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Wicked Trilogy #3
The Wicked Duke
Third in the roguishly intriguing series by the New York Times bestselling author of Tall, Dark, and Wicked and His Wicked Reputation…
She appeals to his wicked inclinations, but he never expects she might snare his heart…
Suspected of his brother’s murder, Lancelot Hemingford, Duke of Aylesbury, was forced to give up his hell-raising habits in London for the anonymity of quiet country living. So, when an opportunity arises to clear his name in exchange for proposing to the niece of a neighbor, he sees no choice but to accept. Plus, seducing the reluctant maiden will be a most intriguing challenge…
As Marianne Radley is dependent on her uncle, she must accept the Duke’s marriage proposal at her family’s request, despite her belief he is irredeemably wicked. But along with marrying him, she intends to sniff out the duke’s unsavory secrets and expose them to the world: a plan that would be flawless were it not for one minor detail—even she, with all her determination, is not immune to the charms of a rakish duke…
She appeals to his wicked inclinations, but he never expects she might snare his heart…
Suspected of his brother’s murder, Lancelot Hemingford, Duke of Aylesbury, was forced to give up his hell-raising habits in London for the anonymity of quiet country living. So, when an opportunity arises to clear his name in exchange for proposing to the niece of a neighbor, he sees no choice but to accept. Plus, seducing the reluctant maiden will be a most intriguing challenge…
As Marianne Radley is dependent on her uncle, she must accept the Duke’s marriage proposal at her family’s request, despite her belief he is irredeemably wicked. But along with marrying him, she intends to sniff out the duke’s unsavory secrets and expose them to the world: a plan that would be flawless were it not for one minor detail—even she, with all her determination, is not immune to the charms of a rakish duke…
400 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2016
199 people are currently reading
1552 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
102 books2,105 followersMadeline Hunter is a nationally bestselling author of historical romances who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. Her books have won two RITA awards and seven nominations, and have had three starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. In a parallel existence to the one she enjoys as a novelist, Madeline has a Ph.D. in art history and teaches at an East Coast university.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
September 15, 2023
3-No-Wicked-Dukes-Here-Stars
My only other experience with this author was a complete fail, but this one had its moments to recommend it as not half bad.
- Slightly flowery but simple writing style
- The first half was excruciatingly slow-paced
- The plot was complicated and showed promise with the murder mystery, but alas, it was not given enough intensity as it warranted
- The romance was very subtle, sensual and sweet
- There were half a dozen intimate scenes, but all of them were very short, and the language was not explicit
- I loved Lance and Marianne
- My biggest peeve was Marianne's attraction and involvement with Lance, even when she suspected him to be her sister's rapist. It was clearly a case of mistaken identity, and the hero was NOT the rapist. Still, I found the involvement with him in light of the erroneous information highly uncomfortable.
My only other experience with this author was a complete fail, but this one had its moments to recommend it as not half bad.
- Slightly flowery but simple writing style
- The first half was excruciatingly slow-paced
- The plot was complicated and showed promise with the murder mystery, but alas, it was not given enough intensity as it warranted
- The romance was very subtle, sensual and sweet
- There were half a dozen intimate scenes, but all of them were very short, and the language was not explicit
- I loved Lance and Marianne
- My biggest peeve was Marianne's attraction and involvement with Lance, even when she suspected him to be her sister's rapist. It was clearly a case of mistaken identity, and the hero was NOT the rapist. Still, I found the involvement with him in light of the erroneous information highly uncomfortable.
December 15, 2025
All emotions were dulled
This one is better than the first, but only by a hair.
The plot was
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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This one is better than the first, but only by a hair.
The plot was
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July 1, 2016
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Oh I loved the so called 'Wicked Duke'. Lance is so very wicked (well naughty at least) and often finds himself in spots of trouble but currently? Well he's playing the "good" duke. His brother was murdered some months back and all eyes have been on him as the culprit. So he's got to behave himself and avoid all of his usual trappings. Including women. Alas, one captivating trespasser has caught his eye. Just so happens her uncle is one of the men who holds Lance's fate in his hands. And so...things get a touch messy.
So the things I liked.
I loved Lance and enjoyed Marianne quite a bit. They're both in somewhat difficult situations when they agree upon marrying but trying to make the best of their forced hands. Lance does have some naughty in him and is quite sexy. I loved seeing him with his brothers and his patience with Marianne. Seeing a little of his naughty side peek out now and again and his past with this dead brother unravel. He's a good guy. Solid and yummy. Marianne was an interesting one. She's caring and strong, opinionated and crafty when need be. I liked the two of them together. They had a nice little zing between them
I liked the set up of Lance trying to find the culprit behind his brother's death and getting his life back. With them trying to make their marriage work. With her holding a little secret activity in her pocket.
Things I had Issues with.
I really didn't like her family or the fact that in the end they benefited from her marriage and using her for societal gain paid off. Her uncle and mother were terrible towards her and I would have liked for them to really get what they deserved instead of everything they wanted when they forced her to marry.
And then the big issue for me--which is something I'm struggling with in the romance genre as a whole--heroine hit the hero. In a totally uncalled for way. And nothing was done or really said about it. She did thank him for not hitting her back and that it would have been deserved but it almost became a joke like 'hey remember when you punched me in the face?!' and that pissed me off even more. Had the hero punched the heroine all hell would break loose. I'm really sick of the double standard and heroines getting away with it. They were making out and then she felt his erection and 'came to her senses' told him to stop--which he did--then hauled back and punched him. Leaving a bruise for over a week. Unacceptable. That alone brought this down to a 3.5 stars from what would have been a solid 4 star book.
So I had an issue or two. But thankfully overall I did enjoy The Wicked Duke and seeing these two try to figure out their lives and rise above things outside of their control forcing their hands. There were some funny make-you-snort moments and some very touching ones. Some hot sexy bits coupled with incredibly tender ones. Hunter pulls you along and will have you smitten.
~~~notes~~~Want it. Want it. Need it. Gotta have it. Gah I love me some Lance and damn May 2016 is a LONG time away.
December 26, 2019
I hate to say that this was a disappointment, because it was good...just not as great as I had hoped for.
Usually a badass hero makes me wanna be the heroine. This wicked duke was good in bed, but I was never envious of Marianne.
Usually a badass hero makes me wanna be the heroine. This wicked duke was good in bed, but I was never envious of Marianne.
June 6, 2016
This is the final book in Madeline Hunter’s
Wicked
trilogy featuring the three Hemingford brothers; or rather two Hemingfords and their half-brother, Gareth Fitzallen. Running through all the books is the thread concerning the recent death of the eldest Hemingford brother, Percy, who was a thoroughly unpleasant person and who disliked his brothers so intensely that he would go out of his way to make their lives difficult. But Percy was the Duke of Aylesbury, so his death naturally attracted a lot of attention; and worse, his brother Lancelot (Lance), who has now inherited the dukedom, is, in some quarters, suspected of having murdered him.
Lance is a man who likes to live well and play hard, but his brother’s death cast a pall over his normally hedonistic lifestyle and his brothers Gareth and Ives have tried hard to get him to keep a low profile while the investigation into Percy’s death is ongoing. Lance hates his enforced rustication, even though he finds ways to keep himself entertained (as is clear from the very first page of the book!); he is bored, sarcastic and not always grateful for his brothers’ intervention and advice, and now the investigation appears to have concluded, is impatient for the local magistrate to make known his decision. All Lance wants is to get his life back, but with suspicion still rife and society still thriving on the gossip about his possible guilt, that isn’t going to happen until he is completely exonerated.
Out riding one day, Lance encounters Marianne Radley, the niece of Sir Horace, the local magistrate and the man who is responsible for delivering the final verdict on Percy’s death. Marianne is lovely and Lance is immediately smitten, but she is a lady and thus off-limits unless he is interested in anything more than seduction. Which at that moment, he is not. Still, he can’t help thinking about her and wondering how she would look and act in his bed.
Since the death of her father (Sir Horace’s brother) Marianne and her mother have made their home with Sir Horace and his daughter, Nora. Believing Lance to have been responsible for a past outrage against Nora, Sir Horace believes he has found a golden opportunity to increase both his social standing and improve his financial situation. He offers to tell the coroner to announce that Percy’s death was due to natural causes if he will agree to marry Nora.
Marianne is horrified. Nora is a delicate and very troubled young woman who lives her life away from the world and there is no doubt that being forced into marriage – any marriage – would kill her. When it becomes apparent to Sir Horace that his scheme will not do, he turns to Marianne and insists that she marry the duke instead. But Lance is not ready to submit to blackmail, no matter that he finds Marianne very attractive and enjoys her company. He decides it’s time to kick things up a gear and asks his brothers for help in proving his innocence once and for all. But when a London newssheet prints another column by the gossip monger, Elijah Tewkesbury that announces the uncovering of new, damning evidence against him, Lance decides there’s nothing for it but accede to Radley’s proposal and make Marianne his duchess.
The arranged/forced marriage trope is a favourite of mine, and it works especially well here. Marianne proves herself to be more than up to Lance’s weight; she’s clever, spirited, loving and more than able to stand up for herself. She is also convinced that Lance is a wicked man and is determined to expose his secrets – but that becomes ever more difficult to do as she falls under the spell of a charming, witty, sexy and unexpectedly compassionate man who is nothing like the dastardly hedonist she had expected him to be. And as she gets to know him, she comes to believe firmly in his innocence and to want to help him to prove it.
In the previous books, Lance has certainly lived up to his moniker as a “wicked” duke, although the author made it very clear that he was stuck in a vicious circle of dissipation and depression over his situation. He obviously no longer enjoyed the endless round of drinking, gambling and women he’d been used to, but was using them as a way to forget the fix he was in. Having lived his life as the spare, it was almost his job, as a younger son, to go off the rails and live it up more than a little, and he was completely unprepared to inherit a dukedom. When seen in that light, his hellraising and discontent are perhaps understandable. So it’s a big step forward for him in this story when he decides he’s had enough of waiting and determines to take back his life, even though that involves being forced into marriage. Yet Lance is not unhappy at the prospect of wedding Marianne, who is perfect duchess material; well-bred, intelligent, sensible and ladylike. The fact that he wants badly to take her to bed is another plus and the romance between them is very well developed. There’s a real sense of two people of similar understanding working out how to make a life together as well as of two people who share a strong mutual attraction enjoying the sensual pleasures to be had with someone with whom they share an emotional connection.
There’s another underlying theme that is subtly explored, which is the importance of familial connections, both good and bad. Both Lance and Marianne are betrayed by their relatives; Marianne’s uncle pretty much sells her into marriage, while Lance is still living under the shadow cast by the brother who hated him and constantly belittled him. In fact, Percy is finally revealed to have been such a bastard that if Lance HAD murdered him I’d have given him a medal! Those negative associations are brilliantly contrasted with the other important relationship in the book, namely that between Lance and his brothers. They do all the things brothers do – get drunk and talk about girls, tease, annoy, exasperate and threaten – but it’s obvious that deep down, they are clearly very fond of each other and would do anything for one another. The bond between them is superbly drawn and has easily been one of the best things about each of the books in the series.
The Wicked Duke is an entertaining and lushly romantic read and a fitting end to the trilogy. While there’s a mystery to be solved, the author keeps the romance firmly front and centre and the balance between the two elements of the plot is just about right. I’ve read a number of books by Ms. Hunter before, but I still have quite a few on my TBR, which is good news, as I’ll have time to tackle a few more while I look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
Lance is a man who likes to live well and play hard, but his brother’s death cast a pall over his normally hedonistic lifestyle and his brothers Gareth and Ives have tried hard to get him to keep a low profile while the investigation into Percy’s death is ongoing. Lance hates his enforced rustication, even though he finds ways to keep himself entertained (as is clear from the very first page of the book!); he is bored, sarcastic and not always grateful for his brothers’ intervention and advice, and now the investigation appears to have concluded, is impatient for the local magistrate to make known his decision. All Lance wants is to get his life back, but with suspicion still rife and society still thriving on the gossip about his possible guilt, that isn’t going to happen until he is completely exonerated.
Out riding one day, Lance encounters Marianne Radley, the niece of Sir Horace, the local magistrate and the man who is responsible for delivering the final verdict on Percy’s death. Marianne is lovely and Lance is immediately smitten, but she is a lady and thus off-limits unless he is interested in anything more than seduction. Which at that moment, he is not. Still, he can’t help thinking about her and wondering how she would look and act in his bed.
Since the death of her father (Sir Horace’s brother) Marianne and her mother have made their home with Sir Horace and his daughter, Nora. Believing Lance to have been responsible for a past outrage against Nora, Sir Horace believes he has found a golden opportunity to increase both his social standing and improve his financial situation. He offers to tell the coroner to announce that Percy’s death was due to natural causes if he will agree to marry Nora.
Marianne is horrified. Nora is a delicate and very troubled young woman who lives her life away from the world and there is no doubt that being forced into marriage – any marriage – would kill her. When it becomes apparent to Sir Horace that his scheme will not do, he turns to Marianne and insists that she marry the duke instead. But Lance is not ready to submit to blackmail, no matter that he finds Marianne very attractive and enjoys her company. He decides it’s time to kick things up a gear and asks his brothers for help in proving his innocence once and for all. But when a London newssheet prints another column by the gossip monger, Elijah Tewkesbury that announces the uncovering of new, damning evidence against him, Lance decides there’s nothing for it but accede to Radley’s proposal and make Marianne his duchess.
The arranged/forced marriage trope is a favourite of mine, and it works especially well here. Marianne proves herself to be more than up to Lance’s weight; she’s clever, spirited, loving and more than able to stand up for herself. She is also convinced that Lance is a wicked man and is determined to expose his secrets – but that becomes ever more difficult to do as she falls under the spell of a charming, witty, sexy and unexpectedly compassionate man who is nothing like the dastardly hedonist she had expected him to be. And as she gets to know him, she comes to believe firmly in his innocence and to want to help him to prove it.
In the previous books, Lance has certainly lived up to his moniker as a “wicked” duke, although the author made it very clear that he was stuck in a vicious circle of dissipation and depression over his situation. He obviously no longer enjoyed the endless round of drinking, gambling and women he’d been used to, but was using them as a way to forget the fix he was in. Having lived his life as the spare, it was almost his job, as a younger son, to go off the rails and live it up more than a little, and he was completely unprepared to inherit a dukedom. When seen in that light, his hellraising and discontent are perhaps understandable. So it’s a big step forward for him in this story when he decides he’s had enough of waiting and determines to take back his life, even though that involves being forced into marriage. Yet Lance is not unhappy at the prospect of wedding Marianne, who is perfect duchess material; well-bred, intelligent, sensible and ladylike. The fact that he wants badly to take her to bed is another plus and the romance between them is very well developed. There’s a real sense of two people of similar understanding working out how to make a life together as well as of two people who share a strong mutual attraction enjoying the sensual pleasures to be had with someone with whom they share an emotional connection.
There’s another underlying theme that is subtly explored, which is the importance of familial connections, both good and bad. Both Lance and Marianne are betrayed by their relatives; Marianne’s uncle pretty much sells her into marriage, while Lance is still living under the shadow cast by the brother who hated him and constantly belittled him. In fact, Percy is finally revealed to have been such a bastard that if Lance HAD murdered him I’d have given him a medal! Those negative associations are brilliantly contrasted with the other important relationship in the book, namely that between Lance and his brothers. They do all the things brothers do – get drunk and talk about girls, tease, annoy, exasperate and threaten – but it’s obvious that deep down, they are clearly very fond of each other and would do anything for one another. The bond between them is superbly drawn and has easily been one of the best things about each of the books in the series.
The Wicked Duke is an entertaining and lushly romantic read and a fitting end to the trilogy. While there’s a mystery to be solved, the author keeps the romance firmly front and centre and the balance between the two elements of the plot is just about right. I’ve read a number of books by Ms. Hunter before, but I still have quite a few on my TBR, which is good news, as I’ll have time to tackle a few more while I look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
June 4, 2016
Did not enjoy very much.
Let me tell you a bit about the wicked duke in this story, okay:
Lots of rumors surround Lance, the most prominent one being the fact that he poisoned his elder brother to become the duke. It's a pretty common plot device as far as historical romances and their rakes and scoundrels go, right?
But he's not evil, no, he's 'wicked.' Which is much more of a seductive word to use.
Anyways, his character is actually good at heart and not very wicked. Lance is actually a decent guy! But what pissed me off was this part of the plot.
(Minor
So because of that frustration I couldn't enjoy the romance as well as I wanted to. Oh well.
Let me tell you a bit about the wicked duke in this story, okay:
Lots of rumors surround Lance, the most prominent one being the fact that he poisoned his elder brother to become the duke. It's a pretty common plot device as far as historical romances and their rakes and scoundrels go, right?
But he's not evil, no, he's 'wicked.' Which is much more of a seductive word to use.
Anyways, his character is actually good at heart and not very wicked. Lance is actually a decent guy! But what pissed me off was this part of the plot.
(Minor
So because of that frustration I couldn't enjoy the romance as well as I wanted to. Oh well.
May 9, 2016
He was a new duke who has filled his life with wild nights, wanton women and a little too much alcohol. Lance is the classic titled man with too much money and time on his hands to get in trouble, or at least be suspected of it. The perfect target to become the groom of a woman who is reluctant, to say the least, to be his bride. Will Marianne become another sexual conquest for the Duke or does she have her own agenda she hopes to unveil? It’s all in the game of love, lust, and winner-takes-all and it looks like these two are in for a photo finish!
Classic Regency romance, heaving bosoms, rakish scoundrels and Cupid playing games with Fate. The Wicked Duke by Madeline Hunter has all of the spicy ingredients that exist behind the closed doors of the titled nobility, proof that under all that starch and all those petticoats, are the sizzling and seductive desires of society. Ms. Hunter has given us the classic hero, in all of his tainted glory and a woman far too advanced for the structure of the era. A quick read that does not get hung up on perfecting the era, but gets straight to the story, the intrigue and the heat!
I received an ARC edition from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Series: Wicked Trilogy - Book 3
Publisher: Jove (May 31, 2016)
Publication Date: May 31, 2016
Genre: Regency Romance
Print Length: 384 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Classic Regency romance, heaving bosoms, rakish scoundrels and Cupid playing games with Fate. The Wicked Duke by Madeline Hunter has all of the spicy ingredients that exist behind the closed doors of the titled nobility, proof that under all that starch and all those petticoats, are the sizzling and seductive desires of society. Ms. Hunter has given us the classic hero, in all of his tainted glory and a woman far too advanced for the structure of the era. A quick read that does not get hung up on perfecting the era, but gets straight to the story, the intrigue and the heat!
I received an ARC edition from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Series: Wicked Trilogy - Book 3
Publisher: Jove (May 31, 2016)
Publication Date: May 31, 2016
Genre: Regency Romance
Print Length: 384 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
October 29, 2023
I sincerely don't think this series is worth it. I read the first book and was in shock by how well a bastard was treated. And in this one, I was in shock by the opposite, by how bad he was treated even though he was "bad" aka a rake.
I don't know, I didn't like the whole plot. I enjoyed the end when we finally discovered who murdered the last duke, it was well done, but the rest was all meh.
But there was one thing I just hated, was the fact that the heroine suspect the hero of sexually assaulting her cousin, but she still allowed him so many liberties without ever thinking about it. It was a bit disgusting.
I did not read the second book but I doubt that it would have been any better hehe
So yeah, it was an okay read, but there are muuuuch better books out there.
I don't know, I didn't like the whole plot. I enjoyed the end when we finally discovered who murdered the last duke, it was well done, but the rest was all meh.
But there was one thing I just hated, was the fact that the heroine suspect the hero of sexually assaulting her cousin, but she still allowed him so many liberties without ever thinking about it. It was a bit disgusting.
I did not read the second book but I doubt that it would have been any better hehe
So yeah, it was an okay read, but there are muuuuch better books out there.
June 30, 2016
Originally posted
HERE
.
4.5 stars.
Madeline Hunter is a favourite of mine, because she can create a perfect atmosphere for her historical romances. She manages to keep social attitudes of the day more or less intact at the same time as creating female characters who are interesting and original.
This is the final book in a trilogy about three brothers: the illegitimate son of a duke, the second legitimate son, and now the young duke himself. Hunter does a great job of illustrating how the world works a little differently for people of such high rank – this duke is suspected of murdering his brother to claim the title.
One of my favourite things about this author is the way she writes male friendships. The scenes between the brothers are always some of the best in the books.
Another thing she does really well is address the complications of her heroines marrying “up”. There is a very good reason why our duke is compelled to marry his duchess in this book; it is literally a matter of life or death, and so I believed the situation.
The secondary characters and the abuse storyline were handled really well, with the heroine’s cousin having serious issues to work through, and I thought it added to the book, whereas sometimes secondary stories are an unwelcome distraction.
My only real issue was the unnecessary little conflict at the end.
This was yet another excellent book by this author. Now, I just wish she would cut down on the word “however”, and learn the difference between an arse and an ass !
4.5 stars.
Madeline Hunter is a favourite of mine, because she can create a perfect atmosphere for her historical romances. She manages to keep social attitudes of the day more or less intact at the same time as creating female characters who are interesting and original.
This is the final book in a trilogy about three brothers: the illegitimate son of a duke, the second legitimate son, and now the young duke himself. Hunter does a great job of illustrating how the world works a little differently for people of such high rank – this duke is suspected of murdering his brother to claim the title.
One of my favourite things about this author is the way she writes male friendships. The scenes between the brothers are always some of the best in the books.
Another thing she does really well is address the complications of her heroines marrying “up”. There is a very good reason why our duke is compelled to marry his duchess in this book; it is literally a matter of life or death, and so I believed the situation.
The secondary characters and the abuse storyline were handled really well, with the heroine’s cousin having serious issues to work through, and I thought it added to the book, whereas sometimes secondary stories are an unwelcome distraction.
My only real issue was the unnecessary little conflict at the end.
This was yet another excellent book by this author. Now, I just wish she would cut down on the word “however”, and learn the difference between an arse and an ass !
May 8, 2016
Lancelot Heminford, The Duke of Aylesbury is as wicked as they come. A reputation as a hell raiser since he was a very young man, seducer of other men's wives, more comfortable in a Gaming Hell than a Drawing Room. He is now the Duke, due to his older brother's suspicious death from an apparent poisoning when Lance happens to be in residence.
Marianne Radley is the niece of Sir Horace who wants the influence of the new Duke of Aylesbury and revenge for what he believes the Duke did to his daughter. Sir Horace is not above using his niece as a tool to achieve his ends. He blackmails Lance to marry his niece and he will use his influence with the Coroner to rule his brother death was of natural causes. If Lance does not cooperate he says he can produce a witness that saw Lance poison his brothers food.
Marianne is a strong minded young lady who has a secret of her own that would ruin her if it was known. She is determined to have control over her own life without the interference of her mother or her uncle. Then she meets the Duke and everything changes. She has never felt this way before and doesn't know what to make of the instant attraction. Lance desires her and cannot seem to stay away from her. He agrees to Sir Horace's scheme and they both find themselves in a marriage that neither one of them expected.
There is intrigue. mystery, and a passion that is electrifying and compelling. This is a wonderful story of two people who find themselves in the midst of a storm of lust, deceptions, greed and the possibility of great heartache. Lance and Marianne are truly intriguing, fascinating characters that bring this love story to life. Madeline writes a beautiful, intelligent story that keeps you enthralled to the very end. The whodunit is a real surprise!!! You also get to catch up with Lance's brothers and their wives from the first two books in the series.
Madeline is one of my go to authors. I have read all of her books and will buy any book with her name on it.
Do not miss this book!!!! I read it so fast, now I am sad that it is over, so I am going back and reading the first two books in the Wicked Series...Tall, Dark, and WIcked and His Wicked Reputation.
Received a complimentary copy for an honest review.
Marianne Radley is the niece of Sir Horace who wants the influence of the new Duke of Aylesbury and revenge for what he believes the Duke did to his daughter. Sir Horace is not above using his niece as a tool to achieve his ends. He blackmails Lance to marry his niece and he will use his influence with the Coroner to rule his brother death was of natural causes. If Lance does not cooperate he says he can produce a witness that saw Lance poison his brothers food.
Marianne is a strong minded young lady who has a secret of her own that would ruin her if it was known. She is determined to have control over her own life without the interference of her mother or her uncle. Then she meets the Duke and everything changes. She has never felt this way before and doesn't know what to make of the instant attraction. Lance desires her and cannot seem to stay away from her. He agrees to Sir Horace's scheme and they both find themselves in a marriage that neither one of them expected.
There is intrigue. mystery, and a passion that is electrifying and compelling. This is a wonderful story of two people who find themselves in the midst of a storm of lust, deceptions, greed and the possibility of great heartache. Lance and Marianne are truly intriguing, fascinating characters that bring this love story to life. Madeline writes a beautiful, intelligent story that keeps you enthralled to the very end. The whodunit is a real surprise!!! You also get to catch up with Lance's brothers and their wives from the first two books in the series.
Madeline is one of my go to authors. I have read all of her books and will buy any book with her name on it.
Do not miss this book!!!! I read it so fast, now I am sad that it is over, so I am going back and reading the first two books in the Wicked Series...Tall, Dark, and WIcked and His Wicked Reputation.
Received a complimentary copy for an honest review.
June 4, 2016
I know I enjoyed the first two books in the series (though I only remember vaguely what they were about), but this didn't work for me at all. There were a few things I just couldn't get past. First of all Marianne believed Lance had seduced/raped her cousin and she still liked him and later even married him. She wasn't given much choice on the latter but before accepting his proposal she asked him if he had killed his brother but not if he'd ever forced himself on a woman.
Furthermore, I just couldn't believe Lance waited more than 9 months to investigate Percy's death. So they believed he'd died of natural causes and that the issue would just go away. Fair enough, but not for that long. It was a real possibility Lance'd be tried and convicted, but none of the brothers took action.
Lance was supposed to be wicked but we read more about Gareth's exploits before he got married than Lance's. Of course there was that first chapter but it wasn't linked to the rest of the story at all, which puzzled me from the first page to the last. I kept waiting for it to be his alibi for his brother's murder.
I also didn't like Marianne at all. She was too perfect and too boring. The only times she wasn't perfect was when she was stupid (e.g. leaving Lance after it was clear he wouldn't be convicted). The whole Tewkesbury thing didn't make any sense either.
Uncle Horace was despicable but never really punished.
As there were so many other things I didn't like either, I cannot give it more than 2 stars, with the hope that Madeline Hunter's next series will be better than this book.
Furthermore, I just couldn't believe Lance waited more than 9 months to investigate Percy's death. So they believed he'd died of natural causes and that the issue would just go away. Fair enough, but not for that long. It was a real possibility Lance'd be tried and convicted, but none of the brothers took action.
Lance was supposed to be wicked but we read more about Gareth's exploits before he got married than Lance's. Of course there was that first chapter but it wasn't linked to the rest of the story at all, which puzzled me from the first page to the last. I kept waiting for it to be his alibi for his brother's murder.
I also didn't like Marianne at all. She was too perfect and too boring. The only times she wasn't perfect was when she was stupid (e.g. leaving Lance after it was clear he wouldn't be convicted). The whole Tewkesbury thing didn't make any sense either.
Uncle Horace was despicable but never really punished.
As there were so many other things I didn't like either, I cannot give it more than 2 stars, with the hope that Madeline Hunter's next series will be better than this book.
June 3, 2016
Genre: Historical romance
Sensuality: R
A duke under suspicions of murdering his brother is blackmailed into marrying the heroine.
This was the first MH I was able to finish in 3 yrs. It was the last of a trilogy and I hadnt read the first two but I had no problems. A solidly written HR with a little mystery thrown in. It didnt sing opera but at least I didnt think it was a recycled previous work as I did with some of her recent novels.
Note: One of the GR reviews says that the heroine's mother is 36 and she must have gotten married when she was 10. Um, the bk clearly states that the mother is 39 and if you can do simple math, the h is 22.
Rating: 3.5
Sensuality: R
A duke under suspicions of murdering his brother is blackmailed into marrying the heroine.
This was the first MH I was able to finish in 3 yrs. It was the last of a trilogy and I hadnt read the first two but I had no problems. A solidly written HR with a little mystery thrown in. It didnt sing opera but at least I didnt think it was a recycled previous work as I did with some of her recent novels.
Note: One of the GR reviews says that the heroine's mother is 36 and she must have gotten married when she was 10. Um, the bk clearly states that the mother is 39 and if you can do simple math, the h is 22.
Rating: 3.5
September 7, 2022
My favorite of the trilogy.
February 11, 2021
This is a slow paced romance, a little bit boring, and messy plot. But surprisingly I like it. More than like actually.
Madeline Hunter can be categorized as a matured author for me. I felt tension and solemn while reading. She also answered my expectations like what I wanted to happened and so I was happy.
Lance, the Duke rumored that he murdered his own brother by poison , He confined himself to his estate and there he met our heroine Marianne a country miss and dependent of her uncle . She has a cousin named Nora who was violated and became not right on the head.
This Uncle coerced our main characters into Marriage to improved his social station using blackmail or dirty machinations. Lance pretended to agreed and still seduced Marianne. It was slow seduction and really titillating. I was dumbstruck and elated at the same time when he proposed I did not see that coming.
There were boring discussions like trying to trial Lance into a court but It didn't happen, also finding his brother's killer.
Some might dropped this book because it wasn't witty and funny. But I still love this.
Madeline Hunter can be categorized as a matured author for me. I felt tension and solemn while reading. She also answered my expectations like what I wanted to happened and so I was happy.
Lance, the Duke rumored that he murdered his own brother by poison , He confined himself to his estate and there he met our heroine Marianne a country miss and dependent of her uncle . She has a cousin named Nora who was violated and became not right on the head.
This Uncle coerced our main characters into Marriage to improved his social station using blackmail or dirty machinations. Lance pretended to agreed and still seduced Marianne. It was slow seduction and really titillating. I was dumbstruck and elated at the same time when he proposed I did not see that coming.
There were boring discussions like trying to trial Lance into a court but It didn't happen, also finding his brother's killer.
Some might dropped this book because it wasn't witty and funny. But I still love this.
February 10, 2023
This was far better than the last read. Both characters are likeable and I enjoyed the banter between the two. Dislike...the uncle who just sells off his own relatives when he can..ughhhh. Overall a nice quick read for me.
February 28, 2019
Meh, I don’t like to correctly guess the plot within the first few chapters, although, that’s really not the point of HR such as this.
February 7, 2018
This was a mellow, sweet romance that didn't really leave much of an impression on me. Very forgettable, this one.
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March 8, 2016Copy provided by NetGalley.
This book, which reads as if it was part of a series, slides over to the cosplay end of the spectrum of Regency romances. The readership who will love it wants an alpha male with a high title, tons of dough, and an expert in bed because he and the passionate, modern-thinking heroine are headed for the silken sheets as soon as the story can get them there.
We’re introduced to our hero, Lance, the new duke, having sex with a stranger. We follow him in his crapulous, hungover state home. He’s been prowling and scowling around his estate, hiding out until the whispering settles about the mysterious death of his elder brother. He comes off like the generic dukebag, except that his brothers seem like decent guys, and they like him, so . . . appearances deceive?
Our heroine is Marianne, who is the champion of her frail cousin Nora, to whom something horrible happened when she was fifteen that has nearly unhinged her mind.
Marianne’s uncle is going to force either Nora or Marianne to marry the new duke out of a sense of revenge; meanwhile Marianne’s mother is ambitious for her daughter. (Marianne is said to be on the shelf, though her mother is only thirty-six. I have to admit that puzzled me; for everyone to consider Marianne “on the shelf” her mother would have had to marry at, what, ten?)
But the readers who like sexy regencies will finesse that pretty much the same way the rules of English society are finessed, as the narrative hustles Marianne and Lance to make a marriage of convenience.
Once they do get married, the story really takes off, as Marianne overcomes her dislike of the wicked duke and throws herself into solving the mystery surrounding the previous duke’s death. Lance’s happily married brothers (indicating this was part of a series) are there to tease him and cheer him until the mystery is solved in a surprising way. I did not guess the outcome in the least, but the tracks were nicely laid.
There’s a lot of energy to the story, with some flashes of wit, and of course plentiful descriptions of hot passion; comedy-of-manners purists might wince at bobbles with titles, customs, and language, but readers who don’t care about those things should thoroughly enjoy this story.
This book, which reads as if it was part of a series, slides over to the cosplay end of the spectrum of Regency romances. The readership who will love it wants an alpha male with a high title, tons of dough, and an expert in bed because he and the passionate, modern-thinking heroine are headed for the silken sheets as soon as the story can get them there.
We’re introduced to our hero, Lance, the new duke, having sex with a stranger. We follow him in his crapulous, hungover state home. He’s been prowling and scowling around his estate, hiding out until the whispering settles about the mysterious death of his elder brother. He comes off like the generic dukebag, except that his brothers seem like decent guys, and they like him, so . . . appearances deceive?
Our heroine is Marianne, who is the champion of her frail cousin Nora, to whom something horrible happened when she was fifteen that has nearly unhinged her mind.
Marianne’s uncle is going to force either Nora or Marianne to marry the new duke out of a sense of revenge; meanwhile Marianne’s mother is ambitious for her daughter. (Marianne is said to be on the shelf, though her mother is only thirty-six. I have to admit that puzzled me; for everyone to consider Marianne “on the shelf” her mother would have had to marry at, what, ten?)
But the readers who like sexy regencies will finesse that pretty much the same way the rules of English society are finessed, as the narrative hustles Marianne and Lance to make a marriage of convenience.
Once they do get married, the story really takes off, as Marianne overcomes her dislike of the wicked duke and throws herself into solving the mystery surrounding the previous duke’s death. Lance’s happily married brothers (indicating this was part of a series) are there to tease him and cheer him until the mystery is solved in a surprising way. I did not guess the outcome in the least, but the tracks were nicely laid.
There’s a lot of energy to the story, with some flashes of wit, and of course plentiful descriptions of hot passion; comedy-of-manners purists might wince at bobbles with titles, customs, and language, but readers who don’t care about those things should thoroughly enjoy this story.
May 29, 2016
The last, but not least, of the Hemingford brothers gets his HEA. For Lance, that is not always easy, but always entertaining. Lance became Duke after the death of his older, cruel brother Percy. He is the prime suspect, although there is no real evidence. Justice of the Peace, Sir Horace Radley, refuses to tell the coroner to close the matter unless Lance marries his niece.
After the death of her father, Sir Horace's brother, Marianne Radley and her mother lost their home to Sir Horace. When they left, his daughter Nora, went with them. Nora experienced a tragedy that caused her to retreat into herself and not like to be around strangers. The ladies are surprised when he invites them back to live with him. His plan is to marry his daughter or niece to Lance so he can be related to a Duke. He realizes his daughter can not cope and selects Marianne. I like that the story showed that with time and patience we see small improvements in Nora's life.
Marianne met Lance when she was out riding. She is attracted to him. Later, she learns of his wicked reputation. (I do so love heroes that are a little wicked.) I enjoyed that when they met he was dressed like a gamekeeper and she didn't know who he was. They hadn't been properly introduced so he called her "Pretty Flower" and did for the rest of the book. :) Lance isn't the nicest of men, but he does some really kind things when no one is looking. For example, to keep from being bored while on his estate he hunts. And then leaves what he's killed on his tenants' door steps to help feed them.
Although this is a love story, it is also a mystery. Who really killed Percy? I had several people in mind. I knew the Duke was innocent, but was surprised at who really did it and how. I think you'll agree the killing was justified.
I love Madeline Hunter's books and this was no exception. Her characters are complex and interesting. I try never to write plot spoilers and hopefully succeeded. I hope you'll read this book!
After the death of her father, Sir Horace's brother, Marianne Radley and her mother lost their home to Sir Horace. When they left, his daughter Nora, went with them. Nora experienced a tragedy that caused her to retreat into herself and not like to be around strangers. The ladies are surprised when he invites them back to live with him. His plan is to marry his daughter or niece to Lance so he can be related to a Duke. He realizes his daughter can not cope and selects Marianne. I like that the story showed that with time and patience we see small improvements in Nora's life.
Marianne met Lance when she was out riding. She is attracted to him. Later, she learns of his wicked reputation. (I do so love heroes that are a little wicked.) I enjoyed that when they met he was dressed like a gamekeeper and she didn't know who he was. They hadn't been properly introduced so he called her "Pretty Flower" and did for the rest of the book. :) Lance isn't the nicest of men, but he does some really kind things when no one is looking. For example, to keep from being bored while on his estate he hunts. And then leaves what he's killed on his tenants' door steps to help feed them.
Although this is a love story, it is also a mystery. Who really killed Percy? I had several people in mind. I knew the Duke was innocent, but was surprised at who really did it and how. I think you'll agree the killing was justified.
I love Madeline Hunter's books and this was no exception. Her characters are complex and interesting. I try never to write plot spoilers and hopefully succeeded. I hope you'll read this book!
July 28, 2020
The not so wicked duke’s reputation preceded him in every way, but not always correctly. It was fun and eventful story where he was at worst only a slightly naughty blue blood, but all red blooded male underneath. There were also plenty of moments throughout the story that really solidified their bond, so I was easily invested in their HEA.
My heart melted during the cottage scene in the last chapter where he says “I miss you.. BADLY. And do not ask WHY again. Just give me a moment...” she waited... “I miss your company and your smile.. definitely your smile.” That entire scene was so well done that I went back over it again.
December 2, 2017
Well, I've made it through Hunter's complete Wicked trilogy and have yet to find any behavior by any of the three brothers that merits calling them "wicked". They're just your basic handsome hunks with great sex appeal that know how to melt the knickers off a gal. It's all consensual, so what's the big deal? Don't use "wicked" to mean "preoccupied with sex", please. But, anyway, on to the review.
This last entry of the trilogy is Lance's story, oldest surviving brother of the family and now the Duke of Aylesbury, after the suspicious death of oldest brother Percy. The suspicions fall on Lance. Did he poison his brother? After all, he has that reputation for being wicked, so why not add murder to his list of faults?
Brothers Ives and Gareth have forced Lance to rusticate away from London and to lead a life of sobriety and abstinence, hoping rumors and suspicions will die down and Percy's death will definitively be attributed to "natural causes". A certain Sir Horace Radley of the neighborhood believes Lance to be responsible for the rape of his daughter Nora and thinks to blackmail Lance into marriage. Sir Horace will do all he can to have the death ruled accidental and in return Lance will make things right with Nora.
This does not go exactly as planned and Lance ends up married to Sir Horace's niece Marianne, our heroine and Nora's cousin and champion. So you must read the story to find out the whys of this and also to find out if the brothers ever find out just what was the cause of Percy's death. If murder, who's the murderer? If not, what's the natural cause?
I'm happy to have closure with this series. After all, I read the first two of the trilogy so I couldn't stop myself from finishing it out. However, I have a few problems with this third story. (1) One is a relatively silly one but it still grated: H calls the h "Pretty Flower" way too often. That's as awful as calling a woman "Little One" or "Minx". They all annoy. (2) This one is major: Why on earth does Marianne agree to the marriage and also feel sexual attraction to Lance when she believes he is cousin Nora's rapist and is also the possible murderer of his own brother? Creepy, that. Although it is explained away as a more-or-less gut feeling she had all along of his innocence, I'm not quite buying it. Oh, almost forgot (3): I could have done without the first chapter of this book. You read it and tell me if you think it added anything substantive to the story.
This last entry of the trilogy is Lance's story, oldest surviving brother of the family and now the Duke of Aylesbury, after the suspicious death of oldest brother Percy. The suspicions fall on Lance. Did he poison his brother? After all, he has that reputation for being wicked, so why not add murder to his list of faults?
Brothers Ives and Gareth have forced Lance to rusticate away from London and to lead a life of sobriety and abstinence, hoping rumors and suspicions will die down and Percy's death will definitively be attributed to "natural causes". A certain Sir Horace Radley of the neighborhood believes Lance to be responsible for the rape of his daughter Nora and thinks to blackmail Lance into marriage. Sir Horace will do all he can to have the death ruled accidental and in return Lance will make things right with Nora.
This does not go exactly as planned and Lance ends up married to Sir Horace's niece Marianne, our heroine and Nora's cousin and champion. So you must read the story to find out the whys of this and also to find out if the brothers ever find out just what was the cause of Percy's death. If murder, who's the murderer? If not, what's the natural cause?
I'm happy to have closure with this series. After all, I read the first two of the trilogy so I couldn't stop myself from finishing it out. However, I have a few problems with this third story. (1) One is a relatively silly one but it still grated: H calls the h "Pretty Flower" way too often. That's as awful as calling a woman "Little One" or "Minx". They all annoy. (2) This one is major: Why on earth does Marianne agree to the marriage and also feel sexual attraction to Lance when she believes he is cousin Nora's rapist and is also the possible murderer of his own brother? Creepy, that. Although it is explained away as a more-or-less gut feeling she had all along of his innocence, I'm not quite buying it. Oh, almost forgot (3): I could have done without the first chapter of this book. You read it and tell me if you think it added anything substantive to the story.
July 24, 2016
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
Madeline Hunter is a new author for me and I am so glad that I gave her, The Wicked Duke, a chance. Lance is a bad boy who has been elevated to Duke with the recent death of his brother, but there is a cloud of suspicion hanging over him due to circumstances. Marianne is the impoverished niece of his neighbor.
The story that follows starts slowly and initially feels fairly typical for a historical fiction work set in the period. Lance and Marianne are both interesting characters that are fun to get to know. She is slightly older than most young women of “marriageable” age and considers herself to be “on the shelve” both due to age and circumstance. That attitude has left her to be slightly feistier than one would expect.
Circumstances in Lance’s life have created a situation where Marianne’s uncle holds power he normally wouldn’t and he uses that to force a relationship between the two. Lance doesn’t fight it because he is attracted to and intrigued by her.
The well written story includes some suspense, intrigue, friendship, and a marriage of convenience that turns into a true romance. I enjoyed getting to know both characters and the supporting cast surrounding them. The Wicked Duke is the third book in a series, but it reads very well all on its own. This was a great treat for historical fiction lovers and I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Hunter’s work.
Madeline Hunter is a new author for me and I am so glad that I gave her, The Wicked Duke, a chance. Lance is a bad boy who has been elevated to Duke with the recent death of his brother, but there is a cloud of suspicion hanging over him due to circumstances. Marianne is the impoverished niece of his neighbor.
The story that follows starts slowly and initially feels fairly typical for a historical fiction work set in the period. Lance and Marianne are both interesting characters that are fun to get to know. She is slightly older than most young women of “marriageable” age and considers herself to be “on the shelve” both due to age and circumstance. That attitude has left her to be slightly feistier than one would expect.
Circumstances in Lance’s life have created a situation where Marianne’s uncle holds power he normally wouldn’t and he uses that to force a relationship between the two. Lance doesn’t fight it because he is attracted to and intrigued by her.
The well written story includes some suspense, intrigue, friendship, and a marriage of convenience that turns into a true romance. I enjoyed getting to know both characters and the supporting cast surrounding them. The Wicked Duke is the third book in a series, but it reads very well all on its own. This was a great treat for historical fiction lovers and I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Hunter’s work.
June 17, 2016
I loathed this book! I deserve better as a reader from Madeline Hunter. Full of crap.
April 11, 2018
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January 21, 2022Lido numa noite (confesso, passei alguns parágrafos, não mais de 1 ou 2 páginas no total, mas eram quatro da manhã e eu tinha de acabar!
Há muitos anos que não lia nada desta autora. Gostei muito de dois dos seus livros, e depois cheguei a odiar vários outros. Desisti. Vendi os livros e, se não fosse o Kobo, nunca mais haveria de lê-la. Só traduzi dois livros na vida, mas começo a ler as traduções à luz daquilo que aprendi com as minhas. Em suma, a tradução está muito má no início, tive de reler algumas frases, houve desacordo de tempos verbais e uma organização frásica que embrulhava um bocado o sentido das palavras. Parece-me que às vezes complica-se para tentar dar um ar mais erudito aos romances históricos, mas neste género só procuramos experiências sem espinhas. Com o evoluir da história, a narrativa tornou-se mais fluida, cheguei a ler frases bem bonitas. Às vezes até franzia o sobrolho e perguntava-me mas isto é Madeline Hunter? Diria que é ela em ótima forma, porque houve algumas observações simples sobre a vida e a natureza, e também momentos de ternura entre as personagens principais, que muitas vezes não têm lugar neste tipo de livro porque o que se procura é sempre conflito e emoções fortes.
Neste livro não há desrespeito, mal-entendidos nem discussões entre as personagens principais. Gostei muito disso, porque odeio enredos assentes em mal-entendidos, em má comunicação e em assunções absurdas. Acho que o amor, para ser credível, tem de envolver respeito, e por isso achei muito bonito o modo como a relação dos dois evolui. É um amor construído - adoro essa abordagem do amor construído, e torço bastante o nariz a amores à primeira vista. Só não adorei um pequeno pormenor do final, em que, por não haver conflito entre as personagens principais, a autora inventa um ali meio à pressa para os precipitar para a conclusão final de que não podem viver um sem o outro.
Enfim, era o que precisava para passar o tempo na cama com o covid e o oxímetro.
Há muitos anos que não lia nada desta autora. Gostei muito de dois dos seus livros, e depois cheguei a odiar vários outros. Desisti. Vendi os livros e, se não fosse o Kobo, nunca mais haveria de lê-la. Só traduzi dois livros na vida, mas começo a ler as traduções à luz daquilo que aprendi com as minhas. Em suma, a tradução está muito má no início, tive de reler algumas frases, houve desacordo de tempos verbais e uma organização frásica que embrulhava um bocado o sentido das palavras. Parece-me que às vezes complica-se para tentar dar um ar mais erudito aos romances históricos, mas neste género só procuramos experiências sem espinhas. Com o evoluir da história, a narrativa tornou-se mais fluida, cheguei a ler frases bem bonitas. Às vezes até franzia o sobrolho e perguntava-me mas isto é Madeline Hunter? Diria que é ela em ótima forma, porque houve algumas observações simples sobre a vida e a natureza, e também momentos de ternura entre as personagens principais, que muitas vezes não têm lugar neste tipo de livro porque o que se procura é sempre conflito e emoções fortes.
Neste livro não há desrespeito, mal-entendidos nem discussões entre as personagens principais. Gostei muito disso, porque odeio enredos assentes em mal-entendidos, em má comunicação e em assunções absurdas. Acho que o amor, para ser credível, tem de envolver respeito, e por isso achei muito bonito o modo como a relação dos dois evolui. É um amor construído - adoro essa abordagem do amor construído, e torço bastante o nariz a amores à primeira vista. Só não adorei um pequeno pormenor do final, em que, por não haver conflito entre as personagens principais, a autora inventa um ali meio à pressa para os precipitar para a conclusão final de que não podem viver um sem o outro.
Enfim, era o que precisava para passar o tempo na cama com o covid e o oxímetro.
March 4, 2022
I love MH and her storytelling. Her love stories are so captivating! I loved the brothers… all their stories and the dynamic in their relationships and dialogue. MH has become one of my favorite authors. This book did not disappoint. I’m currently now reading all her books. I was sad to see this series end.
June 29, 2016
THE WICKED DUKE by Madeline Hunter is book 3 in the Wicked trilogy. I haven't read the first two books and this book was fine without having read the first two. However, I wish I had read them because those are some interesting characters in this book. So, now I'll have to go back and read the first two!!!
Lancelot Hemingford, the Duke of Aylesbury, has lead a wild, debauched life and is known as the Wicked Duke. Well, he's known as wicked anyway - because he has only recently become a Duke. He's made many enemies in his life because of seducing men's wives, dueling, etc. So, when his older brother Percy (the former duke) dies suddenly and the doctor mentions that it 'could' have been poison, people latch onto that to get payback against him. Lance, as the heir, is the suspect of choice. Lance then goes to the country estate to live quietly hoping it will all die down and he can then continue with his life. However, somebody is keeping it stirred up.
One of the people who is keeping it stirred up is Sir Horace Radley who is the magistrate and the uncle to Marianne Radley. Sir Horace is a nasty piece of work and I would have loved to see him get a real comeuppance in this book, but he didn't. Actually, though he was a real jackass he ended up profiting socially.
Sir Horace believes that Lance raped his daughter Nora when she was only fifteen. Nora hasn't been right since then. It is Sir Horace's plan to blackmail Lance into marrying Nora, but when Nora tries to commit suicide, Sir Horace switches plans and decides to use Marianne instead. Can you imagine????? Willingly marrying your daughter or niece off to someone you think is a rapist and a murderer. Yep, he's a nasty piece of work.
Marianne Radley is a really sweet person who always believes the best in people -- until she learns otherwise. Her uncle tells her that Lance raped Nora when she was fifteen and that he's going to make Lance marry Nora. Marianne is horrified. Once Nora tries to kill herself Marianne confronts her uncle and he says that he won't try to force Nora into marriage. What he doesn't tell her is that he's only changed the plan to make Marianne the bride.
Marianne and Lance end up marrying -- and getting their happily ever after. There is a good resolution to the mystery of Percy's death and Nora's real rapist is identified.
Here is what didn't work for me. Marianne is accepting of Lance and never confronts him about the rape of her much loved cousin. When Lance proposes, she asks him if he murdered his brother and she believes him when he says that he didn't. However, she NEVER asks about Nora. Just not believable to me. She was so strong willed in every other respect.
That one thing aside -- I absolutely loved the book. The characters were interesting and the intrigue kept my interest all the time. I didn't figure out who the bad guy was (which I usually do pretty quickly) but if I had read the first two books I probably would have.
Anyway -- I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope you will as well.
Lancelot Hemingford, the Duke of Aylesbury, has lead a wild, debauched life and is known as the Wicked Duke. Well, he's known as wicked anyway - because he has only recently become a Duke. He's made many enemies in his life because of seducing men's wives, dueling, etc. So, when his older brother Percy (the former duke) dies suddenly and the doctor mentions that it 'could' have been poison, people latch onto that to get payback against him. Lance, as the heir, is the suspect of choice. Lance then goes to the country estate to live quietly hoping it will all die down and he can then continue with his life. However, somebody is keeping it stirred up.
One of the people who is keeping it stirred up is Sir Horace Radley who is the magistrate and the uncle to Marianne Radley. Sir Horace is a nasty piece of work and I would have loved to see him get a real comeuppance in this book, but he didn't. Actually, though he was a real jackass he ended up profiting socially.
Sir Horace believes that Lance raped his daughter Nora when she was only fifteen. Nora hasn't been right since then. It is Sir Horace's plan to blackmail Lance into marrying Nora, but when Nora tries to commit suicide, Sir Horace switches plans and decides to use Marianne instead. Can you imagine????? Willingly marrying your daughter or niece off to someone you think is a rapist and a murderer. Yep, he's a nasty piece of work.
Marianne Radley is a really sweet person who always believes the best in people -- until she learns otherwise. Her uncle tells her that Lance raped Nora when she was fifteen and that he's going to make Lance marry Nora. Marianne is horrified. Once Nora tries to kill herself Marianne confronts her uncle and he says that he won't try to force Nora into marriage. What he doesn't tell her is that he's only changed the plan to make Marianne the bride.
Marianne and Lance end up marrying -- and getting their happily ever after. There is a good resolution to the mystery of Percy's death and Nora's real rapist is identified.
Here is what didn't work for me. Marianne is accepting of Lance and never confronts him about the rape of her much loved cousin. When Lance proposes, she asks him if he murdered his brother and she believes him when he says that he didn't. However, she NEVER asks about Nora. Just not believable to me. She was so strong willed in every other respect.
That one thing aside -- I absolutely loved the book. The characters were interesting and the intrigue kept my interest all the time. I didn't figure out who the bad guy was (which I usually do pretty quickly) but if I had read the first two books I probably would have.
Anyway -- I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope you will as well.
August 11, 2016
This might be my favorite in the trilogy - I have a soft spot for unrepentant wicked heroes :)
Lance Hemingford is the new Duke of Aylesbury, he inherited the title when his older brother Percy passed away. Unfortunately for Lance, he is under suspicion of his brother's death and has been forced by his brothers to behave himself and lay low in his country estate.
He meets Marianne by chance and he is intrigued by her. When they meet again later and she finds out he is the duke, he is even more intrigued.
Marianne has returned to the area after being away for years - she and her mother left after her father passed away and his estate went to her uncle. Her cousin Nora has been living with them after an illness that left her not quite right, but her uncle has called them all back and has plans for Nora.
Her uncle plans to use his position as magistrate to force Lance to marry Nora. However when that plan doesn't work, he decides to have Lance marry Marianne instead.
The relationship between Lance and Marianne is complex - they have an incredible chemistry between them - but they both harbor secrets that could prevent them from being together.
I don't want to spoil the story and it is hard to do a review without giving too much away. There is so much going on in this book, but it never overwhelms the relationship between Lance and Marianne. It is well written, flows perfectly, has steamy love scenes, laugh out loud moments, entertaining banter between brothers, truly horrific dark painful secrets, sweet tender moments and a beautiful ending.
I would highly recommend this book, it is the final installment in the series, but Ms. Hunter provides enough background story to make this easily read as a stand alone title.
Lance Hemingford is the new Duke of Aylesbury, he inherited the title when his older brother Percy passed away. Unfortunately for Lance, he is under suspicion of his brother's death and has been forced by his brothers to behave himself and lay low in his country estate.
He meets Marianne by chance and he is intrigued by her. When they meet again later and she finds out he is the duke, he is even more intrigued.
Marianne has returned to the area after being away for years - she and her mother left after her father passed away and his estate went to her uncle. Her cousin Nora has been living with them after an illness that left her not quite right, but her uncle has called them all back and has plans for Nora.
Her uncle plans to use his position as magistrate to force Lance to marry Nora. However when that plan doesn't work, he decides to have Lance marry Marianne instead.
The relationship between Lance and Marianne is complex - they have an incredible chemistry between them - but they both harbor secrets that could prevent them from being together.
I don't want to spoil the story and it is hard to do a review without giving too much away. There is so much going on in this book, but it never overwhelms the relationship between Lance and Marianne. It is well written, flows perfectly, has steamy love scenes, laugh out loud moments, entertaining banter between brothers, truly horrific dark painful secrets, sweet tender moments and a beautiful ending.
I would highly recommend this book, it is the final installment in the series, but Ms. Hunter provides enough background story to make this easily read as a stand alone title.
July 17, 2016
The Wicked Duke is the third book in Madeline Hunter's Wicked Trilogy. This is Lancelot Hemingford's book. The first two books in the series involved his brothers, Gareth and Ives. I read both of those books (actually, Hunter is an auto buy for me). My favorite of the trilogy was Ives' story, Tall, Dark and Wicked. If you are going to tackle this trilogy, I recommend reading them in order because the mystery surrounding Percy's death and the brothers' circumstances are carried throughout all three books.
The Duke of Alyesbury has been accused of murdering his brother the former Duke, Percy. Alyesbury is rusticating at his country estate while hoping that the gossip surrounding him dies down. While in the country, he meets his neighbor's niece, Marianne Radley. The Duke can's help but be drawn to Marianne's presence she helps to bring a lightness to Lance in this dark time in his life. Marianne is hesitant to be around the Duke because of the gossip surrounding him, but Lance is enjoying the chase.
The Wicked Duke is a solid conclusion to the Wicked Trilogy, but it was not my favorite of the series. I think, for me, it was difficult to really like Lance as a hero - at least in the beginning. He is cast as the anti-hero, the bad boy. It takes a while to warm up to him and his circumstances. For Marianne, she is a caretaker. She is a strong lead heroine, but has just enough vulnerability that the Duke can come in and rescue her. Both are keeping secrets from each other that provides angst, but not overly so. A good solid read that I enjoyed, it just wasn't my favorite.
The Duke of Alyesbury has been accused of murdering his brother the former Duke, Percy. Alyesbury is rusticating at his country estate while hoping that the gossip surrounding him dies down. While in the country, he meets his neighbor's niece, Marianne Radley. The Duke can's help but be drawn to Marianne's presence she helps to bring a lightness to Lance in this dark time in his life. Marianne is hesitant to be around the Duke because of the gossip surrounding him, but Lance is enjoying the chase.
The Wicked Duke is a solid conclusion to the Wicked Trilogy, but it was not my favorite of the series. I think, for me, it was difficult to really like Lance as a hero - at least in the beginning. He is cast as the anti-hero, the bad boy. It takes a while to warm up to him and his circumstances. For Marianne, she is a caretaker. She is a strong lead heroine, but has just enough vulnerability that the Duke can come in and rescue her. Both are keeping secrets from each other that provides angst, but not overly so. A good solid read that I enjoyed, it just wasn't my favorite.
May 27, 2016
I was not previously familiar with Ms. Hunter, but how glad I am I’ve become acquainted with her work. What a tangled web of reading she’s written, and what an oh-so-good time I had reading it. Lance is just as sexy as his name suggests, and despite his situation of being forced to wed – he’s all alpha. He tempts and teases, and no one could blame Marianne for falling for him. I wasn’t at all pleased with her uncle, and my heart went out to her cousin. I did eventually figure out the truth of the cousin’s situation, and figuring it out didn’t disappoint me at all. The story was wonderfully constructed.
There’s nothing amateur about the writing. The dialogue is pleasing and the characters’ actions propels the story forward. There’s a mystery to solve, secrets to uncover, and characters to despise. There’s of course “the other woman” (let her tell it), and loyalty amongst friends. This story has it all.
Hunter did an outstanding job with character development. I connected with them, and rooted for the HEA I knew was to come.
The Wicked Duke is the final in the Wicked Trilogy, and I most definitely will be purchasing the others in the series: Tall, Dark & Wicked and His Wicked Reputation.
There’s nothing amateur about the writing. The dialogue is pleasing and the characters’ actions propels the story forward. There’s a mystery to solve, secrets to uncover, and characters to despise. There’s of course “the other woman” (let her tell it), and loyalty amongst friends. This story has it all.
Hunter did an outstanding job with character development. I connected with them, and rooted for the HEA I knew was to come.
The Wicked Duke is the final in the Wicked Trilogy, and I most definitely will be purchasing the others in the series: Tall, Dark & Wicked and His Wicked Reputation.
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