The Scoundrel’s New Con

Stein (The Potions and Passions series) dives into the world of Victorian spiritualism in this refreshingly original and incandescently clever romance. Plucky investigative reporter Tess Cochran plays the unassuming wallflower in order to dig up dirt for an exposé on the deceitful practices of England’s spiritualists and mediums. But roguish spirit photographer Jack Weaver sees through her act, and he’s determined to stop her from uncovering the tricks he uses to make apparitions appear in his photos. This task becomes harder when the Earl of Bardrick offers an exorbitant prize to any spiritualist who can prove his castle is haunted during a weekslong house party. Naturally, both Tess and Jack attend. The other guests—including Jack’s medium cousin, a bluestocking who takes Tess under her wing, and a duo of gullible lords—form a delightful backdrop for Tess and Jack’s budding romance, which plays out through late night run-ins as they snoop around the castle and in the dark room tutorials Jack gives Tess, proving his talent and love of photography. Along the way, they discover that the biggest con artist of them all may be their host. Flirtatious Jack and discerning Tess could not be any more well matched, and their crackling chemistry should win many fans. This is a charmer. (Self-published)