From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he’s smitten. Even though he’s from a wealthy, established family and she isn’t, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would … would be broke.
Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father’s business, bankruptcy and scandal reduced the family fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the “Phantom Fox.” She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling.
When Hollis’s brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other.
When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, but working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief?
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From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he’s smitten. Even though he’s from a wealthy, established family and she isn’t. They both have secrets he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym & at night she assumes the identity of ‘The Phantom Fox’ breaking into homes to reclaim treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family. When Hollis’s brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter Eloise, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. They are then drawn to working together to help Hollis’ brother who has been gambling & in seeking out The Mastiff.
This is the second book in the series & several threads are ongoing so I’d recommend reading that first. As with the first book there are snippets from penny dreadfuls throughout the book, which for me added to the enjoyment. I really liked both Hollis & Ana but felt their romance was second fiddle to the ongoing mystery involving The Mastiff. I did find the book very hard to put down & now eagerly await the next in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Sarah M. Eden is so creative and can spin a tale of a story! This book, The Gentlemen and the Thief, is no exception. Who can weave three stories in one? Two of the stories are part of the Penny Dreadfuls, which were short serial stories printed over a number of weeks. They were usually stories of adventure, pirates, highwaymen, ghosts and crime. But my favorite part of the book was the story of Hollis and Ana. Both are living a secret lives that cross paths. There is mystery, suspense, intrigue, historical, romance and of course HEA. The characters are thought out well. I love all of the penny dreadful society members. I would recommend reading the 1st book in the series before this one. There is some details that would be easier to comprehend. This really is fun and witty, a clean historical romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Gentleman and the Thief is the second in the series, and I suggest reading The Lady and the Highwayman first so you can learn more about the Dread Penny Society. I think if people start with this book, they might get confused about some things.
The format of the book is the same as the last one. You have chapters from the viewpoints of the main characters, but you also have excerpts from their Penny Dreadfuls. I really enjoyed the cute ghost story that Hollis wrote.
Though based on historical things like the time period and the dreadfuls, Eden makes this story seem fresh and unique.
This book is Ana Newport and Hollis Darby’s story, however, I loved that we got to see Fletcher and Elizabeth from the first book.
The Gentleman and the Thief feels more about the mystery and the Dread Penny Society than the romance between Ana and Hollis. While I enjoyed the story, I wish Ana and Hollis had spent more time together, and that their relationship was more developed.
There will be things that resolve in this book, but other mysteries will continue in the next book in the series. I’m looking forward to reading it!
An absolute masterpiece! Sarah Eden has done it again. She has told an absolutely captivating story of intrigue and romance while weaving into it’s thread two smaller stories that are equally fantastic.
This is technically a stand-alone novel but you will enjoy it so much more if you have read the first book in the series, The Lady and the Highwayman.
My favorite thing about this book was the characters! I love that they are not your typical Victorian characters. Ana and Hollis have unique hobbies as well as refreshingly modern thoughts on society in general. I love that Fletcher and Elizabeth (from the first book) make lots of appearances, and there are too many endearing side characters to list them all! Brogan is one of my favorites from this book as well as Very Merry.
There is so much to love about this book! A puzzling mystery involving a shady crime boss, a secret society bent on helping the underprivileged, lots of witty dialogue, and a very sweet romance!
I love everything about this Penny Dreadful series and was happy to discover that there is a third book coming out next year!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but it in no way affected my opinion.
“Was it possible? Had he fallen top-over-tail in love with a thief?”
Hollis Darby is a gentleman, with no inheritance and a few secrets, but a gentleman, nonetheless. He is quite smitten with the lovely Ana. His secrets, though, stand between him and pursuing Ana seriously.
Ana has big secrets of her own. She appears to be fragile and lonely, working and boarding at a girl’s school. Her life sadly took a tumble when her father lost his business. When she accepts a music tutoring position for Hollis’s niece, she may just be able to change her own fortunes.
I’m a big fan of Sarah’s work. If she writes it, I want it! The Gentleman and the Thief does not disappoint. Sarah’s writing is clever and sweet. The romance is a little bit light, but the story is so entertaining and creative. I especially love her take on penny dreadfuls and how they line up side by side with the main story for Hollis and Ana. This can be read as a stand alone, but does feature characters from The Lady and the Highwayman.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
This is another fabulous book from Sarah M. Eden. All the hallmarks of her writing–characters you wish were real; snappy dialogue that will make you laugh out loud; details, based on extensive research, that make the setting come to life; and a plot that keeps you reading, eager to find out what’s going to happen next–are present in full force. After being introduced to Hollis and Ana in the first book in the series (which you don’t have to read first to have this book make sense but you SHOULD read because it’s awesome), I was thrilled to be able to read their story. I loved their flirting and how they worked together, trusting each other more and more throughout the book. I also loved the secondary characters, from those in the previous book to a couple of new ones introduced in this book. There were so many moments when I laughed out; the writing is terrific and the dialogue is fantastic. Although I’m not very familiar with the Victorian era, the details made me feel right at home. As for the plot–or, should I say, plots, because, besides the main story, we also get to read two Penny Dreadfuls–was so interesting. The main plot had some twists to keep you guessing what would happen next, while Lafayette Jones’ penny dreadful provided some excellent humor, and Mr. King’s penny dreadful had a bit of mystery and romance. It was also interesting to see the parallels between the main story and the two penny dreadfuls.
I just had a ton of fun reading this book. Totally one of my picks for the best books of 2020.
5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I really loved this book by Sarah M. Eden. I loved that we were brought again into the world that we saw in “The Lady and the Highwayman”. I loved getting to know the characters from that book better. I also loved the Penny Dreadful stories that were in the book. I also loved getting to know Hollis and Ana. I loved that they weren’t what they appeared to be on the outside and I loved how that was one of the things they loved about each other. I love the adventure that was in this book and how they worked to solve a mystery. I look forward to reading more books by Sarah Eden and getting to know more about the Dread Penny Society.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
The Gentleman and the Thief by Sarah M. Eden is an excellent historical fiction novel that has it all: mystery, suspense, action, well-developed characters, and a touch of romance.
This is the second book in the excellent series: Proper Romance series. This takes place in the Victorian era London, England 1865. This is such a great series (The Lady and the Highwayman is the first book). I love the overarching concept of the Penny Dreadful Society. Getting to learn these characters in their respective close-ups really is enjoyable. This book focusses on Hollis Darby as the lone on-the-fence aristocratic member of the society and Ana Newport.
I enjoyed experiencing the mystery and relationship unfold as through both characters in alternating chapters and viewpoints. It is always great to receive insight on thoughts, emotions, feelings, and experiences from different perspectives. I loved Hollis and Ana separately and also together. They both had great chemistry, and seemed to compliment each other well. Both seem to bring out the best in one another.
I also enjoyed this complex story that had several mysteries and components. Not only are our two main characters trying to find their way in life, but they are also both drawn into the issues of multiple small/petty thefts, possible orphan/street children involvement, procuring safety for other at-risk orphans, respective family issues, a questionable gambling/trafficking enterprise, and both have their own secrets/concerns.
I love how throughout all of this, the author was able to keep my interest, keep things creative and complex, yet easy to follow and read, and I love how things ended in this novel. It answers questions, creates an excellent ending that satisfies these characters, yet keeps things open to lead onto the next installment.
I also truly adored the Penny novels interspersed throughout the book. I especially love the short stories about the blue flame. I loved the characters within that story as well. They could easily create a spin-off novel. Tillie is my personal favorite.
All in all, an excellent novel that leaves me happy, yet excited to be able to read the next book in the series. There is so much potential.
This is for anyone that loves historical fiction, mystery, suspense, intrigue, wonderfully-developed characters and plots, and of course a touch of romance.
Beyond excellent and highly recommended.
5/5 stars
Thank you to the author and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this excellent ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub, and Instagram accounts immediately and will post this review to my Amazon, B&N, and Instagram accounts (again) upon publication.
3.5* In Victorian “penny dreadful” (installment or serialized stories) style, Sarah M. Eden handily weaves three tales together. The reader is challenged to keep all the plot lines straight (and recognize reflections of the characters’ strengths and insecurities from each storyline in the others) – it seemed that at times pieces got lost in the retellings. This builds nicely on The Lady and the Highwayman, and although reading that is not a prerequisite to enjoying this story, some of the overarching goals that direct the efforts of the protagonists and the villains they work to bring down are better understood with that background knowledge. I listened to that one on audiobook and the narrators’ accents and inflections for the various characters in both books sounded in my head as I read this one. Eden’s creativity on the storylines in this book were a highlight and it is always a delight to get to know her characters better!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
If you read the first book in the “Penny Dreadful” series and enjoyed it then chances are you will love this one as well.
I personally thoroughly enjoyed them both. I wasn’t expecting a sweeping sappy romance when I read the description I expected a mystery….. so when other people say there was very little romance I’m wondering why they were surprised. I love having the penny dreadful stories mixed in- it’s like reading 3 books at once. I was entertained and that’s the whole reason I read books so I give this book a thumbs up. Now I can’t wait for the next in the series.
Another great book by Sarah Eden that has three fantastic stories all bound to please.
The Dread Penny Society’s goal is to help the helpless. As well as to rescue those in need and they have been made aware of a child, a little girl, being used as a thief. Hollis, a member of the society, sets out to catch the child so she can be given a chance for a better life. Not only is the girl discovered and rescued from her situation but Hollis is reintroduced to Ana, a teacher at the school the girl is taken to be kept safe. Hollis has always been drawn to Ana and soon recommends her to his brother as a music teacher which also allows him to spend more time with her, not knowing she is a thief. So begins a fantastic story interspersed with two Penny Dreadfuls that are equally entertaining. I was sent a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I am loving this series by Sarah Eden. It’s unique, fun, witty, full of adventure and the characters are great! One thing that makes this series so unique is the inclusion of the Penny Dreadful novels that some of our main characters write. They add a lot of fun to the story.
I really enjoyed Hollis and Ana and how their relationship developed so naturally over the course of the story. Hollis was witty and charming and Ana was eminently likable. I also enjoyed getting to know some of the other members of the Penny Dreadful Society! I’m curious to see who the next story is about. I hope and feel like this series could just keep going on and on!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Sarah Eden can always spin a tale that keeps me so engaged & I stay up way to late to keep reading. This story had a little bit of mystery to it. The way the mystery was unfolded I felt was just the right balance of tension without frustrating the reader. There is a bit of a cliffhanger but the story between the H & h does get resolved. I think this is a fun and orginal idea for a series. I really enjoy how the “penny” stories are incorporated into the book & parallel the main story. As I read I come to want to know how all the stories end. Each character is well developed and I hope to read more of them in the future books. I found the h & H very likeable and complimented eachother well.
Undeniably clever, suspenseful, well-researched, and deftly written, but the romance was practically nonexistent, taking third place after the action sequences and the two penny dreadful stories. I enjoyed the hero and heroine when they were secondary characters in the previous book, The Lady and the Highwayman, and feel like they deserved a better happily-ever-after than they got in this one. I also expected more resolution for the primary characters from the previous book, but nothing seemed to have changed for them. Perhaps that’s more realistic and I was simply feeling more fanciful about their relationship. There are many unresolved threads hanging, although that may be because this is going to be an ongoing series. I was disappointed in the relative lack of witty dialogue that I usually so enjoy in books by this author. My expectations and excitement for this book were perhaps a bit too high, but it was still without question an interesting read.
Though he is the son of a wealthy and established family, Hollis Darby pens penny dreadfuls to support himself and keep the secret that his father and grandfather drained the family fortune. He uses his influence to help rescue children off the street, but doesn’t feel like he belongs. He and his friends are on the trail of the “Phantom Fox”, hoping to get the young thief off the streets but the truth might just be more fantastical than a penny dreadful tale.
While I adored the first book, I felt a little let down by this one. Hollis was an enjoyable character. His plight as a gentleman secretly supporting himself was sympathetic as was his desire to help improve the lives of children on the street. I understood his initial attraction to the talented Miss Ana Newport, but she was less interesting. Their romance seemed a bit flat.
I found it difficult to believe she was the talented and secretive thief. Her motivation seemed weak and did not help me understand her better. Stealing from the rich to feed the poor a la Robin Hood would have been interesting, thieving to retrieve items of sentimental value that were “stolen” from her family made her seem selfish. And reckless. I was left wondering how she learned to be a thief. She couldn’t have been naturally good at it.
The story is well written, as I have come to expect from this author. I did not enjoy the serial stories that came in between chapters, since supernatural elements are not my thing.
I would recommend this to fans of Sarah M. Eden and historical reads. I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions expressed are my own.