The Devil of Downtown

A dauntless heiress becomes entangled with a devilishly handsome criminal kingpin in Shupe’s sizzling third Uptown Girls romance (after The Prince of Broadway). Gutsy do-gooder Justine Greene’s volunteer work representing the desperate and downtrodden of Gilded Age New York for the Legal Aid Society often lands her in compromising situations. For her latest case, she must locate her client’s deadbeat husband, putting her in the orbit of Jack Mulligan, the powerful overseer of the biggest criminal empire in New York State. Not one to be cowed, Justine asks the dastardly yet debonair Mulligan for his assistance in tracking down the man. As Mulligan helps Justine maneuver among New York City’s seedier element, their mutual attraction and flirtatious verbal sparring grow into an unorthodox relationship. Shupe masterfully captures the culture of New York City in the 1890s, highlighting the restrictions placed on women. In this context, it’s easy to see the appeal of the freedom offered by Mulligan’s roguish ways. The heat between the protagonists is palpable as their dangerous encounters in the criminal underworld push them toward each other. Blending drama, banter, and sensuality, this electrifying historical romance keeps the series going strong. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary. (July)