Saturday, December 9, 2017

Book Review: City of Lies

Author: Victoria Thompson
Publication Date: November 7, 2017
Publisher: Berkley
Series: A Counterfeit Lady #1


An exciting new series featuring woman-on-the-run Elizabeth Miles—from the beloved national bestselling author of the Gaslight Mysteries.

Every woman plays a part—but some are more dangerous than others…


Like most women, Elizabeth Miles assumes many roles; unlike most, hers have made her a woman on the run. Living on the edge of society, Elizabeth uses her guile to relieve so-called respectable men of their ill-gotten gains. But brutal and greedy entrepreneur Oscar Thornton is out for blood. He’s lost a great deal of money and is not going to forgive a woman for outwitting him. With his thugs hot on her trail, Elizabeth seizes the moment to blend in with a group of women who have an agenda of their own.

She never expects to like or understand these privileged women, but she soon comes to respect their intentions, forming an unlikely bond with the wealthy matriarch of the group whose son, Gideon, is the rarest of species—an honest man in a dishonest world. Elizabeth knows she’s playing a risky game, and her deception could be revealed at any moment, possibly even by sharp-eyed Gideon. Nor has she been forgotten by Thornton, who’s biding his time, waiting to strike. Elizabeth must draw on her wits and every last ounce of courage she possesses to keep her new life from being cut short by this vicious shadow from her past.

She was helpless, with no one to save her but herself, and no strength to rely on except her wits. She allowed herself one moment of bitterness at the plight of females who were always at the mercy of unscrupulous men. Then she began to plan.

“And tomorrow everything will be better?” “Everything will be clearer at least.”

Tomorrow would be soon enough to start pretending affection in front of other people.

And the very worst part was all of that only made him want her more. 

After reading most of the Victoria Thompson’s “Murder” series, by this author, I was happy to hear that she was starting a new series using a slightly different time period but still focused in New York. This first third of the novel is extremely dark and often made me cringe with her depictions of life for some not so fortunate people in the 20’s. It was not an easy time for these women, and Elizabeth, our protagonist, is changed by her time spent with the suffragists as she embraces their cause. I think the book is being pitched as more of mystery, but I must say that this novel gets “thrillerish” in various parts. We all want to think of the 1920’s as a time of glitz and glam, but we often forget what women and other minorities had to endure as times were changing.

An unconventional heroine as the lead will draw me in every time. Elizabeth takes readers on a journey through the 1920’s and really allows for an in depth look into the lives of suffragists and all they were fighting for. This book was entertaining, fun, and somewhat cozy even if it had its dark moments. The main character is endearing and easy to support as a leading lady. If you love historical fiction that is based in historical fact that is suspenseful with unforgettable characters, this is will be a book for you to pick up and enjoy!

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Berkley in exchange for my honest review*** 

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