The Lady Hellion

In Shupe’s admirable third Regency (after The Harlot Countess), a free-spirited lady meets her match in a reclusive lord. Lady Sophie Barnes needs the assistance of Damien Beecham, Viscount Quint—specifically, she needs him to serve as her second in a duel. Though he initially refuses, Sophie is persistent. She also continues her quest for a killer who has targeted prostitutes and is dumping their bodies in the Thames; Sophie disguises herself as Sir Stephen Radcliff so that she can search the city’s brothels. During her late-night visits to Damien’s home, she discovers that he has developed a fear of going outside; as she helps him work through his fear, she begins to fall in love with him, a dangerous proposition since both of them have their own reasons for swearing off marriage. Sophie’s independent nature makes her a delightful protagonist, as she defies social convention to visit London’s seediest locations and track a murderer. The romance is delectable as sensual love scenes balance the well-woven mystery subplot. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency. (June)