A Kiss from the Devil

Lizzie Hardwicke #4

by Georgina Clarke

Blood may be thicker than water, but is family more important than the truth?

London, August 1759. Lizzie Hardwicke, society harlot and occasional investigator for the magistrate, is shaken by an encounter with her estranged brother during a riotous evening hosted by the notorious Devil's Brotherhood. Beyond the opulence of this Mayfair party, a streetwalker is found strangled on the doorstep of a well-known moral campaigner, her cheek branded with the letter V.

When more girls are discovered dead and similarly marked, Lizzie fears that someone stalks the streets with a violent hatred of women, and as the evidence begins to point to her own brother, any remaining family loyalty she has is severely tested.

Her past catches up with her and her future becomes increasingly dangerous, yet Lizzie is still unaware of darker plots being hatched in the shadows by those who wish to silence her for good. This time, the consequences of her investigations will lead her to a place where even Will Davenport, the one man she trusts, won't be able to find her.

The fourth instalment of the gripping and vividly imagined historical mystery series set in 18th century London, from the author of acclaimed historical novel The Dazzle of the Light. Perfect for fans of The Household by Stacey Halls and Daughters of the Night by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, as well as readers of Laura Purcell, Sarah Waters and Diana Gabaldon.

* READERS LOVE LIZZIE HARDWICKE *

'Wickedly entertaining… Courageous, forthright and shrewd, Lizzie crackles and sparkles her way through the book' - 5-Star Reader Review

'All the luscious period detail of a Georgette Heyer; Lizzie Hardwicke is, quite simply, irresistible' - 5-Star Reader Review

'I will continue singing the praises of this brilliant series until my very last breath' - 5-Star Reader Review

'Lizzie Hardwicke is an endearing, smart female sleuth you cannot fail to love' - 5-Star Reader Review

'A real page-turner combining an involved plot with vivid characterization' - 5-Star Reader Review

(This novel contains depictions of violence.)

Genres: Fiction

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2025

About the author

Georgina Clarke has always been passionate about stories and history. The Lizzie Hardwicke novels give her the opportunity to bring to life her love of the eighteenth century and press her determination that strong, intelligent and unconventional women should get to solve the crimes rather than be cast in the role of the side-kick. The Dazzle of the Light - a standalone novel - was inspired by the exploits of the real life female crime syndicate, known as the Forty Thieves.

Georgina was born in Wolverhampton but now lives in Worcester with her husband and son and Tipu the cat.

Her novels are published by VERVE and she is represented by Laura Macdougall, at United Agents.

Reviews

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thrilling, Heart-Pounding Finale (…I Think?) to Lizzie Hardwicke’s Journey

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC — all opinions are my own.

I’ve been following Georgina Clarke’s Lizzie Hardwicke Mystery series from the very beginning, and A Kiss from the Devil has easily been my most eagerly anticipated instalment. Set in August 1759, this fourth book drops us straight back into Lizzie’s perilous world — and goodness, does Clarke know how to ratchet up the tension.

🔥 A World Crumbling Around Her

Lizzie is far from thriving when we meet her again. Berwick Street is no longer the precarious haven it once was; Mrs Farley, the woman who protected and cared (in her own way) for Lizzie, has been pushed out by her volatile, criminal husband, Mr Farley — whose presence casts a long, violent shadow over the brothel.

To make matters worse, Will Davenport has returned to the country to assume his uncle’s inheritance, leaving Lizzie without her closest ally… and without any clarity on their increasingly warm, slow-burn connection. Their absence from each other creates a subtle ache that runs beautifully beneath the plot.

And then — because life never cuts Lizzie a break — a chance encounter with her uncle, Lord Francis Vessey, and her estranged brother drags her traumatic past straight into her unstable present. The collision is messy, emotional, and gripping.

🔪 A Killer Who Takes Souvenirs

Murders of harlots in London are, tragically, nothing new in this period — but this time, the pattern is chillingly specific. A single killer seems to be targeting the women of the city… and taking their shoes. Clarke builds this mystery with her usual precision: smart clues, sharp twists, and tension that never lets up.

👠 Characters Who Feel Like Old Friends

One of the series’ greatest strengths has always been its cast, and this book showcases them beautifully. Mrs Farley and the women of Berwick Street, Sydney the bully (in the old-fashioned sense), Lord Wray, and the honourable Magistrate Fielding all return in ways that feel satisfying and earned. Fielding, in particular, continues to shine as someone who sees Lizzie not as a harlot but as a capable, razor-witted woman whose mind has cracked more than one case wide open.

And Lizzie herself? She’s never been better. Vulnerable, clever, stubborn, resilient and kind — her growth across these four books has been a joy to follow. Will Davenport’s arc is equally compelling, and their relationship reaches a point here that stans will absolutely savour.

🎩 A Fast-Paced, Immersive Historical Mystery

This instalment barrels along with confidence and flair. It’s thrilling, atmospheric, and emotionally rewarding. Everything ties together so neatly that it does feel like the conclusion to the series… but I can’t lie, I’m hoping Clarke finds a way to return to Lizzie’s world. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye.

Final Verdict: A gripping, beautifully constructed mystery with a deeply satisfying emotional payoff. If this truly is the end, it’s a phenomenal finale. Five stars from me.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be an enthralling read, right from the start. I have enjoyed all the books in this series and the developing relationship between Lizzie Hardwicke and Will Davenport. I liked that it involves life away from the ballrooms, instead it concentrates on what life was like for those on the other side of society. Also, how different life was for men than women and the different ways gentlemen were treated compared to poorer people. Lizzie is a great character, she is intelligent and has plenty of spirit. Will works for Bow Street runners and Fielding, the magistrate. He does care for Lizzie but could it be anything more given her profession. I do hope we will have more books in this series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[SySy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgina does it again with the fourth instalment of the Lizzie Hardwicke series, and I hope it won’t be the last! I actually procrastinated reading this book because I knew that once I started, I'd devour it in a day and immediately fall into a book slump, missing Lizzie’s world.

As with the previous books, this book brilliantly intertwines English history, contemporary and period social views, and moral dilemmas with a gripping fictional crime mystery. But this instalment, in particular, feels richer in character development. It highlights the misogynistic attitudes of eighteenth-century England - attitudes which, disappointingly, still exist today. Every character is flawed, even Lizzie herself, all shaped by the constraints and cruelties of their time.

Yet Lizzie is at her strongest here! After everything she has endured in this book and the ones before it, she rises, survives, and thrives! She absolutely girlbosses her way through the darkest moments, and honestly, she has become such an inspiring character to look up to. The mystery itself is full of twists and turns, and despite priding myself on being good at predicting plot twists, I was completely blindsided by the twists. 

And William Davenport… the man he is!! Truly, the only male character in the series I like without debate, and now and forever my new fictional crush. It is genuinely tragic that he is one in a million, both in fiction and reality.

Spoiler: Georgina, a heartfelt thank you for giving our leads the happy ending they so thoroughly deserve, especially Lizzie. After everything she has endured, seeing her reach this point of joy felt so worth the pain and yearning. I need another book, or at least a novella, with glimpses of their blissfully happy married life. I’m begging pleaaaseee!

I’m so grateful I picked up the first book on a random day in December 2022, because this series has taken me on a journey unlike any other. It will remain forever as one of my top series of all time, and I’ll be recommending it to absolutely everyone I know.

Thank you to NetGalley, VERVE Publishing, and the author for the early access. Forever grateful. <3

[Kaiti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seems nicely wrapped up but I know the author has said she's not ready to wrap up Lizzie's story yet, so I will hold out hope for at least one or two more books in this series!!!

[Bryony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing story about Lizzie Hardwick, she starts to hear about murders from The Devil has carried out, branding them with a V, but when her estranged brother is blamed for them she needs to find out if he could be responsible for such a heinous crime.

I loved the writing with the many layers to the main plot, and intertwined with Lizzie's life and family. This time she seems to have really upset the wrong people by investigating the murders of these street girls, and ends up having to fight for her own life too. I loved the ending, I am not sure if this is supposed to be the final book but it does seem like it could be which is a great shame.

There are seemingly things that happen in the background that are mentioned but don't relate to the main plot, and it confused me for a while, but having experienced the same style in the previous book I was trying to work out how they did, I didn't get it all but all the points came together at the end to have made this many layered plot.

I was hoping for a bit more development in Lizzie's own life, one thing did move on that started in the previous book, but I felt like her character and story were pretty static for a girl that was starting to get involved with her family in this book.

One page of dialogue let it down for me, all the way through she was being smart, worked out things men in the positions of the courts didn't. Then in one bit she was really dumb, told someone something she shouldn't have, I saw that coming from a mile off and I thought she should have too. It felt like the author had to put this bit in just so the next bit could happen but it wasn't very logical to how the character was in the book previously. As awful as what happened to her after this page, it was something that added to her own story which is what I was craving. The end few chapters let it down for me in their regard unfortunately.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved it as I loved the other books of the series! I do hope we will read more about Lizzy and William investigating...
Not only is the plot gripping and full of surprises, the setting is wonderfully atmospheric. One can smell the darkness (literally and figuratively!) of London streets in the 1750's. The author remains faithful to the historical background, whether politically or socially speaking. I love the main characters, the "family" Lizzy has found. The author has made a good job in showing prostitutes in a good and honest light, while the reader believes in their characters as members of a family.
Highly recommended!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most thrilling episode so far in this marvellous series, at times my heart was in my mouth, I have never known Lizzie to have been in so much danger from her so called friends and foes alike!
Once again, murders find Lizzie, and this time it is personal.
Her estranged brother George, is involved in the Devil’s Brotherhood, an organisation rather like the Hellfire Club of Sir Francis Dashwood, in the 18th century, where young men meet up to take part in socially “ taboo activities”, debauchery and dangerous wagers.
Lizzie and George run across each other ,much to their great discomfort, and this chance meeting doesn’t go unobserved. From that moment on, both siblings are in grave danger, and Lizzie doesn’t have her friend William Davenport to protect her.
Lizzie wonders who to trust.
The corruption and contempt shown towards women and those who work in bawdy houses, is very revealing, but this situation also affects men. Molly houses are mentioned in this , the crime of homosexuality is not understood or accepted in these times. The desire to clean up the streets is worthy, the methods used are self righteous and ignorant of the reasons by which young females are forced into prostitution, and those with good intentions can find themselves thwarted .
There is more violence and darkness in this episode, but Lizzie remains strong, determined and honest. There is love and hope on the horizon for this very endearing character, and she deserves every chance to be happy and safe.

[Robin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone used to reading about Georgian England in Georgette Heyer's quaint historical romances should prepare for a culture shock. It wasn't all fabulous gowns, glittering balls, and handsome young bucks.
Georgina Clarke lifts the lid on Georgian London's less salubrious boroughs, and points a finger at a city ruled by corruption and an endless cycle of the rich exploiting the poor and needy.
Lizzie Hardwicke (not her real name), is an unique heroine. She walks the same streets as Deryn Lake's acclaimed John Rawlings, Apothecary, but she slips through the cracks of privileged Mayfair homes and Covent Garden brothels, providing a fascinating and colourful insight of a London little known by modern day readers.
This novel gripped me from the very first page. It's addictive reading. Not to be missed.

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lizzie Hardwick encounters her brother at a wild party she is concerned but when he is arrested for murder she finds herself having to confront her past. A man is going around killing street whores and George is the main suspect. Meanwhile life in the Berwick Street brothel goes from bad to worse as Lizzie's escape fund is stolen. Can there be a link to a charity? Will Lizzie find happiness?
I have loved this series of books and this final instalment does not disappoint. Despite her occupation, Lizzie is a clever, engaging heroine that the reader really roots for. As ever the historical research is immaculate, pulling on the Hell Fire Clubs, philanthropic support for fallen woman etc. and melding all together with an exciting plot which makes this a great read.

[K McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to receive an advance copy of this book because I have so thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. This is my favorite of the lot, which is saying something given the high quality throughout. Lizzie is again drawn into helping solve murders and other serious crimes, but this time the events hit closer to home as her estranged family become involved. The historical setting is well done, adding depth without being distracting. The mystery itself is very well plotted and drives the action along quickly, while the emotional price for Lizzie of both the nature of the crime and her painful family ties make this a really compelling read. It’s the characters that really stand out, however, as good as the plot is. The author has created a very real, well rounded, and likeable character in Lizzie. There are some developments in this book that will be especially rewarding for readers who have followed her for the entire series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series from the start it has a real vibe of the best parts of the harlots tv show about it combined with really clever crime investigations that fit the time and sadly sometimes still fit modern times as well. This is a well written historical crime series best read in order to fully enjoy the developing character arcs a huge 5* from me

[Kate Edmondson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how I’ve missed out on meeting Lizzie before!

A Kiss from the Devil is a murder mystery set in 1759 with harlots, magistrates and opulent Mayfair parties!

The book has you engrossed from the start, with an underlying story of love surrounded by so much lust!

It’s a great book and I can’t wait to read more of the series with the turbulent ups and downs in the modern era!