In her series about the adult lives of former members of Feagan’s infamous pickpocket gang immortalized in Charles Dickens’s novel Oliver Twist, this time Lorraine Heath provides James Swindler with his own story of love. A former thief, now working for Scotland Yard as its top detective, James has been assigned to follow the lovely Eleanor Watkins wherever she goes. Can this beautiful young woman who intrigues James so much actually be a threat to the life of the Marquess of Rockberry?

For her part, Eleanor seeks vengeance on the man who violated and abused her twin sister, which ultimately led to her suicide. Following Rockberry throughout London as she maps out her plans for revenge seems simple enough until the handsome detective forms a personal relationship with her. Now falling in love with James, a man of the law, she feels her murderous resolve toward Rockberry lessening somewhat.

Some of Feagan’s gang introduced in Heath’s previous novels (including Surrender to the Devil, also reviewed on Myshelf and Between the Devil and Desire, also reviewed on Myshelf) make an appearance to help James solve the mystery. Like all good mysteries, this book includes many unexpected plot developments and ulterior motives not readily apparent.

Although this story seems all too familiar during the first few chapters, some pleasant surprises await readers who make it past the preliminaries. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Heath throws in a twist that will have you rethinking the entire book. The final chapters also explore the seedier elements of society during this time period with a visit into the depraved world hinted at during the earlier chapters. This fourth entry in the series makes a darkly romantic and highly entertaining addition to the collection.