what a delightful surprise the book was! I loved the beginning of what I’m told is a fabulous series although apparently one that ends in a cliffhanger. I’ll most definitely be back to read more in the series, even knowing that.
Francesca Cahill is a 20 year old in 1912, she’s secretly taking classes at Barnard college and is a passionate bluestocking (dudes, I love this, I can’t tell you how much). Anyway, tragedy hits the couple next door and into her life comes the new NY police commissioner, Rick Bragg.
This is not a romance although it has a lovely romantic element to it as Francesca falls for Rick despite her growing knowlege of his past. There are moments when she’s very brave alternated with moments when she’s totally naive (but she’s 20 in 1912 from an affluent family, that’s like being 14 now so to me, it made sense).
I loved her internal emotional growth. I loved watching her realize all the people she’d idolized and admired weren’t perfect. It’s sort of like being that age all over again as you get your adult legs and see the world differently. I think Brenda Joyce did a marvelous job with her internal journey.
The subject matter, to a mom who had to walk out of the movie Ransom, was a bit harrowing but handled well I thought. It’s not overly graphic but a child in danger is still something difficult to read about.
Rick is just utterly delicious. I love his character and can’t wait to read more!
Lauren Dane
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