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With the wedding only days away, the Ministry is thrown into turmoil when another murder is committed by a shape-shifter. But this time the newspapers make the connection to werewolves – and the Ministry. Suddenly the attention is focused on Lichfield Towers and its residents as the police investigate and parliament wants to shut the organization down.

It could spell the end of everything Charlie has come to love.

As the authorities close in and ministry secrets are exposed, past allies can no longer be trusted. Can Charlie save her home, her loved ones, and herself? Or will she lose Lincoln and her friends forever?

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First published December 1, 2017

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About the author

C.J. Archer

103 books5,538 followers
C.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.

She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.

Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com

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5 stars
1,266 (41%)
4 stars
1,222 (39%)
3 stars
511 (16%)
2 stars
58 (1%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
Profile Image for Kate Kelley.
Author 13 books51 followers
December 11, 2017
The entire series is amazing, but I felt like we were all waiting for Lincoln and Charlie to move forward with their relationship and the entire thing was a giant tease (9 books of TEASE). So, with the ending of this book, I expected something a little more detailed. SO FRUSTRATING. Am I the only one? Maybe I'm just a freak.
But it was still good and I'll still be reading the series until it ends.
Profile Image for TJ.
3,244 reviews257 followers
June 25, 2022
4.5/5.0

What a lovely way to end a delightfully entertaining series! Yes, I know… there is one more book to go but it is about Alice and Seth and the whole Wonderland aspect and that is the only part I thought ridiculous so I will happily end it here with Charlie and Lincoln’s HEA. I enjoyed the ride so much, I’m actually disappointed Ms. Archer didn’t continue their story, as the series lends itself well to so many intrigues they could find after their marriage. Aw well, guess I’ll just have to close that last page with a sigh and a smile.
Profile Image for Kayla Silverss.
Author 1 book127 followers
June 17, 2018
I loved this book and the characters and romance have really grown. Although the wedding was a bit rushed and messy but still a wedding is a wedding.
Profile Image for OldBird.
1,816 reviews
August 28, 2020
Sorry to say I felt really dissatisfied with this last run around for Charlie and Lincoln. There was so much going on it felt convoluted and left me confused as to why characters acted the way they did.

The "mystery" wasn't the same paranormal investigation style of previous plot lines, and mostly involved Charlie and/or Lincoln confronting the villain (who really needed a moustache to twirl) to accuse them of doing whatever bad thing had just happened. They'd deny it, and things felt a bit panto (Oh no I didn't! - Oh yes you did!). Side characters caught up on the bad guys' side were always a step ahead so that Charlie and co. could never win. Then there was the outlandish Alice in Wonderland theme tangled into the mix which seemed really out of place alongside the more staid gaslamp political "intrigue". It seemed just too much to take in.

In the end, it's characters acting very stubbornly throughout the story, dead against the Ministry team, who have some kind of off-screen epiphany and save the day (although there's one or two who want to attempt to ruin it because... reasons? ). Conflict resolution seemed so convenient after all the misery heaped upon them that they couldn't escape, chapter after chapter. I missed the running around and raising chatty corpses that marked the earlier books, not this making calls and having shouting matches about newspaper articles.

Considering how much of this series has hung on the trials and tribulations of the Charlie/Lincoln romance, I was surprised by how little was made of the actual wedding. We've waited 9 books, and we end on... It seemed a bit of an abrupt cut off. I didn't want any more than a fade to black, but the build up to it seemed so very rushed.

I didn't much care for the Freak House insertions once again, it came across like product placement rather than being necessary to the plot (you could argue they were in the previous instalment to give Alice clues, but here? Not so much.) Also the constant references Charlie made to how "perfect" Seth and Alice were for each other. They have zero chemistry, and it's not even presented in an Emma busybody matchmaker sort of way. Again, it felt like a forced insert to allow for the Alice/Seth spin-off.

Oh, Seth... What happened to you after book 5? All these hints of a "dark" past out of the blue, so little of that comic relief... His actions at the end of the book were just so out of character. His fun persona seems gone for good. I still found Alice very blank as a character; she seems more of a plot device than a person. I'm sorry not to care for them as a potential couple at all, but they seem so wrong. Alice's backstory could be interesting, but unless she becomes more so I don't know how much I care. There are plenty of dangling hints about her and Lincoln's family's seer-visions to set up for the next adventure, but I just don't know if I want to read about them. I'll probably try to get some closure, but I'm less than enthusiastic. I wish there had been more from Eva.

I feel bad to say I'm left frustrated by this series. These last few books it's been hard to not just give up in confusion. The writing is better, and Chalie/Lincoln's new personas are far preferable to the OTT hysteria of the beginning, but everything else failed to hold my attention.

There was so much potential, and I loved book one even if it did have a few wobbles, but the uneven tone, convoluted plot and unbalanced characterisations have made me feel upset that this is how we leave Charlie's story.
Profile Image for The Phoenix .
527 reviews52 followers
March 3, 2021
This book had a lot more ups and downs than the previous ones (which is good). More of "Oh, no. What are they going to do?" situations, but I didn't quite agree with how the pack leader was handled. As much as I wanted him out of the picture, I was hoping for another way. But, maybe it ended up that way as a set up for the next book. I shall read on and find out.
Profile Image for Cara.
79 reviews6 followers
December 8, 2017
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!!!!! Five stars for an incredibly satisfying story line direction that I've been waiting for, for ohhh .... eight books! I had been waiting for this book for a while, and one of the things I love about this author's stories is there is always the element of the "found family", and creating a sense of home and love with a ragtag crew even if they aren't the family you are born with, and it was great to see this growing family get more story and development in this book! Also, Charlie and Lincoln have come so far and it was super rewarding.



All in all, another incredibly engrossing installment with twists and turns which I thoroughly enjoyed, thank you CJ Archer!
Profile Image for Kimi.
443 reviews
May 4, 2022
Finally Charlie and Lincoln are getting married so of course chaos has to break loss.

I just feel like there were other things missing that I needed to see in their relationship

Profile Image for Kat (Part time Psychopomp).
88 reviews
March 30, 2021
The last 3 books in this series are so repetitive, the same recycled idea, shape shifters murdering humans, the drama with the royal family, Charlie trying to seduce Lincoln without success, Seth and Gus are not even funny anymore. The whole Alice story feels out of place and so is the non existent chemistry between Seth and Alice. I think I’m done with this series.
Profile Image for Jacki Morris.
147 reviews2 followers
September 9, 2020
I agree with all those people that think it was a cowardly ending. I still loved the series and lost too much sleep over it. I, however, will not be reading book 10 because I wasn't very invested with the Seth/Alice scenario by the end of the book. I kinda wanted to see Gus get the girl . . .
Profile Image for Erin.
457 reviews185 followers
March 29, 2021
I did not expect that...

description

THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE MORE BOOK! I was not ready for this to be the final story from Lincoln and Charlie! I am shooketh! Absolutely shooketh! The last book is about Seth and Alice! I feel like I have been lied to.

This was packed filled with action. A lot happens in this book, but it still follows the wolf storyline, which isn't my favorite.

SPOILERS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It ended so abruptly. Sorry I am still trying to get over that. A lot happened in this book but I honestly can't remember it. I am glad Lincoln's dad stepped up to help, but everything felt a little unsettled at the end.

Also the whole Lady Harcourt ending was weird. Don't get me wrong, I am glad she is gone, but it was weird.

I definitely liked the first half of this series better. But I do wonder if I had realized at the beginning that this book was the last for Lincoln and Charlie, then I would have liked it better. Instead the ending felt really anticlimactic.

description

Profile Image for Shannon .
2,346 reviews158 followers
November 4, 2022
Vow of Deception
Ministry of Curiosities, Book 6

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla via P Public Library
Dates Read: 10/15/2022 - 10/20/2022
Stars: 4
Narrator(s): Shiromi Arserio

The Characters:

Charlotte “Charley” Halloway :
Lincoln Fitzroy:
Seth, Gus, Cook, Alice, Lady Vickers, Lady Harcourt, Andrew Bucannan, and quite a few other characters

The Story:

I don’t have any concise thoughts. I just have an excited rambling in my head about armies, weddings that may or may not happen, deaths and unexpectedness. I think I’ll just leave it at that lest I give away too much.

The Random Thoughts:
Profile Image for Jenika Ioffreda.
Author 6 books24 followers
December 13, 2017
3.5 stars
Of all the books of the series this is probably the one I enjoyed less.
Still Charlie was a great heroine, still the world building was great and a few moments were awesome but… it didn't kept me glued to each page as the previous ones did.
Also a few things annoyed me or took me out of the story completely.
What annoyed me were Charlie's comments regarding Seth and Alice… I honestly couldn't care less of them as a potential couple but every single time Charlie looked at them she was wondering why they didn't get together. Alice told Charlie clearly she was not interested but still Charlie kept thinking it. It was not very friendly and especially quite out of character for Charlie.
I understand the author is going to do a story on Seth /Alice and was trying the set some base for them… but doing so during the Charlie/Lincoln story was forced and took me out of Charlie story.
The same was for every time the Freak House was mentioned: I know it was a reference to another series by the same author (that I didn't like btw, I tried read the first book and I stopped after a short while) but almost all mentions of Freak House and his inhabitants were forced…
I waited for this book very much but I was left slightly disappointed.
Also the wedding ceremony of Charlie and Lincoln was nearly skipped! It was resolved withing 2 sentences! I understand they were in the middle of a mess but ffs the first thing Lincoln asks Charlie to do after getting married is going to the back of the church and call to the spirit of Julia... I mean the two main characters are finally getting married after 9 books and this is all attention it gets!??!! Disappointing. I almost had the feeling the author has had enough of these characters and didn't give them the same attention/love she did for the previous books...
But still, I love the series as a whole and I would like to read more of Charlie/Lincoln and their universe hoping the next books will be better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michelle.
263 reviews37 followers
October 1, 2020
I really liked the series, but...does anyone else feel like the ending lacked balance? I felt like for eight books there was this buildup between Charlie and Lincoln, and while the back and forth could be frustrating, I could see that there was legitimate development going on in their relationship and that it took so long because they both needed to mature and get through their baggage, but then, after all of that waiting, it's just BAM they're together the end. I guess with such a huge, long, LONG wind up, I felt it needed a better wind-down. I'm not saying that the ending needed a sex scene ( I know that that is the focus of some people's annoyance ), but maybe some basking in the happiness of finally being together? Some emotional closure for all of the emotional turmoil and drama that has built up over the last eight books? It was very unsatisfying to just be over. I know there is one more book in the series, but Charlie and Lincoln aren't the focus in that one, and I honestly just didn't care for #10 in general. It definitely didn't resolve the issue I have with this ending. It's made me leery of continuing to read any of the authors other series because, while I've started 3 of them, they all seem to be following the same pattern of stringing the reader along while they drag out relationships and I don't want to continue to invest SO much time ( and feelings ) in something that will end without any solid satisfaction . It makes me sad, because she really is a good writer, but I personally just can't take endings like this.
Profile Image for Sarah H (Reckless.Reader).
214 reviews28 followers
Read
March 12, 2021
No star rating. I wanted this series to end well, but... here we are.

1) Suicide as a plot device is frustrating. 2) Reusing that plot device in at least 3 out of 9 books is extra frustrating. To me, if you’ve run out of ideas on how to kill someone off, maybe thats a sign you should have already ended a series. While I enjoy aspects of this series, like the side characters and the addition of the Alice in wonderland vibes, I’m over the recycled plot twists.

I’ll read the last book simply because I’ve gotten this far into the series. I get why these books appeal to people but they’re not a series I’d recommend.
163 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2022
As Charlie’s wedding day approaches, trouble brews. Lady Julie causes trouble by divulging ministry secrets to her new fiancé, Strickland, head of the Mayfair pack. When the newspaper links a recent dog attach to a werewolf, it isn’t difficult to deduce that the loose lips sinking ships are Julia’s, so Lincoln revokes her Ministry membership, effective immediately. Worse still, instead of the seat passing to Lord Vickers as expected, Julia names Lord Buchanan as her successor.
Things only get worse when the same newspaper outs the Ministry after a second attach and someone puts a bug in Parliament’s ear that Lincoln (and the Ministry) is harboring a murderer. Lichfield is searched in an obvious attempt to get a hold of the Ministry’s supernatural rolls. Lincoln refuses to hand them over when the Parliamentary windbag brings the constables to search for the records. Alice and Seth’s mother, Lady V, save the day (lady troubles, you know) but the specter of exposure is far from over.
As Lincoln and the others hunt for proof that Strickland is the culprit (of the attacks and the leaks), things only become more complicated. Strickland shorts and kills the East End’s pack leader and the rapidly gestating Lady Harriet is the dead man’s successor. Alice’s Rabbit appears again with the promise that this is her last chance to come willingly to face her crimes in Wonderland.
When Harriet steals Charlie’s imp necklace to get in good with Strickland, Julia is murdered, and Lincoln is arrested less than a week before the wedding, Charlie’s hopes for a fairytale ending are getting less likely by the minute. The Royal family won’t listen about Strickland’s duplicity and the Red Queen’s army arrives to take Alice by force. It looks like Strickland is tightening the noose.
The story resolves nicely but with a cliffhanger: Alice and Seth are taken to Wonderland. It looks like the last book won’t have Lincoln or Charlie in it (Lincoln’s mother declares the couples’ paths are diverging). If this is their last book, it’s a bit of a let down with regards to their story. It’s always been a Charlie-centric tale, but Lincoln feels woefully missing from the book, almost as if he’s ancillary rather than integral. This absence is keel felt because their relationship has progressed to a partnership and a marriage. I’m happy that the pair get their happy ending (in the nick of time) and Charlie marrying in a dirty non-wedding dress is fitting, but Lincoln’s absence (even prior to the arrest) and the story’s abrupt ending made the couple’s send off less than satisfying. (We don’t even get to see them happily married; we only see them as they’re heading upstairs, about to get lucky.) While I’ll be reading the last book to see if Seth will finally be himself around Alice and she will finally decide he’s the one, I just wish that Charlie and Lincoln were going to be a part of it.
Profile Image for Jen.
662 reviews32 followers
January 25, 2020
This one felt much better than the last few books in the series. I don't know if it is because I read a different book between the last one and this one and suddenly got in the mood for it again, or if it was because I was just excited to be closing in on the end of the series. But either way, I felt like the characters, Charlie especially, felt more like they were in the beginning and the plot was more intriguing and fast-paced as opposed to feeling like it was dragged out and going in circles.

It was a difficult mystery, with a lot of suspense and drama that had me constantly hooked and on the edge of my seat in a lot of instances. I'll admit, though, I was more than a little disappointed in the motive for getting Lincoln arrested - it was just so petty and horrible that I was angry that that was the reason for everything. Seriously? Can we get some character growth for once?

I really wish Lady Harcourt had been treated differently as a character. In the beginning I first thought she might be a role model for Charlie, who actually seemed to look up to her in the first book, but instead she became a jealous, desperate stereotype who never seemed to learn from or even feel remorse for her mistakes and actions. She never even came close to having a redemption arc and as a result became a hateful character that as a reader I could not empathize with in anyway and thus had no desire to even read about her anymore. And the actions she took in this book just hit the nail on the head that she was just not a well-rounded character or one to be liked or even understood in her behavior.



Overall I felt much better about this book than I did about the last few in the series which were plodding and lacking in character. This one brought back all the feelings I got from the first few in the series, plus some more, and had me feeling much more eager to pick it up than with previous books. I can't wait to see what happens in the next one, and finally wrap up this story.
4 stars
Profile Image for Jenn.
1,463 reviews25 followers
November 10, 2018
Honestly I think this book worked better because there wasn't so much Lincoln and Charlie interaction. Yes they end up married and it give you a doors closed love scene towards the end but the majority of the book Charlie is off doing things without Lincoln.

It took me a bit to get into the book because it begins with yet another shifter murder and I was just like really? Again? And there are parts of this where I'm sitting there thinking did she forget she was a necromancer? Charlie literally has the power to raise a zombie army and never actually does. I'm feeling jipped because I want to see the necromancer raise an army of dead people.

That said I liked when Charlie started really coming into her own, realizing again that she could save herself and that she could save her friends. What I loved about this book is for the first time in the series, Charlie is the hero of her own story. And Charlie's a hell of a better hero than Lincoln, who is kind of the quintessential antihero.

For most of the book Lincoln is off doing secret things he doesn't tell Charlie about (which irked me) or sitting in a jail cell. Meanwhile Charlie is taking on the royalty of England on his behalf and leading an army to save him, then taking on an army to save her friend and that was spectacular.

I loved the council finally has the chance to go in the right direction with the Gilroys under control and the Buchanons gone. Maybe it will finally become the organization the world deserves. Overall it was a good installment and could easily stand as the conclusion to the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
244 reviews2 followers
December 22, 2017
The best one so far! I loved it from start to finish. The characters really came into their own, with the reader really getting to know each character and their personalities, but C.J. Archers wonderful story lines speaks for themselves. There is so much going on in this instalment. You have the romantic countdown to Charlie and Lincoln's wedding, with the major plot of disturbing murders happening again, but behind that, is a wonderful sub plot of Alice, Wonderland and the white rabbit. This book was a real page turner, which was sad because it meant that I finished this fantastic book too quickly. You get completely drawn in to Charlie and Lincoln's relationship, your heart goes out to them as they battle this latest mystery, so close to finally becoming husband and wife, it is a real 'will they', 'won't they' story. Can't wait for the next instalment. If you haven't read any of the Ministry of Curiosities, don't delay because you will certainly be in for a treat! Start at the beginning... It is a wonderful ride.
Profile Image for Sarah Hamilton.
712 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2018
A Good Addition to a Fun Series

I, once again, liked this book in the series, but didn't love it (like many of the earlier books). I felt some of the storylines have been drug out for too long and i must say, I'm rather relieved the storyline between Charlie and Lincoln has sort of ended (I do realize this isn't the end of the series as a whole). I did still enjoy the book. I was a little surprised by certain revelations and I'm glad Alice's story isn't over yet. It's a fun a unique take on Alice in Wonderland. I felt that Charlie's character has finally grown-up well and she's become a strong, independent female character that embraces who she is while still able to lean on her family and friends. Lincoln - I want to love his character, but I feel he changed too much and became flat and less interesting as the series has continued. I realize he needed to change some, but I want more of the original rough edge to shine through more. Overall, good read and I'm definitely looking forward to Alice's story.
Profile Image for Zen.
2,901 reviews
November 20, 2020
The end to the story arc for Charlie and Lincoln. I liked this series as a whole, but was disappointed how this novel dedicated more time addressing a threat to their relationship than the whole purpose of the Ministry. The end with Solar was meh, and the threat from the Duke just fell to the way side. Instead, we got crazy Lady Harcourt. I didn't like the way also that Charlie kept trying to talk up Seth and Alice to each other. This may be because I don't find Alice to be a likable character and think she is leading Seth on, waiting for him to prove himself to her without her making any effort to be worthy of him. I also ended up liking Harriet less in this book. I find myself hesitant to read the next and last novel. I will do so eventually, but may wait a bit.
Profile Image for Becky.
92 reviews
December 6, 2017
Good story ending...but not final story

I thought this was the last MoC book, but apparently not. This one was intriguing, with lots of twists and one VERY big shock towards the end. The Freak House connection seemed tacked on to me. It didn’t feel necessary, and as I have only read one book from that series, it felt forced to me. Other than that, the complications that come up to get to Charlie and Lincoln‘s wedding were exciting. I knew Alice’s “gift” would come in handy, and we get more about her. I’m looking forward to the next installment. I would give 3 1/2 stars, but I love this series, so 4.
Profile Image for Lana Stolk.
30 reviews
January 7, 2018
I have been reading my CJ Archer books on Kobo, and will thus only give an overview opinion of this series.
I loved the Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Series and all The Freakhouse Trilogy Series Books, but I absolutely adored The Ministries of Curiosities Series. I am sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of the tenth book in this series.
CJ Archer has a unique writing style that demands all attention, her fantastical books has drawn me in, made me buy one book after the other because I just couldn't get enough of them.
My new favourite author!
Cannot wait to start the Glass and Steele Series next.
Profile Image for Rachel Kunde.
17 reviews
June 10, 2018
I’ve loved this series and it was refreshing after some of the books I’ve read in the last few months but I was a little disappointed by this book. The last 8 books have been leading up to this moment where Lincoln and Charlie finally marry but then it’s almost glossed over and felt quiet rushed just to sum up the rest of the book. That being said I still enjoyed it, just wish the author took it further. I’m not sure if I’ll read the next one as Seth and Alice don’t really interest me and I feel a love triangle coming on with Eva. I would definitely read another book with Charlie and Lincoln though!
Profile Image for Saffron Mavros.
550 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2021
By this book, the plot gets monotonous and repetitive. The underlying idea is the same, the setting is unvarying, and nothing new is brought to the table. To the point that the storyline becomes near about predictable, not a favorable outcome for a series that kept me hanging for every word in the first three books of the series.

The author has tried to bring in new characters, but they feel quite alien and it's difficult to connect to them. The sanctity of the close knit group of adventurers seems to be breached.
Profile Image for Hollie Smurthwaite.
Author 6 books55 followers
June 14, 2022
This might be my favorite of the series so far. So much tension and stress! I could not stop listening, even when I should have been doing other things.

Lincoln and Charlie are on their back feet through almost the entire novel. Bigger, more powerful people are toying with them, exposing the Ministry and threatening their marriage. There were a lot of surprises and twists in this one.

165 reviews
December 2, 2022
Even though it was the book where Lincoln and Charlie finally get their HEA, I liked it a little less than the others. There were too many characters that seemed to have a personality transplant compared to the earlier books in the series. And honestly, I'm a little over the Alice and Seth thing. It's been dragging out forever for seemingly no reason, with no progress.

Having all the 'bad guys' get their comeuppance in the end was satisfying though. The journey to that point was less enjoyable.
Profile Image for Andra Shaw.
1,284 reviews11 followers
March 16, 2019
It Just Keeps Getting Better

To say that his 9th book in the Ministry of Curiosities series has some unpredictable moments, is an understatement. Charlie and Lincoln's happily ever after was never going to come easy, but it does come. We learn more about Alice and discover who is really loyal to the Ministry and who is not. Quite a bit was uncovered, resolved, and left hanging for book 10.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews

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