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Lilywhite Boys #2
Gilded Cage
Once upon a time a boy from a noble family fell in love with a girl from the gutter. It went as badly as you’d expect.
Seventeen years later, Susan Lazarus is a renowned detective, and Templeton Lane is a jewel thief. She’s tried to arrest him, and she’s tried to shoot him. They’ve never tried to talk.
Then Templeton is accused of a vicious double murder. Now there’s a manhunt out for him, the ports are watched, and even his best friends have turned their backs. If he can’t clear his name, he’ll hang.
There’s only one person in England who might help Templeton now...assuming she doesn’t want to kill him herself.
Seventeen years later, Susan Lazarus is a renowned detective, and Templeton Lane is a jewel thief. She’s tried to arrest him, and she’s tried to shoot him. They’ve never tried to talk.
Then Templeton is accused of a vicious double murder. Now there’s a manhunt out for him, the ports are watched, and even his best friends have turned their backs. If he can’t clear his name, he’ll hang.
There’s only one person in England who might help Templeton now...assuming she doesn’t want to kill him herself.
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First published September 23, 2019
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About the author
K.J. Charles
65 books12.1k followersKJ is a writer of romance, mostly m/m, historical or fantasy or both. She blogs about writing and editing at http://kjcharleswriter.com.
She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Discord group at https://discord.gg/fmPTWSZfT6
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She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Discord group at https://discord.gg/fmPTWSZfT6
Sign up to the (infrequent) newsletter at http://kjcharleswriter.com/newsletter
Please **do not** message me on Goodreads as I no longer check the inbox due to unwanted messages.
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June 20, 2019The sequel to Any Old Diamonds, in which Templeton Lane, jewel thief, and Susan Lazarus, lady detective, have unfinished business. A lot of it. Also a small matter of murder.
It's a standalone romance, taking place about six months after the events of Any Old Diamonds, and I thoroughly enjoyed putting Susan "you will know me by the trail of dead" Lazarus on centre stage at last.
It's a standalone romance, taking place about six months after the events of Any Old Diamonds, and I thoroughly enjoyed putting Susan "you will know me by the trail of dead" Lazarus on centre stage at last.
October 23, 2019
You guys. YOU GUYS. Any Old Diamonds (Lilywhite boys #1) is one of my favourite romances of all time, so I had high hopes for this one - especially because I've loved Sukey since she was a semi-feral child in An Unnatural Vice. So, yes, high hopes.
WHICH WERE MET. AND THEN SOME. BECAUSE THIS IS KJ CHARLES.
I was given an advance copy by the author, but I've also just purchased my own copy and would like a paperback as well, because this is incredible. I believe it's the author's second M/F (though I haven't read the first, which is #0.5, just yet) and she handles the historical power imbalance brilliantly. Charles carefully negotiates societal positions and interpersonal power to give badass Lady Detective Susan and gritty Jewel Thief Templeton a bond that feels as pure and visceral and ultimately equal as any other romance she's written, because of course she does.
This story also brings together a ton of amazing tropes for a delicious knockout combo. We have the cat-and-mouse enemies vibe between our hero and heroine, since he's a criminal and she's an inquiry agent. We have a tortured past that makes this a second-chance romance. We have their genuine friendship and the constant, quiet respect Temp shows Sukey, which makes this hit all the friends-to-lovers boxes for me.
I loved the elements of mystery and danger, and the fact that Sukey is an Indian Jones-type, minus the colonialism and other questionable elements. She's always got everything effortlessly under control and she's achingly clever.
She's also very stern, no-nonsense, and uncomfortable with feelings, which leads to various Hero In Pursuit moments. Watching Temp trip over himself to give plain, prickly Susan everything she deserved made me swoon several thousand times.
And now, while I've tried to be vaguely coherent and somewhat articulate, I can feel myself unravelling with sheer enthusiasm, so I will stop here and provide you with some of my favourite quotes.
-
"Christ, you look good in opals. I have a lot of them for you."
"Stolen ones?"
"Let's not split hairs."
-
"And I know what she'd have said about you."
"What?" James asked, with some foreboding.
"Nice thighs."
-
"Don't you care?"
"We care calmly, and we act calmly. Don't we, Temp?"
"I'll rip his head off calmly," James said.
-
"Have many people told you you're beautiful since I left?"
"Almost exactly none."
"I should have come back earlier. This country's gone to rack and ruin."
-
"Christ, you wonderful witch."
-
"Emma has two children. And a husband," she added, somewhat as an afterthought.
-
"She will let you know in the unlikely event that she wants you, Mr Hunted Murderer Jewel Thief."
WHICH WERE MET. AND THEN SOME. BECAUSE THIS IS KJ CHARLES.
I was given an advance copy by the author, but I've also just purchased my own copy and would like a paperback as well, because this is incredible. I believe it's the author's second M/F (though I haven't read the first, which is #0.5, just yet) and she handles the historical power imbalance brilliantly. Charles carefully negotiates societal positions and interpersonal power to give badass Lady Detective Susan and gritty Jewel Thief Templeton a bond that feels as pure and visceral and ultimately equal as any other romance she's written, because of course she does.
This story also brings together a ton of amazing tropes for a delicious knockout combo. We have the cat-and-mouse enemies vibe between our hero and heroine, since he's a criminal and she's an inquiry agent. We have a tortured past that makes this a second-chance romance. We have their genuine friendship and the constant, quiet respect Temp shows Sukey, which makes this hit all the friends-to-lovers boxes for me.
I loved the elements of mystery and danger, and the fact that Sukey is an Indian Jones-type, minus the colonialism and other questionable elements. She's always got everything effortlessly under control and she's achingly clever.
She's also very stern, no-nonsense, and uncomfortable with feelings, which leads to various Hero In Pursuit moments. Watching Temp trip over himself to give plain, prickly Susan everything she deserved made me swoon several thousand times.
And now, while I've tried to be vaguely coherent and somewhat articulate, I can feel myself unravelling with sheer enthusiasm, so I will stop here and provide you with some of my favourite quotes.
-
"Christ, you look good in opals. I have a lot of them for you."
"Stolen ones?"
"Let's not split hairs."
-
"And I know what she'd have said about you."
"What?" James asked, with some foreboding.
"Nice thighs."
-
"Don't you care?"
"We care calmly, and we act calmly. Don't we, Temp?"
"I'll rip his head off calmly," James said.
-
"Have many people told you you're beautiful since I left?"
"Almost exactly none."
"I should have come back earlier. This country's gone to rack and ruin."
-
"Christ, you wonderful witch."
-
"Emma has two children. And a husband," she added, somewhat as an afterthought.
-
"She will let you know in the unlikely event that she wants you, Mr Hunted Murderer Jewel Thief."
March 4, 2024
I absolutely loved this book and rate it 4.5*. It was a fun and funny 2nd book that centers around a female enquiry agent and a jewel thief that were introduced in book one (I think she was in an earlier series...getting into the weeds here). I enjoy the authors mysteries and the clues lead to reasonable resolutions. Susan is everything a strong heroine should be, and Lane was a character that grew on me. This can be read as a stand-alone but I think it will be best read in order to really get the most fun out of the series.
July 27, 2025
3.5⭐️ A sweet second chance romance with wry dialogue. The murder mystery was more telling than showing, kinda like if Mycroft Holmes solved the puzzle.
October 22, 2019
4.5 stars rounded up/ A-
K.J. Charles proves – once again – that she’s at the top of her game with Gilded Cage (the sequel to her late-Victorian-jewel-thief-caper Any Old Diamonds), which combines an intriguing murder mystery with a superbly written and swoon-worthy second chance romance. It’s funny, it’s sexy, it’s poignant and it’s brilliantly observed, featuring wonderfully written, flawed characters who leap off the page, a villain worthy of all the boos and hisses and a high-stakes plot.
When jewel thief and one half of the Lilywhite Boys, Templeton Lane, encountered enquiry agent Susan Lazarus in Any Old Diamonds, it was clear there was a shared history between them – and that it wasn’t one that either of them remembered with fondness. In Gilded Cage, readers learn the truth of that history – a story of young love gone badly wrong – after Templeton is accused of a double murder and Susan is the only person he feels he can turn to for help.
Against the advice of his associate Jerry Crozier – whom Templeton believes has lost his nerve since he fell in love – Templeton decides to go alone to a house in Mortlake in order to steal a set of highly valuable opals. Things are going as planned until he enters the bedroom where the safe is located and discovers the house’s owner lying on the floor in a pool of blood. When a terrified servant wakes the rest of the house, Templeton gets out (not before grabbing the jewels though!), evading his pursuers by swimming across the Thames (risky in the cold and dark) and then makes his way to the East End shop belonging to their regular fence, Stan, where he finds Jerry waiting for him. Both are furious with Templeton for being so careless, not just of his personal safety, but of theirs, too, and tell him that he needs to get out of the country fast or face the hangman’s noose. Angry and hurt at what he sees as a betrayal – although he does grudgingly admit to having cocked up big time – and unable to leave England owing to an increased police presence at the ports, Templeton needs to clear his name, which is how he ends up seeking out Susan Lazarus and hoping she won’t turn him in herself before he’s had a chance to explain.
What follows is part second chance romance part murder mystery in which the two leads are finally able to talk about their shared past while also gaining a new appreciation for and understanding of each other and who they are now. Susan is a wonderful heroine. Fiercely intelligent, no-nonsense, perceptive and loyal with just a hint of vulnerability she keeps well hidden, she’s not thrilled about seeing the man who broke her heart seventeen years earlier, but also knows that whatever else he is, he’s not a murderer and agrees to help him prove his innocence by finding the true culprit. And although Templeton comes across as a bit of a git to start with – his temper-tantrum over what he sees as Jerry’s ‘defection’ and new-found happiness causes Templeton to make very poor decisions and behave like a petulant kid – he is gradually revealed to be a decent, thoughtful man, his obvious respect for Susan, his acceptance of her bisexuality, and his being prepared to follow her lead (both in the investigation and in their personal interactions) more than making up for his earlier poor judgment and selfishness.
Their relationship is superbly done, the chemistry sizzles and I loved watching them talk through the issues that lie between them and find their way back to each other. The dialogue - laced with wit and very astute social observation – sparkles, and the plot very cleverly weaves together the threads of past and present to create an immensely satisfying three-dimensional story that has fun poking fun at and playing around with genre tropes.
As is always the case with this author, the writing is superb, the characters are fully-rounded, flawed individuals, and the whole novel is permeated by a wonderful sense of time and place. Most impressive of all is Susan, a woman who faces the same challenges and restrictions faced by all women at the time (late 19th century) with regard to personal freedom and independence, but who is nonetheless forging her own path as best she can, and the HEA is both original and perfectly in character as well as being thoroughly satisfying. My one criticism of the story is that because most of the investigation takes place off-page, the sense of urgency – Templeton stands to hang if found guilty, after all – isn’t quite as strong as it should have been.
Although the book works perfectly well as a standalone, there are some lovely shout-outs to both the Sins of the Cities and the Society of Gentlemen ; Templeton Lane is really James Vane, whose Great Uncle was Richard Vane – the mention of the slender, elderly man who taught Templeton the art of silent footsteps was just lovely! – and we get a little peek into the home life of Susan’s ‘guvnors’, Nathaniel Roy and Justin Lazarus, who is clearly as much of a shifty bastard as he ever was.
Gilded Cage is a fantastic read and one no fan of historical romance should miss. K.J. Charles is one of the very few writers in the genre who really understands it, and given the current deplorable state of HR in general, a true gem like this is not to be missed.
K.J. Charles proves – once again – that she’s at the top of her game with Gilded Cage (the sequel to her late-Victorian-jewel-thief-caper Any Old Diamonds), which combines an intriguing murder mystery with a superbly written and swoon-worthy second chance romance. It’s funny, it’s sexy, it’s poignant and it’s brilliantly observed, featuring wonderfully written, flawed characters who leap off the page, a villain worthy of all the boos and hisses and a high-stakes plot.
When jewel thief and one half of the Lilywhite Boys, Templeton Lane, encountered enquiry agent Susan Lazarus in Any Old Diamonds, it was clear there was a shared history between them – and that it wasn’t one that either of them remembered with fondness. In Gilded Cage, readers learn the truth of that history – a story of young love gone badly wrong – after Templeton is accused of a double murder and Susan is the only person he feels he can turn to for help.
Against the advice of his associate Jerry Crozier – whom Templeton believes has lost his nerve since he fell in love – Templeton decides to go alone to a house in Mortlake in order to steal a set of highly valuable opals. Things are going as planned until he enters the bedroom where the safe is located and discovers the house’s owner lying on the floor in a pool of blood. When a terrified servant wakes the rest of the house, Templeton gets out (not before grabbing the jewels though!), evading his pursuers by swimming across the Thames (risky in the cold and dark) and then makes his way to the East End shop belonging to their regular fence, Stan, where he finds Jerry waiting for him. Both are furious with Templeton for being so careless, not just of his personal safety, but of theirs, too, and tell him that he needs to get out of the country fast or face the hangman’s noose. Angry and hurt at what he sees as a betrayal – although he does grudgingly admit to having cocked up big time – and unable to leave England owing to an increased police presence at the ports, Templeton needs to clear his name, which is how he ends up seeking out Susan Lazarus and hoping she won’t turn him in herself before he’s had a chance to explain.
What follows is part second chance romance part murder mystery in which the two leads are finally able to talk about their shared past while also gaining a new appreciation for and understanding of each other and who they are now. Susan is a wonderful heroine. Fiercely intelligent, no-nonsense, perceptive and loyal with just a hint of vulnerability she keeps well hidden, she’s not thrilled about seeing the man who broke her heart seventeen years earlier, but also knows that whatever else he is, he’s not a murderer and agrees to help him prove his innocence by finding the true culprit. And although Templeton comes across as a bit of a git to start with – his temper-tantrum over what he sees as Jerry’s ‘defection’ and new-found happiness causes Templeton to make very poor decisions and behave like a petulant kid – he is gradually revealed to be a decent, thoughtful man, his obvious respect for Susan, his acceptance of her bisexuality, and his being prepared to follow her lead (both in the investigation and in their personal interactions) more than making up for his earlier poor judgment and selfishness.
Their relationship is superbly done, the chemistry sizzles and I loved watching them talk through the issues that lie between them and find their way back to each other. The dialogue - laced with wit and very astute social observation – sparkles, and the plot very cleverly weaves together the threads of past and present to create an immensely satisfying three-dimensional story that has fun poking fun at and playing around with genre tropes.
As is always the case with this author, the writing is superb, the characters are fully-rounded, flawed individuals, and the whole novel is permeated by a wonderful sense of time and place. Most impressive of all is Susan, a woman who faces the same challenges and restrictions faced by all women at the time (late 19th century) with regard to personal freedom and independence, but who is nonetheless forging her own path as best she can, and the HEA is both original and perfectly in character as well as being thoroughly satisfying. My one criticism of the story is that because most of the investigation takes place off-page, the sense of urgency – Templeton stands to hang if found guilty, after all – isn’t quite as strong as it should have been.
Although the book works perfectly well as a standalone, there are some lovely shout-outs to both the Sins of the Cities and the Society of Gentlemen ; Templeton Lane is really James Vane, whose Great Uncle was Richard Vane – the mention of the slender, elderly man who taught Templeton the art of silent footsteps was just lovely! – and we get a little peek into the home life of Susan’s ‘guvnors’, Nathaniel Roy and Justin Lazarus, who is clearly as much of a shifty bastard as he ever was.
Gilded Cage is a fantastic read and one no fan of historical romance should miss. K.J. Charles is one of the very few writers in the genre who really understands it, and given the current deplorable state of HR in general, a true gem like this is not to be missed.
April 4, 2020
3.5 stars
I didn’t care much for the romance, and I’m not even sure I liked the MCs, to be honest. They were very well fleshed-out characters and I didn’t dislike them, I just didn’t connect much with them and therefore the romance was kind of... just there. I enjoyed the revealing of their past and how everything worked out in the present, but in pretty much the same way I enjoyed the mystery part of the plot, intellectually more than emotionally. It was entertaining to discover what had happened, but I wasn’t invested in them getting back together or even staying together. I was more interested in Templeton working things out with Jerry and in all the references to the characters in the author’s other series.
And yet, I can’t round down because it was just that good, even with the lukewarm (to me, of course) romance.
I didn’t care much for the romance, and I’m not even sure I liked the MCs, to be honest. They were very well fleshed-out characters and I didn’t dislike them, I just didn’t connect much with them and therefore the romance was kind of... just there. I enjoyed the revealing of their past and how everything worked out in the present, but in pretty much the same way I enjoyed the mystery part of the plot, intellectually more than emotionally. It was entertaining to discover what had happened, but I wasn’t invested in them getting back together or even staying together. I was more interested in Templeton working things out with Jerry and in all the references to the characters in the author’s other series.
And yet, I can’t round down because it was just that good, even with the lukewarm (to me, of course) romance.
December 23, 2019
I loved EVERYTHING about this book!
This is a queer m/f (heroine is bisexual) historical which is still relatively rare occurrence in romance. Unlike the first book in the series which didn't quite work for me, this one hit all my sweet spots and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a second chance romance, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers (again) with a strong mystery/suspense plot.
I loved both Susan and Templeton but she is outstanding. I liked she was unremarkable in appearance and used that to her advantage to succeed in a male-dominated field. She was OK with her looks but to him was beautiful, perfect inside and outside. I loved how much he valued her strength and determination.
Templeton was very much the kind of romance hero I like, he was big and strong but also aware how his size could be intimidating to women. He was a true gentle giant who wanted to do everything to please Susan and make her happy.
There is a light femdom element in their relationship, the desire to make your partner feel good, to serve, to be there for them. It started with both of them discussing and overcoming the mistakes they both made with respect to each other in the past. It was not so much about forgiveness but rather about accepting the past and moving one, appreciating the present and looking forward to a future together.
The story had a strong presence of found family (and a terrible bio one) which was glorious and supportive and everything one can wish for in a family/close circle of friends.
The road towards HEA was not without obstacles but the ending was just perfect and felt right for both Susan (who was very anti-marriage) and for Templeton (who was pro marriage but more importantly, he was pro whatever made Susan happy). I liked that the end gave them the possibility for happiness with or without official marriage.
The book works as standalone though I would recommend reading at least An Unnatural Vice (where we meet Susan for the first time).
CW: miscarriage (in the past), violence, murder investigation
This is a queer m/f (heroine is bisexual) historical which is still relatively rare occurrence in romance. Unlike the first book in the series which didn't quite work for me, this one hit all my sweet spots and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a second chance romance, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers (again) with a strong mystery/suspense plot.
I loved both Susan and Templeton but she is outstanding. I liked she was unremarkable in appearance and used that to her advantage to succeed in a male-dominated field. She was OK with her looks but to him was beautiful, perfect inside and outside. I loved how much he valued her strength and determination.
Templeton was very much the kind of romance hero I like, he was big and strong but also aware how his size could be intimidating to women. He was a true gentle giant who wanted to do everything to please Susan and make her happy.
There is a light femdom element in their relationship, the desire to make your partner feel good, to serve, to be there for them. It started with both of them discussing and overcoming the mistakes they both made with respect to each other in the past. It was not so much about forgiveness but rather about accepting the past and moving one, appreciating the present and looking forward to a future together.
The story had a strong presence of found family (and a terrible bio one) which was glorious and supportive and everything one can wish for in a family/close circle of friends.
The road towards HEA was not without obstacles but the ending was just perfect and felt right for both Susan (who was very anti-marriage) and for Templeton (who was pro marriage but more importantly, he was pro whatever made Susan happy). I liked that the end gave them the possibility for happiness with or without official marriage.
The book works as standalone though I would recommend reading at least An Unnatural Vice (where we meet Susan for the first time).
CW: miscarriage (in the past), violence, murder investigation
November 10, 2019
I really enjoyed this story, which gives the last of our Lilywhite Boys his romance. Templeton Lane turns out to be a man with a complicated past, a passion for opals, and a tendency to act on emotions rather than planning when he's hurt. He considers himself solitary, but he's still in love with Susan Lazarus, despite seventeen years of no contact after a moment when he knows he hurt her badly. And when a burglary job falls apart around him in murder and pursuit, he goes to her for help, despite the possibility she might turn him in, or shoot him, or stab him with one of her lethal hairpins. He's willing to put his fate in her hands, not in trust as much as in surrender.
Susan Lazarus grew up on the streets, and then as the ward and accomplice to con artist Justin Lazarus. They've both gone legit now, and she's carved out a place for herself as a detective and enquiry agent, formidable, independent, in control of her own destiny. She prizes her self-sufficiency above everything else, in a world where women are so often the property of men. The young man Templeton Lane once was may have been her best friend, but events and years mean she owes him nothing. Less than nothing.
And yet, when he places himself in her hands, looking for help, her first instinct is to protect him. He's wanted for a murder that she becomes convinced he didn't commit. Which means there is a plot, potentially a frame-up, against him. And whatever she does, or doesn't, feel about him, she'd hate to see him swing for something he didn't do.
Unravelling the truth, and keeping a man as distinctive-looking as Templeton out of police hands, is no easy task. Luckily, the guttersnipe she once was has become a woman of skill and resources - exactly the person to do this job. Along the way, they'll both find out what's left of the friendship they shared, and whether the adults they've become have anything lasting to say to one another.
One of the reasons I don't read much M/F these days is for want of really strong female characters - the author delivers one here, without being in any way unbelievable for the time and place. Susan is smart, tough, bisexual, prickly, suspicious, and competent. She suffers no fools, but she's also able to change her mind in the face of contradictory evidence.
Some M/F with strong women still ends with having the man perform a rescue because he's just that bit more competent (Suzanne Brockmann much as I adore your work I'm looking at you.) This one doesn't. Its avoidance of all the standard M/F romance tropes may work against it in a wider romance audience, but makes it a reread for me.
Susan Lazarus grew up on the streets, and then as the ward and accomplice to con artist Justin Lazarus. They've both gone legit now, and she's carved out a place for herself as a detective and enquiry agent, formidable, independent, in control of her own destiny. She prizes her self-sufficiency above everything else, in a world where women are so often the property of men. The young man Templeton Lane once was may have been her best friend, but events and years mean she owes him nothing. Less than nothing.
And yet, when he places himself in her hands, looking for help, her first instinct is to protect him. He's wanted for a murder that she becomes convinced he didn't commit. Which means there is a plot, potentially a frame-up, against him. And whatever she does, or doesn't, feel about him, she'd hate to see him swing for something he didn't do.
Unravelling the truth, and keeping a man as distinctive-looking as Templeton out of police hands, is no easy task. Luckily, the guttersnipe she once was has become a woman of skill and resources - exactly the person to do this job. Along the way, they'll both find out what's left of the friendship they shared, and whether the adults they've become have anything lasting to say to one another.
One of the reasons I don't read much M/F these days is for want of really strong female characters - the author delivers one here, without being in any way unbelievable for the time and place. Susan is smart, tough, bisexual, prickly, suspicious, and competent. She suffers no fools, but she's also able to change her mind in the face of contradictory evidence.
Some M/F with strong women still ends with having the man perform a rescue because he's just that bit more competent (Suzanne Brockmann much as I adore your work I'm looking at you.) This one doesn't. Its avoidance of all the standard M/F romance tropes may work against it in a wider romance audience, but makes it a reread for me.
December 21, 2022
чарльз все ще лишається найкращою авторкою любовних романів, яку я тільки знаю. конкретно ця книжка - гетеро лав сторі, єдина в її доробку, але я в захваті і від героїні, і від навколодетективної лінії, і від думки, що колись забуду текст достатньо, аби знову його перечитати.
September 26, 2019
(i received an ARC in exchange for an honest review)
i started this book knowing i loved susan lazarus but i finished it with a bone-deep certainty that i would kill ANY MAN for susan lazarus without a single question asked.
(susan lazarus is the daughter of justin lazarus, my terrible con artist son whomst i would die for, and she solves crimes and wears 8-inch pointed steel hairpins at all times in case she needs to stab men in the balls. tell me YOU wouldn’t kill any man she told you to.)
susan’s Significant Ex is named james vane (who is the great-nephew of richard vane from the society of gentlemen books, which was a fun easter egg) aka templeton lane, jewel thief. unfortunately for them both, the book cold opens on him walking into a trap and the scene of a double homicide instead of a nice chill heist, so naturally he is forced to go to the best enquiry agent he knows to clear his name because even his best friends think he might have Done The Murders. (templeton is not having a great day.) so he breaks into her apartment to ask her to help, susan coshes him in the balls with absolutely 0 remorse and can’t fucking believe this is her life (#relarable) and events unfold from there.
i will say that despite the VERY high stakes premise, i felt a distinct lack of sustained dramatic tension compared to the sins of the cities books, probably because there are so many fucking competent people involved that you never once actually think the bad guys will get away with it, which was nice. you just get to watch it all unfold.
anyway, i liked this book and it was worth the wait. the main pairing is m/f which as you all know is NOT my usual jam, but something about a second chance romance + competence porn + post-coital Plotting + There’s Only One Bed Because We Are Pretending To Be On Our Honeymoon + gemstones made from the bodies of australian marsupials really just Did It for me.
i started this book knowing i loved susan lazarus but i finished it with a bone-deep certainty that i would kill ANY MAN for susan lazarus without a single question asked.
(susan lazarus is the daughter of justin lazarus, my terrible con artist son whomst i would die for, and she solves crimes and wears 8-inch pointed steel hairpins at all times in case she needs to stab men in the balls. tell me YOU wouldn’t kill any man she told you to.)
susan’s Significant Ex is named james vane (who is the great-nephew of richard vane from the society of gentlemen books, which was a fun easter egg) aka templeton lane, jewel thief. unfortunately for them both, the book cold opens on him walking into a trap and the scene of a double homicide instead of a nice chill heist, so naturally he is forced to go to the best enquiry agent he knows to clear his name because even his best friends think he might have Done The Murders. (templeton is not having a great day.) so he breaks into her apartment to ask her to help, susan coshes him in the balls with absolutely 0 remorse and can’t fucking believe this is her life (#relarable) and events unfold from there.
i will say that despite the VERY high stakes premise, i felt a distinct lack of sustained dramatic tension compared to the sins of the cities books, probably because there are so many fucking competent people involved that you never once actually think the bad guys will get away with it, which was nice. you just get to watch it all unfold.
anyway, i liked this book and it was worth the wait. the main pairing is m/f which as you all know is NOT my usual jam, but something about a second chance romance + competence porn + post-coital Plotting + There’s Only One Bed Because We Are Pretending To Be On Our Honeymoon + gemstones made from the bodies of australian marsupials really just Did It for me.
April 2, 2020
This was a delight too. Far from the typical behaviour of m/f romance that I despise. Where I usually find the female characters TSTL and the male ones, brutes without brain, the net of little decisions that have put our protagonists in their positions is so well knitted and written that was an absolute pleasure to read.
Thank you guys for the BR, I'm looking forward to discuss this and the other two as a whole.
Thank you guys for the BR, I'm looking forward to discuss this and the other two as a whole.
May 12, 2025
TBR rescue project. On the one hand, KJC. On the other, m/f (shudder). Good, but uncharacteristically florid in places and Templeton's groveling was overdone -- he was also pretty hard done by, after all. And of course, needed more Justin and Jerry.
May 2, 2023
never has there been a more enthusiastic and devoted malewife than James Vane <3
i mean i jest but am i really jesting?? because there are approximately 674 things to love about this book, but at the forefront is how much James respects and adores Susan. he is objectively an attractive and competent man and yet he is but a speck of dust beneath Susan's (perpetually cold) feet and he KNOWS it. and that, my friends, is the ultimate m/f dynamic. (bells/hayes, anybody??)
here we have a man who is in absolute awe of his beloved, and his beloved is prickly and determined and no-nonsense! and yet she is insecure and afraid of letting someone in!!! (and she is also a bisexual detective!!!!) Susan Lazarus is the representation we need but could never deserve.
i am also perpetually impressed by how KJC handles bonds of family and friendship - there is a throughline in some of my favourite KJC books of people sitting their loved ones down and having long and hard conversations and realizing that there is a limit to how much they can understand each other, and that there is a chasm they have created between each other by unconsciously projecting their own wants and needs onto other people. (yes i am talking about Richard and Dom, no i will never get over how well Charles wrote the breakdown and eventual rebirth of that friendship).
and then there's of course the fact that she doesn't shy away from the history bit in historical romance. i have read many an m/f historical and at the top of my head i can't recall a single other one where the reality of the woman's position in marriage is acknowledged. Susan is like "i don't wanna get married bcs i don't wanna be a man's property" and that may seem like one of those Eloise from Bridgerton(TV) sentences, but the thing is, Susan is a working 30-something-year-old living in the 1890s, the fight for women's suffrage was very much already going on, she is saying what many women have been thinking and fighting against for years at that point. (ofc you could argue that Eloise has Mary Wollstonecraft for feminist consciousness raising but,,,there was just something lacklustre and not grounded about how Bridgerton did Eloise The Feminist and that's that on that!)
so yeah, it would make absolute sense for a woman of Susan's backround to be prickly and opposed to marriage. and also makes sense that unlike her father, who sees love as redemption and salvation, Susan experiences love as... being respected and listened to. because she has to fight tooth and nail for it every day out there in the world. and James giving it to her and being so damn grateful for the privilege is something that can actually be so personal.
i have A LOT of quotes highlighted so I'll refrain from quoting the entire freakin the book, but i will say that "given the choice between the love that dare not speak its name, and the love that can't spell it without two tries" is such an unbelievably Pratchettian line that it just made me realise what a pro gamer move i'd pulled by becoming obsessed with Alexis Hall and KJC, two middle-aged Brits who have clearly grown up on a steady diet of Discworld. love to read a swoony romance *and* have a giggle *and* contemplate what we owe to each other, all within the same 300 pages or so. time well spent!!
i mean i jest but am i really jesting?? because there are approximately 674 things to love about this book, but at the forefront is how much James respects and adores Susan. he is objectively an attractive and competent man and yet he is but a speck of dust beneath Susan's (perpetually cold) feet and he KNOWS it. and that, my friends, is the ultimate m/f dynamic. (bells/hayes, anybody??)
here we have a man who is in absolute awe of his beloved, and his beloved is prickly and determined and no-nonsense! and yet she is insecure and afraid of letting someone in!!! (and she is also a bisexual detective!!!!) Susan Lazarus is the representation we need but could never deserve.
i am also perpetually impressed by how KJC handles bonds of family and friendship - there is a throughline in some of my favourite KJC books of people sitting their loved ones down and having long and hard conversations and realizing that there is a limit to how much they can understand each other, and that there is a chasm they have created between each other by unconsciously projecting their own wants and needs onto other people. (yes i am talking about Richard and Dom, no i will never get over how well Charles wrote the breakdown and eventual rebirth of that friendship).
and then there's of course the fact that she doesn't shy away from the history bit in historical romance. i have read many an m/f historical and at the top of my head i can't recall a single other one where the reality of the woman's position in marriage is acknowledged. Susan is like "i don't wanna get married bcs i don't wanna be a man's property" and that may seem like one of those Eloise from Bridgerton(TV) sentences, but the thing is, Susan is a working 30-something-year-old living in the 1890s, the fight for women's suffrage was very much already going on, she is saying what many women have been thinking and fighting against for years at that point. (ofc you could argue that Eloise has Mary Wollstonecraft for feminist consciousness raising but,,,there was just something lacklustre and not grounded about how Bridgerton did Eloise The Feminist and that's that on that!)
so yeah, it would make absolute sense for a woman of Susan's backround to be prickly and opposed to marriage. and also makes sense that unlike her father, who sees love as redemption and salvation, Susan experiences love as... being respected and listened to. because she has to fight tooth and nail for it every day out there in the world. and James giving it to her and being so damn grateful for the privilege is something that can actually be so personal.
i have A LOT of quotes highlighted so I'll refrain from quoting the entire freakin the book, but i will say that "given the choice between the love that dare not speak its name, and the love that can't spell it without two tries" is such an unbelievably Pratchettian line that it just made me realise what a pro gamer move i'd pulled by becoming obsessed with Alexis Hall and KJC, two middle-aged Brits who have clearly grown up on a steady diet of Discworld. love to read a swoony romance *and* have a giggle *and* contemplate what we owe to each other, all within the same 300 pages or so. time well spent!!
December 9, 2019
I very much enjoyed this gay straight(ish) romance.
July 15, 2021
*Picks up pillows stitched with J+N. Adds some lines for family trees. Proceeds to stitch J+S within family tree.*
Don't play the game if you don't like the stakes.
KJ Charles, via her character, calls Susan Lazarus a hedgehog and of course that's what I was thinking of her the whole time.
"Christ, you look good in opals. I have a lot of them for you.”
“Stolen ones?”
“Let’s not split hairs.”
And so, imagine a hedgehog, showing its soft underbelly (still with claws out don't be silly) to a teddy bear who also drops people out the window for fucking with those he cares about: "defenestration" he says. Templeton Lane talks like Richard Vane and has a weakness for opals, and hell, you know I was a goner when I found that out-and I knew KJC had done the perfect thing perfectly again when I read this, and he's holding a torch for a difficult woman raised by my favorite KJ Charles character (Justin Lazarus).
Diamonds were easier to fence, emeralds more valuable, but opals sang to Templeton and he couldn’t resist their song.
Susan knows her found family is loving and counts herself lucky. She is equally dedicated to justice and righteous as her other 'guvnor' Nathaniel, but with the slippery and ruthless methods of Justin. And if Temp didn't say it enough: she's glorious. It just so happens she's the only one willing to help Temp, murder suspect, because she knows him just a little bit better than everyone else, or is smarter than everyone else at least.
It wasn’t about him at all, but about the simple mathematics: if he swung, a double murderer would walk free. She would do this because it was right, and if the entire rest of the world thought she was misguided, foolish, or irritating for it, that was their hard luck.
What follows is an exploration of a light that never extinguished, a reclaiming of names, and just a fucking good romance.
James Vane had never had any business falling in love with Sukey Lazarus. It had always been impossible, and she had always been
doomed to suffer for it.
I absolutely LOVE when James/Temp surprises Susan, it's fantastic, "You fucking what?" or "I...uh, what?"
It's hilarious in that way that the highly suspicious, ruthless, two steps ahead character getting knocked off her feet way....
“In my old trade, a blank slate was a lie. I’d write on it with onion
juice, then Justin would wipe it with a chalky handkerchief, and there
you are, a message from the spirits. The flats fell for it every time.”
“Perhaps the invisible writing is always there, whatever you do,”
This was fabulous, and in perfect KJ style, the pacing is on, the sex integral and it just results in a near perfect romance. Justin and Nathaniel were there first, though(and their intensity cannot be topped).
Don't play the game if you don't like the stakes.
KJ Charles, via her character, calls Susan Lazarus a hedgehog and of course that's what I was thinking of her the whole time.
"Christ, you look good in opals. I have a lot of them for you.”
“Stolen ones?”
“Let’s not split hairs.”
And so, imagine a hedgehog, showing its soft underbelly (still with claws out don't be silly) to a teddy bear who also drops people out the window for fucking with those he cares about: "defenestration" he says. Templeton Lane talks like Richard Vane and has a weakness for opals, and hell, you know I was a goner when I found that out-and I knew KJC had done the perfect thing perfectly again when I read this, and he's holding a torch for a difficult woman raised by my favorite KJ Charles character (Justin Lazarus).
Diamonds were easier to fence, emeralds more valuable, but opals sang to Templeton and he couldn’t resist their song.
Susan knows her found family is loving and counts herself lucky. She is equally dedicated to justice and righteous as her other 'guvnor' Nathaniel, but with the slippery and ruthless methods of Justin. And if Temp didn't say it enough: she's glorious. It just so happens she's the only one willing to help Temp, murder suspect, because she knows him just a little bit better than everyone else, or is smarter than everyone else at least.
It wasn’t about him at all, but about the simple mathematics: if he swung, a double murderer would walk free. She would do this because it was right, and if the entire rest of the world thought she was misguided, foolish, or irritating for it, that was their hard luck.
What follows is an exploration of a light that never extinguished, a reclaiming of names, and just a fucking good romance.
James Vane had never had any business falling in love with Sukey Lazarus. It had always been impossible, and she had always been
doomed to suffer for it.
I absolutely LOVE when James/Temp surprises Susan, it's fantastic, "You fucking what?" or "I...uh, what?"
It's hilarious in that way that the highly suspicious, ruthless, two steps ahead character getting knocked off her feet way....
“In my old trade, a blank slate was a lie. I’d write on it with onion
juice, then Justin would wipe it with a chalky handkerchief, and there
you are, a message from the spirits. The flats fell for it every time.”
“Perhaps the invisible writing is always there, whatever you do,”
This was fabulous, and in perfect KJ style, the pacing is on, the sex integral and it just results in a near perfect romance. Justin and Nathaniel were there first, though(and their intensity cannot be topped).
October 7, 2024
Thank you very much to KJ Charles for providing a review copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review.
Gilded Cage is the long-awaited sequel to Any Old Diamonds, taking place about six months after the first book, with Susan Lazarus at the forefront. I was already planning on reading this book, but when KJ Charles called Susan, Susan “you will know me by the trail of dead” Lazarus, she made me even more excited for it.
Susan Lazarus is an enquiry agent who solves crimes and doesn’t take shit from anyone. She’s the adopted daughter of Justin Lazarus, a main character from the Sins of the Cities book, An Unnatural Vice, and works for him at his agency after he gives up a life of crime for love, and for Susan. If Susan sounds amazing already, then let me tell you she wears steel hairpins in order to stab men in the balls if (when) they deserve it.
Templeton Lane, on the other hand, is a jewel thief of the worst kind. He takes what he wants and doesn’t give a damn about the consequences, that is, until he’s pinned for a double murder that he didn’t commit (although he did steal the jewels). Enter Susan Lazarus, whom he goes to for help because they have History. Templeton Lane’s real name is James Vane, the great-nephew of (my favourite character) Richard Vane, a main character of the Society of Gentleman novel, A Gentleman’s Position.
The romance between Susan and James is just so well done. It’s a second chance romance with miscommunication and There’s Only One Bed, which has to be my favourite trope ever. I really appreciated how respectful James is to Susan (as well he should be, but gosh, its hard to find a respectful romance hero sometimes). He lays himself bare to her and allows her to set the pace of their relationship, as he understands her reservations about marriage. Even though this book is set in 1895, Susan’s distrust of the institution of marriage is still highly relatable and I felt seen.
While this book features the miscommunication trope, it’s not something that Susan and James could have prevented, and once they discover that they were duped, they talk over their feelings like adults and learn to do better. That doesn’t solve all of their problems though: James to take responsibility for his past and stop running away from who he used to be if they have any chance of being together again. All this while trying to solve a murder.
The amount of callbacks and cameos in the book had me grinning like a loon. While you don’t need to read Charles’ other novels to understand and appreciate this one, I still highly recommend you do because picking up on all the Easter eggs was just so much fun! Although it breaks my heart to know that Richard’s nephew, his name-sake and James’ father, turned into such a shit. But finding out that Richard lived to the ripe old age of ninety (hopefully with the love of his life) made me feel better again.
Gilded Cage is romp of a novel from start to finish. The crime element is high-stakes, the romance was swoon-worthy and super hot, and the characters are incredibly loveable. Get yourselves a copy of this book when it comes out!
Gilded Cage is the long-awaited sequel to Any Old Diamonds, taking place about six months after the first book, with Susan Lazarus at the forefront. I was already planning on reading this book, but when KJ Charles called Susan, Susan “you will know me by the trail of dead” Lazarus, she made me even more excited for it.
Susan Lazarus is an enquiry agent who solves crimes and doesn’t take shit from anyone. She’s the adopted daughter of Justin Lazarus, a main character from the Sins of the Cities book, An Unnatural Vice, and works for him at his agency after he gives up a life of crime for love, and for Susan. If Susan sounds amazing already, then let me tell you she wears steel hairpins in order to stab men in the balls if (when) they deserve it.
Templeton Lane, on the other hand, is a jewel thief of the worst kind. He takes what he wants and doesn’t give a damn about the consequences, that is, until he’s pinned for a double murder that he didn’t commit (although he did steal the jewels). Enter Susan Lazarus, whom he goes to for help because they have History. Templeton Lane’s real name is James Vane, the great-nephew of (my favourite character) Richard Vane, a main character of the Society of Gentleman novel, A Gentleman’s Position.
The romance between Susan and James is just so well done. It’s a second chance romance with miscommunication and There’s Only One Bed, which has to be my favourite trope ever. I really appreciated how respectful James is to Susan (as well he should be, but gosh, its hard to find a respectful romance hero sometimes). He lays himself bare to her and allows her to set the pace of their relationship, as he understands her reservations about marriage. Even though this book is set in 1895, Susan’s distrust of the institution of marriage is still highly relatable and I felt seen.
While this book features the miscommunication trope, it’s not something that Susan and James could have prevented, and once they discover that they were duped, they talk over their feelings like adults and learn to do better. That doesn’t solve all of their problems though: James to take responsibility for his past and stop running away from who he used to be if they have any chance of being together again. All this while trying to solve a murder.
The amount of callbacks and cameos in the book had me grinning like a loon. While you don’t need to read Charles’ other novels to understand and appreciate this one, I still highly recommend you do because picking up on all the Easter eggs was just so much fun! Although it breaks my heart to know that Richard’s nephew, his name-sake and James’ father, turned into such a shit. But finding out that Richard lived to the ripe old age of ninety (hopefully with the love of his life) made me feel better again.
Gilded Cage is romp of a novel from start to finish. The crime element is high-stakes, the romance was swoon-worthy and super hot, and the characters are incredibly loveable. Get yourselves a copy of this book when it comes out!
December 31, 2019
First, y'all should click over to see the larger version of the cover so you can see our heroine Susan's face. It is the most non-swoony face I have ever, ever seen on a romance novel cover, and that is so true to her character, I love it. Even the arms are folded! Susan Lazarus is not fucking around.
This is the second book in the Lilywhite Boys series, which follows two con men and thieves in late Victorian London. This series is actually connected to Charles's prior series, Sins of the Cities, as Susan is the adoptive daughter of Justin Lazarus, the former spiritualist (and scammer) turned enquiry agent. Now it's about twenty years later, and Susan herself has taken up the family business, making a name for herself by being tough as nails, and very, very good at her job. Her former lover is one of the Lilywhite boys himself, Templeton Lane (formerly James Vane, confirming this also takes place in the same universe as her first series, Society of Gentleman). They were sort of childhood sweethearts, but their relationship ended with a terrible break between them that left Templeton on a boat to do hard labor in Australia, and with Susan as an enemy.
Years later, they are on opposite sides of the law. Templeton is nearly killed when a jewel theft goes wrong. He finds the body of the owner when he breaks in, and he in turn is found standing over the body of the owner, at which point he makes a run for it. Having clearly been framed and not wanting to drag his only two friends (and criminal associates) down with him, the only person he knows who might possibly believe him innocent of the murders (the valet was killed, too) and also might be able to help clear his name, is one Susan Lazarus.
This is a second chance romance, with elements of enemies to lovers near the beginning, so it's a twofer. Also, it's a murder mystery! And historical fiction. And it's very well written. And the way that Susan and Templeton come back together is so very good. They're both such emotionally complex people with such different personalities, but their chemistry feels effortless, and their conflicts and struggles poignant. Susan is a badass, and Templeton is some sort of gentle bear/puppy combo with criminal tendencies mostly to do with thieving. As both puppies and bears are known for stealing shit that doesn't belong to them (mostly to eat), I feel my comparison is apt.
I really can't emphasize enough how much it upsets me that y'all still aren't reading K.J. Charles as much as she deserves. She deserves to be a bestselling author with awards threatening to collapse her shelves. I think I'm finally going to have to do a deep dive and finish out the books in her back catalogue I haven't gotten to yet, because I don't know when she's publishing her next book and it's making me anxious.
This is the second book in the Lilywhite Boys series, which follows two con men and thieves in late Victorian London. This series is actually connected to Charles's prior series, Sins of the Cities, as Susan is the adoptive daughter of Justin Lazarus, the former spiritualist (and scammer) turned enquiry agent. Now it's about twenty years later, and Susan herself has taken up the family business, making a name for herself by being tough as nails, and very, very good at her job. Her former lover is one of the Lilywhite boys himself, Templeton Lane (formerly James Vane, confirming this also takes place in the same universe as her first series, Society of Gentleman). They were sort of childhood sweethearts, but their relationship ended with a terrible break between them that left Templeton on a boat to do hard labor in Australia, and with Susan as an enemy.
Years later, they are on opposite sides of the law. Templeton is nearly killed when a jewel theft goes wrong. He finds the body of the owner when he breaks in, and he in turn is found standing over the body of the owner, at which point he makes a run for it. Having clearly been framed and not wanting to drag his only two friends (and criminal associates) down with him, the only person he knows who might possibly believe him innocent of the murders (the valet was killed, too) and also might be able to help clear his name, is one Susan Lazarus.
This is a second chance romance, with elements of enemies to lovers near the beginning, so it's a twofer. Also, it's a murder mystery! And historical fiction. And it's very well written. And the way that Susan and Templeton come back together is so very good. They're both such emotionally complex people with such different personalities, but their chemistry feels effortless, and their conflicts and struggles poignant. Susan is a badass, and Templeton is some sort of gentle bear/puppy combo with criminal tendencies mostly to do with thieving. As both puppies and bears are known for stealing shit that doesn't belong to them (mostly to eat), I feel my comparison is apt.
I really can't emphasize enough how much it upsets me that y'all still aren't reading K.J. Charles as much as she deserves. She deserves to be a bestselling author with awards threatening to collapse her shelves. I think I'm finally going to have to do a deep dive and finish out the books in her back catalogue I haven't gotten to yet, because I don't know when she's publishing her next book and it's making me anxious.
July 21, 2020
4.5 stars
K.J. Charles is more well-known for her M/M historical romances... well, who knew that her M/F one ends up being one of my favorite of hers. This is an EXCELLENT second-chance romance, featuring blazingly sharp female detective by the name of Susan Lazarus and duke's son turned jewelry thief, Templeton Lane (or as Susan knew him previously as James Vane). Oh also thrown in a double murder in the plot, will you?
James knew Susan almost two decades ago, they were childhood friends turned lovers. But then things happened between them () - there were a LOT of hurts and pain of course, then James returned as a thief while Susan succeeded as a detective.
I ADORED this story to pieces!!! Susan steals my heart completely, of course. A heroine that takes charges, who makes criminal shivers in their feet, she becomes the only person James turns to when he is accused of those double murders. I loved Susan's mind and heart. She's just AMAZING, probably my favorite female character of Charles' stories so far. Oh, and she's bisexual too!
James (or Templeton) is a good character too, although at times I felt that he was showing the "woe-is-me" attitude. Sure, he suffered those years in Australia due to his jackass of a father, but at the same time, I didn't feel he was trying enough to get back to Susan. On the other hand, well they were young, so maybe all those years being separated help Susan and James to be where they are now.
The murder case was solved rather straightforward by Susan almost half way in the book. So the rest is more about how they catch the villain.
The ending, of James is GLORIOUS in his own way.
K.J. Charles is more well-known for her M/M historical romances... well, who knew that her M/F one ends up being one of my favorite of hers. This is an EXCELLENT second-chance romance, featuring blazingly sharp female detective by the name of Susan Lazarus and duke's son turned jewelry thief, Templeton Lane (or as Susan knew him previously as James Vane). Oh also thrown in a double murder in the plot, will you?
James knew Susan almost two decades ago, they were childhood friends turned lovers. But then things happened between them () - there were a LOT of hurts and pain of course, then James returned as a thief while Susan succeeded as a detective.
I ADORED this story to pieces!!! Susan steals my heart completely, of course. A heroine that takes charges, who makes criminal shivers in their feet, she becomes the only person James turns to when he is accused of those double murders. I loved Susan's mind and heart. She's just AMAZING, probably my favorite female character of Charles' stories so far. Oh, and she's bisexual too!
James (or Templeton) is a good character too, although at times I felt that he was showing the "woe-is-me" attitude. Sure, he suffered those years in Australia due to his jackass of a father, but at the same time, I didn't feel he was trying enough to get back to Susan. On the other hand, well they were young, so maybe all those years being separated help Susan and James to be where they are now.
The murder case was solved rather straightforward by Susan almost half way in the book. So the rest is more about how they catch the villain.
The ending, of James is GLORIOUS in his own way.
December 17, 2022
Be still my heart with this enemies-to-lovers second chance romance! Susan for president. She is just the absolute best and I bow down to her and her detective badassery and allergy to feelings. But even Susan can only suppress her feelings for Templeton (aka James, her first love) for so long. I have been looking forward to her story ever since first meeting her in An Unnatural Vice. No need to read that first but you’re in for a treat if you do. However, I would recommend reading Any Old Diamond before this one so you’ll have full context for jewel thief Templeton and his inner demons.
Characters: Susan is a 34 year old bisexual white detective. Templeton/James is a 33 year old white jewel thief. This is set in 1895 London.
Content notes: brief suicidal ideation, past pregnancy and miscarriage, past death of FMC’s lover, murder, physical assault, abduction, home invasion, past physical abuse of MMC by mine overseer who also kicked his dog, FMC shot and punched MMC in separate past incidences (related to his crimes), past defenestration of villain, societal homophobia/transphobia, misgendering of trans secondary character, past slut-shaming, past emotional abuse by MMC’s father, past forced conscription/MMC exiled to Australia by his father, past child homelessness (FMC taken off street at age 8), FMC’s mother died young and she never knew her father, past death of beloved great-uncle, past death of MMC’s mother when he was young, on page sex, alcohol, cigarillos (secondary character), gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, mention of past intimate partner violence (secondary character), mention of past murder-suicide, reference to murderer who killed and mutilated women
Characters: Susan is a 34 year old bisexual white detective. Templeton/James is a 33 year old white jewel thief. This is set in 1895 London.
Content notes: brief suicidal ideation, past pregnancy and miscarriage, past death of FMC’s lover, murder, physical assault, abduction, home invasion, past physical abuse of MMC by mine overseer who also kicked his dog, FMC shot and punched MMC in separate past incidences (related to his crimes), past defenestration of villain, societal homophobia/transphobia, misgendering of trans secondary character, past slut-shaming, past emotional abuse by MMC’s father, past forced conscription/MMC exiled to Australia by his father, past child homelessness (FMC taken off street at age 8), FMC’s mother died young and she never knew her father, past death of beloved great-uncle, past death of MMC’s mother when he was young, on page sex, alcohol, cigarillos (secondary character), gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, mention of past intimate partner violence (secondary character), mention of past murder-suicide, reference to murderer who killed and mutilated women
May 19, 2020
There’s a lot to like about this book. And I did, overall, like it. But at no point did I love it. Part of that might be the fact that I don’t read much m/f romance these days. I’m not taking stars off for that though. It’s not the book’s fault. It’s not like it tricked me into reading it. Or did it? 😂 No it didn’t, I’m kidding. Although it did kind force itself on me after I finished book one. After all, Templeton and Sukey intrigued me so much in that one that I felt compelled to read their story. I suppose that’s why I had such high expectations and why I wanted more from it.
The good?
It was fun and sweet. The mystery was enjoyable enough. Sukey was a firecracker and Templeton was a dream. I liked how he loved her for her clever mind and sharp tongue. Plot to steam ratio was well balanced.
Why this wasn’t a four star or higher:
Yes the mystery was enjoyable enough but it lacked the crackle and energy of book one. And yes, Sukey and Templeton were lovely but they were somehow missing that extra spark. Their connection failed to light me up. And if I had to read one more time how she was plain looking but he found her beautiful, I would have reached through the pages, grabbed one of her hair pin weapons and gouged my eyes out.
So there’s that.
Too long didn’t read: Liked but didn’t love. 🤷🏻♀️
Side note: I saw that Sukey’s adopted dads/father figures have their own book in a different series and promptly bought it, ignoring the pesky voice in my head that nagged, “I thought we were trying to only borrow books from the library or kindle unlimited.” I have issues. 🤣
So I’ll be reading that one next. It sounds divine.
The good?
It was fun and sweet. The mystery was enjoyable enough. Sukey was a firecracker and Templeton was a dream. I liked how he loved her for her clever mind and sharp tongue. Plot to steam ratio was well balanced.
Why this wasn’t a four star or higher:
Yes the mystery was enjoyable enough but it lacked the crackle and energy of book one. And yes, Sukey and Templeton were lovely but they were somehow missing that extra spark. Their connection failed to light me up. And if I had to read one more time how she was plain looking but he found her beautiful, I would have reached through the pages, grabbed one of her hair pin weapons and gouged my eyes out.
So there’s that.
Too long didn’t read: Liked but didn’t love. 🤷🏻♀️
Side note: I saw that Sukey’s adopted dads/father figures have their own book in a different series and promptly bought it, ignoring the pesky voice in my head that nagged, “I thought we were trying to only borrow books from the library or kindle unlimited.” I have issues. 🤣
So I’ll be reading that one next. It sounds divine.
September 13, 2022
Aw, cute!
May 21, 2025
This is not my favorite book by this author, but it was still fun. It was very nice to see the characters/couples from the Sins of the City series. That was really fun. The "mystery" was interesting but was kind of solved off page and then summarized, which was a miss to me. I liked the couple but it was a second chance romance, so they don't get to know each other. That may be why I wasn't that invested in them as a couple ? I would still recommend!
October 23, 2019
I'm going to try to write this review as someone who randomly came upon this book, and not as a fangirl who felt like she won the lottery when she scored an ARC from the author (disclosure: I scored an ARC from the author). So if you're new to KJ Charles, why should you read this book? There are so many reasons, but here are just a few:
1) Her writing is impeccable. Every word feels like it was chosen with great care. Just marvel at the first time we meet Susan Lazarus in the opening of Chapter 2:
Doesn't that just tell you everything you need to know about Susan and her emotional state? The whole book is like that, full of passages to slowly savor.
2) The characters jump off the pages. Even if you haven't already encountered Susan "Sukey" Lazarus in Any Old Diamonds or even earlier in An Unnatural Vice, you will not be able to resist her. She's tough, smart, loyal, fearless and just a teeny tiny bit vulnerable although she will never admit it. She knows that "the world would always hold her negligible unless she forced it to do otherwise" and she makes sure she is not ignored. Templeton Lane starts out as a desperate jewel thief on the run and turns into so much more, a man with a surprising past that includes a disastrous first love with Susan. It's to KJC's credit that she shapes his character so finely that he redeems himself for some very bad behavior without losing himself in the process. And his treatment of Susan is just about perfect, from his acceptance of her bisexuality to his willingness to let a woman take charge of the situation and ultimately decide what qualifies as her own happy ending. The secondary characters who starred in previous books are integral to the plot; there's no fan service of having them show up just to demonstrate how very happy they are.
3) The dialogue sparkles like the best Hollywood screenplays in movies like The Sting, It Happened One Night, His Girl Friday, etc. If only real life were like this, I wouldn't have to spend so much time with my nose buried in a book. But then again, most writers don't have KJC's ability to wring humor, chemistry, poignancy and every emotion in between into a single exchange between two people.
4) Finally (and this is just personal to me) thank you KJC for creating a singular, remarkable character named Susan. Until now my name was primarily associated with the one character in Narnia who chose makeup over Jesus (I mean Aslan). You have my undying gratitude.
KJC fans don't need any encouragement to read this book, but I will just say that there are plenty of Easter eggs from earlier books, including a lovely tribute to a major character in the Society of Gentlemen series.
There are so many books and so little time, but reading this has made me want to go back and start over with KJC's backlist. I've never given less than four stars to any of her books, and this one is five stars all the way.
1) Her writing is impeccable. Every word feels like it was chosen with great care. Just marvel at the first time we meet Susan Lazarus in the opening of Chapter 2:
Susan Lazarus glared at the remnants of the kipper on her plate as though the fish had done her an injury for which being gutted, smoked, and eaten was insufficient penance. The kipper looked back with a single blank-white eye.
Doesn't that just tell you everything you need to know about Susan and her emotional state? The whole book is like that, full of passages to slowly savor.
2) The characters jump off the pages. Even if you haven't already encountered Susan "Sukey" Lazarus in Any Old Diamonds or even earlier in An Unnatural Vice, you will not be able to resist her. She's tough, smart, loyal, fearless and just a teeny tiny bit vulnerable although she will never admit it. She knows that "the world would always hold her negligible unless she forced it to do otherwise" and she makes sure she is not ignored. Templeton Lane starts out as a desperate jewel thief on the run and turns into so much more, a man with a surprising past that includes a disastrous first love with Susan. It's to KJC's credit that she shapes his character so finely that he redeems himself for some very bad behavior without losing himself in the process. And his treatment of Susan is just about perfect, from his acceptance of her bisexuality to his willingness to let a woman take charge of the situation and ultimately decide what qualifies as her own happy ending. The secondary characters who starred in previous books are integral to the plot; there's no fan service of having them show up just to demonstrate how very happy they are.
3) The dialogue sparkles like the best Hollywood screenplays in movies like The Sting, It Happened One Night, His Girl Friday, etc. If only real life were like this, I wouldn't have to spend so much time with my nose buried in a book. But then again, most writers don't have KJC's ability to wring humor, chemistry, poignancy and every emotion in between into a single exchange between two people.
4) Finally (and this is just personal to me) thank you KJC for creating a singular, remarkable character named Susan. Until now my name was primarily associated with the one character in Narnia who chose makeup over Jesus (I mean Aslan). You have my undying gratitude.
KJC fans don't need any encouragement to read this book, but I will just say that there are plenty of Easter eggs from earlier books, including a lovely tribute to a major character in the Society of Gentlemen series.
There are so many books and so little time, but reading this has made me want to go back and start over with KJC's backlist. I've never given less than four stars to any of her books, and this one is five stars all the way.
October 25, 2019
I mean. Was there any doubt this book was going to be fantastic? Reader, nope, there was not.
Susan Lazarus, Victorian street urchin turned lady detective, who takes no prisoners, suffers no fools, and gives no fucks, is as uncompromisingly and furiously magnificent as previous books set her up to be. Templeton Lane a.k.a. James Vane, aristocrat turned jewel thief, who treads lightly, snarks cheerfully, allows himself to be vulnerable, and treats consent and equality as the matter of course they ought to be, is her perfect foil. Their second-chance romance, deliciously intertwined with a bittersweet past and a long laundry list of betrayals and deceit, delivers all the feels. And naturally, there's murders and schemes and shenanigans, just in case you get bored. (You won't get bored.)
Characters from previous books aid and delight and lend plot support and sarcastic commentary (hi Jerry!) where needed, without ever holding up the action to play awkward catch-up, which is frankly a masterful achievement given that this book ties into not just its own, but two previous series populated by a veritable multitude of beloved pairings.
Also, we learn why James is obsessed with opals; let me just say I was not prepared.
So yeah. Currently tied with Any Old Diamonds and The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal for my favourite KJ Charles book. Take my jewels. Take all of them.
PS: A word on the way that KJ Charles does inclusivity, which I find so appealing. I normally don't read m/f romance these days; not because I dislike it, but because I read oodles of it decades ago, when that was pretty much all the romance genre was: One woman, one man, usually both white, blah blah, drama, toxic masculinity and OTT misunderstandings until the second-to-last page, ILU, The End. I understand the genre has come a long way since then, but unless it's an author I really love, I don't bother with m/f anymore because I've had plenty of it and I'm more interested in stories that reflect a more inclusive spectrum. Case in point: Between the Lilywhite Boys, Sins of the Cities, and Society of Gentlemen series, all of which tie into this book, the variety of characters includes POC, gay, bi, pan, trans, non-binary, ace, non-neurotypical, various disabilities, and probably others I'm forgetting, with the added bonus that these are historicals, which for far too long were written in a tradition of pretending those things didn't exist in days of yore. More importantly, these characters are people, not lecture props; I never once got the feeling that the author sat up importantly, put on her teaching hat, and declared "I am going to do A Diversity!" They are just folks, being who they are, because that's what diversity is. I find it really refreshing, in that context, to have this cis m/f pairing included, not as the default and not as an afterthought, merely as one configuration among many. I wish more people wrote like that, but then I wish reality did too.
Susan Lazarus, Victorian street urchin turned lady detective, who takes no prisoners, suffers no fools, and gives no fucks, is as uncompromisingly and furiously magnificent as previous books set her up to be. Templeton Lane a.k.a. James Vane, aristocrat turned jewel thief, who treads lightly, snarks cheerfully, allows himself to be vulnerable, and treats consent and equality as the matter of course they ought to be, is her perfect foil. Their second-chance romance, deliciously intertwined with a bittersweet past and a long laundry list of betrayals and deceit, delivers all the feels. And naturally, there's murders and schemes and shenanigans, just in case you get bored. (You won't get bored.)
Characters from previous books aid and delight and lend plot support and sarcastic commentary (hi Jerry!) where needed, without ever holding up the action to play awkward catch-up, which is frankly a masterful achievement given that this book ties into not just its own, but two previous series populated by a veritable multitude of beloved pairings.
Also, we learn why James is obsessed with opals; let me just say I was not prepared.
So yeah. Currently tied with Any Old Diamonds and The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal for my favourite KJ Charles book. Take my jewels. Take all of them.
PS: A word on the way that KJ Charles does inclusivity, which I find so appealing. I normally don't read m/f romance these days; not because I dislike it, but because I read oodles of it decades ago, when that was pretty much all the romance genre was: One woman, one man, usually both white, blah blah, drama, toxic masculinity and OTT misunderstandings until the second-to-last page, ILU, The End. I understand the genre has come a long way since then, but unless it's an author I really love, I don't bother with m/f anymore because I've had plenty of it and I'm more interested in stories that reflect a more inclusive spectrum. Case in point: Between the Lilywhite Boys, Sins of the Cities, and Society of Gentlemen series, all of which tie into this book, the variety of characters includes POC, gay, bi, pan, trans, non-binary, ace, non-neurotypical, various disabilities, and probably others I'm forgetting, with the added bonus that these are historicals, which for far too long were written in a tradition of pretending those things didn't exist in days of yore. More importantly, these characters are people, not lecture props; I never once got the feeling that the author sat up importantly, put on her teaching hat, and declared "I am going to do A Diversity!" They are just folks, being who they are, because that's what diversity is. I find it really refreshing, in that context, to have this cis m/f pairing included, not as the default and not as an afterthought, merely as one configuration among many. I wish more people wrote like that, but then I wish reality did too.
February 9, 2024
Audiobook- dual narration.
A solid follow up to Any Old Diamonds but lacked the emotional intensity I loved in that one. PI Susan Lazarus and jewel thief Templeton Lane have a lot of emotional baggage and they get a second chance after a seventeen year separation. He gets accused of a murder he did not commit and goes to Susan for help.
Overall I enjoyed their relationship, the second chance aspect is always a hard ask for me. I never find the reasons for the separation believable or reasonable. In this case they made sense but why such a long separation? The relationship was resolved fairly quickly and the investigation into who dunnit was the main driver of the plot. I might have enjoyed it more if the female narrator hasn't made the befuddling choice of voicing big burly James (Templeton) like Lady Violet from Downton Abbey. It was an assault on my ears and the only reason I finished was because I'd already paid good money for the audio. She also made this breathy gasp sound that drove me bonkers. The male narrator was fine. I think this book doesn't stand alone. Any Old Diamonds should be read first to get a feel for the couple and also because AOD is a magnificent book and should be read by all.
Tropes
Close proximity
Second chance
Older MCs
⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥/5
A solid follow up to Any Old Diamonds but lacked the emotional intensity I loved in that one. PI Susan Lazarus and jewel thief Templeton Lane have a lot of emotional baggage and they get a second chance after a seventeen year separation. He gets accused of a murder he did not commit and goes to Susan for help.
Overall I enjoyed their relationship, the second chance aspect is always a hard ask for me. I never find the reasons for the separation believable or reasonable. In this case they made sense but why such a long separation? The relationship was resolved fairly quickly and the investigation into who dunnit was the main driver of the plot. I might have enjoyed it more if the female narrator hasn't made the befuddling choice of voicing big burly James (Templeton) like Lady Violet from Downton Abbey. It was an assault on my ears and the only reason I finished was because I'd already paid good money for the audio. She also made this breathy gasp sound that drove me bonkers. The male narrator was fine. I think this book doesn't stand alone. Any Old Diamonds should be read first to get a feel for the couple and also because AOD is a magnificent book and should be read by all.
Tropes
Close proximity
Second chance
Older MCs
⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥/5
March 1, 2020
Susan Lazarus is my new feminist hero. She’s smart, uncompromising and a damn fine investigator and I absolutely loved that she had no time for marriage and no urge for children. She is her own person. That she made Templeton Lane do all the compromising - and that he was glad to do it for her - made this story all the better.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
December 17, 2025
Didn't love it as much as the first, but still very good. I'm also not reading much m-f romance these days and I don't love the second chance trope, so that was already two strikes against this book but I still enjoyed it. The fmc Susan is a bisexual suffragette who made me want to learn how to use old-fashioned hairpins as weapons. The mmc Templeton/James was her childhood sweetheart turned (sort of) enemy. He comes back into her life out of desperation and they end up trying to sort out a murder conspiracy together.
It dragged at times, but had a very satisfying conclusion with plenty of witty banter and humor.
It dragged at times, but had a very satisfying conclusion with plenty of witty banter and humor.
January 15, 2023
Oh, what a joy! <3
I've been in a kind of reading slump lately, but I breezed through this book in, like, one day.
Romance books are my guilty pleasure, I admit it. But I find it very hard to find ones that aren't icky or sexist or non-consensual. I hate how many supposed "romances" out there try to sell stalking and manipulating and abusive behavior as "romantic", because oh my god. IT'S NOT.
So I really appreciate it how KJ Charles is ALL about respect and enthusiastic consent and open communication. Like, there's always a ton of angst and a lot of isssues in her romances (which I love), but the angst is never about romantic partners mistreating each other or being just too dumb to talk.
I also loved how this is a romance where both people are in their mid-thirties. And you know, they actually BEHAVE like grown-ups. It's so refreshing.
Susan Lazarus is a wonderful human being. She's so clever and competent and multilayered, but also deeply vulnerable and distrustful of people in general, but especially rich people and especially men. Which is completely understandable if you know her history.
Oh and Templeton. Okay, Templeton is a super silly name, so let's not use his alias but his real name which is James Vane. James is also a great character. You know, I love it when a book starts out with a character being like "I think I made a grave mistake..." and then it smacks him around a bit for good measure. ;) James is a very smug and self-assured person, so that was probaby a wise decision on the author's part.
He is at the probably lowest point in his whole life when he asks Susan of all people for help. The way he almost faints in relief when she actually BELIEFS him, broke my heart!
I loved how they worked together, I loved how they talked through stuff, I loved how effortlessly they played of each other and went undercover together. I loved how they challenged each other and turned each other in better versions of themselves.
And also - oh my god. They were just ridiculously hot together.
I used to skip sex scenes but when it comes to Charles' books I actually enjoy them and oh boy. They were really hot and emotional.
So if you like romance novels go ahead and read it immediately (and also read all her other books), because you won't find anything better and more joyful.
I've been in a kind of reading slump lately, but I breezed through this book in, like, one day.
Romance books are my guilty pleasure, I admit it. But I find it very hard to find ones that aren't icky or sexist or non-consensual. I hate how many supposed "romances" out there try to sell stalking and manipulating and abusive behavior as "romantic", because oh my god. IT'S NOT.
So I really appreciate it how KJ Charles is ALL about respect and enthusiastic consent and open communication. Like, there's always a ton of angst and a lot of isssues in her romances (which I love), but the angst is never about romantic partners mistreating each other or being just too dumb to talk.
I also loved how this is a romance where both people are in their mid-thirties. And you know, they actually BEHAVE like grown-ups. It's so refreshing.
Susan Lazarus is a wonderful human being. She's so clever and competent and multilayered, but also deeply vulnerable and distrustful of people in general, but especially rich people and especially men. Which is completely understandable if you know her history.
Oh and Templeton. Okay, Templeton is a super silly name, so let's not use his alias but his real name which is James Vane. James is also a great character. You know, I love it when a book starts out with a character being like "I think I made a grave mistake..." and then it smacks him around a bit for good measure. ;) James is a very smug and self-assured person, so that was probaby a wise decision on the author's part.
He is at the probably lowest point in his whole life when he asks Susan of all people for help. The way he almost faints in relief when she actually BELIEFS him, broke my heart!
I loved how they worked together, I loved how they talked through stuff, I loved how effortlessly they played of each other and went undercover together. I loved how they challenged each other and turned each other in better versions of themselves.
And also - oh my god. They were just ridiculously hot together.
I used to skip sex scenes but when it comes to Charles' books I actually enjoy them and oh boy. They were really hot and emotional.
So if you like romance novels go ahead and read it immediately (and also read all her other books), because you won't find anything better and more joyful.
August 18, 2022
4.5 ✨
"I’m not going to ask you to be mine, but I very much want you to know that I’m yours".
I was invested in Susan's story since she appeared for the 1st time, as Sukey, a foul-mouthed, near-feral assistant of Justin in An Unnatural Vice. Then she reappeared as a badass Private detective in Any Old Diamonds and I was smitten.😁😁 But while reading it,
I didn't realize that Susan's dedication to Clara is more than friendship. So, I started reading this book as the first ever standalone MF romance by KJC and didn't realize for some time that Susan is Bi/Pan.
'If you had a crest it would be a hedgehog couchant".
Susan is definitely my ideal type of heroin. She is smart but prickly, brave and loyal but definitely someone who doesn't trust easily. Did I say she is a private detective and James(H), her first love is a Jewel thief? She has tried catching him and even shot him on one occasion.😂😂😂 Isn't she delightful???
"Marry me, don’t marry me, marry me in secret and remain Miss Lazarus to the world, or call yourself Mrs Vane without the benefit of clergy. I think that’s all the options. on? Whichever you choose.”
Awwwww…okay so I like James too…one of those rare occasions where you can't decide between h and H. Normally, the second chance romance is not my fav trope but here it's done well. Moreover, the love scenes were delicious and so was the action. Ohh!!
I knowwww…but please don't make me choose because Susan is bossy in both cases.🤭🤭 Yes, she is tiny but she can really fight.
I am sure this one could be read as a standalone by any Historical Romance lover, however, I like the guest appearance of Justin and other side characters. I even liked that we get to see some baddies from the novella,A rat-catcher daughter😂😂
"I’m not going to ask you to be mine, but I very much want you to know that I’m yours".
I was invested in Susan's story since she appeared for the 1st time, as Sukey, a foul-mouthed, near-feral assistant of Justin in An Unnatural Vice. Then she reappeared as a badass Private detective in Any Old Diamonds and I was smitten.😁😁 But while reading it,
I didn't realize that Susan's dedication to Clara is more than friendship. So, I started reading this book as the first ever standalone MF romance by KJC and didn't realize for some time that Susan is Bi/Pan.
'If you had a crest it would be a hedgehog couchant".
Susan is definitely my ideal type of heroin. She is smart but prickly, brave and loyal but definitely someone who doesn't trust easily. Did I say she is a private detective and James(H), her first love is a Jewel thief? She has tried catching him and even shot him on one occasion.😂😂😂 Isn't she delightful???
"Marry me, don’t marry me, marry me in secret and remain Miss Lazarus to the world, or call yourself Mrs Vane without the benefit of clergy. I think that’s all the options. on? Whichever you choose.”
Awwwww…okay so I like James too…one of those rare occasions where you can't decide between h and H. Normally, the second chance romance is not my fav trope but here it's done well. Moreover, the love scenes were delicious and so was the action. Ohh!!
I knowwww…but please don't make me choose because Susan is bossy in both cases.🤭🤭 Yes, she is tiny but she can really fight.
I am sure this one could be read as a standalone by any Historical Romance lover, however, I like the guest appearance of Justin and other side characters. I even liked that we get to see some baddies from the novella,A rat-catcher daughter😂😂
July 12, 2020
Beautiful! I'm so glad that I read The Rat-Catcher's Daughter before I started this one -- it would've been a little helpful before reading Any Old Diamonds, but it's pretty essential to this story. After reading Any Old Diamonds, I felt like I wanted to go back to the Sins of the Cities trilogy, but now I think I need to re-read those very soon -- I want to see Susan again as a child, and remember all the lovely things about Mark and Pen and Nathaniel and Justin and Greta and Tim. (And Clem and Rowley, of course, although they're only the tip of the circus tent, the initial notes of the fanfare.) So much lovliness here -- Susan is my hero, more than any other Victorian heroine I've ever read. And Templeton...he's got an awful lot of honor for a thief. Happy sigh.
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