What do you think?
Rate this book
Counterfeit: Crimes Against the Crown
Betrayal is the sequel to Untitled: Crimes Against the Crown.
“That was how dishonesty and betrayal started, not in big lies but in small secrets.” - Amy Tan
Lissa and Mile are married and should be on their honeymoon. Instead, they are in Somerset to celebrate Christmas with their families.
But before long, the bodies start to pile up, and betrayal runs rampant. Miles discovers the strength of Lissa’s resolve to confront those seeking to destroy those she loves.
The theft of vital codebooks and murder will lead them back to London to ferret out their enemies and put an end to the smuggler’s consortium once and for all.
They must venture undercover into the rookeries and slums of London’s east end to find their answers about the smugglers using the district to hide. However, the man set to help them is murdered, and they are soon discovered and narrowly escape back to the environs of the upper class.
But revenge is on the mind of the smuggler’s ringleader, and he intends for the family to pay in blood. Bringing down the smugglers before they escape comes with a price. One person escapes and is bent on revenge as Lissa and Miles flee to Scotland to distance themselves from the fallout of this latest investigation.
“That was how dishonesty and betrayal started, not in big lies but in small secrets.” - Amy Tan
Lissa and Mile are married and should be on their honeymoon. Instead, they are in Somerset to celebrate Christmas with their families.
But before long, the bodies start to pile up, and betrayal runs rampant. Miles discovers the strength of Lissa’s resolve to confront those seeking to destroy those she loves.
The theft of vital codebooks and murder will lead them back to London to ferret out their enemies and put an end to the smuggler’s consortium once and for all.
They must venture undercover into the rookeries and slums of London’s east end to find their answers about the smugglers using the district to hide. However, the man set to help them is murdered, and they are soon discovered and narrowly escape back to the environs of the upper class.
But revenge is on the mind of the smuggler’s ringleader, and he intends for the family to pay in blood. Bringing down the smugglers before they escape comes with a price. One person escapes and is bent on revenge as Lissa and Miles flee to Scotland to distance themselves from the fallout of this latest investigation.
559 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2021
12 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Bayne
23 books68 followersWendy Bayne weaves themes reflecting her interests and passions in history and social justice throughout her debut novel Untitled: Crimes Against the Crown. Set in 1827 England a young girl coming of age finds herself embroiled in the world of espionage to find not only love but that family secrets are sometimes dark and terrible as she is recruited by England's master of spies as an Agent of the Crown.
Books have been a large part of Wendy's life and she enjoys multiple genres. She is also an avid fan of Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey and Blue Jays Baseball.
You can find Wendy here on Goodreads and on twitter @bayne_wendy
Books have been a large part of Wendy's life and she enjoys multiple genres. She is also an avid fan of Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey and Blue Jays Baseball.
You can find Wendy here on Goodreads and on twitter @bayne_wendy
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 7, 2022
An excellent slice of historical high-jinx
Wendy Bayne portrays in great detail the conventions and language of the English aristocracy and their interactions with the commoners. I am impressed with the breadth and scope of vocabulary specific to this time and place. A clever plot against the Bank of England and you get a very rich tale worth reading.
Wendy Bayne portrays in great detail the conventions and language of the English aristocracy and their interactions with the commoners. I am impressed with the breadth and scope of vocabulary specific to this time and place. A clever plot against the Bank of England and you get a very rich tale worth reading.
December 13, 2023
A fantastic third book
This is the third book in the series, and just when I think the current book can’t top the last, Wendy throws a twist in.
I found myself reaching for this book in every spare minute I had to find out what happens next. Our favourite group of family and friends must unite to save the country against one of the biggest threats they’ve faced.
This book is packed with adventure, relationships, and wonderful descriptions from Wales to Egypt. I felt as though I was alongside the characters through every step they took.
This series is so far away from the feel-good romances that I usually read and yet I cannot get enough of it. Outside of all the excitement I love watching Lissa and Mile’s relationship mature and grow.
There are so many elements to this wonderful series and I cannot recommend it enough!
This is the third book in the series, and just when I think the current book can’t top the last, Wendy throws a twist in.
I found myself reaching for this book in every spare minute I had to find out what happens next. Our favourite group of family and friends must unite to save the country against one of the biggest threats they’ve faced.
This book is packed with adventure, relationships, and wonderful descriptions from Wales to Egypt. I felt as though I was alongside the characters through every step they took.
This series is so far away from the feel-good romances that I usually read and yet I cannot get enough of it. Outside of all the excitement I love watching Lissa and Mile’s relationship mature and grow.
There are so many elements to this wonderful series and I cannot recommend it enough!
March 1, 2022
The third book in the trilogy is packed with adventure. If mayhem, kidnapping, and death are not enough for you, I don't know what will be. Excellent writing! Do read the first two books in the series to get the full enjoyment of the author's ability.
May 8, 2024
I love the delightful Crimes Against the Crown series and look forward to each new installment, enjoying watching Miles and Clarissa take on new threats against their family and country as their relationship develops with every book. The political intrigue and espionage plots are always a delight and Wendy Bayne writes that very well, but sharp-witted Clarissa and fierce protective Miles and the tender loving relationship they have with one another is what keeps this reader hooked. I loved the way that the changing state of their family, particularly their new child, brought both new happiness and also near fears and threats and vulnerabilities to be exploited. I do love seeing Miles’ protective side. One of my favorite scenes of course involved the ferrets. Can we please have the ferrets in every book? The clever ferret couriers were so cute and my guinea pig buddy readers loved them. This wonderful regency romance and mystery took us on a tour of the UK and of Egypt this time around, with lots of adventure! I can’t wait to read the next installment. 5/5 stars.
August 8, 2023
Counterfeit is book 3 in Author Bayne’s excellent series, Crimes Against The Crown. This installment, in which Lissa and Miles travel to Wales to thwart a counterfeiting plot, has all the thrills, intrigue, and surprises to keep readers glued to their seats and flipping pages as they follow the continuing adventures of Lissa, Miles, and their family and friends. I highly recommend this book! If you are new to this series, then be sure to start with “Untitled,” and then “Betrayal!”
December 22, 2023
Gets better and better
This is the third book… and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. Myles and Lisa are my favourite and with every nook they grow on me. I love a mystery and this book has a lot of it. The world building is excellent and transports the reader back to the era.
Wendy has done it again!
This is the third book… and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. Myles and Lisa are my favourite and with every nook they grow on me. I love a mystery and this book has a lot of it. The world building is excellent and transports the reader back to the era.
Wendy has done it again!
January 7, 2022
When settling down with a novel from this series, you know you're in for a thrilling ride! Counterfeit offers all of the action, intrigue, and irresistible character appeal of its predecessors, along with fascinating elements of myth and mysticism. And Bayne’s writing has an addictive je nais se quoi that you simply won't find anywhere else. These books truly have something for just about anyone's reading preferences, so please treat yourself and check them out!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews