The Gentleman and the Thief

The Dread Penny Society #2

by Sarah M. Eden, Justine Eyre (Narrator)

A gentleman scribes penny dreadful novels by night and falls in love with a woman who is a music teacher by day—and a thief at night.

LONDON 1865

From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he’s smitten. Even though he’s from a wealthy, established family and she isn’t, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke.

Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father’s successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduced his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the “Phantom Fox.” She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling.

When Hollis’s brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other.

When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief?
 
 

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook

Audiobook

First published November 3, 2020

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gentleman and the Thief by Sarah M. Eden is a 2020 Shadow Mountain publication.

A gentle, sweet story, full of wit and adventure!

Hollis Darby carries a torch for Ana Newport. The difference in their station in life doesn’t matter to him. He’s a gentleman born into wealth, but Ana has lost her place in society after her father lost his fortune. Little does she know that Hollis is no better off financially than she, earning his living by writing Penny Dreadfuls under a pseudonym.

As it turns out, Hollis is not the only one with a secret- What would he think if he discovered that Ana, the sweet music teacher, he is in love with, was in fact, the infamous thief- ‘The Phantom Fox’!!
This is the second book in the Dread Penny Society series.

I do love the premise of this series, and enjoy the light, clean, format. The pacing is brisk, and the dialogue is wonderfully smart and flirty. I enjoyed he chemistry between Hollis and Ana, both of whom were trying super hard to keep their secrets from one another.

Once again, the author gives us snippets of the Penny Dreadful stories, which were so easy to get into and is a nice, unique element, adding more adventure and intrigue to the novel.

The story has all the elements for a fun escape- mystery, adventure, and a sweet romance. While the plot features some heavy topics and crime elements, the tone, as with the first chapter in the series, is very light.

If you are looking for a story that is both heartwarming and entertaining- this one should fit the bill!

3.5 stars

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*
I'm loving these Dread Penny Society books. If you're just discovering them, do yourself a favor and read them in order. There are several great characters and you get to know more about them as you read the books. I keep wondering which characters will get their own story but know that whichever ones do, the books will be fun.

There's some mystery and a touch of suspense here and there. Nothing too nail biting, but enough to keep you turning the pages faster and wanting to know what's going to happen. Are they going to get out of there safely? Will they catch the thief? Which ghost is going to win or lose? (Ok, that last one is part of one of the penny dreadful stories in the book). When will their secret identity come to light? Who is the bad guy? All these questions and more will be floating around in your head while you're reading it. Just saying.

And as an added bonus, you get three stories in one. We have the main story with Hollis and Ana alternating their POVs. Then we have two penny dreadful stories popping in throughout the book. I really have enjoyed the penny dreadfuls. Did you know that the author Sarah M. Eden has read penny dreadfuls and posted them on her facebook page? So if you don't know what a penny dreadful is, go check out more information from her on it. I'd heard about them years ago, long before this author started writing this series, but I've enjoyed seeing her create her own and put them into this series.

Hollis and Ana were so cute. I really enjoyed watching them dance around each other and trying to keep their secrets safe. And Hollis is a little bit (or maybe a lotta bit) of a flirt. He cracked me up. I was highlighting his lines when he was in a playful bantering mood and in a flirtatious mood. Loved his character. Both he and Ana had hurts from their past and I really liked watching their growth as they worked through individually and together to overcome those hurts. But I really loved the combining of their skills to root out and best the bad guy. *Cue ominous music* Duh, duh, duhhhhhhh!

I'm a fan! And the next character to have his story is Brogan. Woohooooo. Although I'm very hopeful that maybe his sister will get her story too? Or possibly she'll get some page time in his story and we'll get a couple different stories going on in that one and the penny dreadfuls. Am I making your head spin yet? Lol!

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril. Some talk of gambling dens, human trafficking and alcohol, but nothing graphic. It fits in great with the story and the time period. Some sweet kisses but nothing further than that.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[haven ⋄ f (hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 -

This was difficult to get into and enjoy. Once you do, it's a little predictable but otherwise entertaining. It's not bad if you're looking for a historical fiction/romance/mystery book, though!

I found I really liked the previous book in the series, but this one wasn't quite as good. Eden's my favorite author so I've read nearly every one of her books. It is similar to her other works both in the plot and with the characters. I have to say, Ana was the only new/fresh character with the whole cast. Elliot was alright but he just blended in a little too well with the rest of her male characters.

As always, her pacing is quite well done. I really liked the climax. I don't think I've read a historical fiction that had a climax similar to this one ever before.

I wish she had put a specific date or even time period into her book. It would have helped me picture and put the whole story in the correct setting. From what I can tell we are past the French Revolution (1799) and sometime around the second Industrial Revolution (1870) but I'm not sure.

I did have to skip the stories that she had her characters write. They're charming, of course, but they confused me with the main plotline. I'm planning on going back and reading those eventually though. I do like the concept and idea of it. It must have been difficult to write 3 stories just for one book.

* Thank you Netgalley and the publisher Shadow Mountain for the ARC!!
---
Woooo!! I got approved for an ARC from NetGalley! So excited!!

[Randi Annie Framnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

We follow Holly Darby, who tries to make himself more useful to DPS. He works on solving two mysteries. First, and foremost, he tries to keep his brother out of danger while he wonders about musical teacher Anna Newport’s strange behavior of late. Holly and Anna soon find themselves using their unique skills in the same fight solving both of their problems.

The Gentleman and the Thief by Sarah M. Eden is the second book in the Proper Romance Victorian Series published by Shadow Mountain Publishing. The Gentleman and the Thief takes place two months after The Lady and the Highwayman story, and I found it very entertaining and satisfying to read more about the characters I had come to enjoy so much.
The setting is London 1865, where members of The Dread Penny Society rescue orphans and street urchins from neglect and abuse. To fund this charity work the DPS’ authors write the extremely popular dread penny stories. The Gentleman and the Thief continues some of the threatening and dramatic elements from The Lady and the Highwayman but the main element of this plot is theft.

Main character Holly Darby is «old money» but his family has gone poor due to gambling. He has connections in Society which he uses for all they are worth to recruit patrons for the DPS’ charity work. Getting tired of his «party-goer» role and wants to be where the action is. He has a network of serving-class spies.

Supporting character Anna Newport is musical teacher at a girls’ school. Anna has felt the need for “extracurricular activity” as thief trying to get back what was stolen from her family. I felt very sorry for her situation and found the motivation behind her actions understandable.

The story has a rather unique build, as it is divided into parts with different perspectives.
I felt it was an interesting and entertaining twist how two penny dreadful stories were woven into the main plot.

The Gentleman and the Thief includes spelling out of the cockney dialect which always amuses me. The dialogue includes liberal amounts of light hearted bantering that I love. There are impressively detailed descriptions of a secret up-scale gambling den. Some massive research must have gone into write this part.

Romance between Anna and Holly started off with an instant attraction, but while the plot progressed there was initially little quiet time for it to grow. It felt realistic that there was a gradual development in their relationship and that they became closer when their situations became more resolved.

There are plenty of interesting and entertaining elements in this standalone story ranging from thievery, a relative gone missing, an up-scale gambling den and dangerous thief masters who “own” orphaned street uchins.

Fans of Sarah M. Eden will love this book. As will readers of historical romance fiction. Similar authors to explore might be Josi S. Kilpack and Esther Hatch.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing this eARC which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

My rating: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: great and inventive plot, enjoyable dialogue, impressive research

[Cori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley, for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All views and opinions are my own.

Secret societies, sneak thieves, gambling rings, human trafficking...I anticipated a nail biter full of adrenaline and shocking identityreveals. What we get is a cute, fluffy piece that wraps up tidily and stays well safe of the PG-13 line throughout the book. Anything wrong with that? Absolutely not. I think I was anticipating something with more bite. And that's my fault due to my pre-conceived perception going in.

The story was soft and fuzzy, so if you're looking for something comfortable and cozy with cute romance, this is it.

I'd rate this book a PG.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

That’s, count’em, three satisfying lovely HEAs in one! Our main Dread Penny Society romance and two just utterly charming penny dreadful secondary storylines that were all the fun!

These Dread Pennys are just unwittingly recruiting excellent resources for their society in the form of their love interests. This was another outward class difference, secret identity double whammy, also with nonexistent internal conflict for the couple and yet, I was much more gripped the whole way through than in the first book. I’m a bit surprised at myself since, if you would ask me on any day, I would not be saying I’d be more into the clean-cut perfect gentleman aristocrat than the mysterious overgrown rufian. And yet, Mr. Hollis Darby and his straightforward arc of wanting to prove himself an asset beyond his upper class connections and his “I’m tough too, guys” plight was just beyond adorable. But, mainly what most had me solidly all in here is what I found a little lacking in the first one: I felt more depth and connection because the motivations, mysteries and perils were more tied up with their backstories and personal lives, which brought on such satisfying resolutions for both. Another fiercely loyal dream team couple, loved that third act especially. I can now officially understand the raving over this series, because, pull that lever, once you’re in, you’re in.

Content notes: kissing only, passing mentions of kidnapping, children in peril, some self-defense mild violence.

[Lizzie J · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Would you let me court you properly, Ana? Come call on you? Scrape and bow to your father in an attempt to gain his good opinion? Nervously ask you to dance at balls and ride with me in the park and sip tepid tea while sitting in awkward, nervous silence?"

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed the majority of this book. I feel like I might have enjoyed it more if I'd known at the beginning that this is the second book in a series. I thought it was a standalone, so many of the beginning aspects were super confusing. I chalked it up to bad writing at first since there's nothing that specifically says this is a sequel, until I read other reviews and realized The Lady and the Highwayman is its predecessor.

Now, knowing that, I'll remove any complaints about the beginning and not fully understanding the Dread Society stuff or getting any background information on the characters.

When it comes to the actual story, I enjoyed things immensely. The beginning was rather slow, but by the time the action started to ramp up, I was pretty invested. The characters are very well done, and I love Hollis and Ana and their relationship. I thought the romance was really well done and a very realistic portrayal of them falling in love.

That said, the description of the book isn't exactly what you get. While Hollis's writing and Ana's thievery and their coming together are all elements to the story, they aren't the main focus. And that was really disappointing for me. I would have liked the story to be longer and more unpacked. I feel like we could have easily gotten to know more about Hollis and Ana and seen more scenes with them together.

The majority of the book is actually taken up with other stories from the books of Lafayette Jones and Mr. King. I didn't love that aspect of the book, but I can't comment on the quality of the stories because...*whispers* I might have skipped those chapters because I kind of didn't care. I think it would have been more interesting to have the main story unpacked more and then those stories included as extras or put at the end of the book, instead of sprinkled throughout to make it seem longer.

It basically just comes down to this: I loved Hollis and Ana, and I wanted to see more of them.

That's the biggest dislike of this book. I loved the story, but I wanted more of it.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun way to weave together the romance, adventure, and mystery! It was lovely for Hollis and Ana to develop a relationship and have that foundation as they become more involved in the investigation together, and the complications that arise with their own secrets. I enjoyed their banter and flirting, and the gentlemanly manners of Hollis. The author brought the Victorian era to life, and there is no mistaking it for another! The little details and historical tidbits are fascinating and really establish the setting. I love the idea of a secret society whose mission is to help the helpless and rescue those in need. It makes them seem like superheroes in a way, but all too human. While the entertaining excerpts from the penny dreadful stories are interspersed throughout the book, I found myself anxious to return to the main plot and read quickly to see what would happen next. An exciting addition to the series and a wonderful cast of characters!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun series!

This series is a lot of fun and to get the full effect, I would recommend reading them in order. I love the little "penny dreadful" stories wrapped up in the middle of this book, and along with the main story, the reader is treated to two penny dreadfuls. A "penny dreadful" is a story that costs a penny and was full of adventure, danger, crime, and romance. These clever little diversions are an amusing part of the book.

A secret society is created to help those who need help and to rid society of evil and I'm enjoying the adventure of getting to know different characters in more depth. There are all kinds of personalities, backgrounds, and professions in this group, but that's what makes it work so well. Eden always does a great job of creating likable characters in entertaining situations.

Ana and Hollis are great characters and I loved the mysteries and mild suspense surrounding their interactions. It's especially fun to watch what happens when they join forces. It's apparent a lot of research has gone into this series and it's refreshing to read a bit of history written in such unique way.

Content: mild romance; mild adventure/violence/danger

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dread Penny Society is such a fun basis for this series and these books. I am loving the whole premise of a group of people who secretly meet and spread help to those who need it most as they try to rid the city of the most vile. They are quite a mash up of personalities but it takes all kinds of people with all kinds of knowledge and talents to make an organization like this work. While I think this book can easily stand on it's own, I would recommend reading them in order because all the characters interconnect and you get to see them in each book.

Hollis is such a gentleman. He is perceptive and kind. Because of his upbringing, he is able to bridge the gap to polite society where some of the others cannot which definitely provides useful in this book! I loved how sweetly Hollis viewed Ana and how gentle he was with her all throughout the book.

There is a bit of mystery in this story and a bit of suspense although it is light. The gentle build in the story felt good and really allowed me to love the characters along the way. Sarah Eden is fantastic at crafting characters that are wonderfully relatable and easy to love.

Content: mild peril, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series and had seriously high hopes for this one. Sarah does a well crafted story and always writes a good series. In the first book you have the start of the Penny Dreadful society introduced. Hollis is a member and writes stories, but is a member of the Ton of London. Ana used to be a member of the Ton until her family was cheated out of everything. These two meet in the first story and this is their adventure. It was a fun read, like the first book this includes Hollis writing a story that you get every couple of chapters. It also includes a story by King. So you really have 3 stories going on. In the first book their was only the 2 and the 2 stories were well woven together. Sadly I didn't like that there were 3 stories, it was too much. The stories had to do with each other but only slightly went along with the original story line. It was all just a little too much. Overall I enjoyed it so much and really am looking forward to this whole series.
This is a mystery with no religion. It is a proper romance with a couple sweet kisses.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun one! I love stories about thieves and sneaky people who are actually good at heart and have different motives for stealing than simply greed. Hollis and Ana have a lot in common, and I like how they’re both trying to reckon with their broken past lives and families while also being caught up in an intense present struggle with a crime ring in London. The crime ring reminded me so much of Katherine Woodfine’s Sinclair mysteries since those are also centered on finding out who another crime ring’s top man is, known only as The Baron. In this novel, the top man is the Mastiff. Scarier, I think!

I had more of a handle in this second novel on what the Dread Penny Society is and what it does. I enjoyed seeing the repeat characters. Truly have no idea who the Dread Master could be though. And why does only Fletcher know? Mysterious…

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

'LONDON 1865

From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he’s smitten. Even though he’s from a wealthy, established family and she isn’t, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke.

Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father’s successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduced his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the “Phantom Fox.” She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling.

When Hollis’s brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other.

When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief?'
______________________________________

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

The Gentleman and the Thief is the second book in Sarah M. Eden's The Dread Penny Society series.

As with the previous book in the series, this book follows the unique format of short stories alternating throughout the course of the book. Both serving to tell their own stories, but also working together with the main story to aid the progression of the book as a whole. Both of the short stories are paranormal in nature, one of which being quiet whimsical, geared toward children, and sserved to brighten some of the more intense portions of the book.

Hollis is underestimated by the other members of the Dread Penny society. He is initially seen as nearly their ticket into Society events, but he is not trusted with any real dangerous or important tasks, due to his more elevated place in society he is seen as to soft and inexperienced. But as the book progresses he gradually proves his worth as a member of the group and really steps into a position of power and expertise during this case.

I enjoyed that Ana is not the meek female lead that she initially seems that she may be. Instead she is a daring and strong, moonlighting as a moral theif in order to right the wrongs committed against her family.

I enjoyed The Gentleman and the Thief and enjoyed Ana and Hollis's characters more than Elizabeth and Fletcher from The Lady and the Highwayman, but overall I did not find it to be as compelling as the first book in the series. I will however continue on with any following books in the series.

By the state things were left at the conclusion of the book, I am assuming there will be another book in the series. My guess is that the next book will serve to bring us closer to untangling the tangeld web of the crime ring the Dread Penny Society has been working to dismantle and I do hope that we will learn about Serena and see her situation improve.
_____

I would like to thank NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for sharing an eARC of The Gentleman and the Thief by Sarah M. Eden with me. This is my honest review.

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets, Societies, and Suspicious Activities

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Blog Tour

TYPE OF NOVEL: Victorian Romance

SETTING: 1865, London

SERIES: The Dread Penny Society #2

SYNOPSIS: The Dread Penny Society is a collective group of authors dedicated to secretly assisting any poor and unprotected individuals of society. One of its members is Hollis Darby, who grew up wealthy and established but now earns his living writing low-brow literature. Hollis finds himself enamored with music teacher Ana Newport, who has her own secrets and reversal of circumstances.

Recently there have been many reports of petty thievery and gambling dens in upper class homes and their possible connection to a dangerous and known criminal called Four-Finger Mike. The Dread Penny Society is determined to learn all they can about these suspicious activities and thwart the nefarious individuals involved. And Hollis is right in the thick of it as his own brother is likely one of the victims of this sinister operation. Can Hollis save his family, apprehend the villains, and win Ana’s heart?

WHAT I LOVED:

- A Premise Full of Secrets: I don’t typically read Victorian romances, but I was eager to read this one because it was published by Shadow Mountain and because of the intriguing premise about characters who live secret lives falling in love. It was great fun to observe all the secrets everyone was keeping and wait to see if and when they would be divulged or guessed. I love that the reader was in the dark in some places as well. There is plenty of delicious suspense building and Sarah M. Eden executed it all superbly!

- An Unsuitable But Well-Matched Pair: Hollis and Ana are both not seeking love, they know their reduced circumstances and secret activities don’t make them highly eligible marriage prospects. But they are powerfully drawn to one another. Which becomes a bit of a challenge, as the more time they spend together the more risk of their secrets becoming exposed…Hollis is adorable with his flirtatious charm, and I admired his selfless endeavors, bravery, and quick mind. Ana is strong, sentimental, and caring. I loved that she was a music teacher and her devoted relationship to her father. And I loved how sweet both of these characters were towards each other and towards any children they encountered.

- Stories Within a Story: I always love it when there are extra bits of printed media or ephemera in a story, whether it be letters, text/email exchanges, or a manuscript. And since this series about a group of writers who write penny dreadfuls, what could be better then sharing chapters from a couple of their stories?! There were two different penny dreadful stories geared towards young readers intermittently shared throughout this tale. They were both entertaining with a little bit of mystical phenomena involved. I enjoyed noticing some parallels between the penny dreadfuls and the main action of the story.

- Society and Network: I loved meeting all the characters in the Dread Penny Society – what a terrific bunch of well-drawn, intriguing, and stimulating characters. I also loved witnessing their interactions with each other and their network of spies and other characters. I am hard-pressed to decide which characters I enjoyed most! This is the second book in this series and it seems like different members of the DPS are featured in the foreground of each novel, which means the other characters are still present in each installment.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

- More Crime-Solving Than Romance: There is a good bit going on with several crimes being investigated and secrets being explored plus the chapters of two novellas being shared. Sarah M. Eden juggles it all capably, but I did find myself wishing a little more time was spent on certain elements – specifically Ana’s and Hollis’s relationship.

- Some Action Missing: While some aspects of the story resolved by the conclusion of this story, some felt like they did not. Partly because the arc of these storylines maybe continues into the next book of the series and partly because the chapters around the big climax didn’t include a lot of firsthand details about what was taking place. It felt like we were missing some of the excitement having it delivered via summary after the fact.

NOTE: This is Book Two in the Dread Penny Society series and I think it would be best to read the first book in this series The Lady and the Highwayman and the prior to reading this book.

CONCLUSION: The Gentleman and the Thief is an exciting an heartwarming tale full of spies, secrets, and suspicious activities! This series would be an excellent choice for readers who are intrigued by the idea of a secret society of authors quietly doing some good for their readers.

Austenesque Reviews

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollis and Ana are the softest and I love them so much ;-;

This was so fun! There are definitely elements that aren't fully explained or don't fully make sense but also... I don't need them to? ((like sure, yeah, okay, Ana is a great sneak thief. how long has she been doing this? how many things has she actually stolen? these questions I choose to ignore because it's more fun that way, haha!)) At the end of the day, this is a romance, one that made me feel all the warm fuzzies. I love the friendships in the DPS (and between Elizabeth and Ana) and I can't wait to see where they go next! Five stars from me!

[Brittanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the opening doesn't immediately hook you, keep going because soon you'll be hooked to three different stories in one unforgettable adventure.

The mystery keeps building, the danger escalates, and suddenly you're holding your breath when you hear the pounding on the door.👀

“Her already risky mission turned terrifyingly dangerous.”

The School for Ghosts storyline may seem unexpected at first, but give it time. It adds warmth and wonder to a story already packed with intrigue. And the romances? Absolutely sweet. 🍯 They bring just the right touch of tenderness to the mystery.

“It seemed every time the dreadfuls found one dastardly corner of London’s underbelly they found more and more suffering.”😢

👉 If you love hidden identities, dangerous missions, heartwarming romance, and stories that balance excitement with charm, this one delivers. It's wholesome, adorable, suspenseful, and full of adventure that keeps you turning the pages long after you meant to stop.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book in the DPS series, The Lady and the Highwayman, and was so eager to read the next book that I put it on hold at the library without even bothering to read the description. So, I was disappointed that the focus isn't on Fletcher and Elizabeth in this book and my disappointment continued throughout the first half of this which I found, I'm sorry to say, quite dull. Hollis, Fletcher's best friend and fellow member of the DPS, is a nice guy but he's rather boring and I just couldn't warm up to Ana, the music teacher at Elizabeth's school. They already like one another when the book begins (having met in the first book) so it was a bit of a wet blanket already that we didn't have the zing of a first meeting and I felt like there was zero chemistry between them throughout the book, despite all the blushing going on.

I never disliked Hollis, but he pales in comparison to Fletcher. Maybe we were supposed to feel the boredom that he felt, his frustration, only getting to play the role of wealthy gentleman informant for the DPS and not getting to do any of the more rough-and-tough activities the other guys were involved in .. but I was pretty bored and frustrated that we didn't get more action in the first half of the book. I liked him better when the action picked up... helping his brother, and the DPS, trying to take down a gambling ring with ties to Four Finger Mike and, quite possibly, the Mastiff himself. I wasn't overly interested in the card sharping etc. but the climax was exciting, I'll give it that. The interactions with Ana's father were nice (her father was a sweetheart and his faithful servant was a highlight in the story, as was the young street urchin that Hollis takes in, the spunky Very Merry).

I really wasn't a big fan of Ana. I felt like we kept hearing about how brave and strong she was, that hidden depth beneath her soft exterior, but it just never rang true for me. I couldn't get behind her story. Yes, I felt sorry for her family's ruination and I can understand her wanting their sentimental things back -- things she felt never should have been taken from them in the first place-- but she is stealing in order to do so. I know she thinks she is taking back what is rightfully hers, but breaking into people's homes and taking their stuff is just not cool, Ana. Moreover, for someone who supposedly cares so much about others, I felt she didn't give enough consideration to what it would have done to Elizabeth and the reputation of the school if she were caught. And trying to get back a manicure set or a figurine just felt really superficial compared to the "stealing" in the first book in the series, where Fletcher and Elizabeth worked to get children back from horrible masters who beat them and worse.

The Penny Dreadfuls really didn't add to the story or character development like they did in the first one. They were pretty stand-alone. I actually skipped over them a few times to keep going with the flow of the main story and went back and read them later. There was nothing scandalous or frightening in them. I actually don't want to read anything too "dreadful" so I didn't mind that, but it did seem a little strange that they would be considered Penny Dreadfuls . Elizabeth's was mostly a flat out love story with a tiny bit of supernatural thrown in at the end though I liked that love story better. I actually liked Tillie better than Ana. Hollis' is a school story for children, a bit like Harry Potter, but with ghosts. It was really cute and fun and I would have liked to read more, but it really had nothing to do with the overarching plot (though maybe we are supposed to get a vague connection between the master of the ghost school and the master of the DPS with the "messages"?)

Overall, this was still an enjoyable enough read -- just didn't hold a candle to the first book in the series. I'm really looking forward to the third book, I think Brogan will make an interesting and exciting hero and I expect to chuckle a lot.

[Lauren (thebookscript) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good Sarah Eden and I was so grateful to have received an early copy of this book via NetGalley. I loved how this book took place between the people who weren't all that high in society's standing. It was a unique concept and one that isn't explored enough. One main character has to put up appearances of wealth while working for the underground while the other puts on appearances to save what is left of her families heirlooms. I enjoyed both characters, their wit and charisma.

I liked the short stories from the Penny Dreadful society however I did feel like they were a bit distracting from the main storyline and I felt myself wanting to rush through them in order to get back to the main story. The prevented me from totally getting invested in our two main characters which I felt were already a good enough story on their own. Overall a really cute read that is fun and formatted in a unique way. There is romance although I feel like it got as much shine as the mystery plot. Sarah Eden always writes a good time and this was no exception, although the ending leaves a lot of things unanswered so Im thinking that maybe there's a next book?

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun going back to Victorian London to be reading more "Penny Dreadfuls" written by those who belong to the Dread Penny Society. Their true mission is to take care of the poor and young being taken advantage of by ruthless people. Readers are introduced to this world in book one in the Lady and the Highwayman. Beloved characters from this first book are in the second but we quickly become involved in the lives of gentleman Hollis Darby. He secretly writes the penny dreadfuls to keep himself afloat in high society. We also meet music teacher, Ana Newport, who has her own secrets as she tries to reclaim mementos from her past.

The best part of this book is when the two main characters finally team up to solve some unsolved crimes. Their attraction to one another can't be denied as this odd pairing try to bring down a bad guy. Once again in this book, the Penny Dreadful stories are interspersed throughout the novel. I really like these and they are fun to read. Sarah Eden's wit and humor come shining through in her characters making this novel another delightful read for her fans. This being the second book in the series, I strongly suggest you read book one first.

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between 3 1/2 and 4.

This is the second book in the Penny Dreadful Society. We already know Hollis and Ana as they were secondary characters in the first story, and now it's their turn.

Hollis is a gentleman of low means and writes penny dreadful stories under a nom-de-plume. He likes Ana, likes to spend time with her, and he's the one to recommend her as a music teacher to his brother's daughter.
Ana's family used to be in society but that all changed when her father's company was bankrupt, and she's been teaching at Elizabeth's school.

They both keep secrets from each other, but when the situation arises, they help each other too, and their relationship deepens.

As for the penny dreadful stories by Mr. King and Mr. Jones—I understand their purpose, and I liked them, but not sure the jumping around the three stories was effective. It created a lot of interruptions. It would work a lot better to have the main story and then the other two stories at the end.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

[Maggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

A decent idea, but not well written and way too cheesy. The line "her fingers were wrapped around his but he felt the warmth of her touch wrapped around his heart" exemplifies how terrible the romance was.

I wouldn't have finished it if it hadn't been a book club book.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Gentleman and the Thief follows Hollis Darby, a member of Society who secretly writes penny dreadfuls to support himself, and Ana Newport, a music teacher who moonlights as a thief to steal back every momento taken from her family after they lost their fortune due to a shady business partner. The main action in the story centers around the efforts of the Penny Dreadful society -- a secret society made up of authors of penny dreadful novels who seek to make life better for the poor and working poor of London -- to stop a gambling operation that's bankrupting those who play.

I found the plot to be significantly less romance-focused than I expected (particularly as I requested this because it was shelved under "romance" on the galley sites). Ana and Hollis often tell the reader that they like the other person yet I never felt any sparks between them. Each character seems like they should be interesting given all the cool things they do but I never got a sense of their personality outside of these accomplishments. It made it hard to root for their romance, especially since it played a minimal role in the plot. I'd also like to note that this is a clean romance, which I have nothing against but wasn't really expecting.

The big thing that really bugged me about The Gentleman and the Thief was the use of POV switches in this story. The narration jumps between Ana and Hollis with some mini chapters that contain snippets of stories from penny dreadfuls that the characters are writing. While I was initially skeptical of the penny dreadful chapters, I did come to enjoy them and was a little disappointed that some were left a bit unresolved. The issue with all of these POV switches is that they frequently disrupted the tension in the story. An exciting event would happen then we'd get a penny dreadful chapter and then it would switch to the opposite POV to tell me either a different story or skip past all the action. I found this incredibly frustrating in a book that claims to be about excitement and adventure.

Overall, I think this was a case of mismatched expectations. The blurb of the book is factually accurate but really didn't reflect the tone and plot of The Gentleman and the Thief. If you're looking for a historical romance with some action, as I was, I would recommend reading something else.

Thanks to Edelweiss, Netgalley, and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 ✨

This novel had many aspects that I really enjoyed: it had a lovely cast of characters, a swoonworthy and very cute romance and a mystery element that kept it interesting. If you’re looking for a sweet historical romance that’s more 🥰 and less 🔥, this one’s for you!
The Dread Penny Society is a group of authors who secretly fight for the social and political causes of their working-class readers and it’s what connects all of the books in this series. So I first loved the idea that some of the characters’ works that they sell were included in The Gentleman and the Thief but two different stories kinda just made the book drag a bit. I personally think that one story would’ve been enough.
However, The Gentleman and the Thief was an enjoyable and very sweet read.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC through NetGalley!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun romp through the seedier corners of Victorian-era London. An intriguing secret society of authors is working behind the scenes to help the downtrodden victims of a wide-spread criminal ring. This one focuses on the gambling rings that ruin gentleman of financial means. Hence the focus on Hollis, the one member of the Dread Penny Society who is welcomed in high society, and Ana, whose family was ruined by the gambling of her father’s crooked business partner.

There is everything to love in this novel: enjoyable characters, witty dialogue, and a puzzling mystery. Plus two of the amusing penny dreadful stories written by members of this society of authors. I enjoyed my time with the members of the Dread Penny Society and hope more stories are forthcoming.

[Brinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best way I can describe this is bland. It's not a romance, it's not a mystery, it's just kind of there. After semi-enjoying the first book, I expected to like this one too. That wasn't the case.

My main problem with this was the romance. It wasn't angsty, it wasn't interesting. There was no tension. I felt no chemistry or connection between the characters, and somehow this felt like insta-love. It was a nice romance. That was it. It was just nice.

I also didn't love the plot of this. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't memorable. I think it's supposed to build in each book until the mystery of the crime ring is solved, but that doesn't work when each book is forgotten after its finished. I'll be reading the next book because I got it as an ARC, but I'm not looking forward to it.

[Channa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I adore anything and everything taking place in the Victorian era, this just didn't do it for me. The characters were flat, the penny dreadful excerpts quickly became tiresome, and the entirety of the book suffered from a bad case of telling rather than showing. Case in point: I don't want to be told every time a character is being sarcastic or witty!

[Cara Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so enjoying this series. This work with another fun lesson set in Victorian England. Love the mix of characters and the continuing storyline that stitches the books together. A sweet romance and enjoyable read.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

more than 3 stars but not quite 3.5

****First, a note on the timeframe. The e-ARC of The Lady and the Highwayman was set in 1849 but now it's 1865 and only two months have passed. I forgot to request the first book in print to read before this one to see if anything changed from the ARC. A peek at the Amazon Kindle version of The Lady and the Highwayman shows the date as 1865. Does it matter in the overall history of the Victorian era? I'm not sure but it was a big surprise to me. ****

By day Ana Newport is a demure music teacher at the Thurloe Collegiate School for Girls in London. She's quite popular and much loved but she holds many secrets. One secret is she enjoys reading the penny dreadful novels she confiscates from her students. Her biggest secret is so huge it could ruin her life if it got out: by night she's a sneak thief breaking into people's homes and stealing back worthless trinkets that were stolen from her family in the first place. Housebreaking and stealing are capital offenses; if she's caught, it would ruin not just her reputation alone but that of the school and her beloved friend Elizabeth, the headmistress who hired her. Ana isn't about to let that happen! She's also not about to let Hollis Darby into her heart either. Scion of an upper class family fallen on hard times, he would never approve of or understand her clandestine activities. The gulf between them is too great. When Hollis arranges for Ana to tutor his precocious niece in music, it allows them to spend more time together. Can she trust him with her heart and her secrets? Hollis Darby plays the fool with his older brother but he's very aware that his brother is about to follow the same path as their forefathers and lose everything again, in spite of being snobby and overly concerned about the family's reputation. When Hollis discovers a secret about his brother, he turns to the Dread Penny Society for help. While they normally rescue street urchins and children bound for the most dishonorable of professions, Hollis has reason to believe his brother is connected to a criminal the DPS is determined to stop. If the DPS can stop treating Hollis like a dog to fetch wealthy donors he thinks he can unmask a criminal but he can't do it alone. He needs a sneaky thief known as The Phantom Fox to help. Now where can he find his mysterious thief? ;-)

This story didn't capture my interest as much as the first. The first half focuses mainly on the romance. Because Hollis and Ana already know each other a bit, I didn't feel much tension in their relationship. It's a simple, nice, sweet sort of romance and I prefer more witty banter like Elizabeth and Fletcher. Those who love the swoony sorts of romances will enjoy this one. I also didn't think the penny dreadful stories added anything to the novel. Both were rather boring and devoid of any truly dreadful elements. Mr. King's story draws from life with a paranormal twist and Mr. Jones's story is meant for children. I liked that one a little better. It's like Harry Potter but without the evil and the main characters are ghosts. I was more curious about where that one was going than Mr. King's story. I also liked the history woven into The Lady and the Highwayman better. I learned a lot about the wretched in England and how the same characters from Les Misérables existed in England at the same time. This book doesn't have that same background. There's too much about gaming. I've read a lot about Georgian and Regency era gamesters, gaming hells and card sharps (Greeks and ivory turners as well) so this wasn't new to me. Fashions changed so the method of cheating changed but otherwise it was basically the same with some nastier villains. Ana's adventure was more heart-stopping and dangerous- I wanted more of THAT.

Hollis is kind of a boring hero. He doesn't cut a dash, he's not a rogue like Fletcher and they don't let him do anything except solicit funds for the Barton school from his wealthy society connections. Hollis is frustrated by being treated like a second class citizen from both his brother and his friends. He has a heart of gold and longs to use it and his unique talent to catch criminals. Hollis playing the fool is not the same as Philip Jonquil playing the fop. Hollis's relationship with his niece is cute, He spoils her a lot but not Addison, his nephew, who is more standoffish. I preferred his relationship with Very Merry, a street urchin and thief. She's saucy and knows he's a softie so she can get away with being bratty. My heart aches for what could have happened to her and how one so young could be so worldly wise. Hollis's brother Randolph is half the man Hollis is. Randolph acts stuffy and snobby but he's weak and stupid. Hollis knows what's what right away and how to put a stop to it. It's kind of Poldarkian- Hollis is Ross and Randolph is Francis. The one good thing I can say about Randolph is that he does seem to care a lot about his wife and children and not just their reputations. I suppose he can't help his problem.

The action picks up finally in the second half of the novel and I had a hard time putting it down. I would have liked a little more heart pounding action at the end rather than skipping to the POV of the other character after a bit of time has passed. The resolution to the drama feels a bit lacking. We finally catch a glimpse of Four-Finger Mike AND The Mastiff. The Mastiff isn't who I thought it was AT ALL. He's slippery and scary. It's obvious he wields a lot of power in London and not just the East End. What will he do next?

Ana is sweet, kind and good. If it weren't for her extra curricular activities she'd be boring. I don't blame her for wanting her sentimental objects back but stealing is stealing. Sorry but there's no gray area there. The people she steals from see it as stealing and the police will back them up. Ana is playing with fire. Her story is sad but not uncommon. I think her family was too new money to realize their position was so precarious and understand what would happen should they lose that position. What happened to her family was truly awful but it's in the past and it is what it is. Don't be petty like the people who wronged you. Ana's personality comes out more in the second half of the novel revealing a sense of humor and an adventurous side. Like Hollis, she wants to take action and DO something to right the wrongs of society. She can be sneaky and quiet, she catches on to spying quickly and has a sharp mind. They make a good team.

Elizabeth and Fletcher appear here and there. They've been courting for two months now and are very much in love. I adore them together and I have a soft spot for rogues. Elizabeth isn't afraid to speak her mind even to a room full of men. I love her! Fletcher has a more important role to play as bodyguard and villain catcher. I can hear him speak in my head with a rough voice in low accents. I like how well drawn he is. Brogan Donnelly has a bigger role along with his sister whose Irish name I can't spell on my American keyboard. Brogan is a rogue too and being Irish, is charming. I don't quite feel the same about him as a I do Fletcher. I think Brogan is more dangerous and also mysterious. He's scared of one person and that's his sister LOL! She's a "bad ass" as my niece would day. The Donnellys don't scare easy and they put up a good fight. Is he next to fall in love? The last member of the DPS playing a role in the story is Stone. Stone, a former enslaved man from the United States, is quiet but I suspect he's deadly when roused to anger. Like the others, he's rather mysterious. There's also a network of cheeky servants and urchins to add some humor to the story.

Mr. Newport, Ana's father, has had a rough time. Broken by his partner's betrayal and wife's death, he isn't living, just existing. Ana is very kind and sweet with him. She's never impatient or has harsh words. I'd be pushing him to go outside and do something other than grow old and moldy spying on the neighbor's house across the street. I think Mr. Newport is bored and lonely. He seems to pick up once Hollis and Brogan appear on the scene and he has a purpose. Mr. Newport has a sense of humor and is unafraid of otherworldly creatures because of his penchant for penny dreadfuls. In spite of wanting to yell at him, I really like him. His valet, Wallace, is a devoted friend. He could have left for a paying job long ago but he has a big heart and wants to help his employer. Their relationship is touching. Wallace's kind heart also extends to hooligan urchins!

Mr. Headley, Elizabeth's former suitor, seems somewhat interested in Ana now. That seems abrupt. He's wealthy and a proper gentleman. She could do worse, but he's soooo boring. I suspect he has deep, dark secrets no one else knows about and marriage to him would be a complete disaster.

While I don't have the same feeling of I need it now!! that I did with the first book but I still enjoy this series and am curious where it's going next!

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in the Dread Penny Society Series moved quickly and was again accompanied by two stories written by characters in the society. This time, we get another story by Elizabeth Black and one by Hollis Darby.

Hollis is our main character with Ana, music teacher at Elizabeth’s school, being the female lead. Hollis gets his brother to hire Ana to as a music tutor for his child, Hollis’ favorite niece. On top of her two teaching jobs, she’s a thief. She’s been slowly stealing back items taken when her family was ruined by her father’s business partner.

This story continues to DPS’s pursuit of Mastiff and Four-Fingered Mike, who are holding high-stakes card games in the house across the street from Ana’s family home.

The pace is fast and the characters are as appealing as in the first book - you can’t help rooting for them. Though you know exactly where things are going, it’s wonderful to watch it all unfold. On to the next!

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't remember when I started this so leaving out that date. Finished last night.

Another interesting story from Eden. We first met Ana and Hollis in The Lady and the Highwayman; here they get their own story. I quite enjoyed this tale of two people who both have "secret" identities. Nicely done romance as well.

Just as in the first book, the reader gets 3 tales in one with the addition of 2 of the Penny Dreadful tales. Love that idea!

Looking forward to the next installment, which stars Brogan. YAY!!!