Like her fellow graduates, this sexy young "Merlin's Maiden" is given a tricky and sensitive assignment, and she is terribly worried she will not live up to expectations. Told to weave a web of deceit and mystery as an Italian Contessa, Sofia’s job is to infiltrate high society, and discover who the traitors are in the government. Can she find the conspirators who are exerting their worst in their vile betrayal of her country, while keeping the remarkably handsome and desirable Deverill Osborne as far away from her as possible? Only time will tell.

This last book in the trilogy follows the formula established in the first two books. The behind-the-scenes owner of Mrs. Merlin's Academy, the Marquess of Lynsley, knows how vital Sofia's mission is to halting Napoleon's impending march on England. He knows that the academy has trained Sofia to fulfill the duties required of her, despite her own misgivings. Although by this third story, the blueprint and its ensuing actions are predictable, it is nonetheless interesting to see how Ms. Pickens unfolds the romance both between the pages and between the sheets!

The author understands and knows this time period of British history, and has comfortably offered this knowledge to the reader, without being either overwhelming or pedantic. Romance novels are sometimes dismissed as fluff, but the amount of education contained in this trilogy doesn't just apply to the sweet young things trained in this unusual school, but to the reader as well. It is entertaining to see how a woman's surreptitious manipulations and machinations can influence and change the outcome. It is also enjoyable to see a series that shows the multitude of talents in young women so differently educated. Sofia, and her fellow merlins, Siena and Shannon, accomplished the tasks that were required of them, and were able to take their place in the high society of the times without any hint of scandal, despite being brought up on the streets of London.

Andrea Pickens has done a superb job of bringing this series to its close, and presenting us with three-dimensional, believable heroines. The use of the merlin as a symbol for these highly trained young spies is a clever storyteller's device, and there is never a dull moment in this swashbuckling and sexy romance. Enjoy!