A Dangerous Deb: Hidden Gems Historical Romance

by M. Culler

Is an innocent debutant one of London's most dangerous women?

Ellen Archwood’s debut ended in disaster last year when the notorious rake, Baron Bernard St. Charles, compromised her with a kiss and promises he never intended to keep. Now, Ellen is at his mercy and forced into a sickening scheme of collecting secrets from society’s elites—an unwilling participant in his web of gambling and blackmail.

When St. Charles discovers Detective Sidney Waltham is close to uncovering where he runs his illicit dealings, he orders Ellen to pose as a woman below her station, and get close to Waltham to throw him off the scent. With no choice but to obey, Ellen goes along with the plot, and finds herself in a new sort of trouble.

Once in danger of losing her reputation to a scheming baron, now she’s in danger of losing her heart to a poor but honorable detective. To expose St. Charles will lead to one kind of ruin, and to give her heart to Waltham will lead to another.

Will Ellen risk St. Charles’ wrath to reveal the truth and capture one of London’s most nefarious criminals, or must she play an even more dangerous game to protect herself and the man she loves?

Find out in Dangerous Deb, a standalone Victorian romance in the Hidden Gems series by M. Culler!

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2026

Reviews

[Elizabeth S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one for angst lovers. What was done to Ellen Archwood, an innocent young deb at her first ball, by a rake from hell is uncomfortable to read. He compromises her with just a kiss, but that's enough to gain control over her life. He recruits her to listen to gossip and then tell him about anything he can use for blackmail. She does his bidding, but tries for over a year to undermine his efforts. When he orders her to get information from the detective who is investigating him, he doesn't anticipate that Ellen will be drawn to Stanley Waltham and the warmth of his family. It's more difficult to convict a titled man of a crime, so they have to be clever about it.

It was well-written, but a little too much tension for my delicate nerves. Ha. Overall, 3.5 stars.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dangerous Deb,” the latest in M. Cullers’s Hidden Gems Series of historical romances, is a well written story with meaningful and likable characters. The background (the late 1800’s) is well researched and very accurate. This is one of the hallmarks of all M. Culler’s work. When I read her stories, I feel like I’m time traveling.

The stories mysteries and conflicts explore several themes of love and redemption. For example, where does pain start or end with love, themes of control vs real love, the masks we hide behind, to hide ourselves from ourselves and the very powerful Christian theme of redemption.

It’s a very uplifting story and of course an M. Culler story wouldn’t be complete without a furry companion. I enjoyed it, I know you will too. Recommended!

[Rabia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story about how a young debutante is being blackmailed by a baron right from the start of her first season. It is only when she is asked to spy on a detective by the baron, that she sees a way out of the stifling hold of the baron. The characters and the romance were brilliantly portrayed. The author pulls off a very surprising end to the villainy of the baron, and gives us a happy ending. I received an ARC of the book, and all opinions are my own.

[Ami Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This clean historical romance had a lot of suspense and tension! I really enjoyed watching the main character fall in love with the hero of the story and then catch the villain with his help. Her spunk and intelligence were what kept me reading! The research for this book was well done, and the characters felt like real people. I received an ARC copy and this is my review.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful story with a lovely romance and well described characters. DI Sydney Waltham is amazing, he is clever, honourable, and kind. My favourite quote: “Of course, he was a gentleman, even if he was a middle-class sort of gentleman.”

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.