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The Lady Jack Mysteries #5
A Father to His Men
Who is killing the ladies at Concordia Park?
Gabriel Hart is stuck. He’s lost all enthusiasm for Scotland Yard, but he can’t leave just when his protégé is promoted to detective inspector. And he can’t have the woman who loves him because he’s married to one who loathes him. In 1890 England, divorce is impossible.
Kate “Lady Jack” Penrowan must accept that an affair with Gabriel Hart would ruin them both, so she throws herself into her duties as a Penrowan. And her pastime as a matchmaker.
Then Sally Hart is found dead at her asylum, and while Kate and Clive Sharp race to prove he had no part in her murder, Gabriel must learn that sometimes the best way to lead is to get out of the way.
Gabriel Hart is stuck. He’s lost all enthusiasm for Scotland Yard, but he can’t leave just when his protégé is promoted to detective inspector. And he can’t have the woman who loves him because he’s married to one who loathes him. In 1890 England, divorce is impossible.
Kate “Lady Jack” Penrowan must accept that an affair with Gabriel Hart would ruin them both, so she throws herself into her duties as a Penrowan. And her pastime as a matchmaker.
Then Sally Hart is found dead at her asylum, and while Kate and Clive Sharp race to prove he had no part in her murder, Gabriel must learn that sometimes the best way to lead is to get out of the way.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 29, 2026
Long awaited!
And I'm not disappointed in the story or characters or writing. The author is engaging and does a delightful job of bringing this world to life. But the editing! OMG it makes me cringe. So many mistakes: left out words, repeated sentences, words, or phrases, terrible scenes or transitions where you can't tell who's doing the speaking or actions. Clearly a word checker program was used, but nothing else. Need a good editor? I'm excellent!
And I'm not disappointed in the story or characters or writing. The author is engaging and does a delightful job of bringing this world to life. But the editing! OMG it makes me cringe. So many mistakes: left out words, repeated sentences, words, or phrases, terrible scenes or transitions where you can't tell who's doing the speaking or actions. Clearly a word checker program was used, but nothing else. Need a good editor? I'm excellent!
April 10, 2026
3-3.5 Stars
This is the latest book in the series. I actually have read them all, and enjoyed them all more or less. Some a little more than others. In this particular book we got a bit more of a deep drive on some of the characters, specifically Sylvie and Lady Jack. For Sylvie a moment of vulnerability (showed the reasons for his inclinations/motivations) and through some flashbacks (of Lady Jack), we really see what a stand up guy he really is. The same flashbacks revealed some things about Lady Jack. Through that and in the other books we see she isn’t perfect. She has a lot of good qualities; however, she thinks and has done some messed up stuff too. I like that. I was reminded how young she was as well as how here upbringing influenced her.
The writing is adequate but needs to be worked on a bit more. There were somethings that I wondered about/questioned. Sylvie had some amnesia. It was used as a plot device so the villain was not revealed. But I don’t recall a scene of him fully telling all that happened. Just bits and pieces here and there. I also didn’t understand the inspector reaction (or lack of) when finding Sylvie. There was a few quibbles like that. Things that were just a bit…fuzzy. And the supposed MCs sometimes take a somewhat minor role in the books. Lady Jack loves her son but hardly spends any time with him. Gabriel loves (?) his wife but their interaction seem to largely take place off scene. We told not shown.
As may readers have commented on, there’s a lot of characters. I had to remind myself multiple times who this person was and what part they played etc. But it’s unavoidable really. In real life we talk with, meet up with etc a lot of people.
Contents:
Intimacy: Clean, some kissing.
Violence: Nothing ‘on screen’. However, atrocious actions are referenced /alleged such as child rape and multiple murders are either openly admitted or inferred.
Language: I believe there was some light cursing. Not 100%.
This is the latest book in the series. I actually have read them all, and enjoyed them all more or less. Some a little more than others. In this particular book we got a bit more of a deep drive on some of the characters, specifically Sylvie and Lady Jack. For Sylvie a moment of vulnerability (showed the reasons for his inclinations/motivations) and through some flashbacks (of Lady Jack), we really see what a stand up guy he really is. The same flashbacks revealed some things about Lady Jack. Through that and in the other books we see she isn’t perfect. She has a lot of good qualities; however, she thinks and has done some messed up stuff too. I like that. I was reminded how young she was as well as how here upbringing influenced her.
The writing is adequate but needs to be worked on a bit more. There were somethings that I wondered about/questioned. Sylvie had some amnesia. It was used as a plot device so the villain was not revealed. But I don’t recall a scene of him fully telling all that happened. Just bits and pieces here and there. I also didn’t understand the inspector reaction (or lack of) when finding Sylvie. There was a few quibbles like that. Things that were just a bit…fuzzy. And the supposed MCs sometimes take a somewhat minor role in the books. Lady Jack loves her son but hardly spends any time with him. Gabriel loves (?) his wife but their interaction seem to largely take place off scene. We told not shown.
As may readers have commented on, there’s a lot of characters. I had to remind myself multiple times who this person was and what part they played etc. But it’s unavoidable really. In real life we talk with, meet up with etc a lot of people.
Contents:
Intimacy: Clean, some kissing.
Violence: Nothing ‘on screen’. However, atrocious actions are referenced /alleged such as child rape and multiple murders are either openly admitted or inferred.
Language: I believe there was some light cursing. Not 100%.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2026
The best yet!
Jane Hedwig has done it again! I couldn’t put this one down. The series itself is one of my favorites. Its unique backstory of a dollar princess thrown into London society coming from the wild of New York’s nouveau riche is a delightful concept especially when it’s hard for her to fit in. When she partners with the staid and brilliant detective inspector they become a magnificent crime fighting force. Amazing characters back them up in a fun and exciting time in history. This fifth installment is my favorite… so far! Keep them coming, Jane!
Jane Hedwig has done it again! I couldn’t put this one down. The series itself is one of my favorites. Its unique backstory of a dollar princess thrown into London society coming from the wild of New York’s nouveau riche is a delightful concept especially when it’s hard for her to fit in. When she partners with the staid and brilliant detective inspector they become a magnificent crime fighting force. Amazing characters back them up in a fun and exciting time in history. This fifth installment is my favorite… so far! Keep them coming, Jane!
February 22, 2026
Love these books!
I was hooked on the first one and this most recent book is just as good a story as the first. Even better since Gabriel and Kate are almost free to be together! Every Lady Jack mystery is exciting and action packed. Read them all!
I was hooked on the first one and this most recent book is just as good a story as the first. Even better since Gabriel and Kate are almost free to be together! Every Lady Jack mystery is exciting and action packed. Read them all!
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April 11, 2026Like these books
however, there are so many characters, and they are so complexedly intertwined AND the plot so complex often feel on the razor edge of not understanding EXACTLY how the CONCLUSION was concluded . . . if you know what I mean?
however, there are so many characters, and they are so complexedly intertwined AND the plot so complex often feel on the razor edge of not understanding EXACTLY how the CONCLUSION was concluded . . . if you know what I mean?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews