought that this book was rather exciting at times. It was really amazing that this book is only set 100 years ago since this world looked so different from the one we live in today. I liked the chemistry between Elizabeth and Gideon and thought that they worked well together despite having very different views. I enjoyed the fact that the suffrage movement played such a vital role in the story and I liked that LGBTQ issues were also addressed.
Kate Forbes did a very nice job with the narration. I liked the various voices she used for the character dialogue. I felt like she was able to add a lot of emotion and excitement to the story and her pacing was well done. I believe that her performance added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this book to others. Elizabeth was a great character and I loved the fact that she often operates in a morally grey area. I do plan to read more of this series soon.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via Edelweiss and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
I really look forward to reading Victoria Thompson. Her characters become so real, and I want to find out what is happening to them.
I love Penny Green!