A Lesson in Chemistry with Inspector Bruce

The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard #2.5

by Jillian Stone

A force of attraction...too tempting to resist.

As readers of The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series already know, Archibald “Archie” Bruce heads up the crime laboratory for Special Branch. Undervalued and overworked, the brilliant young man has no time for a social life—that is, until the heroine's father, a noted chemist in his own right, offers Archie a deal. He will modify a secret latex compound that will transfer fingerprints from the crime scene to the lab. In exchange, Archie must agree to tutor his charming but exasperating daughter, Miss Fiona A. Rose, for the major pharmacy exam.

But as Archie and Fiona attempt to study for the major, they can't help but get involved in a bit of sleuthing. Was the fire in the opium den accidental or deliberately set? Who was behind the lab explosion? Not to mention the strange and haunting memory of a masquerade ball and a very seductive kiss...

Amidst the pop quizzes and danger, Fiona and Archie ultimately find the force of attraction too tempting to resist.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Steampunk, Mystery, Novella, Historical, Paranormal

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2012

About the author

Multi-published, national award-winning author, Jillian Stone is on a three year quest to write all the books (in different genres) she’s always wanted to write before she gets forever labeled as a historical romance writer. Jillian lives in Southern California and is currently writing a dystopian fairy tale.

This year, look for two different novellas in the Wolf Lords of London series, including WOLF, INTERRUPTED and WOLF ON FIRE. And coming this Fall, Jillian treads lightly into the world of magical realism. Watch for NIGHT BLOOMERS, book #1 in her exciting new supernatural Paradox Lake series.

Reviews

[Beebs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5......really need the half star goodreads.

Big satisfied sigh, loved Archie and Fiona together. And another glimpse of Finn, cannot wait for his book, not long now :)

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I swear I've read this before! But maybe I was thinking of the first book? Either way, I did enjoy this one, though there is a bit of hand-waving needed on the details since it's a novella. I would have liked more (or any!) discussion about the ramifications of Fiona and Archie having an affair when he's her professor and private tutor ... though I suppose it's not uncommon, and he wasn't administering her final exam anyway. It would have been nice to have a few more female characters as well, and I don't think the villain plot was totally wrapped up. Which is probably more realistic, but not as satisfying to the reader.

[Ewa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started great but what ruined it for me was the revelation of how old H/h were. The moment it was said that she was 19 and she started asking these really naive and awkward questions about what happens when she is sexually aroused... A real turn-off.
He was 23 but he acted with her as if he was 15. The exchange with his elder colleague about pleasing a woman - C.R.I.N.G.E.

[LaGina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going through my Nook and came across this little gem. It was a fun read and the mix of 2nd chance romance with cutting edge new forensic techniques it was an easy read in one day. I will have to look for me in this series.

[Tin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archibald Bruce is the young director of Scotland Yard's new Crime Laboratory and, most recently, the new professor at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. It's another job for Archie and one he intended to do with the same objective, scientific way he approaches everything else -- until the first day on his new job happens and one of his students happens to be a girl from his past.

Fiona Rose was a young student at the University of Edinburgh when she first met and fell for Archie Bruce. They shared one (what they thought) anonymous kiss before Fiona left and Archie went on the graduate -- but it was a kiss that left quite an impression on both of them.

Does she remember? Does he remember? There's a playfulness in the way Jillian Stone narrates Archie and Fiona's love story. What I liked about this is that, even if they had never met before, Archie and Fiona are so clearly compatible right from the get-go: he's the science guy and she's the daughter of a chemist who is studying to be one as well. I love that their chemistry isn't only physical but also intellectual -- they reminded me of Hodge and Simms from CSI. ^_^

This wouldn't be a Jillian Stone story if it didn't include some action and mystery and the author presents us with a continuation of the dynamiters story arc from her debut novel, An Affair with Mr. Kennedy . Phineas Gunn is featured here, in pursuit of Grey de Ruthyn -- but Archie also has his own personal mystery to solve: who blew up his lab? And why?

The love story was done very well and the action aspect was also excellent but, my absolute favorite part of the story was the food. Jillian Stone's mention of actual places like Fortnum and Mason just added to the synesthetic pleasure of reading this book.

"Lake & Turner's," Fiona offered. "They serve the most wonderful brine-steamed mussels. And my favorite -- a spicy fish chowder. We can purchase a pail of stout, and a loaf or two of crusty bread." She must have appeared rather bright-eyed about the idea, because she caught a look from Archie that nearly took her breath away. It was the kind of look that made her feel ... desired.
- Chapter 9

A reader knows when a novella is successful because: (a) it leaves you satisfied and (b) has you wanting more. It's a strange set of conditions but this one fulfills both. (After just the first chapter, I went ahead and got A Private Duel with Agent Gunn . Jillian Stone is that good. ^_^)

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

Part of the fun of the Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series are the glimpses of the development of forensics along with the spying, the adventure and the romance involved in the series.

Two of the key players in the forensic side of the equation are Inspector Archibald Bruce, the head of the criminology lab, and the Yard Dog, Arnold, named for Arnold Nobel of Nobel Prize fame.

Arnold the dog sniffs out bombs and bomb components. Not only is he incredibly important to investigations, Arnold also seems to be a sweetie of a dog. He’s one of my favorite characters. Of course, he’s also the progenitor for bomb-sniffing dogs everywhere.

In this novella, Inspector Bruce and Arnold are nearly killed by a bomb in the lab. The bomb wasn’t planted, it was there to be inspected, but he’s not sure who set it off or how. He’s worried that one of the criminals that Special Branch is currently investigating might have an inside man on the job. Someone who wants to obliterate evidence or investigators before they can be caught.

Meanwhile, Inspector Bruce is also teaching a University course for those planning to take their major exam in chemistry. One of his students just happens to be a young woman he’s encountered before: Miss Fiona A. Rose. At a costume ball at Edinburgh University three years ago, they shared one unforgettable kiss, but she didn’t remove her mask or give her real name.

More importantly, Fiona, and her entire family, own a pharmacy and chemist’s shop. Her father is willing to assist Special Branch on a solution to the problem of transporting fingerprints for analysis, if Archie Bruce will tutor Fiona for her chemistry final.

While Mr. Rose assists Special Branch with fingerprinting, Fiona finds herself assisting on the bomb investigation. And Archie and Fiona discover themselves in a mutual tutorial of more personal subjects.

Unfortunately the bomber takes advantage of their distraction!

Escape Rating B: This one was a great teaser, but because it is a novella it doesn’t have the depth of the full-length entries in the series.

It is still a fun read, and I enjoyed seeing the criminology lab brought to the forefront for a short story.

Unfortunately, it was a bit too obvious who the villain would be. However, that did not distract from the sweetness of the love story between Archie and Fiona.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lesson in Chemistry with Inspector Bruce is part of the very successful Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series, written by Jillian Stone. And if you read my reviews of the previous two books in this series, then you know that I'm in love with both Jillian Stone's writing style and her stories. So, it comes as no big surprise, that A Lesson in Chemistry with Inspector Bruce, didn't fail to impress me!

I'm usually not a big fan of novellas, because in most cases, the story and the plot are pretty basic, and the character development is non existent. Not that I haven't been impressed or really liked novellas, but in most cases, they fail me. So, I'm more than happy to admit that even with a novella, Jillian Stone manages to retain the same quality in her writing, that makes her stories truly stand out!

A Lesson in Chemistry with Inspector Bruce may be smaller than her full novels, but it's just as good as the previous two books in the series!

This story is about Inspector Bruce and Fiona, who fall in love during some seriously hot chemistry lessons and amidst a very dangerous setting! What's there not to love!

Inspector Bruce is as hot and smart and courageous as the rest of the Scotland Yard gentlemen, while Fiona is as independent as the previous two ladies we got to know in the previous books. One might believe that meeting characters that share the same qualities in each book in this series might be a little bit boring, but let me warn you here, that even though all the characters share some qualities, they are not alike, not by a long shot. You have enough reason to remember each and everyone of them for very different reasons :)

The story is again action packed, even if the resolution comes quicker due to the length of the story and probably for that very same reason, it was way to easy for me to guess the traitor. But even so, A Lesson in Chemistry with Inspector Bruce was a highly enjoyable read!

All in all, Jillian Stone manages to make me love her work more book by book! And with all those tempting glances at Agent Gunn, I just can't wait to read his story!

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

นี่เป็นเรื่องสั้นที่ออกขายเป็นอีบุ๊คอย่างเดียว เรื่องราวของอาร์ชี บรูซ ซึ่งเป็นนักวิทยาศาสตร์สติเฟื่องที่มีบทบาทในชุดพอสมควร

เราค่อนข้างชอบเรื่องนี้นะคะ รู้สึกว่าเรื่องราวลงตัวภายในหน้ากระดาษที่จำกัด สามารถบอกเล่าเรื่องราวความรักได้น่าเชื่อ แถมยังมีพล็อตสืบสวนเล็ก ๆ น้อย ๆ มาเติมไว้ได้อีก

ความสำเร็จของเรื่องนี้ เราคิดว่า มาจากคาแร็คเตอร์ที่ค่อนข้างชัดเจนของพระเอก อาร์ชีเป็นอัจฉริยะผู้หลักแหลมที่เลือกจะทำงานให้กับกรมตำรวจแห่งสก๊อตแลนด์ ยาร์ด ในขณะเดียวกันก็เริ่มตั้งคำถามตัวเองถึงทางเลือก (เขาเป็นคนฉลาด ควรจะทำอะไรที่ยิ่งใหญ่กว่านี้ไหม) ในขณะที่ได้รับเชิญไปเป็นอาจารย์เพื่อติวการสอบใบอนุญาตเภสัชกร (เราเปรียบเทียบเองนะคะ ชื่อเรียกในเรื่องไม่ใช่แบบนี้) เขาก็ได้พบกับเพื่อนเก่า หญิงสาวที่เขาแอบปิ๊งเมื่อหลายปีก่อน ฟิโอนาหายตัวไปอย่างลึกลับ และเขาไม่คิดว่าจะได้เจอเธออีกแล้ว จนกระทั่งเธอมาปรากฎตัวในห้องเรียนของเขา

และเมื่อเขาได้รับการร้องขอจากบิดาของเธอให้ช่วยติวเธอเป็นพิเศษในการสอบครั้งนี้ ก็ยิ่งทำให้ทั้งคู่ได้มีโอกาสใกล้ชิดกันมากขึ้น

ปกติเราไม่ชอบพล็อตเรื่องแนวครูกะลูกศิษย์นะคะ แต่การเขียนในเล่มนี้ทำให้เราไม่รู้สึกว่า เป็นเรื่องแนวนั้น ส่วนหนึ่งคงเพราะอาร์ชีก็อายุไม่มาก ยังถือเป็นเด็กอยู่เองด้วยซ้ำ ส่วนฟิโอนาก็โตพอที่จะดูแลกิจการของครอบครัว การเรียนการติวสอบที่เกิดขึ้น ก็เหมือนศึกษาผู้ใหญ่มากกว่า

และแม้จะเป็นเรื่องสั้น ��รารู้สึกว่า ส่วนของโรแมนซ์เขียนได้น่าอ่าน เราเชื่อในความรู้สึกที่ทั้งสองมีให้กัน และนี่คือสิ่งที่สำคัญที่สุด การทำให้คนอ่านเชื่อ

พล็อตรองในเล่มก็เป็นเรื่องของการถูกตามปองร้ายโดยมือลึกลับที่วางระเบิดที่ทำงานของอาร์ชี ประเด็นส่วนนี้มีการพูดถึงคนร้ายในหลายคดี (ทั้งที่เกิดก่อนหน้าเล่มนี้ และเป็นตัวร้ายในเล่มต่อ ๆ ไปจากนี้) เลยทำให้เรารู้สึกว่า ถ้าไม่ได้อ่านก่อน ก็อาจจะหลง ๆ ไปเหมือนกัน แต่เนื่องจากพล้อตส่วนนี้ไม่ใช่ประเด็นหลักของเรื่อง เราจึงไม่คิดว่า เป็นปัญหาใหญ่โตอะไรนัก

คะแนนที่ 63

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIRST OFF let's talk about the sexy man on the cover oh my! Anyway I'm telling you what The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard are truly desirable so far Mr. Archie Bruce is my favorite, and Fiona what a little hellion she was when you got to know her, I loved the scene where they kissed it gave me butterflies! And Mr. Bruce is truly just irresistible:
"Kiss me again, Fiona."
She taunted him with a narrowed gaze. "If I kiss you now, we won't be able to keep our minds on school work."
"If you don't kiss me now," his breath buffeted softly against her lips, "concentration will be impossible."
There was one scene I was embarrassed for Fiona although I didn't think she was embarrassed but curious and I'm so thankful I went to school and they had sex ed. I really am:
"It happens when we are together - when you kiss and caress me." Her cheeks flushed as she looked him in the eye earnestly. "I am wet."
"And where, exactly, are you wet?"
Honestly Archie why make fun of the poor girl like that and yes I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first story I have read in this series and I wondered if I would feel lost. I did not. Even though there were characters that I knew were probably from past books the main characters stayed in charge of the story so it was not problem.

This is a romance with a little bit of mystery. Because it is a novella there is not as much time to develop a complicated story but what you have is a pleasing read. The lesson in chemistry involves both chemicals and love, a nice mix.

Archie is a great character. He met Fiona several years ago at a masked ball but she disappeared and he did not know where she went. Fiona is a strong female character who is as smart as or smarter than Archie. She is working in her family pharmacy because she is needed. When Fiona ends up in a class that Archie is teaching the sparks fly. What follows is a very nice story.

Having read the story I would like to try one of the book in The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series.

[Katie_la_geek · Rating 3 out of 5]

For this review and more visit my blog

I liked this sweet little novella, the storyline was interesting, and the writing good but what I really loved was the characters and the romance between them.

Fiona and Archie had bundles of chemistry and I really enjoyed reading their romance develop. I loved their flirtations conversations and the banter between them. I would have loved it if this had been a little bit longer but apart from that I found this perfectly enjoyable.

The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for and honest review

[Danae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A steamy romantic novella with plenty of action and some suspense about whether and who is the mole in Scotland Yard. Some things don't ring true (though Ms. Stone's writing style continue to be true to her previous). Archie suddenly evolves into an action hero from a nerdy scientist who likes to make things go boom. And Fiona's degree of sexual liberation rings false to the character introduced thus far in the prim strait laced Victorian times. Her parents lack of unease with her being away for late evenings and even for a night is at odds for the era.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella!! Fiona and Archie were simply perfect together.

It was nice that Ms. Stone gave them a history together - it made it a lot easier to believe the romance between them, knowing they had known and been attracted to each other previously.

I thought the story flowed nicely. There was some action in this book - but it didn't in anyway overshadow the romance.

I will definitely be reading Finn's story. I skipped Rafe's book, I personally didn't care for him - but Finn has intrigued me.

[Elis Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Archie Bruce runs the forensics lab for Scotland Yard, and on the side he's teaching a chemistry class at the university. And he's feeling another kind of chemistry for Fiona Rose, one of his students. The two of them met once some years ago and shared she kissed him quite brazenly.

Meanwhile, the dynamiters are at it again, this time led by the shadowy Grey de Ruthyn.

There's just enough action to keep this from being all about the chemistry and fireworks, but the ending felt a little rushed to me. It gets a solid 3.5.

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who was a bit hesitant about this author's Paranormal Investigator series, I have to admit I breathed a sigh of relief when my experience with this story turned out to be much better than with the other series.

While the heroine was startlingly bold in the bedroom for a virgin in Victorian times, the romance was believable, and the conflict was interesting.

I will definitely be reading more of this series in the future. 4/5 Stars, full review to follow.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having not read the previous books in this series, this novella did exactly what a novella should do - have enough of a connection to the other books to be considered part of the series, yet not overwhelm the reader with too much of a connection to the other books and backstory. I have to say that it succeeded in making me want to read the other books, which makes it the perfect mid-series novella for a reader like me.

[Arshia · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first time reading a novel by Jillian Stone and it was pretty good. The length of the Novella posed some problems for me, the story and the romance seemed rushed. However, it was well written and the scientific aspect of the novel was refreshing. I'm a little sick of reading books about the peerage only. I'll definitely have to pick up more books from this author.

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The two most interesting characters so far. A shame this was a novella.

REREAD: I read this one without reading the others and downgraded to a 3 star. Guess I was comparing it to the others when I read it in 2013 (don't even remember it) but the characters are too twee (since it's 2013) and modern and they're just ... honestly, I don't have words for how silly their "relationship" is.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was hoping forensics specialist Bruce would get a book of his own, but still, anything about Archie was sure to be charming. And full of science geek goodness when he agrees to tutor Fiona Rose for her chemistry degree.

[Lady Wesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lured in by a Kindle freebie offer, I decided to try this story featuring Victorian-era detectives. This is a sweet, very short story, but I doubt that I'll delve into the full-length books in the series.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

firstly, great cover. secondly, terrible editing. Mistakes from the second page in: Portsmith instead of Portsmouth, multiple U of Edinburgh - meaning university - and 1988 budgeting rather than 1888. Still, I like the idea of this series, if not always the full execution.

[Libraryangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent like always...just wanted it to be so much longer...le sigh. These two were just as sweet as two people could possibly be...loved them.

[Josephine Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this story was longer - Archie is a sweetheart.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet and romantic :) Another fantastic story in the Gentlemen of Scotland Yard seris.

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short taste of historical CSI. Fun. (Don't know how historically accurate, though.)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the women, love the men! Another winner of a quick read!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is really a fun read. It's a fully developed good story for a short and she does a great job. Looking forward to the next one.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little novella. Great writing, pleasant characters and a nice taste of a series I shall investigate further.