In this third book of Lady Wynwood's Spies, the pace moves fast, with new aspects of the dreaded Root becoming the focus, as well as new adversaries for the team to face, including a French spy and her henchman. Apothecary Jack, the Roots maniacal creator, is still at work, too, so all of these elements come together to create quite the ride of a story.
Equally distressing is the trouble in the ranks of their own team, with Michael facing potential death and another facing Root-induced rage that has the potential to ruin their entire operation. I also thought this book does an excellent job at revealing more and more about the past of these characters and how it bears on their development in the present of this story. Laura and Mr. Rosmont especially have such layered and intriguing backstories that I'm eager to learn more. Though there are several different characters focuses on throughout the story, each voice is distinct. Normally head-hopping is not my favorite thing to read, but I enjoy it in this story, though I admit, since I’ve “known” Laura the longest at this point, it’s always fun to get into another layer of her personal story.
There is a lot of action in this plot, so if you’re expecting a slow, demure Regency, this series is not it. It’s a fun, unique historical, with a dash of romance, but mainly focuses on the action and the mystery of the Root and all who wish to acquire it. Definitely do not read this series out of order – it function rather like one long novel, a series in the truest sense of the word with events following immediately after the previous book. The only caveat I might add is that there are fight scenes with some description, so some readers might want to skim over in case that’s not their thing. Action is the only aspect though – the introspection peppered throughout the story gives it a realistic feel; the characters take their roles seriously, but are not immune to self-doubt and faith struggles, which the author intertwines organically throughout the book.
Overall, Aggressor is a fun, multi-layered addition to the series – looking forward to the next book!