Dubious Dealings

All's Fair in Love and Law #2

by Ellie Thomas

Sequel to A Fair Trade
Dennis Must, otherwise known as Sheba the Molly in the rough and tumble of Georgian London’s Covent Garden, has recently escaped immediate danger and gained a love interest in lawyer Valentine Lee. But the risks of his profession and threats of another kind of threat lurk as he and Valentine try to unravel the schemes of a dangerous foe.
Can Sheba and Valentine avoid becoming the next target of their mysterious and ruthless enemy?

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2026

About the author

Ellie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes MM historical romance.

Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.

Reviews

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant coming into this story as I didn't overly love these characters from the first book in the series, however, they must have grown on me between finishing book 1 and starting this book as I found myself immersed into this story and concerned for the fate of Sheba and Valentine. The overarching mystery of this series remains unsolved at book's end but the mystery has been further developed and you have a pretty good sense of what is going on, and that it's a scheme of sorts. There is also a lot more interaction between Sheba and Valentine and their relationship deepens greatly in this book. I loved that Valentine doesn't ask Sheba to change who he is and treats him as an equal even going so far as to request his assistance with his case work. There are also two scenes where Sheba encounters a child who lives in his building and I absolutely adored those scenes. It seems like it should be such youthful innocence, but you realize how harsh the world really is and how quickly this poor child has had to grow up and face the realities of the world. I'm now looking forward to book 3 and to the (hopefully happy) ending to this romantic mystery.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Edga · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Dubious Dealings is a total gem. It was wonderful to reunite with Sheba the Molly and Valentine the lawyer, who first met when Valentine saved Sheba’s life in A Fair Trade. They are the perfect pair, investigating crimes with total mutual trust. With its atmospheric, gritty mystery and perfect hurt/comfort vibes, Ellie Thomas has delivered a fantastic historical romance and whodunnit. Looking forward to the final book.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story two of, I believe, a threesome, we meet Sheba again and this time life gets a wee bit more dangerous. There's plenty of sleuthing going on as well as some humpity humpity. It's a wonderfully intense read as our protagonist repeatedly faces persons of a rather dubious nature to get to the truth. Took me longer than usual but I absolutely loved it.

[Kiki Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dubious Dealings continues the adventures of Sheba and Valentine that began in the wonderful A Fair Trade by Ellie Thomas.
Set in post-war, 18th century London, Sheba (né Dennis Must) was working the Molly Houses of Covent Garden when a murdered client had him crossing paths with lawyer Valentine Lee. They work together to solve a murder, uncovering a bigger conspiracy along the way. And working in close proximity has them connecting in a way that surprised them both.
I loved how their partnership continues to grow. And how Valentine was truly a man ahead of his time. He adored Sheba, but also respected his choices and trusted his judgement.
And Sheba is such an amazing character. Confident, and possessed with a sharp wit and sly intelligence. The joy he gets from making the reserved Valentine roar with laughter is a giddy treat. And his slow acceptance that Valentine really is the man he seems, with no hidden agenda , made my heart happy.

“I liked him as much as I wanted him.”

These two are a wonderful match and Ellie delicately reveals the growth of their personal and professional relationship.
This intricately plotted novella is rich with historical details that had the nerd in me smiling, a wonderful found family, and an engaging mystery with a bevy of questionable suspects. Plus there’s still a big bad waiting to be revealed, putting Sheba and those he loves in danger. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger and had me desperate to know how this all ends. Luckily Ellie has already shared the next book will be out in June.
I can’t wait.
If you haven’t read Ellie’s books yet, dive in and prepare to be totally captivated.

[Eule Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Sheba from 'A Fair Trade' Yippeeee! I read it last Christmas with a glass of something strong and it has stayed with me into the year. So I was delighted to hear that Debious Dealings was on the way...

A wonderful read! 'Dubious Dealings' by Ellie Thomas is a must-have tale that keeps things interesting from start to finish. It continues the trials of the magnificent Sheba, an entertaining, loveable character we meet in the first book of the series, 'A Fair Trade.' Both books are rich in nitty-gritty historic details to the extent where you can imagine you are there. I wish my school history teachers had been even half as good, lol.

In 'A Fair Trade,' Sheba meets Valentine through a dead client and then the story winds through tension and mystery as well as romance. I loved how the relationship develops in 'Dubious Dealings,' revelaing more about the characters so you will be hooked and rooting for them with all of your heart. If you enjoy a twisty plot intertwined with characters who make you laugh and who you love, then this is the series for you! I hope these two get their happy ending. In fact I demand it!

Brilliant as always! Dubious Dealings has plenty of intrigue and the right amount of tension to keep you turning the pages. How will I wait for book three?

5 shining stars!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi, Goodreads! Could y’all please give us the option to review a series of books? Because I need to tell all my book dragons to read the first two of what is a wonderful world and then nag on Ellie to give us so much of Sheba’s world! Set in a Georgian London, not in the Ton, but the gritty underside. Sheba, our beloved Molly, surrounded by friends and his Valentine, have found themselves in the middle of quite the suspense arc. Throughout we see such humanity, decency in this world. My dear Ellie, I need the next book now!

Yes, it’s the same as Fair Trade review…read them in one day, loved them both!

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Sheba’s blend of compassion, grit, intelligence, wit, and bravado, so I was excited for another chance to see into his world. The mystery is intriguing, the world building is, as always, deft and filled with rich and nuanced historical detail, and did I mention I love the main character? Valentine shines in his own right, and honestly, reading this story just made me want to spend more time with this place and these characters.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Dannye Chase]

Absolutely loved this second book in the series! Catching up with Sheba and Valentine was wonderful. I love seeing their relationship evolve, and the plot is gripping.