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Second Sons #4
The Illusion of Desire: 1821
Inquiry agent, Captain Nicholas Ainsley, needs a challenge to escape his crippling nightmares of war. But he's unprepared for the intricacies of his first assignment. Someone has killed an earl, and Nicholas must tread carefully to avoid getting caught in the web of lies and subterfuge shrouding the victim's privileged life. The clues point to the earl's mistress, Kathryn. Rumors are spreading that the earl cast her aside and that enraged, she killed him with the jeweled knife he'd given her as a gift. When he questions her, Kathryn remains stubbornly silent, even when the victim's family demands her arrest. Despite her obstinacy, however, Nicholas is attracted to her and struggles to maintain his distance. His instincts whisper that the obvious answer may not be the right one, and he ignores the family's threats, determined to uncover the truth. But evidence against Kathryn continues to mount, and Nicholas is caught between his desire for the lovely woman and the facts. If he can't prove her innocence, she will hang, and he will lose the woman who has turned his nightmares into dreams of love.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2014
48 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Amy Corwin
59 books133 followersAmy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years and managing a career as an enterprise systems administrator in the computer industry. She writes Regencies/historicals, mysteries, and contemporary paranormals. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.
Amy’s books include the two Regency romances, SMUGGLED ROSE, and LOVE, THE CRITIC; three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.
WHACKED!, a contemporary mystery from Five Star, will be out in 2012, and her most current historical mysteries include THE VITAL PRINCIPLE--a Second Sons Mystery.
Amy’s books include the two Regency romances, SMUGGLED ROSE, and LOVE, THE CRITIC; three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.
WHACKED!, a contemporary mystery from Five Star, will be out in 2012, and her most current historical mysteries include THE VITAL PRINCIPLE--a Second Sons Mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 30, 2019
1821. Injured Captain Nicholas Ainsley, needs an occupation to help him cope with his nightmares from the war. He is finally offered the position of an Inquiry Agent, and after time spent in paperwork he is given the case of the murder of an Earl.
An interesting and well-written historical mystery, with a very likeable Captain, and with a hint of romance.
An interesting and well-written historical mystery, with a very likeable Captain, and with a hint of romance.
May 6, 2020
Evidence of death
Kathryn is a mistress in name only! Nicholas is a war veteran who has almost no use in his left arm! When Kathryn appears to be accused of murder it will take a miracle to clear her! Nick is convinced no one will want him due to his war wound and what an inconvenient time to be fiercely attracted to a woman who owns the murder weapon and a bloody dress!!! This one is a page turner and I like this one so far the best!!! If you guess the butler did it umm no!!! Read on.....
Kathryn is a mistress in name only! Nicholas is a war veteran who has almost no use in his left arm! When Kathryn appears to be accused of murder it will take a miracle to clear her! Nick is convinced no one will want him due to his war wound and what an inconvenient time to be fiercely attracted to a woman who owns the murder weapon and a bloody dress!!! This one is a page turner and I like this one so far the best!!! If you guess the butler did it umm no!!! Read on.....
November 7, 2021
Great series!
This is the third book I’ve read in Amy Corwin’s Second Sons Inquiry Mysteries. Each has drawn me in and entertained. So looking forward to reading the next in the series. The stories involved enough mystery to keep you guessing until the end and interesting relationships between the stories’ primary characters.
This is the third book I’ve read in Amy Corwin’s Second Sons Inquiry Mysteries. Each has drawn me in and entertained. So looking forward to reading the next in the series. The stories involved enough mystery to keep you guessing until the end and interesting relationships between the stories’ primary characters.
May 11, 2018
Refreshig
Not your usual story about the periods
Earls and ladies. Thereto probably
more accurate ,certainly refreshingly different. It had the traditional tones of snobishnees. The mystery clearly plotted. It was just plain enjoyable.
Not your usual story about the periods
Earls and ladies. Thereto probably
more accurate ,certainly refreshingly different. It had the traditional tones of snobishnees. The mystery clearly plotted. It was just plain enjoyable.
July 23, 2019
A Fantastic Clean Read Wonder!
Amy Corwin never disappoints in this series and thru the Archer series as well. She weaves an intriguing mystery with twist and turns least expected while maintaining a sweet romance with a perfect HEA ending. Can't wait to read her next book!
Amy Corwin never disappoints in this series and thru the Archer series as well. She weaves an intriguing mystery with twist and turns least expected while maintaining a sweet romance with a perfect HEA ending. Can't wait to read her next book!
March 2, 2018
Enjoy
This book is a quick and pleasant read, with a little bit of humor, intrigue and romance. It is a mental vacation.
This book is a quick and pleasant read, with a little bit of humor, intrigue and romance. It is a mental vacation.
January 16, 2016
The Illusion of Desire by Amy Corwin
A Second Sons Inquiry Agency Mystery
Kathryn Whitehorn-Litton is not quite who she seems to be. She has been thrown into the demi-monde because she is a single woman living with a man, or so it seems. No one realizes she is just a lonely young woman wanting to be loved. When her protector is found dead, it seems all the blame is about to fall at her feet. And her one alibi is something she cannot tell anyone about. She is doomed either way.
Captain Nicholas Ainsley has felt a bit out of sorts since the war. His betrothed chose another over him and with his war injuries there isn't much for him to do. Until Mr. Gaunt hires him as an inquiry agent. His first case is a murder and the evidence keeps pointing to a woman his heart wants to believe is innocent. And he can't give into his heart until he can find the murderer.
Another great mystery by Amy Corwin. Plenty of suspects and evidence pointing towards them. An exciting story that has you trying to find the guilty party, so the others can have their romance. Plenty of plot twists and surprises along the way. And unique secondary characters. The author includes some thoughts from a couple of the guys who are rather hopeless. Even though they do what's wrong, I found their circumstances grabbed my heart. It's a bit of real life. As was the fact of how many soldiers came home from war and were forgotten.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
A Second Sons Inquiry Agency Mystery
Kathryn Whitehorn-Litton is not quite who she seems to be. She has been thrown into the demi-monde because she is a single woman living with a man, or so it seems. No one realizes she is just a lonely young woman wanting to be loved. When her protector is found dead, it seems all the blame is about to fall at her feet. And her one alibi is something she cannot tell anyone about. She is doomed either way.
Captain Nicholas Ainsley has felt a bit out of sorts since the war. His betrothed chose another over him and with his war injuries there isn't much for him to do. Until Mr. Gaunt hires him as an inquiry agent. His first case is a murder and the evidence keeps pointing to a woman his heart wants to believe is innocent. And he can't give into his heart until he can find the murderer.
Another great mystery by Amy Corwin. Plenty of suspects and evidence pointing towards them. An exciting story that has you trying to find the guilty party, so the others can have their romance. Plenty of plot twists and surprises along the way. And unique secondary characters. The author includes some thoughts from a couple of the guys who are rather hopeless. Even though they do what's wrong, I found their circumstances grabbed my heart. It's a bit of real life. As was the fact of how many soldiers came home from war and were forgotten.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
October 1, 2016
This was my third book by this author and in this series (I skipped #3)...I got them all for free. I am becoming quite a fan of this author and this genre - historical mystery with a hint of romance. Another quick easy enjoyable read with compelling characters and a engaging mystery. I must go back and buy #3 now. :)
September 27, 2016
I can actually enjoy a romance novel if it's buried inside a mystery, and this was well done. Lots of clues and you benefit from hearing the thoughts of Nicholas as he solves it (and a bonus at the end). How satisfied I am to have figured out the murderer early on?
September 24, 2016
An excellent Regency mystery with a side dish of romance
I do enjoy the second sons series. The mystery was well plotted, it doesn't take itself too seriously and the character of Nicholas was very appealing.
I do enjoy the second sons series. The mystery was well plotted, it doesn't take itself too seriously and the character of Nicholas was very appealing.
September 25, 2016
Good mystery
The story line was compelling. I couldn't put it down. There is an interesting cast of characters. A lovely gothic mystery.
The story line was compelling. I couldn't put it down. There is an interesting cast of characters. A lovely gothic mystery.
April 27, 2017
I loved this book. The story took ahold right from the beginning and didn't let go until the end. I kept thinking I knew who the murderer was but was wrong time after time. Kept me guessing until the last minute. Read this book you will enjoy the plot
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews