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Great Chicago Fire Trilogy #2
The Mistress
October 8, 1871 -- One small spark ignites the entire city of Chicago, sending its residents into panic. But amid the chaos, a case of mistaken identity leads to an unexpected new love.
As the historic fire ignites across town, Kathleen O'Leary finds herself dressed in borrowed diamonds and silk, enjoying a lavish masquerade. The penniless maid has caught the eye of Dylan Francis Kennedy, the rich, handsome gentleman all of high society has been speculating about. The night feels alive with magic...and ripe with promise.
Then fire sweeps through the city, cornering the young lovers with no hope of rescue. Desperate to share their last moments together, Kathleen and Dylan impulsively marry. Incredibly, they survive. Now, as the fire burns down to cold ash, Kathleen must tell Chicago's most eligible bachelor that he has married a fraud. But the joke's on her. For this gentleman is no gentleman. While Kathleen had hoped to win Dylan's love, he had planned only to capture her heart and steal her fortune. Dylan Kennedy -- con artist, gambler, and ne'er-do-well -- has been unwittingly caught in his own game. Now the real sparks are about to fly.
As the historic fire ignites across town, Kathleen O'Leary finds herself dressed in borrowed diamonds and silk, enjoying a lavish masquerade. The penniless maid has caught the eye of Dylan Francis Kennedy, the rich, handsome gentleman all of high society has been speculating about. The night feels alive with magic...and ripe with promise.
Then fire sweeps through the city, cornering the young lovers with no hope of rescue. Desperate to share their last moments together, Kathleen and Dylan impulsively marry. Incredibly, they survive. Now, as the fire burns down to cold ash, Kathleen must tell Chicago's most eligible bachelor that he has married a fraud. But the joke's on her. For this gentleman is no gentleman. While Kathleen had hoped to win Dylan's love, he had planned only to capture her heart and steal her fortune. Dylan Kennedy -- con artist, gambler, and ne'er-do-well -- has been unwittingly caught in his own game. Now the real sparks are about to fly.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
206 people are currently reading
1240 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wiggs
169 books7,434 followersSusan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
January 21, 2014
The girl: Kathleen O'Leary is maid to one of the ladies at a posh female academy (she's managed to suck up lots of book-learning helping her mistress study). As a lark, a couple of the more forward-thinking students decide to experiment and see if they can pass Kathleen off as a lady at a posh party. She's a smash in her fancy dress and borrowed jewels and catches the eye of the hottest bachelor to hit Chicago in years - but little does she know...
The guy: Dylan Francis Kennedy may look and sound like he's the son of some hoity toity old money family, but truth is he's a master of deception, a con-artist, a flim-flam man, acrobat and man of all trades and names. Dylan's down on his luck big time, and thinks Kathleen and her $$$$$$ are just what he needs to save his bacon from her erstwhile partner (Dylan kind of absconded with the funds from their last scheme).
So, it's October 8, 1871. Chicago's on fire and Dylan and Kathleen find themselves in a spot with no hope of survival. Long story short, they marry (that's on the jacket, I'm not spoiling) the marriage is consummated (boy, is it consummated), and then the truth about their identities hits the fan (that's on the jacket, I am not spoiling).
My thoughts? The first half with the fire and the near death moments was pretty intense. I loved the chemistry between Kathleen and Dylan (he is quite the handsome scamp), and they sure did sizzle when it came time to hit the marital bed. Extra points to Wiggs for using the pot 'o' honey trope and making it sexy. That said, the latter part of the book kind of dragged on a bit too long setting up the big sting to catch the bad guy. Four stars for the first half, three for the latter, rounded to 3.5 stars.
My copy, dead tree version via FOL sale, then switched to Kindle edition via library loan.
The guy: Dylan Francis Kennedy may look and sound like he's the son of some hoity toity old money family, but truth is he's a master of deception, a con-artist, a flim-flam man, acrobat and man of all trades and names. Dylan's down on his luck big time, and thinks Kathleen and her $$$$$$ are just what he needs to save his bacon from her erstwhile partner (Dylan kind of absconded with the funds from their last scheme).
So, it's October 8, 1871. Chicago's on fire and Dylan and Kathleen find themselves in a spot with no hope of survival. Long story short, they marry (that's on the jacket, I'm not spoiling) the marriage is consummated (boy, is it consummated), and then the truth about their identities hits the fan (that's on the jacket, I am not spoiling).
My thoughts? The first half with the fire and the near death moments was pretty intense. I loved the chemistry between Kathleen and Dylan (he is quite the handsome scamp), and they sure did sizzle when it came time to hit the marital bed. Extra points to Wiggs for using the pot 'o' honey trope and making it sexy. That said, the latter part of the book kind of dragged on a bit too long setting up the big sting to catch the bad guy. Four stars for the first half, three for the latter, rounded to 3.5 stars.
My copy, dead tree version via FOL sale, then switched to Kindle edition via library loan.
November 25, 2009
This is the second book in the Chicago Fire Trilogy by Susan Wiggs. The other two are The Hostage and The Firebrand. I enjoyed both these books very much, as well as The Lightkeeper. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing about The Mistress. I couldn’t empathize with the con-artist hero, just as I have problems with pirate heroes. And if I don’t like the hero, than I have problems with the woman who loves him. The book was good enough for me to finish it. It has quite a bit of action in it and it is set in a great city during a historic disaster. So that kept me going. But I can’t give it very high marks.
December 27, 2021
I enjoyed the historical setting. It is a bit light on romance but that's not a bad thing.
August 19, 2011
This book is the second in as series written by Susan Wiggs. What drew me to purchase the book? 1) It is set in the United States and 2) it takes place on the night of the Chicago fire.
When Kathleen O'Leary (daughter of the woman who allegedly started the Chicago fire) accepts a dare from two upper-class girls to pass herself off as the daughter of an upper class family, she earns the attention of the most sought after bachelor in Chicago - Dylan Kennedy. What Kathleen and her friends don't know is that Dylan is a con artist looking for a wealthy girl to marry so that he can make off with her money. What Dylan sees is Kathleen, dressed in borrowed finery and wearing borrowed jewels. He doesn't know that she's a maid to the upper-class daughter of a wealthy local family.
A hot wind blowing in from the Illinois prairie on that hot October night carries a spark from the chimney of a Western Division family's home, finding a welcome in a haystack in the O'Learys barn. The spark catches flame, the fire spreads, and the rest is history. Kathleen and Dylan try to outrun the fire and seek shelter in the City Hall. When it becomes apparent that City Hall will soon be a pile of rubble, Kathleen and Dylan accept the fact that they will soon perish. The town clerk, pinned under some fallen rubble, signs a marriage certificate while a local priest marries them. The mayor himself serves as witness.
By sheer luck they escape the encroaching fire and in an abandoned Pullman car Kathleen and Dylan create sparks of their own. Only later, after the worst of the fire is over, does Kathleen try to find her family. But will Dylan remain with his 'wife' or will he leave in search of a true upper-class wife when he learns Kathleen's secret of being a maid?
I loved this book! The tempo of the story is set by the all consuming fire and we are led through the pages in rapid succession, hoping for a happy ending that is at all times threatened by the forces of nature.
The Mistress is a true page-turner. Kept me on the edge of my seat - couldn't put it down. I have since bought the first book of the series (The Hostage) and have ordered the third (The Firebrand). The research that Susan Wiggs has done is evident in the smallest details, i.e., taking us down street after street and giving us the landmarks to track the movement of the fire.
You won't be disappointed in The Mistress!
When Kathleen O'Leary (daughter of the woman who allegedly started the Chicago fire) accepts a dare from two upper-class girls to pass herself off as the daughter of an upper class family, she earns the attention of the most sought after bachelor in Chicago - Dylan Kennedy. What Kathleen and her friends don't know is that Dylan is a con artist looking for a wealthy girl to marry so that he can make off with her money. What Dylan sees is Kathleen, dressed in borrowed finery and wearing borrowed jewels. He doesn't know that she's a maid to the upper-class daughter of a wealthy local family.
A hot wind blowing in from the Illinois prairie on that hot October night carries a spark from the chimney of a Western Division family's home, finding a welcome in a haystack in the O'Learys barn. The spark catches flame, the fire spreads, and the rest is history. Kathleen and Dylan try to outrun the fire and seek shelter in the City Hall. When it becomes apparent that City Hall will soon be a pile of rubble, Kathleen and Dylan accept the fact that they will soon perish. The town clerk, pinned under some fallen rubble, signs a marriage certificate while a local priest marries them. The mayor himself serves as witness.
By sheer luck they escape the encroaching fire and in an abandoned Pullman car Kathleen and Dylan create sparks of their own. Only later, after the worst of the fire is over, does Kathleen try to find her family. But will Dylan remain with his 'wife' or will he leave in search of a true upper-class wife when he learns Kathleen's secret of being a maid?
I loved this book! The tempo of the story is set by the all consuming fire and we are led through the pages in rapid succession, hoping for a happy ending that is at all times threatened by the forces of nature.
The Mistress is a true page-turner. Kept me on the edge of my seat - couldn't put it down. I have since bought the first book of the series (The Hostage) and have ordered the third (The Firebrand). The research that Susan Wiggs has done is evident in the smallest details, i.e., taking us down street after street and giving us the landmarks to track the movement of the fire.
You won't be disappointed in The Mistress!
October 12, 2013
I was interested in the setting--Chicago during the Great Fire--but the writing is weak and the two main characters are unsympathetic.
I kept reading to see what author would do with Mrs. O'Leary, Kathleen's mother. Catherine O'Leary was a real person, believed by many to have accidentally started the fire, thanks to a journalist who made up a story about the fire's start. He later retracted it, but it was too late. That's where this comes from:
Late one night, when we were all in bed,
Old Mother Leary left a lantern in the shed;
And when the cow kicked it over, she winked her eye and said,
"There'll be a hot time in the old town, tonight."
Historically, all of this caused Mrs. O'Leary a great deal of distress; some reports say she died some 20 years later broken-hearted over those accusations and the loss of her reputation.
But other than the beginning scene, with Mrs. O'Leary being woken about the fire, that wasn't covered here, which is a shame; it might have given this book some much-needed depth.
I kept reading to see what author would do with Mrs. O'Leary, Kathleen's mother. Catherine O'Leary was a real person, believed by many to have accidentally started the fire, thanks to a journalist who made up a story about the fire's start. He later retracted it, but it was too late. That's where this comes from:
Late one night, when we were all in bed,
Old Mother Leary left a lantern in the shed;
And when the cow kicked it over, she winked her eye and said,
"There'll be a hot time in the old town, tonight."
Historically, all of this caused Mrs. O'Leary a great deal of distress; some reports say she died some 20 years later broken-hearted over those accusations and the loss of her reputation.
But other than the beginning scene, with Mrs. O'Leary being woken about the fire, that wasn't covered here, which is a shame; it might have given this book some much-needed depth.
June 27, 2017
Most days Kathleen O'Leary is a penniless maid. But tonight she takes a risk and masquerades as a glamorous heiress.
Kathleen is one of four friends introduced in the first book in the trilogy: The Hostage. These friends are Deborah Sinclair (the protagonist in The Hostage), Kathleen O'Leary, Lucy Hathaway (whose adventure is described in the third book of the trilogy, The Firebrand) and Phoebe Palmer, a sometimes foil to all three of them.
I do love historical fiction but am not necessarily a fan of historical romance. This series has made me re-think my stance. Perhaps it is because The Great Chicago Fire of Oct 8, 1871 is also a character in these books and seeing its effects on people, both poor and rich, is mesmerizing.
I am committed to finishing the series, so on to The Firebrand!!
Kathleen is one of four friends introduced in the first book in the trilogy: The Hostage. These friends are Deborah Sinclair (the protagonist in The Hostage), Kathleen O'Leary, Lucy Hathaway (whose adventure is described in the third book of the trilogy, The Firebrand) and Phoebe Palmer, a sometimes foil to all three of them.
I do love historical fiction but am not necessarily a fan of historical romance. This series has made me re-think my stance. Perhaps it is because The Great Chicago Fire of Oct 8, 1871 is also a character in these books and seeing its effects on people, both poor and rich, is mesmerizing.
I am committed to finishing the series, so on to The Firebrand!!
October 29, 2009
Definitely not Wiggs' best book. Of all her works, this is the one, I think, with the weakest central characters. Maybe it's because I always have a hard time relating to materialistic people, but the fact that the two leads spent most of the book mourning their lack of or in pursuit of more of the finer things in life left me feeling rather disengaged.
That being said, this still has all the trademark Wiggsisms that make her books such fun to read. There are the little period details, the protofeminism and the comfiness of a close family that keep me coming back to her novels.
That being said, this still has all the trademark Wiggsisms that make her books such fun to read. There are the little period details, the protofeminism and the comfiness of a close family that keep me coming back to her novels.
August 24, 2010
These are the kind of books everyone loves to escape reality for just even a moment. Book two entails from the chicago series, Deborah's servant. She impersonates herself as being of the fine people and meets the man of her dreams. Or so she thought. The fine gentleman helps to keep her safe in the midst of the fire, as their feelings grow. Can't say much more without giving the good stuff away. The ending of course ends happily and predictable. But, Susan Wiggs, always seems to make you want more. Can't wait for the last book to come out.
December 28, 2007
The Mistress - G
Wiggs, Susan - 2nd in Chicago Fire Trilogy
Masquerading as members of Chicago's upper crust at a glittering ball on the eve of the Great Chicago Fire, Kathleen O'Leary, a beautiful young maid, and con man Dylan Kennedy find themselves falling for each other, unaware of their mutual masquerade.
It was cute.
Wiggs, Susan - 2nd in Chicago Fire Trilogy
Masquerading as members of Chicago's upper crust at a glittering ball on the eve of the Great Chicago Fire, Kathleen O'Leary, a beautiful young maid, and con man Dylan Kennedy find themselves falling for each other, unaware of their mutual masquerade.
It was cute.
November 26, 2016
So, I thought he was actually what he said he would be and I imagined the plot would go a different path. Not as fond of the main couple as I imagined when finished the first book and didn't read the blurb for this one...
July 5, 2012
I loved the historical information about the Great Chicago Fire and the action that goes along with it.
Although I enjoyed the story, I have a hard time liking the male lead when he's a con man.
Although I enjoyed the story, I have a hard time liking the male lead when he's a con man.
February 21, 2024
The Mistress by Susan Wiggs is a great story that takes readers back in time when things were a whole lot more fun, charming, and easy. The main characters both start off with a game of deception only to fall in love. Their love is not like any other. It's all consuming. Readers will swoon with this romantic read for sure. They start off with playing a game only for it to turn serious between them. Together they help others and find the love and sparks they have been wanting. Marriage for these two was beautiful and raw. Susan Wiggs is a master storyteller in creating emotions that readers can feel from the pages. Overall, I highly recommend this historical romance novel to all. There is plenty of charm, heat, and entertainment to keep readers hooked.
I got this copy from my Used Library Sale. This is my voluntary review.
I got this copy from my Used Library Sale. This is my voluntary review.
October 13, 2018
The last in the trilogy taking place during the Chicago fire in the late 1800's. This is about Kathleen O'Leary the daughter of the woman blamed for the start of the fire that burned Chicago down. Kathleen was a maid and with her mistress and her friends idea she takes a risk and masquerades as a heiress at a get together of the rich and famous. At this gathering she meets Dylan Kennedy, Chicago's most eligible bachelor. But like Kathleen, Dylan isn't who he says he is. The fire has made them run for their lives and they must rely on each other to survive. They will find that the greatest risk is to their hearts. Will they see that it's love? A good read!
June 24, 2022
A little slow on the get go....then I got mad at the main character for making (in my opinion) bad choices lol ugh I've read the first book in the series, which was good. Then, this one was okay. I'm hoping the last one in the series is better than the second.
I got through it, but it was until about about half way.
I got through it, but it was until about about half way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2017
This was not my favorite sequel. The characters just weren't very interesting to me. I didn't care much for Dylan. I got a bit more interested as the book went on, but once they went to sell the grain I got confused as to what was happening. Glad to see this one done.
March 6, 2019
I heavily skimmed this. It was just boring. And the long, unnecessary descriptions made it even worse. It was too much and at the same time, not enough. How did that happen? And I hate both of the MCs. They suck. Very one dimensional. Blug.
December 1, 2020
Well done from cover to cover. Susan Wiggs is a terrific author with wonderful characters and a great story line. I read book 1 in the trilogy, but I did not feel I needed to as this one easily stands alone.
September 24, 2022
I enjoyed this book. Based during the Chicago fire and surrounded by interesting characters. The main lady was the daughter of the family where the fire actually started. It is a fictional book but quite interesting. The love story left nothing out. Had all the elements of a good romance.
February 25, 2023
This was the last book in the author's trilogy about those her survived the great Chicago Fire. I really loved all of the heroines. Being born and raised in Chicago made these books even more interesting.
February 10, 2018
I didn’t care for this book and didn’t end up finishing it
August 31, 2018
Tulekahju.
Totaalne häving.
Kate pole see kes ta välja paistab ja see vale lükkab ta mehest eemale.
Kuid mees samasugune valevorst nagu Kate.
Totaalne häving.
Kate pole see kes ta välja paistab ja see vale lükkab ta mehest eemale.
Kuid mees samasugune valevorst nagu Kate.
April 7, 2019
It wasn't awful. I just found it boring.
January 28, 2020
If you like reading of the south and history you will like this book, but it is one of her earlier ones!
April 5, 2021
Another good story in this trilogy. Kathleen and Dylan are the main characters. Fast easy and enjoyable read. Maybe not quite as action packed as the first book but kept me reading.
December 5, 2022
Enjoyed this second in the trilogy.
November 17, 2023
3.5 stars
April 24, 2024
Very good, enjoyed it.
June 8, 2025
nice love story, informative about the Chicago fire
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews