From USA Today Bestselling Author Callie Hutton is a new captivating and suspenseful historical romance… Recently widowed, Charlotte Pennyworth is relishing her independence and it rankles to have to rely on a man to help her with an increasingly sinister stalker. Former Yardman, Elliot Baker, is reluctant to take on Charlotte’s case but despite himself and his history with another woman, he is … another woman, he is drawn to the bright, attractive widow.
Sparks smolder between the PI and his client but neither is looking to form an attachment. Elliot thinks Charlotte is hiding something. Charlotte has no desire to marry again, especially to a private investigator, no matter how handsome, brave and kind he is. The risk to his life and her heart is too great. But more dangerous than a menacing stalker is secrets and if Charlotte’s come to light, even the passion between them might not douse the flames of Elliot’s distrust.
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If you’re looking for a book that will pull you in and keep you riveted from the first page, this is it. Great historical romantic suspense from Callie Hutton!The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
very good!…really loved the dog in this one…he added comic relief to the story and was just a hoot…made the scenes so much fun with his antics!…it’s a keeper…will re-read this one!
A truly great whodunit is fast paced, full of intrigue, has lots of suspects, and leaves the reader guessing until the very end, The Pursuit of Mrs. Wentworth meets all of these criteria. It is not only a mystery, but also a very nice historical romance. It takes place in the Victorian Era, when women had a little more freedom, hold a job, and have a social life, though not without some issues. Newly out of mourning, young widow. Charlotte Pennyworth has a secret admirer, of sorts, who leaves flowers, jewerly, and the occasional dead animal on her doorstep. The gruesome presents lead her to hire private investigator and solicitor, Elliot Baker. Their mutual attraction is shunned by both parties in the beginning, since both have been affected by shortcomings of the opposite sex. As they spend more time together they can not deny their feelings. However, circumstances become more dangerous as they try to determine who is behind the doorstep items and other dastardly deeds. Callie Hutton keeps you trying to guess the villain ‘s identity and over and over you guess wrong. Then she throws in another twist, just as you think the story is done. I could have read this book from beginning to end without stopping if allowed. I loved it. I have read most of Ms. Hutton’s books and have enjoyed all of them, however I can say without reservation, this is my favorite.
I liked the time period. I liked that the characters were not “ton”.
The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth by Callie Hutton is the story of Charlotte Pennyworth and Elliot Baker.
Charlotte has a mystery on her hand in the way of a stalker who keeps leaving her things but when she goes to the police that are busy with their on serial murder mystery. Charlotte turns to Elliot to help her find out who is stalking her. Elliot and Charlotte have a instant attraction which doesn’t help the stalker with his feelings turning things darker.
This was a really great romance with a mystery story line…loved it!
When Miss Charlotte Reading is falsely accused of being a jewel thief, she flees to London to begin and new life. But trouble and danger stalk her every step. Charlotte turns to Inspector Elliot Baker when disturbing items are left on her doorstep. Can Elliot discover who is tormenting Charlotte? And what can he do with his growing attraction towards her?
I thoroughly enjoyed The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth. I highly recommend it if you love romance and suspense.
Mystery, romance, betrayal, intrigue all wrapped up in a fantastic read! Charlotte is such a great character, strong, smart, independent and ready to face the world… Elliot on the other hand has a huge flaw, he holds on to his past, one betrayal, with both hands. So tightly it makes him look at all pretty women the same, and that’s what causes all his problems.
The mystery is built up fantastically, little by little, bit by bit, until it is solved, and this couple falls in love while they try to solve WHO is tormenting the lovely Mrs. Pennyworth, our sweet Charlotte…but all’s well that end’s well, until it isn’t…and Charlotte must rely on Elliot to believe in HER, trust in HER and have faith in HER…and well, it wouldn’t be much of a romantic suspense if everything worked out easily now would it??
Charlotte is so strong, so brave and so tough…I do wish she would have made Elliot pay just a little bit longer for being so….Elliot…but, you cannot fight your heart!!
Such a great story, a great mystery, and I cannot wait for Callie to write another one just like it!!
Deranged Love 3.5*
An interesting story set in the time of the Jack the Ripper murders which means that the Authorities have no time to spend on the increasingly bizarre & twisted offerings being left on Charlotte’s doorstep by an unknown admirer. Charlotte engages Elliot to investigate and they are thrown into each other’s company and a romance ensues. The book kept my attention though I was not keen on the gruesome elements! I did feel it was rather overlong and the American terms were rather jarring to an English reader. If I read a book set in the USA in whatever time period I expect them to use American terms. If I read a book set in the UK I expect the characters to speak using British terms if they are British.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Skillfully plotted and full of suspense, I was intrigued from the start. Late 1880’s England, the story starts out with our heroine, Miss Charlotte Reading fleeing from a position as a companion after being accused of theft. Fast forward 18 mos and we find Charlotte visiting Elliot Baker, private PI and solicitor, formally of the Metropolitan Police. Charlotte, now Mrs Pennyworth had married but lost her husband shortly afterwards in an accident. Now a widow after a year, strange packages had begun showing up on her doorstep, thus her need of an investigator. Elliott really did not want to take the case due to having had a bad experience with another beautiful lady making a fool out of him. But against his better judgement he decides to help her. There is definitely a threat being made against Charlotte but the clues are few and far between. With a strong attraction beginning to form the more they spend with each other, Elliott tries to keep himself distanced. But when he becomes the aim of the mysterious threat, can he leave Charlotte on her own? I truly love historical romance and when there is added mystery and suspense, it really draws me further in. This reminded me a little of Victoria Holt and Georgette Heyer although Callie Hutton has a style of her own with this book. I truly did not want to turn the last page because I so enjoyed the interaction between Charlotte and Elliott. I hope there will be many more stories like this to come and will have my fingers crossed!!
Recently widowed, Charlotte Pennyworth is relishing her independence and it rankles to have to rely on a man to help her with an increasingly sinister stalker. Solicitor & former detective turned private investigator, Elliot Baker, is reluctant to take on Charlotte’s case but despite himself and his history with another woman, Annabelle he is drawn to the bright, attractive widow. Sparks smoulder between them but neither is looking to form an attachment. Elliot thinks Charlotte is hiding something. Charlotte has no desire to marry again.
I’ve enjoyed the authors other books & this is also a very good read. The characters are very well fleshed & the pace of the book is very good, in fact so good that I read until the early hours to finish it. There are a number of suspects, also quite a few clues. Elliot & Charlotte both have to face their pasts before they can fully move forward. I love a romance & also a mystery & this book delivers on both, I certainly look forward to more mysteries from the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Widowed Mrs Charlotte Pennyworth has been receiving strange gifts left on her doorstep. Some of them rather nasty. The police in Scotland Yard are extremely busy with the murders of several prostitutes in London, so advised her to hire an investigator.
Our heroine has a secret she doesn’t want uncovered, but that can’t have anything to do with what is happening. Can it???
Mr Elliot Baker left his job with Scotland yard after he made an drastic error in judgement that caused another policeman to be injured. Now occasionally the police recommend him for investigations.
Our hero has a very black and white view of the world. Someone is either good or bad. He knows his latest client is hiding something, but he is only being paid to find who is stalking her.
A lovely mystery for us to solve. There is no way to tell who our villain is until our author tells us. The “gifts” get more strange as time goes on. Police investigation in Victorian times was a rather hit and miss affair. Find proof of guilt could be almost impossible.
A fascinating story. I enjoyed every page.
This book was actually a very enjoyable read. Like with any read I had a few areas that I felt like should have been different but as far as form and character development this was well written. I like the mystery and twisted mind of the stalker. I love how the hero went through great trails to keep Mrs. Pennyworth safe risking his own life. The story came with a lot of mystery and twist eventually a HEA. Worth the read.