One Touch Of Scandal-Liz Carlyle

One Touch Of Scandal
Liz Carlyle
Avon, Sep 28 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061965753

In 1848, to the shock of her family whom she needed to escape from as they despise her because of her paternal roots being foreign, Grace Gauthier accepts a job as governess to the family of wealthy businessman Ethan Crane. However, when she finds her employer dead, Scotland Yard considers her the only viable suspect as the evidence points to her.

Grace seeks a family friend for help, but he is out of town. Instead she explains her plight to Lord Ruthveyn of the St. James Society before fainting from exhaustion. Ruthveyn investigates and decides someone is setting up Grace to take the fall. Attracted to one another, Ruthveyn silently pledges to keep her safe regardless of whether she reciprocates his feelings.

This is a terrific Victorian romantic mystery with a touch of psychic powers to spice up the plot. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Grace realizes she is the only suspect that Scotland yard is considering and never slows down as Ruthveyn investigates what he increasingly believes is a diabolical frame. Readers will enjoy this cross genre historical as Liz Carlyle provides an entertaining thriller with the emphasis rightfully on the whodunit.

Harriet Klausner