India Black and the Gentleman Thief

Madam of Espionage #4

by Carol K. Carr

India Black double life operating a high-class brothel and running high-stakes espionage for Her Majesty’s government can take its toll. But there’s no rest for the weary — particularly when an international conspiracy comes knocking…

India Black is one of Victorian London’s most respected madams—not a bloody postmistress. So when Colonel Francis Mayhew forwards a seemingly innocuous shipping bill to her address, she’s puzzled. And when three thugs bust down her door, steal the envelope, and rough up both her and fellow agent French … well, that’s enough to make India Black see red.

The veteran spies soon discover that Mayhew has been butchered in his own bedroom. An impromptu investigation leads them to London’s docks, where India makes a startling discovery she can’t bear to tell the rakish French — she has a history with their chief suspect, the gentleman thief who once stole her heart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical, Romance, Victorian, British Literature

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2014

About the author

After a career as a lawyer and corporate executive, Carol K. Carr turned to writing. India Black is her first book. She lives in the Missouri Ozarks with her husband and two German Shepherds.

Reviews

[Misfit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Just not the India Black I came to know in the earlier editions, and still no resolution on the India/French relationship. And it doesn't look there are any more books at this time, so I'm left hanging.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

If one must chase villains, one should do so in style. (p. 247)

India Black is at it again in India Black & the Gentleman Thief...rounding up the bad guys with style and flair. She and French have barely recovered from their latest adventure--saving London from bomb-happy anarchists--when danger comes knocking. Literally. Just as India is trying to worm information out of French about her ancestry, a messenger arrives at the door with an envelope from one of her customers. Colonel Francis Mayhew wants her to hold the missive until he comes to collect it. Opening other people's mail is by no means taboo when one hasn't volunteered for the job of postmistress and India promptly slits the envelope open--only to find an ordinary shipping bill. As she and French ponder the meaning behind it, another knock brings a different sort of messenger--in the guise of three burly thugs who beat up our intrepid heroes and make off with the bill of lading.

Of course, our Madam of Espionage isn't about to take that lying down...well at least not once she's recovered from the trouncing...and she and French head out to track down Mayhew and find out why he deposited such a dangerous document at Lotus House. Unfortunately, the Colonel is in no condition to explain anything. Someone has reached him first and sent him out of this world in the most horrible way possible. India and French will follow a trail that leads from the dockyards of London to the War Office and armaments supply to a lonely farmhouse in the countryside where an arms trafficker lurks. Along the way, India discovers that she has an acquaintance with one of the chief suspects...an acquaintanceship she'd rather not confess to French.

As if India's life is not complicated enough, the Dowager Marchioness of Tullibardine shows up with enough boxes and trunks to stay for months and creates general havoc in Lotus House--from running off anti-Scottish customers to allowing her dogs the run of the house (and have puppies while they're at it). The only redeeming factor is that the Marchioness is finally willing to tell India what she knows about her background. But what is India to do with the information? If she can just find time between hunting down blood-thirsty killers, escaping a nasty death at the bottom of the ocean, and tracking down arms dealers, then she might give it some thought.

This is a whirlwind of a book. The story moves at full throttle and keeps the reader on the edge of her seat waiting to see what will happen next--whether it's the next step in the mystery plot or where the relationship between India and French is headed or what India plans to do about the hereditary information she gets from the Marchioness. There is a lot going on and Carol K. Carr handles it all superbly. The India Black series is wonderful and just keeps getting better. If you love a good adventure mystery set in Victorian times with a bit of romance for flavor and haven't started reading these yet, then what's keeping you?

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a combination ... India Black, a double life operating a high-class brothel and running high-stakes espionage for Her Majesty's government, with Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli as her contact. This can only lead to mystery and excitement!

And it does as a Colonel Francis Mayhew from the War Office is found brutally murdered, this after he had inexplicably sent to India Black's Lotus House establishment an envelope containing a copy of a bill of lading for an arms' shipment being delivered to the sub-continent. Why he had sent it there is unclear to the recipient but what is clear is that he had been murdered because of what he knew about the deal.

The murderers obviously had an inkling of the Lotus House connection for they break into the house and beat up India and her fellow agent, French, in order to steal the envelope and its contents. Not surprisingly this incenses India and French and they set about trying to discover what is going on.

Their investigations take them to London's docks where India meets up with one of her old flames, who she quickly realises from his conversation is probably mixed up in the affair. But she keeps this meeting and information to herself for she cannot bring herself to tell French, for whom she has more than a passing interest.

The further the investigation goes, the more trouble the pair get into and at one point they find themselves imprisoned in the ship that is taking the arms overseas. Not only are they captured but their longer term future seems to be for a watery grave when the ship gets out into the English Channel.

They manage to avoid that fate thanks to intervention by a most unlikely candidate. They make a harrowing escape and after more hair-raising episodes they eventually resolve the arms' issue. And while they are doing so, the question of India's background is being played out at Lotus House where a cranky Scottish relative, who continually takes over the running of the place while India and French are chasing after the crooks, is trying to engender her back to Scotland to take up her inherited role.

Who knows what she will do? But I imagine that India Black, respected madam and government espionage agent, will be back in more exciting adventures ... let us hope so.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This instalment takes place immediately following the conclusion of the previous novel. India and French are sent a bill of landing by a Colonel, set upon by thugs, and discover the Colonel's murdered body all within the first few pages. What follows is a bit of detective work surrounding smugglers, and a blast from the past for India in the form of her former lover Phillip.

This mystery didn't hook me as much as the others, but I did love it mostly for the "downtime" scenes with the marchioness, Vincent, French. The best part is that we finally learn French's name!

The book ends with what could be a cliffhanger, or what could be a send off. I knew there are no more books in this series when I started reading it, so I saw what happened with French and India and the "cliffhanger" as closure instead of the set up for a new story. It's a pity there are no more because these four books make up one of my favourite series!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful series. I can't say enough good things about this historical mystery series. I've loved India Black's POV and delighted in the gallivanting to come to the conclusion of the series. That India Black sure is a crack shot! Hopefully there will be another adventure in the future.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I declare I like India Black more with each book in the series! This one picks right up where the last one ends, with India threatening to impale French with her rapier if he doesn't reveal what he knows about her family. Of course, before she can make good on her threat, their next adventure comes knocking. Literally. Colonel Mayhew sends an odd bill for shipping tools to India (the country!) to the Lotus House, telling the messenger that he will pick it up later. Why would he send it to the Lotus House, where he has been a customer but has no other connection? Things get more mysterious when three thugs burst in and beat the all-fired crap out of India and French and make off with the bill. When India and French go to confront Colonel Mayhew, they find that he has been horribly murdered. Of course, this all relates to another national security threat, so they are enlisted by the Prime Minister to investigate. It's a darn site hard to concentrate on the matter at hand, however, when the Marchioness comes to town to finally explain everything to India, and then the "gentleman thief" of the title, an old flame of India's, is somehow mixed up in the whole thing. Of course, it all makes for a rollicking good time, and I think I have actually grown to like the Marchioness! We learn so much more about India and her connection to French, although their relationship takes an unsatisfactory turn. The end sets up for the next book, which should be amusing. Can't wait!

[Elysium · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars

The books starts where the last one ended but before India can get her answers, they are interrupted by a fellow with an envelope from Colonel Mayhew. Right after India and French are attacked by three strangers and the envelope is stolen. While trying to discover the matter of the envelope and their attack, they stumble into someone from India’s past.

At last we learn something about India’s past! I can’t help but wonder how things will turn out since she’s quite independent for starters… But on the other hand it would be fun to see how she would cope with her new life.

We have some moments between India and French and I wish I could smack their heads together. Or make French lose his honor and sense of duty. I wonder if we will see a scene between her and French’s fiancée because that would be something.

The Dowager Marchioness of Tullibardine makes a visit to Lotus House and practically takes over it. For once we see India totally out of her depth and unable to stop it. Gotta love that old lady and I hope we see more of her.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last book ended with a sort of cliffie that had me begging for more. It seems French knew about India's origin and she was not happy and wanted the truth. And this book picked up right where it ended. But will India get her answers? Ha! No such luck, because she is immediately thrown into another case.

At least everything came out in this book. I now know who India is, who her mother is and how it all connects. Rather juicy and I do wonder how...that part will turn out. Because knowing India, well she is a saucy woman. She likes her life, her brothel and ruling over her tarts.

But that is another story. This story is about a letter, a dead major and the hunt for the truth. She and French gets closer, and move apart. Oh I give up all hope on those two.

There is danger, a former lover turning up, secrets revealed and a brothel turned upside down. I certainly look forward their next adventure.

[Foggygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The good news is that this book was as action packed and laugh out loud funny as India's previous adventures, the bad news is that there is not another book to pick up and immediately dive into. Hopefully the author does return to India, French, Vincent and the Marchioness as I believe there are more than a few adventures that can be told. But even if the author chooses to end the series as a quartet these four books plus the two novellas were still among the most well written and entertaining stories that I have read in a long time. I actually got these books out of my public library and will definitely purchasing my own copies when I get the opportunity.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

India has become a bit too glib for my taste. There are a few tidbits dropped about her mysterious heritage, but not a lot happens in this book, to progress her character or the narrative. Note: there are two intervening "e-book" novellas that precede this story, but you don't really need to read them to understand what's taken place(though a major character from the "Rajah's Ruby" novella appears here).

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all the previous India books and there were elements in this book that I enjoyed. That said, this one just didn't catch me as much. I am still enthusiastic about French, India and Vincent though and will definitely be reading the next one.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars really, because the plot felt awkward towards the end, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this latest read. India is a character I can firmly cheer on.

Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/872953...

[Literary Lusts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this much more than the last full length novel in the series so that was nice. Of course now I have to wait a million years until the next book comes out :(

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much fun as the others in this series, so not too sorry to see the series end here. If you've read the others in this series, you'll want to read this one, too.

[Miriamgreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must fall back on the Bond girl and the gentleman to summarize this series. Once again an adventure that does not disappoint, especially because Fergus takes care of the Tullabardine snuff addict. Auntie takes a third of the stage here with her collies and her instant takeover of Lotus House business affairs. Major French also has a large slice, of intimacy and jealousy, which continues the romance of less is more. India finally gets trousers. The thread of French and India's sidearms is endearing, especially when he presents her the supermodel of the Bulldog she lost on the ship, with ivory grips. And she gets to use it. Plot, An old spark as Vincent calls him, the gentleman thief, is the pivot of the adventure of the illegal sales of military rifles to international arms dealer for an Indian fiefdom that has cast off British protection. The Indian/British problem is well presented. [we still have the same organizations, in fact most of the events in the entire series are still modern problems]
so much is happening, along with the weather, the drinking, and the houseman of the dowager who knows his way around the kitchen, finally providing some good food. The takeover of India's bedroom and study are painful to imagine. Family matters are revealed as India is an heiress of an ancient Scottish title and bankrupt estates, but she is a countess. French is not a blood cousin but close enough. We have the addition of four collies, and Maggie who whelps at Lotus House, another seven pups. We see French truly torn in jealousy which with a fiancee is not cricket but still true. An ambush of the arms dealer in Sussex reunites French with an old comrade, Homer, who has been following the arms dealer for years. There is a grand shoot out but the gentleman thief escapes. French has apologized to India for treating her abominably, there is a chaste kiss, a chaste but enticing scene in her bedroom, and frustratingly, an agreement to be friends and associates. This is for French's shredded integrity of honor. His jealousy of Phillip, a former lover who is involved with the arms scheme, and frees them from death on the ship, does not sit well with French. He sulks until called to order by India. We are left with the successful end of the arms scheme within the British Military and French and India with replaced weapons. They are all on there way to ancestral estates in Scotland, finally the dowager duchess has been removed from London, but definitely wants to return as she likes the brothel business, the weather, and needs a new carriage. The whores love her. Did I mention all the drinking? At the last moment, Mr. Brown from the PM's office stops them at the station when they are about to depart. French and India are given orders to travel to Durban, S.A. as man and wife, with Vincent as their ward. [We would expect that French will require regular bathing]. their objective: Zulus. Even if there are no further episodes, [someone mentioned that Carr had passed away] it is obviously this was not the end of their adventures. South Africa is a long way from London, and India will be acting as wife. In my mind French will be unable to resist their involvement. For a further adventure, Tullabardine will return to Lotus House while French becomes entangled with India, and his fiancee decides to marry someone else. This has been a delightful series with the three protagonists, a street arab, an abbess, and a handsome spying gentleman, who has become emotionally enmeshed with a whore. That he defends her honor and cannot even utter the word is the clearest signal of a deep love. in mirroring three levels of Victorian society, and actual historical events for each adventure, have given us some hilarious, finger biting, and tender moments, whilst providing true glimpses of the inequality in a comfortable mirror. Plaudits to Carr who allowed us to truly imagine ourselves in Disraeli's ministry, India's study, the brothel business, the government and war offices, the rivalries and murders, the poverty and the privilege that made up this moment in Victorian history.

[Ruby Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read as always

-This is the 4th and last written to date of the India Black adventures. India, who grew up destitute but resilient, had to turn to prostitution at a young age but managed to establish her own brothel. In a previous episode, she discovered that her mother was known by a titled elderly woman of Scotland, Lady Margaret, the Marchioness of Tullibardine. India had already found out bits and pieces of her mother’s life, but hoped that the Marchioness could fill in the large gaps. India had sent numerous letters imploring the Marchioness to reveal what she knew.
-To India’s surprise, the Marchioness herself suddenly appeared at her doorstep, accompanied by a whole entourage from her household, and pretty much took over India’s establishment. She appeared in person because, when giving news like she was about to give, it was important that it be given in person.
-Just before the appearance of the Marchioness, India was sitting with French, the British agent who had grown quite attached to India, when a letter was delivered, which was to be held and picked up by Colonel Mayhew, an infrequent visitor to her establishment. Not one to be discreet, India quickly opened the letter, which contained a simple Bill of Lading from the Bradley Tool Company for various tools being shipped to India. They had no idea why something like this should have any interest at all. It was just as the messenger left that 3 large men came to the door and forced their way in, demanding the document. Both India and French put up a good fight, but the men were able to get the document and depart, leaving both French and India with bruises. It was at this point that the Marchioness came in like a whirlwind.
-India and French had to find out why that document was so important, and they discovered that the Colonel, who worked 7 days a week, had not come in to his government office where he oversaw the paperwork concerning exports and imports to the Far East. To their horror, when they visited him at home, they discovered his beaten and mutilated body in the rooms he rented.
-Returning back to Lotus House, India’s brothel, India, with French, now pressed on the Marchioness to explain why she came down from Scotland in person. It was here that India discovered that the Marchioness was her great aunt. Her grandfather, who was titled, had only one child, India’s mother. Because inheritance passed to women in Scotland, India was now an heiress and titled and had to go to Scotland to preserve her rights to her estate and her title.
-While the Marchioness is turning India’s world upside down, India and French proceed to discover why the Colonel was killed, and, in the process, both India and French come near death several times.
-While this book was still enjoyable, it was being used as a setup for another episode where the question of what India was inheriting, as well as the budding relationship between her and French, would be more fully explored. The ending here has the pair being given a new assignment just prior to their trip to Scotland, so it really leaves you hanging. It’s been years since this book #4 was written, so it’s possible that the author may have decided not to continue.
-But the journey with India, with her comments and how she handles situations, still makes this a must read in this series.

[Anna Bergmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this the forth (and last?) installment the author dips her pen a little to deep into the chick lit colored inkwell. Yes, at times our dearly beloved India resembles Stephanie Plum more than anything else, a donkey torn between a big juicy carrot on one side and on the other side... an other equally big juicy carrot. Thus turning the marchioness of Tullibardine into a Grandma Mazur on crack, I guess, the humour slipping to far into exaggerated slapstick for my humble and sensitive taste.

No, the intrigue here is muddled and pointless, and the new miss Black a soppy, predictably weak hearted run of the mill historical romance heroine. One can only hope that a stint with the Zulus does the trick for her, a sharpened javelin stinging her somewhat sagging butt and sending it back into good old nut cracking gear again.

[Jo Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last book in the series. I didn't get the e-books, which are mini novels. I like India's snarky comments and honesty about what kind of person she is. This episode was very exciting but I have to call BS at the ending. India (at least wearing trousers) was a bad ass as she and French and another agent a house full of arms dealers. She was describing her actions (holding the gun, making rolls and jumps more likely performed by SEALS) then a brothel madam who sits at her desk most days.
Not that I'm complaining TOO hard. I mean, fiction is fiction for a reason. Just a little hard to swallow this time around. Still, will certainly read any new book that comes along.

[Twee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a bittersweet moment. I just finished book 4 and it is the last one in the series. This is one of my favorite Victorian mystery series. Sadden that there is no more India and French adventures to read. These two make a great pair as hero and heroine. Their chemistry is electrifying. The writing is very good. The plot is well-defined. The story is narrated from India’s point of view which is funny and very entertaining. She is blunt and sarcastic. She is a realist. Some of things she said are hilarious!

Since there is no book 5, readers are left to imagine on their own a HEA (or not) ending for India and French. As for me, I am not going to grieve the end of this series.

[SusiePisces225 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, the last book of a series...and I am sorry to see it end. I have enjoyed getting to know India Black, Major French, and the lovable, yet odiferous, Vincent.

Like others have mentioned here, there are no further adventures of India Black, nor is there any inkling of what has happened to the author, Carol K. Carr.

There has been speculation that the author has passed away or that the publisher decided to not continue the book series. We may never know.

All I know is that I have enjoyed all the adventures of India Black (so far), and if she ever returns, I always have room on my bookshelves for her!

So thank you to Carol K. Carr, wherever you may be!

[Bree T · Rating 4 out of 5]

India Black is just preparing to question the enigmatic spy French on what he has been withholding from her about her family when they are interrupted by a messenger who delivers a seemingly innocent shipping bill for her to safekeep for a Colonel Francis Mayhew. India doesn’t run a post office so she’s mildly irritated by the whole thing but that turns to anger when, shortly afterwards, three thugs turn up, steal the envelope and rough up both India and French. Now it’s personal and India is keen to track down the thugs and the meaning of what this shipping bill is all about so she can get some payback for her split lip. It is part of her moneymaker after all.

India and French do some investigating and after discovering that Colonel Mayhew has been viciously murdered in his bedroom they begin to understand that there’s a lot more going on here than just the shipping notice would suggest and the villains are willing to go to extreme lengths to keep things quiet. They visit the London docks to find the ship in question and attempt to discover what the cargo really is because surely it is not what is listed on the bill. There India sees a face from her past – the gentleman thief and her former lover. He attempted to set India up long ago but she managed to turn the tables on him and go on to become the successful proprietor of Lotus House that she is today. She hadn’t seen the thief again – until now. Her past with him isn’t something she feels she can disclose to French even though it’s come out recently that the mysterious agent has some secrets of his own.

As well as this new investigation, India also needs to keep badgering French to give up what he knows about her family. Unbeknownst to her, she’s about to get the answers she seeks but it’s going to bring chaos and some very unexpected news that will disrupt her life.

This series is like a breath of fresh air for me. Set in Victorian times, India Black is a (former) whore and brothel owner who, by accident, fell into a position of assisting the Prime Ministers office on several matters of security. She mostly works with French, an agent of the Crown and military man. Their relationship has evolved with each book but they still face many challenges: firstly, French isn’t quite as unattached as he seemed in their early acquaintance and secondly, he’s unashamedly a well bred gentleman who struggles with the growing feelings he has for India versus his commitments and his honour. Plus he’s not always comfortable with India’s former profession. Although she refers to herself as a whore, India is basically retired and hasn’t taken customers in some time – she prefers running the show and counting the coins. She keeps her girls well fed and the customers well supplied with alcohol and good cigars. The two of them make for an interesting pairing because of the two, French is more likely to declare himself (although it generally has the agonised tone of the conflicted) whereas India attempts to keep her distance from him emotionally. There’s no denying that she’d like to get him into bed and she doesn’t seem to care about anything else he may have going on in his life but India has a very vested interest in keeping her heart protected. In contrast, French attempts to avoid anything at all physical. It’s worked well for the last three books but I do believe that it’s probably time to step things up a gear and explore a little more what is going on between them, French’s complications aside. There’s no denying the two of them were on rather uneven footing, although developments in this novel seem to rectify that in some ways. The way in which this novel sets up their next adventure makes it look as though it will be very difficult for things not to escalate! So I’m looking forward to that. It’s time!

I enjoyed the plot about the shipping bill and what was really going on and it was interesting to have someone from India’s past crop up. I haven’t read the novella which details her adventure with the gentleman thief – previously none of the books were available for my region although I’ve noticed that since these books are to be published in England, I can now purchase kindle versions of the first two novels and the two novellas. I did like that the inclusion of the gentleman thief had a bit of an effect on French, especially when he realised that India was protecting him. I’m glad India also found out more about her past in this book although to be honest it doesn’t so much give her peace of mind as it does raise an awful lot of issues and problems for her! The inclusion of the Dowager Marchioness of Tullibardine (and her entourage) got quite wearying to be honest, perhaps because it was difficult to see India so helpless against the onslaught. She’s such a strong character who takes no crap from anyone, watching her relegated to the couch in her study while the Dowager Marchioness alienated customers and sneezed snuff everywhere became a bit irritating. India is at her best when she’s sharp and snappy and this weakness didn’t particularly suit her.

Reading this latest installment made me want to go and read all the previous books again so that’s what I did – including tracking them down at various different branches of my local library. Definitely need to acquire them at some stage, so that I can revisit them whenever I want. This is another excellent installment and it’s left me waiting very impatiently for the next one!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I loved the plot and I loved the characters. India is such a fun and sassy MC, and I really love that we finally get to see who she is and where she truly came from. I just wish that the relationship between India and French would start to become a bit less complicated. This is the fourth book in the series, and I'm not seeing any sort of resolution coming in that area; and since this was written back in 2014, I'm starting to think we are not going to get one.

[Karianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun enough romp, but the language was so off putting. I don't care how people actually spoke in the Victorian Era, reading the words sluts and whores again and again did not appeal. For all that India is a brothel madam, she spoke in such derogatory terms about her employees. Plus the causal racism. Again, don't care if that's historically correct. I'm not interested. I won't be reading any others in the series.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read 100 pages, skipped 100 pages (which I do not regret), and I skimmed the last 100. It was ok, but I was never really invested in the story. I liked all the previous stories and I liked it after I skipped pages 100-200, because I like French and India "getting along" and the story picked up toward the end. It wasn't too difficult to piece together what happened in the middle.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so much fun. Very cheeky. This one ends with the set up for a Book 5, but apparently it was never written. Which is sad, because it's a lot of fun watching India and French spar with each other, let alone the bad guys.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book ten stars then I would. I love the escapades of India, French and that little street rat, Vincent. Now, we have the Dowager Marchioness joining in in this one, and she is hilarious.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly don't see the purpose of the love interest between India Black and French if they aren't going to end up together.

Better than the previous books but still full of cliches and shallow personalities.

One series I am glad to have finished. Done and dusted.

[Sameeha Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please tell me there's a fifth book in the making??!!!
I loved it! From the espionage, to the coarse language! AMAZING!!!

[ZaBeth Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing India black Adventure. On to the next one.

[Claudine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series. Sad it wasn't finished.