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A Duke's Heiress #1
En busca de heredera
Una inesperada herencia. Un apasionado encuentro Minerva Hepplewhite aprendió a cuidar de sí misma a la mala. Por eso, cuando un intruso entra a su casa en Londres, no duda ni un minuto en defenderse. Lo que menos espera en medio de ese accidentado encuentro es recibir una noticia que cambiará su el duque de Hollinburgh dejó a tres misteriosas mujeres como herederas de su fortuna y Minerva es una de ellas, a pesar de nunca haberlo conocido. El mensajero de la noticia es el sobrino del duque, Chase Radnor, un caballero que se gana la vida como detective y por ello es el encargado de encontrarlas. Chase no sabe si Minerva es una mujer en peligro o una mujer peligrosa. Cualquiera que sea el caso, está completamente intrigado y en cada encuentro que tienen crece imparable la tensión y el deseo entre ellos. En busca de heredera es la primera entrega de la serie «Las herederas del duque» que envolverá a los lectores en un apasionado romance de época.
399 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2020
1523 people are currently reading
5344 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
102 books2,108 followersMadeline Hunter is a nationally bestselling author of historical romances who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. Her books have won two RITA awards and seven nominations, and have had three starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. In a parallel existence to the one she enjoys as a novelist, Madeline has a Ph.D. in art history and teaches at an East Coast university.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 531 reviews
November 17, 2025
I enjoyed this book. The start of the book grabbed me and kept my interest throughout the story. Chase is looking into the death of his uncle, Duke of Hollingburgh, and suspects Minerva at first. Minerva was an abused wife, and her husband was killed. The story is a combo love story with a second chance at love and a historical mystery (my 2 favorites). The duke left Minerva money in his will, and she has no idea why. The more I found out about the duke, the more I liked him. The story moves along at a good pace with a bit of insta attraction and fun as both are working to solve the mystery. The series is broken into multiple books to find the killer, so there is a cliff hanger. The romance is solved and enjoyable with a hea.
August 11, 2020
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When the Duke of Hollingburgh dies suddenly, his will reveals that he has left the bulk of his money and business interests to three women, women the family has never heard of. One of the duke's nephews, Chase, is tasked with finding these three women and with investigating the duke's death. A former soldier who was cashed out under a cloud of suspicion, Chase will only go by the facts in a case and not let his emotions affect him ever again but dealing with family and one of the mysterious heiress, it's harder said than done.
He opened his eyes to see the end of a pistol mere inches from his head. His gaze traveled up the arm that held it, until he looked into the furious dark eyes of a very handsome dark-haired woman. She held the pistol like she knew how to use it.
Heiress For Hire was a leisurely mystery with a mature, tranquil romance and engaging characters. As a first in the series, the set-up for the storyline, that will obviously continue throughout at least what I can discern for three books, takes up a lot of the page time. The former duke's death that our hero Chase is investigating for probable murder is not resolved in this book and will obviously be the thread that ties the series together. While the introduction to the family members and how they are all set-up as red-herrings to keep you guessing was well thought out, it did steal too much time from our main characters and their romance.
It had been stupid to allow herself to taste that which she dare not enjoy in full.
Our heroine, Minerva, is one of the three mysterious women the duke left money to. I found her character and background more flushed out than Chase's and therefore she became the stronger character. Minerva is a widow who has changed her name to distance herself from any possible negativity to do with a trial that tried to convict her of murdering her husband. This is what sparks some of the conflict in keeping Chase and Minerva wary of each other. Chase believes his uncle was murdered and Minerva doesn't want her past dredged up and understands that she would be a prime suspect in the duke's possible murder. Minerva's husband was also abusive and this leads her to being slightly fearful of intimacy with Chase but the agency and control Chase gives to her during their moments of closeness have her healing and moving forward in this regard.
He hated how being disillusioned once had him guarding information now.
Chase's background and cloud over his leaving the army is kept secret for the majority of the book and while his friendship with his cousins, the new duke Nicholas and Kevin and his calm deliberate care towards Minerva, give insight to his personality, I still felt he wasn't colored in enough. I think I was around one-hundred pages in and I realized because of Chase and Minerva's background still kept secret and the focus more on the murder mystery set-up, I felt like I still didn't know these characters. Towards the end when Minerva and Chase get more time together, I enjoyed their by-play and interactions, which were smooth and calm. There really is no angst or dramatic flares to the story or characters, if you're looking for a more mature and comfortable romance, this would be the couple to read.
Secondary characters filled this story out wonderfully but the romance was overtaken by the series set-up too much for me. Minerva and Chase were a couple where the gradual friendship definitely built the trust to make acting on their mutual attraction believable. I just wish I had felt closer to them and the pace of the story was picked up a bit. I am curious to see who the other two mystery heiresses will be and if Chase's cousins Nicholas and Kevin will be paired with them.
When the Duke of Hollingburgh dies suddenly, his will reveals that he has left the bulk of his money and business interests to three women, women the family has never heard of. One of the duke's nephews, Chase, is tasked with finding these three women and with investigating the duke's death. A former soldier who was cashed out under a cloud of suspicion, Chase will only go by the facts in a case and not let his emotions affect him ever again but dealing with family and one of the mysterious heiress, it's harder said than done.
He opened his eyes to see the end of a pistol mere inches from his head. His gaze traveled up the arm that held it, until he looked into the furious dark eyes of a very handsome dark-haired woman. She held the pistol like she knew how to use it.
Heiress For Hire was a leisurely mystery with a mature, tranquil romance and engaging characters. As a first in the series, the set-up for the storyline, that will obviously continue throughout at least what I can discern for three books, takes up a lot of the page time. The former duke's death that our hero Chase is investigating for probable murder is not resolved in this book and will obviously be the thread that ties the series together. While the introduction to the family members and how they are all set-up as red-herrings to keep you guessing was well thought out, it did steal too much time from our main characters and their romance.
It had been stupid to allow herself to taste that which she dare not enjoy in full.
Our heroine, Minerva, is one of the three mysterious women the duke left money to. I found her character and background more flushed out than Chase's and therefore she became the stronger character. Minerva is a widow who has changed her name to distance herself from any possible negativity to do with a trial that tried to convict her of murdering her husband. This is what sparks some of the conflict in keeping Chase and Minerva wary of each other. Chase believes his uncle was murdered and Minerva doesn't want her past dredged up and understands that she would be a prime suspect in the duke's possible murder. Minerva's husband was also abusive and this leads her to being slightly fearful of intimacy with Chase but the agency and control Chase gives to her during their moments of closeness have her healing and moving forward in this regard.
He hated how being disillusioned once had him guarding information now.
Chase's background and cloud over his leaving the army is kept secret for the majority of the book and while his friendship with his cousins, the new duke Nicholas and Kevin and his calm deliberate care towards Minerva, give insight to his personality, I still felt he wasn't colored in enough. I think I was around one-hundred pages in and I realized because of Chase and Minerva's background still kept secret and the focus more on the murder mystery set-up, I felt like I still didn't know these characters. Towards the end when Minerva and Chase get more time together, I enjoyed their by-play and interactions, which were smooth and calm. There really is no angst or dramatic flares to the story or characters, if you're looking for a more mature and comfortable romance, this would be the couple to read.
Secondary characters filled this story out wonderfully but the romance was overtaken by the series set-up too much for me. Minerva and Chase were a couple where the gradual friendship definitely built the trust to make acting on their mutual attraction believable. I just wish I had felt closer to them and the pace of the story was picked up a bit. I am curious to see who the other two mystery heiresses will be and if Chase's cousins Nicholas and Kevin will be paired with them.
July 28, 2022
Read: 7/28/22
This was such a well written book! The MC were different and interesting. They balanced each other perfectly. You can see these two growing old together.
I also loved that MH was able to write Minerva as a strong, independent woman without being a shrew. Too many authors don't seem to know the difference. Funny, bc 98% of hr are written by women.
So why only 3 stars? I just didn't connect with the story. I felt like I was watching a play not living it with the characters. I kept looking at page numbers. That's never a good sign! I also felt like the mystery took a backseat and the pacing was slow. I wonder if the author did it this way to sell 2 more books 🤔
Conclusion: I don't know if the fault was bc of my mood or the book. Everybody seems to love it, so I have to wonder...
This was such a well written book! The MC were different and interesting. They balanced each other perfectly. You can see these two growing old together.
I also loved that MH was able to write Minerva as a strong, independent woman without being a shrew. Too many authors don't seem to know the difference. Funny, bc 98% of hr are written by women.
So why only 3 stars? I just didn't connect with the story. I felt like I was watching a play not living it with the characters. I kept looking at page numbers. That's never a good sign! I also felt like the mystery took a backseat and the pacing was slow. I wonder if the author did it this way to sell 2 more books 🤔
Conclusion: I don't know if the fault was bc of my mood or the book. Everybody seems to love it, so I have to wonder...
July 18, 2022
I enjoyed this book. The start of the book grabbed me and kept my interest throughout the story. Chase is looking into the death of his uncle, Duke of Hollingburgh, and suspects Minerva at first. Minerva was an abused wife, and her husband was killed. The story is a combo love story with a second chance at love and a historical mystery (my 2 favorites). The duke left Minerva money in his will, and she has no idea why. The more I found out about the duke, the more I liked him. The story moves along at a good pace with a bit of insta attraction and fun as both are working to solve the mystery. The series is broken into multiple books to find the killer, so there is a cliff hanger. The romance is solved and enjoyable with a hea.
May 22, 2020
I've given this a B at AAR.
Madeline Hunter’s new series, A Duke’s Heiress , opens with Heiress for Hire, a nicely done combination of romance and cosy mystery in which a young widow is left a large sum of money by a man – a duke, no less – she never met. There’s also a mystery to be solved surrounding the duke’s death – was it due to natural causes or something more sinister? I didn’t realise, when I started the book, that that question would remain unanswered at the end - clearly we’re going to have to wait until the third book for that – but the central characters are likeable and their romance is engaging enough for that not to have been too much of a disappointment.
Having survived an abusive marriage and then narrowly avoided being accused of having had a hand in her husband’s death, Minerva Hepplewhite changed her name and removed to London with her faithful friend and housekeeper Beth and Beth’s son Jeremy. On the night the book opens, Minerva and Beth are hovering over the intruder Minerva has just konked on the head with a warming pan – who eventually manages to introduce himself as Chase Radnor, a gentleman who on occasion conducts discreet enquiries, and to explain that he had not planned on stealing from her, but had been searching for evidence that she is the same Minerva Hepplewhite who has just inherited a fortune from the recently deceased Duke of Hollingburgh. It’s Minerva’s turn to be stunned at that; she never met the duke or anyone connected with him, so to discover that he left her a large sum of money plus a stake in his business that’s worth even more is a complete surprise.
Minerva’s assertion that she has no connection whatsoever to the duke surprises Chase, too. The late duke – who was Chase’s uncle – was widely known as an eccentric who almost never did what was expected of him, but giving away his entire monetary fortune to three ladies nobody within the family has ever heard goes way beyond eccentricity, and Chase has been quietly working on locating the three beneficiaries. His task is complicated still further when, the morning following his… er … meeting with Minerva, he is asked by the Home Secretary, Sir Robert Peel, to conduct a discreet and unofficial enquiry into Hollingburgh’s death to ascertain if it was accidental or if he was murdered – and if so, by whom.
Of course, the most likely suspects should the duke have been murdered would be those who stood to gain most by his death – although suspicions that Minerva Hepplewhite may be the guilty party aren’t the only reasons she hasn’t been far from Chase’s mind since their inauspicious encounter the night before.
The news she is an heiress doesn’t exactly fill Minerva with giddy glee. Establishing her identity, as will be required before she can claim her inheritance, will almost certainly mean digging up aspects of her past she’d hoped to leave behind when she moved and changed her name. As Margaret Finley, she was suspected of the murder of her violent husband – and should that come out, she realises it will only increase speculation as to her involvement in the duke’s death. As she, Beth and Jeremy have already successfully completed a number of enquiries in the past, Minerva decides to tackle things head on and investigate the death herself – if she can identify the culprit, she will be exempt from suspicion. And now she has the means to do so, she decides to set up an enquiry agency of her own, one that will cater to women and other people who are unlikely to be able to access the services of men like Chase Radnor.
Chase and Minerva are likeable, intelligent and well-written, and their romance is based on a solid foundation of mutual respect as well as strong mutual attraction. They converse with good sense and humour, and once they agree to collaborate and share information about the investigation into the duke’s death, they do so without arguing for arguments’ sake or withholding information for the other’s ‘own good’, which I found refreshingly mature. I also appreciated that Minerva, while engaged in an unusual profession for a woman (not to mention the fact that her being engaged in any profession was unusual for the time) isn’t one of those ‘look at how unconventional and awesome I am!!’ heroines that are so prevalent in historical romance these days. She’s perceptive and intuitive, although she does make one rather large miscalculation about the nature of the job she’s doing, which was a bit naïve. But she’s also strong and resilient, and the way she has re-invented herself after the truly horrific abuse she suffered at her late husband’s hands – treatment that could easily have broken her – is admirable.
Chase is perhaps a little less well-rounded, although I liked that he isn’t your usual marriage shy, bored aristocrat, and how perceptive he is when it comes to Minerva. Realising there’s something holding her back from moving their relationship to the next level, he never pushes her and lets her lead the way.
There’s a great secondary cast, consisting mostly of Chase’s disgruntled relatives, all of whom have had their noses put out of joint by the duke’s will and which provides a great pool of possible suspects. On the downside, there’s a lot of set-up, which takes time away from the romance, I wasn’t completely convinced by Minerva’s investigative abilities, and the book doesn’t have a strong sense of period. Apart from the mention of Peel as Home Secretary, which puts events as taking place between 1822 and 1830, the story could have taken place at any point during the nineteenth century. I wasn’t too worried about the central mystery remaining unsolved, although perhaps the blurb should have indicated that – and it’s misleading in another way, because it indicates Minerva and Chase have met before, or at least knew of each other, but it’s pretty clear within the novel that neither of those things is true.
Heiress for Hire wasn’t one of those books that compelled me to pick it up at every opportunity, but it was an entertaining read, and one that is at least mercifully free of overdone mental lusting, feisty heroines and aristocratic gambling hell owners. If you’re looking for a well-written, sensual romance featuring engaging characters who behave like adults, it’s worth a look.
Madeline Hunter’s new series, A Duke’s Heiress , opens with Heiress for Hire, a nicely done combination of romance and cosy mystery in which a young widow is left a large sum of money by a man – a duke, no less – she never met. There’s also a mystery to be solved surrounding the duke’s death – was it due to natural causes or something more sinister? I didn’t realise, when I started the book, that that question would remain unanswered at the end - clearly we’re going to have to wait until the third book for that – but the central characters are likeable and their romance is engaging enough for that not to have been too much of a disappointment.
Having survived an abusive marriage and then narrowly avoided being accused of having had a hand in her husband’s death, Minerva Hepplewhite changed her name and removed to London with her faithful friend and housekeeper Beth and Beth’s son Jeremy. On the night the book opens, Minerva and Beth are hovering over the intruder Minerva has just konked on the head with a warming pan – who eventually manages to introduce himself as Chase Radnor, a gentleman who on occasion conducts discreet enquiries, and to explain that he had not planned on stealing from her, but had been searching for evidence that she is the same Minerva Hepplewhite who has just inherited a fortune from the recently deceased Duke of Hollingburgh. It’s Minerva’s turn to be stunned at that; she never met the duke or anyone connected with him, so to discover that he left her a large sum of money plus a stake in his business that’s worth even more is a complete surprise.
Minerva’s assertion that she has no connection whatsoever to the duke surprises Chase, too. The late duke – who was Chase’s uncle – was widely known as an eccentric who almost never did what was expected of him, but giving away his entire monetary fortune to three ladies nobody within the family has ever heard goes way beyond eccentricity, and Chase has been quietly working on locating the three beneficiaries. His task is complicated still further when, the morning following his… er … meeting with Minerva, he is asked by the Home Secretary, Sir Robert Peel, to conduct a discreet and unofficial enquiry into Hollingburgh’s death to ascertain if it was accidental or if he was murdered – and if so, by whom.
Of course, the most likely suspects should the duke have been murdered would be those who stood to gain most by his death – although suspicions that Minerva Hepplewhite may be the guilty party aren’t the only reasons she hasn’t been far from Chase’s mind since their inauspicious encounter the night before.
The news she is an heiress doesn’t exactly fill Minerva with giddy glee. Establishing her identity, as will be required before she can claim her inheritance, will almost certainly mean digging up aspects of her past she’d hoped to leave behind when she moved and changed her name. As Margaret Finley, she was suspected of the murder of her violent husband – and should that come out, she realises it will only increase speculation as to her involvement in the duke’s death. As she, Beth and Jeremy have already successfully completed a number of enquiries in the past, Minerva decides to tackle things head on and investigate the death herself – if she can identify the culprit, she will be exempt from suspicion. And now she has the means to do so, she decides to set up an enquiry agency of her own, one that will cater to women and other people who are unlikely to be able to access the services of men like Chase Radnor.
Chase and Minerva are likeable, intelligent and well-written, and their romance is based on a solid foundation of mutual respect as well as strong mutual attraction. They converse with good sense and humour, and once they agree to collaborate and share information about the investigation into the duke’s death, they do so without arguing for arguments’ sake or withholding information for the other’s ‘own good’, which I found refreshingly mature. I also appreciated that Minerva, while engaged in an unusual profession for a woman (not to mention the fact that her being engaged in any profession was unusual for the time) isn’t one of those ‘look at how unconventional and awesome I am!!’ heroines that are so prevalent in historical romance these days. She’s perceptive and intuitive, although she does make one rather large miscalculation about the nature of the job she’s doing, which was a bit naïve. But she’s also strong and resilient, and the way she has re-invented herself after the truly horrific abuse she suffered at her late husband’s hands – treatment that could easily have broken her – is admirable.
Chase is perhaps a little less well-rounded, although I liked that he isn’t your usual marriage shy, bored aristocrat, and how perceptive he is when it comes to Minerva. Realising there’s something holding her back from moving their relationship to the next level, he never pushes her and lets her lead the way.
There’s a great secondary cast, consisting mostly of Chase’s disgruntled relatives, all of whom have had their noses put out of joint by the duke’s will and which provides a great pool of possible suspects. On the downside, there’s a lot of set-up, which takes time away from the romance, I wasn’t completely convinced by Minerva’s investigative abilities, and the book doesn’t have a strong sense of period. Apart from the mention of Peel as Home Secretary, which puts events as taking place between 1822 and 1830, the story could have taken place at any point during the nineteenth century. I wasn’t too worried about the central mystery remaining unsolved, although perhaps the blurb should have indicated that – and it’s misleading in another way, because it indicates Minerva and Chase have met before, or at least knew of each other, but it’s pretty clear within the novel that neither of those things is true.
Heiress for Hire wasn’t one of those books that compelled me to pick it up at every opportunity, but it was an entertaining read, and one that is at least mercifully free of overdone mental lusting, feisty heroines and aristocratic gambling hell owners. If you’re looking for a well-written, sensual romance featuring engaging characters who behave like adults, it’s worth a look.
May 24, 2023
3.5 to 4 stars. Quite an enjoyable read, although IMO not equal to Ms Hunter's excellent Rothwell Brothers series.
The basis of the plot revolved around the heroine and hero both being private investigators. Although reasons were given for both to pursue this career, it still seemed a bit of stretch, especially for Minerva as a woman. The fact of Minerva's soon-to-be delivered inheritance made it seem even more unlikely that she would do this. However, as a reader, once you accepted this plot point, it was quite an involving story. Their relationship developed nicely. Minerva's difficult back story was gradually revealed, and part of the mystery surrounding the duke's death (which happened before the book took place) was solved, leaving more to be revealed in future books. It was a little frustrating not to know all by the end of the book, but hopefully future instalments that reveal more will be enjoyable too.
So, not a bad read. A little slow in parts, but likeable characters and overall an interesting mystery.
This was a BOTM for July 2022 for Historical Romance Book Club, mystery/suspense theme.
The basis of the plot revolved around the heroine and hero both being private investigators. Although reasons were given for both to pursue this career, it still seemed a bit of stretch, especially for Minerva as a woman. The fact of Minerva's soon-to-be delivered inheritance made it seem even more unlikely that she would do this. However, as a reader, once you accepted this plot point, it was quite an involving story. Their relationship developed nicely. Minerva's difficult back story was gradually revealed, and part of the mystery surrounding the duke's death (which happened before the book took place) was solved, leaving more to be revealed in future books. It was a little frustrating not to know all by the end of the book, but hopefully future instalments that reveal more will be enjoyable too.
So, not a bad read. A little slow in parts, but likeable characters and overall an interesting mystery.
This was a BOTM for July 2022 for Historical Romance Book Club, mystery/suspense theme.
May 16, 2020
I enjoyed this book though I am not sure what stands out to me. I liked the characters and the way their lives entwine. Generally, Hunter’s writing style suits my tastes.
Chase is the grandson of a recently deceased duke and is investigating the circumstances of his death and trying to locate the unanticipated benefactresses the Duke left much of his non-entailed fortune to. One of those benefactresses is Minerva, who is living under an assumed identity due to the suspicious circumstances of her deceased husband’s death several years ago. She starts out as a possible suspect but the problem is that she has never even met the old duke. And of course, the potent attraction between Minerva and Chase would make it very inconvenient if she was a murderess. Minerva is also an investigator and she ends up pairing up with Chase.
This story started out strong, with a big family that felt entitled to the fortune and suspicion in nearly every corner. It reminded of the movie “Knives Out” with the expectation of a good mystery unfolding. And while there are clues and intrigue explored, I did find the mystery portion disappointing. There is back story and resolution in each of the main character’s stories, but the only thing that really happens with the duke’s inquiry is more threads to investigate. I assume these will be explored further in future books in the series, and I understand the reasoning for this in a series, but I wish this would have had some resolution here, especially with two leads who are investigators.
Ultimately, the romance was good here but the complimenting mystery was a let down.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This is my honest opinion.
Chase is the grandson of a recently deceased duke and is investigating the circumstances of his death and trying to locate the unanticipated benefactresses the Duke left much of his non-entailed fortune to. One of those benefactresses is Minerva, who is living under an assumed identity due to the suspicious circumstances of her deceased husband’s death several years ago. She starts out as a possible suspect but the problem is that she has never even met the old duke. And of course, the potent attraction between Minerva and Chase would make it very inconvenient if she was a murderess. Minerva is also an investigator and she ends up pairing up with Chase.
This story started out strong, with a big family that felt entitled to the fortune and suspicion in nearly every corner. It reminded of the movie “Knives Out” with the expectation of a good mystery unfolding. And while there are clues and intrigue explored, I did find the mystery portion disappointing. There is back story and resolution in each of the main character’s stories, but the only thing that really happens with the duke’s inquiry is more threads to investigate. I assume these will be explored further in future books in the series, and I understand the reasoning for this in a series, but I wish this would have had some resolution here, especially with two leads who are investigators.
Ultimately, the romance was good here but the complimenting mystery was a let down.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This is my honest opinion.
May 24, 2021
I found this to be worth the read. I've had a fondness for Madeline Hunter's work for years and, although that fondness has lessened over the years, I like to give her the benefit of the doubt when she begins a new series. So...this isn't a bad read. Although done before in various manifestations, the plot held my interest.
I've read HRs with private investigators, even female private investigators and I've also read HRs about women receiving windfall inheritances, but Hunter always manages to stay within the norms of 1800s England fairly well. If she has enterprising women characters in her books, they are not as anachronistically annoying as those created by other HR authors with feminist themes.
The inevitable, ubiquitous, young, handsome HR duke is present here but he is not the hero in this first book of the series. (But you can bet he'll be the star of one book of this trilogy.) No, our hero here is cousin to that duke, an ex-soldier with some kind of secret in his past which we will eventually find out about, who, although independently wealthy somehow or other, works as an inquiry agent or private investigator.
At the moment our hero, Chase Radnor, is working, trying to find three mysterious women to whom his uncle, the late duke, left hefty inheritances. Since the duke died in mysterious circumstances, that also figures into Chase's investigations.
And then there's our heroine Minerva Hepplewhite. She's the only one of the three heiresses Chase has located so far. Minerva has secrets in her past also. In the first place, perhaps Minerva Hepplewhite isn't even her real name and she may have a past she wants no one know about.
Since Minerva's connection to the late duke is such an unknown (she claims never to have met the man) even though she is receiving a sizable amount of money in his will, naturally Chase is suspicious that she may have had something to do with his death. Aha. Let the story begin.
As he investigates, Chase begins to admire Minerva's poise and self-reliance (and beauty). When she begins her own investigations in order to clear herself of the crime, it's inevitable that they will eventually work together, even though they will remain a bit suspicious of each other. BTW, it must be noted that Minerva has been dabbling in private investigation work of her own for a few years. Who would have thunk? A P.I.-P.I. romance.
There are lots of relatives of the late duke and other secondaries to be suspicious of. So we have a romance cum whodunit. The romance here comes to a satisfactory HEA. The mystery does not quite, so readers who feel the need for closure there will have to continue with the trilogy. And, of course, readers who want romance for the hero's two cousins, a duke and an entrepreneur of sorts, will need to read the next two books for that also.
This is a pleasant read. I enjoyed it but nothing about it felt particularly special. Just a typical Hunter HR. She writes well and isn't especially anachronistic, so I'm not sorry to have read this and will probably read the whole trilogy.
I've read HRs with private investigators, even female private investigators and I've also read HRs about women receiving windfall inheritances, but Hunter always manages to stay within the norms of 1800s England fairly well. If she has enterprising women characters in her books, they are not as anachronistically annoying as those created by other HR authors with feminist themes.
The inevitable, ubiquitous, young, handsome HR duke is present here but he is not the hero in this first book of the series. (But you can bet he'll be the star of one book of this trilogy.) No, our hero here is cousin to that duke, an ex-soldier with some kind of secret in his past which we will eventually find out about, who, although independently wealthy somehow or other, works as an inquiry agent or private investigator.
At the moment our hero, Chase Radnor, is working, trying to find three mysterious women to whom his uncle, the late duke, left hefty inheritances. Since the duke died in mysterious circumstances, that also figures into Chase's investigations.
And then there's our heroine Minerva Hepplewhite. She's the only one of the three heiresses Chase has located so far. Minerva has secrets in her past also. In the first place, perhaps Minerva Hepplewhite isn't even her real name and she may have a past she wants no one know about.
Since Minerva's connection to the late duke is such an unknown (she claims never to have met the man) even though she is receiving a sizable amount of money in his will, naturally Chase is suspicious that she may have had something to do with his death. Aha. Let the story begin.
As he investigates, Chase begins to admire Minerva's poise and self-reliance (and beauty). When she begins her own investigations in order to clear herself of the crime, it's inevitable that they will eventually work together, even though they will remain a bit suspicious of each other. BTW, it must be noted that Minerva has been dabbling in private investigation work of her own for a few years. Who would have thunk? A P.I.-P.I. romance.
There are lots of relatives of the late duke and other secondaries to be suspicious of. So we have a romance cum whodunit. The romance here comes to a satisfactory HEA. The mystery does not quite, so readers who feel the need for closure there will have to continue with the trilogy. And, of course, readers who want romance for the hero's two cousins, a duke and an entrepreneur of sorts, will need to read the next two books for that also.
This is a pleasant read. I enjoyed it but nothing about it felt particularly special. Just a typical Hunter HR. She writes well and isn't especially anachronistic, so I'm not sorry to have read this and will probably read the whole trilogy.
January 15, 2021
Made it 2/3 through before first DNF of '21. 0 of 10 stars
April 14, 2020
The first in a new series by this seasoned author which follows the change in the destinies of three women as they each unexpectantly inherit sizable fortunes bequeathed to them by a recently departed duke known in life for his eccentricities.
Chase Radnor is the nephew of the late duke and cousin of his successor. As an active private investigator, he is thus in the perfect position to look into the suspicious death of his uncle and what better way to start than to track down the mysterious recipients of his uncle's generosity. His head soon becomes acquainted with the frighteningly quick hand of Minerva Hepplewhite, who is not going to let one handsome intruder threaten her safety and that of her little household. Once conscious, he realises that her wit is even quicker and more effective than her walloping hand.
Minerva is as perplexed and curious by her sudden change in fortune as Chase and they soon realise they are better joining their investigative minds than to work independently of one another. Except despite their tentative partnership agreement, they both continue to withhold information from the other. Minerva especially has many skeletons in the closet. Rumours is that one of the skeletons might even be that of her deceased husband, who himself suffered an abrupt and unnatural death.
Minerva is a great character. Hunter's heroines tend to be more mature, independent and strong-minded and she certainly fits the bill. The problem is that the mystery of the old duke's death and Minerva setting up her detective business overwhelmed the romance and nice-guy Chase is just a bit too...how to say it nicely...bland. It was okay. I understand with the introductory book to a new series, that page-time has to be dedicated to setting the scene and introducing the characters. I just need a bit of oomph factor.
This is an ARC from NetGalley.
Chase Radnor is the nephew of the late duke and cousin of his successor. As an active private investigator, he is thus in the perfect position to look into the suspicious death of his uncle and what better way to start than to track down the mysterious recipients of his uncle's generosity. His head soon becomes acquainted with the frighteningly quick hand of Minerva Hepplewhite, who is not going to let one handsome intruder threaten her safety and that of her little household. Once conscious, he realises that her wit is even quicker and more effective than her walloping hand.
Minerva is as perplexed and curious by her sudden change in fortune as Chase and they soon realise they are better joining their investigative minds than to work independently of one another. Except despite their tentative partnership agreement, they both continue to withhold information from the other. Minerva especially has many skeletons in the closet. Rumours is that one of the skeletons might even be that of her deceased husband, who himself suffered an abrupt and unnatural death.
Minerva is a great character. Hunter's heroines tend to be more mature, independent and strong-minded and she certainly fits the bill. The problem is that the mystery of the old duke's death and Minerva setting up her detective business overwhelmed the romance and nice-guy Chase is just a bit too...how to say it nicely...bland. It was okay. I understand with the introductory book to a new series, that page-time has to be dedicated to setting the scene and introducing the characters. I just need a bit of oomph factor.
This is an ARC from NetGalley.
May 8, 2025
Will be in my next vlog
November 2, 2025
I like this story. Liked both H and h . Both had secret. Eccentric Uncle leave His money to three ladies. Family members are angry.
Chase a family member, has been asked to investigate the uncle death. Minerva one of the ladies, decides to investigate the Duke murder, knowing she is probably a suspect.
They end up working together and become close.
Chase a family member, has been asked to investigate the uncle death. Minerva one of the ladies, decides to investigate the Duke murder, knowing she is probably a suspect.
They end up working together and become close.
September 28, 2020
Minerva is shocked to discover she's inherited a very large sum of money from a Duke she's never met. When the Duke's nephew, Chase, sneaks into her house to investigate her, she conks him over the head with a warming pan. Thus begins their romance.
Chase suspects his uncle, the Duke, was murdered and who has more motive than Minerva? Minerva has conducted inquiries of her own and knows that she is a prime suspect for the Duke's murder. She decides to investigate on her own with the help of some of her friends.
This book is equal parts historical mystery and romance. Minerva had previously been married to a brutal man who abused her in every way. She has learned to take care of herself and to never trust a man. She's incredibly smart and intuitive and drives Chase crazy because she usually arrives to talk to people before he can get there. She's always one step ahead of him as they try to solve the Duke's murder.
The romance was very well done. Minerva won't every marry again, after her horrible first husband died. Chase is intrigued by this amazing woman. He's never met anyone like her.
The book had some great secondary characters, from Minerva's friends to Chase's very large family. I suspect the next 2 books will be about Kevin and the new Duke, Nicholas. Kevin is a manwhore who visit brothels very regularly, and Nicholas is only a little better, so I might not read those.
Safety:
Chase suspects his uncle, the Duke, was murdered and who has more motive than Minerva? Minerva has conducted inquiries of her own and knows that she is a prime suspect for the Duke's murder. She decides to investigate on her own with the help of some of her friends.
This book is equal parts historical mystery and romance. Minerva had previously been married to a brutal man who abused her in every way. She has learned to take care of herself and to never trust a man. She's incredibly smart and intuitive and drives Chase crazy because she usually arrives to talk to people before he can get there. She's always one step ahead of him as they try to solve the Duke's murder.
The romance was very well done. Minerva won't every marry again, after her horrible first husband died. Chase is intrigued by this amazing woman. He's never met anyone like her.
The book had some great secondary characters, from Minerva's friends to Chase's very large family. I suspect the next 2 books will be about Kevin and the new Duke, Nicholas. Kevin is a manwhore who visit brothels very regularly, and Nicholas is only a little better, so I might not read those.
Safety:
September 30, 2022
No esperaba demasiado de este audiolibro pero me ha gustado mucho y me hs tenido entretenida todo el tiempo... a ver si terminan de publicar la saga en castellano y no tardan en hacer audiolibro de los siguientes
July 26, 2022
Audiobook Review:
I've fallen in love Madeline Hunter's novels and this the "Heiress for Hire" did not disappoint. This was and entertaining and intriguing story in this series and I loved the characters and the author's writing their roles in the story. I find that each character compliment one another and really come together to grow as well as heal. I can't say that the story leaves you empty but there is some unresolved parts where I may need to pick up the second book to hopefully shed light on that part...and I will definitely read it before the year is out.
What I did not enjoy is the frequent use of modern words/language contrary to what should be used in an England setting during that time. Although this was a pet-peeve for me, it did not detract me from listening. But wait...Beverly A. Crick does a wonderful job at performing the narration for this story and for me this made it worth the listen.
Definitely 4-Stars or this first in this series.
I've fallen in love Madeline Hunter's novels and this the "Heiress for Hire" did not disappoint. This was and entertaining and intriguing story in this series and I loved the characters and the author's writing their roles in the story. I find that each character compliment one another and really come together to grow as well as heal. I can't say that the story leaves you empty but there is some unresolved parts where I may need to pick up the second book to hopefully shed light on that part...and I will definitely read it before the year is out.
What I did not enjoy is the frequent use of modern words/language contrary to what should be used in an England setting during that time. Although this was a pet-peeve for me, it did not detract me from listening. But wait...Beverly A. Crick does a wonderful job at performing the narration for this story and for me this made it worth the listen.
Definitely 4-Stars or this first in this series.
September 8, 2023
Well written enough but I fell asleep while reading this book multiple times. This is supposed to be a historical mystery romance but both the mystery and the romance were slow moving and the mystery was not even solved in the end which was both confusing and annoying.
April 25, 2020
Series: Duke’s Heiress #1
Publication Date: 4/28/20
Number of Pages: 304
This was a very nice introduction and set-up for an interesting new series. There is an overarching mystery in the series – who murdered the duke. We meet the duke’s siblings and his nephews and learn enough about each of them to wonder if they could possibly be the murderer. We learn even more about Nicholas and Kevin who I assume will be the heroes in the upcoming books – I really liked both of them. I think the author handled the mystery of the duke’s death very nicely and didn’t let it overpower the romance. The book is well written, the characters are fully developed and relatable, the mystery is nicely plotted, and the romance is sweet and very believable between two people who are shaped by their pasts. The story starts off a bit slow but soon gets ramped up. It also nicely sets up the remaining books in the series and I will be excited to see what the author has in store for our next hero and heroine.
Chase Radnor, the nephew of the Duke of Hollinburgh, isn’t having a particularly good evening. It certainly isn’t going as he planned! He had planned to break into the house and find evidence against the occupant – instead, he is trussed up, bleeding, and has a big knot on his head. He is the one being interrogated. How had that happened? It had all started with his uncle’s will – nobody in the family received anything, and three totally unknown women received very large bequests. Needless to say, that didn’t sit well with the family. Chase, who is an investigator, is tasked with tracking down these women, finding their relationship with the duke – and, maybe discrediting them – and maybe, just maybe, finding out whether they had a hand in the duke’s death. He found the first woman, Minerva Hepplewhite, broke into her home to look for evidence against her – and now here he sits, totally at her mercy.
Minerva cannot believe what this intruder into her home is telling her. She is an heiress because she has been left ten thousand pounds AND a lucrative partnership in an investment. While this bequest would solve most of her problems, she’s never met this duke – nor any other duke. Not only that, with the duke’s death being suspicious, but she’d also be a very likely suspect if they dug into her past.
As Chase continues with his investigation, Minerva starts her own, and they often end up at the same places. As they are thrown together more and more often, there is a lustful attraction added to the mix. Kisses soon lead to other things, but Chase knows it can’t lead to anything further because of Minerva’s past. She’ll never marry again – she has told him so, and after hearing her story, he doesn’t blame her. Can he convince her? Can she learn to trust again? You’ll just have to read the book to see.
This is definitely a book I can recommend. I loved the characters, the writing, and the mystery. I can’t wait to read the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 4/28/20
Number of Pages: 304
This was a very nice introduction and set-up for an interesting new series. There is an overarching mystery in the series – who murdered the duke. We meet the duke’s siblings and his nephews and learn enough about each of them to wonder if they could possibly be the murderer. We learn even more about Nicholas and Kevin who I assume will be the heroes in the upcoming books – I really liked both of them. I think the author handled the mystery of the duke’s death very nicely and didn’t let it overpower the romance. The book is well written, the characters are fully developed and relatable, the mystery is nicely plotted, and the romance is sweet and very believable between two people who are shaped by their pasts. The story starts off a bit slow but soon gets ramped up. It also nicely sets up the remaining books in the series and I will be excited to see what the author has in store for our next hero and heroine.
Chase Radnor, the nephew of the Duke of Hollinburgh, isn’t having a particularly good evening. It certainly isn’t going as he planned! He had planned to break into the house and find evidence against the occupant – instead, he is trussed up, bleeding, and has a big knot on his head. He is the one being interrogated. How had that happened? It had all started with his uncle’s will – nobody in the family received anything, and three totally unknown women received very large bequests. Needless to say, that didn’t sit well with the family. Chase, who is an investigator, is tasked with tracking down these women, finding their relationship with the duke – and, maybe discrediting them – and maybe, just maybe, finding out whether they had a hand in the duke’s death. He found the first woman, Minerva Hepplewhite, broke into her home to look for evidence against her – and now here he sits, totally at her mercy.
Minerva cannot believe what this intruder into her home is telling her. She is an heiress because she has been left ten thousand pounds AND a lucrative partnership in an investment. While this bequest would solve most of her problems, she’s never met this duke – nor any other duke. Not only that, with the duke’s death being suspicious, but she’d also be a very likely suspect if they dug into her past.
As Chase continues with his investigation, Minerva starts her own, and they often end up at the same places. As they are thrown together more and more often, there is a lustful attraction added to the mix. Kisses soon lead to other things, but Chase knows it can’t lead to anything further because of Minerva’s past. She’ll never marry again – she has told him so, and after hearing her story, he doesn’t blame her. Can he convince her? Can she learn to trust again? You’ll just have to read the book to see.
This is definitely a book I can recommend. I loved the characters, the writing, and the mystery. I can’t wait to read the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 23, 2020
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1.5 stars
Heiress for Hire is the first book in the Duke's Heiress series and the concept itself is interesting. A Duke dies under mysterious circumstances and leaves the bulk of his fortune to three women he has no relation to. The heroine, Minerva, is one of those women. She has no idea why she was given this fortune because she had never even met the late Duke. Chase is one of the late Duke's many nephews and his entire family is enraged that his uncle had decided to give away most of his money to three strangers. Given his career in inquiries, Chase investigates his uncle's death as well as the three mysterious women who were bequeathed a fortune. Minerva also has a knack for inquiries and begins her own investigation because she doesn't want to be considered a suspect in the late Duke's suspicious death.
First of all, who in the hell wrote this blurb? Quoted directly from the blurb: "...Chase Radnor, the man who nearly got her convicted of her late husband's murder." This is FALSE. This never happened. Chase didn't even know that Minerva's late husband was murdered. The blurb would lead you to believe that Chase not only knew about the murder, but had even tried to get Minerva convicted for it. And based on the way the blurb is written, you are led to believe that this all happened before the drama with the Duke's death and will. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN!! What a terribly misleading blurb.
Heiress for Hire was unbearably dull. It is perhaps the dullest book I've read this year. I've enjoyed Madeline Hunter's books in the past, but I genuinely don't recall her prose ever being this unexciting. The romance is dull and boring. The hero and heroine have zero chemistry. We are told that there is a superb attraction between Chase and Minerva, but I didn't feel shit. The mystery is also dull. I can't believe that the author managed to make SLEUTHING and MYSTERY SOLVING boring?? The prose is apathetic, unengaging, and quite simply, boring. There is emotional development, but the prose is so dry that I didn't feel anything for the hero and heroine. There is no life in this book. Why did I keep reading? Well, I was curious enough to find out just how the Duke died...and guess what? His suspicious death doesn't even get solved! It looks like this simple mystery will be dragged throughout the series. I am not curious enough to continue the series, so I will stick to Madeline Hunter's older books from now on.
P.S. Parts of this book gave me Kat Holloway vibes. I feel like Heiress for Hire would have been a lot more engaging and compelling if Jennifer Ashley had written it.
1.5 stars
Heiress for Hire is the first book in the Duke's Heiress series and the concept itself is interesting. A Duke dies under mysterious circumstances and leaves the bulk of his fortune to three women he has no relation to. The heroine, Minerva, is one of those women. She has no idea why she was given this fortune because she had never even met the late Duke. Chase is one of the late Duke's many nephews and his entire family is enraged that his uncle had decided to give away most of his money to three strangers. Given his career in inquiries, Chase investigates his uncle's death as well as the three mysterious women who were bequeathed a fortune. Minerva also has a knack for inquiries and begins her own investigation because she doesn't want to be considered a suspect in the late Duke's suspicious death.
First of all, who in the hell wrote this blurb? Quoted directly from the blurb: "...Chase Radnor, the man who nearly got her convicted of her late husband's murder." This is FALSE. This never happened. Chase didn't even know that Minerva's late husband was murdered. The blurb would lead you to believe that Chase not only knew about the murder, but had even tried to get Minerva convicted for it. And based on the way the blurb is written, you are led to believe that this all happened before the drama with the Duke's death and will. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN!! What a terribly misleading blurb.
Heiress for Hire was unbearably dull. It is perhaps the dullest book I've read this year. I've enjoyed Madeline Hunter's books in the past, but I genuinely don't recall her prose ever being this unexciting. The romance is dull and boring. The hero and heroine have zero chemistry. We are told that there is a superb attraction between Chase and Minerva, but I didn't feel shit. The mystery is also dull. I can't believe that the author managed to make SLEUTHING and MYSTERY SOLVING boring?? The prose is apathetic, unengaging, and quite simply, boring. There is emotional development, but the prose is so dry that I didn't feel anything for the hero and heroine. There is no life in this book. Why did I keep reading? Well, I was curious enough to find out just how the Duke died...and guess what? His suspicious death doesn't even get solved! It looks like this simple mystery will be dragged throughout the series. I am not curious enough to continue the series, so I will stick to Madeline Hunter's older books from now on.
P.S. Parts of this book gave me Kat Holloway vibes. I feel like Heiress for Hire would have been a lot more engaging and compelling if Jennifer Ashley had written it.
April 6, 2021
Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
4.25*
I’ve been a fan of Madeline Hunter’s books for a long time, even if her most recent ones haven’t always had the charm of her earlier books. But this one… it was a book that got out of a reading slump!
I really liked the premise of the book, a duke dies, and three unknown women get almost all of his inheritance. Why? That’s what the whole family is thinking. And Chase Radnor, pretty much the only one who knew he wasn’t getting any money – let’s face it, he didn’t need it – wants to know what happened to his uncle, because his death was not an accident in his mind. And, of course, we understand very quickly that he was right. So, was it one of the women? Was it a family member? A business partner? A member of the household? A complete stranger? These are the questions that go with us as we read the book, and follow the inquiries of both Chase Radnor and one of the mysterious women, Minerva Hepplewhite.
When Chase finds her, he knows there’s something she’s hiding. Is it that she’s killed the duke? He doesn’t think so. Even if his intuition had disappointed him once, he believed he was right.
Minerva has survived her fair share of problems, and she is immensely grateful to Beth and Jeremy, her friends and former employers in her household. When this mysterious inheritance appears, she’s afraid it might disturb their recent peace. And she’s found she’s good at conducting discreet inquiries – very much like Chase. And she wonders: why would someone she’s never met give such a large amount of money?
And this is how Minerva and Chase get involved. I really liked their relationship, how it evolved, with a slow-burn, and more than just a physical thing, they admired each other’s minds, and worked so well together.
I loved the mystery, and following along with our main couple, learning what they learned and seeing their love and steaminess grow.
I also enjoyed seeing how Minerva got through her own fears and past experiences to enjoy her new life, and fall in love again.
It was a great story, filled with romance, and mystery. I can’t wait to find out more about the other heiresses.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
4.25*
I’ve been a fan of Madeline Hunter’s books for a long time, even if her most recent ones haven’t always had the charm of her earlier books. But this one… it was a book that got out of a reading slump!
I really liked the premise of the book, a duke dies, and three unknown women get almost all of his inheritance. Why? That’s what the whole family is thinking. And Chase Radnor, pretty much the only one who knew he wasn’t getting any money – let’s face it, he didn’t need it – wants to know what happened to his uncle, because his death was not an accident in his mind. And, of course, we understand very quickly that he was right. So, was it one of the women? Was it a family member? A business partner? A member of the household? A complete stranger? These are the questions that go with us as we read the book, and follow the inquiries of both Chase Radnor and one of the mysterious women, Minerva Hepplewhite.
When Chase finds her, he knows there’s something she’s hiding. Is it that she’s killed the duke? He doesn’t think so. Even if his intuition had disappointed him once, he believed he was right.
Minerva has survived her fair share of problems, and she is immensely grateful to Beth and Jeremy, her friends and former employers in her household. When this mysterious inheritance appears, she’s afraid it might disturb their recent peace. And she’s found she’s good at conducting discreet inquiries – very much like Chase. And she wonders: why would someone she’s never met give such a large amount of money?
And this is how Minerva and Chase get involved. I really liked their relationship, how it evolved, with a slow-burn, and more than just a physical thing, they admired each other’s minds, and worked so well together.
I loved the mystery, and following along with our main couple, learning what they learned and seeing their love and steaminess grow.
I also enjoyed seeing how Minerva got through her own fears and past experiences to enjoy her new life, and fall in love again.
It was a great story, filled with romance, and mystery. I can’t wait to find out more about the other heiresses.
August 9, 2021
This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it very much. Detective stories have always been one of my favorite genres, so to have a mystery and historical romance combined pressed all my buttons. The tone was gentle, the romantic build-up was gradual, but the storyline compelling.
May 21, 2021
STORY GRADE: A-
NARRATED BY: Beverly A. Crick
NARRATION GRADE: B
Minerva Hepplewhite is a survivor.
After receiving a surprise monetary gift from a mysterious benefactor, Minerva – née Margaret – Finley fled her horrific, abusive marriage. She sued for divorce but feared her estranged husband would somehow force her to return to their home. When he winds up dead under mysterious circumstances not far from where she’s in hiding, local investigators suspect she killed him. But with no evidence to prove her guilt (or innocence), she’s permitted to leave. Margaret and her companions (a servant and her son) quickly depart their hideaway in Dorset and re-settle in London.
When Heiress for Hire begins, Minerva has reinvented herself with help from Beth, her servant (and a mother figure of sorts), and Beth’s son, Jeremy. Worried about their rapidly dwindling funds, Minerva has decided to start a discreet detective business after discovering a knack for conducting discreet investigations. Her first case involves discovering the identity of the intruder currently lying unconscious (because Beth knocked him out) on her floor. When the intruder wakes up and demands she untie him, Minerva relents and then is shocked when he introduces himself and explains why he’s in her home.
Chase Radnor, former soldier, now private inquiry agent and nephew of the late Duke of Hollinburgh, isn’t sure what to think of Minerva Hepplewhite, the woman aiming a pistol at him across the room. When his uncle died under suspicious circumstances and left the bulk of his fortune to three women who don’t appear to have any connection to him, Chase set out to find them. Minerva is the first he’s managed to locate. Chase doesn’t believe his uncle’s death was an accident, and suspects Ms. Hepplewhite might have killed him. Aside from discovering she was widowed and subsequently changed her name, he knows very little about the lovely woman glaring at him. But her obviously genuine surprise at the bequest, and laughing dismissal of his suspicions about her relationship to the late duke – Friend? Retainer? Mistress? – give him pause.
Heiress for Hire initially sets Chase and Minerva as enemies. Chase suspects someone killed his uncle, and since he knows nothing about Minerva, she’s his number one suspect. Except he doesn’t think she’s responsible, and there are others – including a cousin – who could also be guilty. Chase intends to find the other two mysterious women, but in the meantime, he investigates the circumstances of his uncle’s death. Minerva, who has much to lose if Chase were to uncover her past and her husband’s sudden (and convenient) death, launches her own investigation. These two keep turning up in each other’s paths, and their antagonistic relationship soon gives way to admiration, friendship, lust, and…. MORE, FRIENDS! LOTS MORE.
The evolving relationship between Chase and Minerva is an absolute JOY to witness. He’s a thoughtful, gentle, scarred former soldier struggling with the events that led to the end of his military career; she’s a fighter who survived horrific mental and physical abuse, and is determined to be master of her own fate moving forward. They have delicious chemistry and Hunter does a marvelous job developing these characters both as individuals and as a romantic couple. The author deftly handles Minerva’s early marriage and its damaging effects on her physical and emotional health. Chase is careful to respect Minerva’s boundaries, even when he only suspects the trauma of her past, and Minerva’s growing sense of wonder and happiness at her body and its ability to receive and give pleasure are lovely. I just wanted more of them together on every single page – bickering, talking, flirting, teasing – and I was annoyed every time we segued away from them to advance all the other parallel plot threads. Chase and Minerva light up every scene in which they appear. Fortunately, the secondary characters are also well-developed, and I was intrigued by most of them, too.
Meanwhile, Hunter has lots of other plot threads she successfully strings out as Chase and Minerva slowly fall in love. What actually happened to the duke? Was he murdered? And if so, who killed him? Why did the duke leave a fortune to Minerva? Who are the other women named in the will? What happened to Chase when he was in the military? Who killed Algernon Finley? Who gave Margaret the money to run away? The author does a wonderful job stringing all of these disparate threads together until they coalesce in the final chapters of the book, and we get answers to most of these questions. The revelations are satisfying and in keeping with the tone and mood of this gem of a novel.
Beverly A. Crick is a new-to-me narrator, and I liked her performance for the most part. Her portrayal of Minerva is an excellent combination of strong and vulnerable, and I particularly enjoyed when she took Chase to task – early and often – especially when they’re first getting to know one another. I was less enthusiastic about her portrayal of Chase, unfortunately. I think Crick tried to imbue this character with a sense of gravitas and dry sense of humor, but he often sounded bored and even sleepy, and a tad too smug (in bed). The performance lacks nuance and her interpretation of Chase is sort of meh; it’s a disappointing rendition of a compelling and appealing character. Ms. Crick does better work with Beth and Jeremy, two important secondary characters who come vividly to life via her excellent narration.
Heiress for Hire is a terrific introduction to A Duke’s Heiress Romance series. I’m intrigued by the premise and storytelling possibilities and looking forward to meeting the other so-far-unknown heiresses. Beverley A. Crick does a mostly good job bringing the story to life in audio, and I’m looking forward to listening to her perform the rest of the series.
NARRATED BY: Beverly A. Crick
NARRATION GRADE: B
Minerva Hepplewhite is a survivor.
After receiving a surprise monetary gift from a mysterious benefactor, Minerva – née Margaret – Finley fled her horrific, abusive marriage. She sued for divorce but feared her estranged husband would somehow force her to return to their home. When he winds up dead under mysterious circumstances not far from where she’s in hiding, local investigators suspect she killed him. But with no evidence to prove her guilt (or innocence), she’s permitted to leave. Margaret and her companions (a servant and her son) quickly depart their hideaway in Dorset and re-settle in London.
When Heiress for Hire begins, Minerva has reinvented herself with help from Beth, her servant (and a mother figure of sorts), and Beth’s son, Jeremy. Worried about their rapidly dwindling funds, Minerva has decided to start a discreet detective business after discovering a knack for conducting discreet investigations. Her first case involves discovering the identity of the intruder currently lying unconscious (because Beth knocked him out) on her floor. When the intruder wakes up and demands she untie him, Minerva relents and then is shocked when he introduces himself and explains why he’s in her home.
Chase Radnor, former soldier, now private inquiry agent and nephew of the late Duke of Hollinburgh, isn’t sure what to think of Minerva Hepplewhite, the woman aiming a pistol at him across the room. When his uncle died under suspicious circumstances and left the bulk of his fortune to three women who don’t appear to have any connection to him, Chase set out to find them. Minerva is the first he’s managed to locate. Chase doesn’t believe his uncle’s death was an accident, and suspects Ms. Hepplewhite might have killed him. Aside from discovering she was widowed and subsequently changed her name, he knows very little about the lovely woman glaring at him. But her obviously genuine surprise at the bequest, and laughing dismissal of his suspicions about her relationship to the late duke – Friend? Retainer? Mistress? – give him pause.
Heiress for Hire initially sets Chase and Minerva as enemies. Chase suspects someone killed his uncle, and since he knows nothing about Minerva, she’s his number one suspect. Except he doesn’t think she’s responsible, and there are others – including a cousin – who could also be guilty. Chase intends to find the other two mysterious women, but in the meantime, he investigates the circumstances of his uncle’s death. Minerva, who has much to lose if Chase were to uncover her past and her husband’s sudden (and convenient) death, launches her own investigation. These two keep turning up in each other’s paths, and their antagonistic relationship soon gives way to admiration, friendship, lust, and…. MORE, FRIENDS! LOTS MORE.
The evolving relationship between Chase and Minerva is an absolute JOY to witness. He’s a thoughtful, gentle, scarred former soldier struggling with the events that led to the end of his military career; she’s a fighter who survived horrific mental and physical abuse, and is determined to be master of her own fate moving forward. They have delicious chemistry and Hunter does a marvelous job developing these characters both as individuals and as a romantic couple. The author deftly handles Minerva’s early marriage and its damaging effects on her physical and emotional health. Chase is careful to respect Minerva’s boundaries, even when he only suspects the trauma of her past, and Minerva’s growing sense of wonder and happiness at her body and its ability to receive and give pleasure are lovely. I just wanted more of them together on every single page – bickering, talking, flirting, teasing – and I was annoyed every time we segued away from them to advance all the other parallel plot threads. Chase and Minerva light up every scene in which they appear. Fortunately, the secondary characters are also well-developed, and I was intrigued by most of them, too.
Meanwhile, Hunter has lots of other plot threads she successfully strings out as Chase and Minerva slowly fall in love. What actually happened to the duke? Was he murdered? And if so, who killed him? Why did the duke leave a fortune to Minerva? Who are the other women named in the will? What happened to Chase when he was in the military? Who killed Algernon Finley? Who gave Margaret the money to run away? The author does a wonderful job stringing all of these disparate threads together until they coalesce in the final chapters of the book, and we get answers to most of these questions. The revelations are satisfying and in keeping with the tone and mood of this gem of a novel.
Beverly A. Crick is a new-to-me narrator, and I liked her performance for the most part. Her portrayal of Minerva is an excellent combination of strong and vulnerable, and I particularly enjoyed when she took Chase to task – early and often – especially when they’re first getting to know one another. I was less enthusiastic about her portrayal of Chase, unfortunately. I think Crick tried to imbue this character with a sense of gravitas and dry sense of humor, but he often sounded bored and even sleepy, and a tad too smug (in bed). The performance lacks nuance and her interpretation of Chase is sort of meh; it’s a disappointing rendition of a compelling and appealing character. Ms. Crick does better work with Beth and Jeremy, two important secondary characters who come vividly to life via her excellent narration.
Heiress for Hire is a terrific introduction to A Duke’s Heiress Romance series. I’m intrigued by the premise and storytelling possibilities and looking forward to meeting the other so-far-unknown heiresses. Beverley A. Crick does a mostly good job bringing the story to life in audio, and I’m looking forward to listening to her perform the rest of the series.
April 12, 2020
The premise of this book is intriguing--a wealth duke dies, leaving a large portion of his fortune to three women totally unknown to his family. The focus of this book is Minerva Hepplewhite, one of those women, and Chase Radnor, the duke's nephew, who is investigating the three women and his uncle's suspicious death. The mystery of the duke's death plays a big part in the plot, as both Chase and Minerva are conducting investigations into it. The other major plotline is Minerva's past. She's a widow whose husband was abusive and left her with a lot of trauma and baggage surrounding sex--and he also died under suspicious circumstances.
While the romance wraps up in this book, the mystery remains, presumably to be solved as we move on to the next two heiresses, who it appears will be paired with Chase's cousins. Overall I liked this, but it was perhaps a bit more serious than what I'm currently in the mood for in a romance. The romance itself is not very angsty (although Minerva's past abuse is pretty heavy subject matter), and it's fairly steamy, it's just not particularly lighthearted or humorous, and I could have used some more of that. I didn't especially connect with the characters, but I did enjoy the mystery--both of the duke's death and just how he knew the heiresses--and I'm invested enough that I will probably read the next book.
*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While the romance wraps up in this book, the mystery remains, presumably to be solved as we move on to the next two heiresses, who it appears will be paired with Chase's cousins. Overall I liked this, but it was perhaps a bit more serious than what I'm currently in the mood for in a romance. The romance itself is not very angsty (although Minerva's past abuse is pretty heavy subject matter), and it's fairly steamy, it's just not particularly lighthearted or humorous, and I could have used some more of that. I didn't especially connect with the characters, but I did enjoy the mystery--both of the duke's death and just how he knew the heiresses--and I'm invested enough that I will probably read the next book.
*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2020
4 Estrelas!
Opinião no blogue Doce Sonhadora: https://ddocesonhadora.blogspot.com/2...
Opinião no blogue Doce Sonhadora: https://ddocesonhadora.blogspot.com/2...
August 23, 2020
Chase Radnor breaks into Minerva Hepplewhite's house and he is hit over the head with a bed pan by Beth, a servant. When he opens his eyes, he awakes to see a pistol pointed at his head by a very angry woman, and she looks like she knows how to use it. He explains to Minerva that she has inherited a fortune from Frederick, the late Duke of Hollinburgh. To claim the funds, she must report to the solicitor and identify herself and her history. Minerva discusses the legacy with Beth and Jeremy, Beth's son. When Jeremy learns the full details of the duke'd death, he suggests they leave London. Minerva asks where would they live and on what funds? She has no more jewelry to sell. She assures Jeremy and Beth if it becomes too dangerous, they will leave. But she is going to claim the inheritance. Some of the money she will use to start up Hepplewhite's Office of Discreet Inquiries. Her first client will be herself. They will investigate how the duke died, and how she became a recipient of the legacy?
Chase Radnor was a soldier who left the service under suspicious circumstances. He also runs a discreet inquiry business. Radnor is asked by Robert Peel at the Home Office to investigate the possible death of Frederick, Duke of Hollinburgh. Radnor agrees to investigate, especially since he was going to do so anyway. Later that day, Radnor visits Nicholas, his cousin and the new Duke. Nicholas asks his cousin to look into the death of his father. He also asks Radnor to investigate the connection between his father and the three unknown heiresses. Radnor now can make inquiries without looking suspicious.
The mysteries sometime overshadow the romance. The characterizations of Chase and Minerva are well-rounded and fleshed-out. The romance plot is satisfactory, but the mysteries are not solved in this book. They will carry over to the next two novels. The descriptions are good, but the time period is vague. The setting is fine. Overall, an excellent first novel in the Duke's Hieress series.
Chase Radnor was a soldier who left the service under suspicious circumstances. He also runs a discreet inquiry business. Radnor is asked by Robert Peel at the Home Office to investigate the possible death of Frederick, Duke of Hollinburgh. Radnor agrees to investigate, especially since he was going to do so anyway. Later that day, Radnor visits Nicholas, his cousin and the new Duke. Nicholas asks his cousin to look into the death of his father. He also asks Radnor to investigate the connection between his father and the three unknown heiresses. Radnor now can make inquiries without looking suspicious.
The mysteries sometime overshadow the romance. The characterizations of Chase and Minerva are well-rounded and fleshed-out. The romance plot is satisfactory, but the mysteries are not solved in this book. They will carry over to the next two novels. The descriptions are good, but the time period is vague. The setting is fine. Overall, an excellent first novel in the Duke's Hieress series.
April 24, 2020
Chase has some family drama. With the reading of his uncle's will, everyone in the family has lost their mind and the greed is astounding. He runs an investigative business and takes it upon himself to truly look into what happened to his uncle and if it was an accident.
Minerva is a widow from a not so happy marriage. She doesn't understand how, but she is given a grand inheritance from Chase's uncle. Running her own investigative business keeps her busy, but the two band together to try to solve this mystery.
I think you should try this book if you like plenty of mystery, sleuthing, and crime solving in your novels.
I really did not like this book unfortunately. I was just so utterly....bored. I hate to say it. I had to force myself to read this and I am not usually like that, even if I don't love a novel. I literally fell asleep twice while reading this book on separate occasions. I just could not get into it. The characters felt so flat to me. I didn't care about them. There was so much time spent on the family and the inheritance and the sleuthing. I felt like when I got to 40% of the book they had barely had 3 conversations together. The first kiss was awful to me with her thinking about her dead husband the whole time. I just couldn't like it. I think maybe someone more into the investigative side of the novel will enjoy this a lot more than I did.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC. My opinions and thoughts are my own.
Minerva is a widow from a not so happy marriage. She doesn't understand how, but she is given a grand inheritance from Chase's uncle. Running her own investigative business keeps her busy, but the two band together to try to solve this mystery.
I think you should try this book if you like plenty of mystery, sleuthing, and crime solving in your novels.
I really did not like this book unfortunately. I was just so utterly....bored. I hate to say it. I had to force myself to read this and I am not usually like that, even if I don't love a novel. I literally fell asleep twice while reading this book on separate occasions. I just could not get into it. The characters felt so flat to me. I didn't care about them. There was so much time spent on the family and the inheritance and the sleuthing. I felt like when I got to 40% of the book they had barely had 3 conversations together. The first kiss was awful to me with her thinking about her dead husband the whole time. I just couldn't like it. I think maybe someone more into the investigative side of the novel will enjoy this a lot more than I did.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC. My opinions and thoughts are my own.
June 13, 2022
This book was nominated for July’s BOTM trope Mystery/Suspense in the Goodreads HRBC. The h is Minerva Hepplewhite a widow with Beth and Jeremy living with her (mother and son) like part of her family. The H is Chase Radnor a private investigator aka a gentleman who makes discreet inquiries. They meet when he breaks into her house and she and Beth knock him over the head and tie him up. He informs her she is an heiress. It seems his Uncle the Duke of Hollinburgh left her 10,000 pounds and shares in a company currently worth 30,000 pounds.
Chase a former military officer now private investigator was asked by the Home Secretary Peele to look into the suspicious death of his Uncle. His cousin Nicholas now the new Duke asked him to investigate their Uncle’s death too. The list of suspects were Minerva Hepplewhite, Walter a first cousin, Kevin a first cousin, Aunt Dolores, the Home Secretary’s father. Minerva because she was inheriting and needed money( she had also been under suspicion for murdering her first husband). Walter because he was greedy and wanted money and prestige. Kevin because his Uncle wouldn’t lend him money to pay an inventor for his combustion engine design that Kevin was combining with his design modifications of the combustible engine. Aunt Delores because she had not forgiven her brother for paying off a suitor in her debutante years. The Mr. Peele Sr. because of money in a company they both owned shares in.
Minerva and her friends Beth and Jeremy started her Hepplewhite Discreet Inquiries business which she would use her inheritance to get established. She helped a lady before and asked her to be a reference and to help with referrals. Her first client was herself to prove her innocence in killing the Duke. She and Jeremy and another young lady she hired worked as servants for the Duke when the family came home for reading of the Will. Chase observed her presence as a maid, while she walked in front of the house, and knew she was eavesdropping. He asked her to compare notes each sharing what they learned. He went over to her house after the days work was done to consult. The second evening lead to their first kiss. She didn’t know if she could bare it. She liked it and didn’t have any bad feelings afterwards. Their next meeting they kissed again eventually sleeping together. They fall in love. Chase proposes and she accepts. They never solve the murder of his Uncle but they do clear her name and start a Discreet Inquiry business together. I gave this 4 stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chase a former military officer now private investigator was asked by the Home Secretary Peele to look into the suspicious death of his Uncle. His cousin Nicholas now the new Duke asked him to investigate their Uncle’s death too. The list of suspects were Minerva Hepplewhite, Walter a first cousin, Kevin a first cousin, Aunt Dolores, the Home Secretary’s father. Minerva because she was inheriting and needed money( she had also been under suspicion for murdering her first husband). Walter because he was greedy and wanted money and prestige. Kevin because his Uncle wouldn’t lend him money to pay an inventor for his combustion engine design that Kevin was combining with his design modifications of the combustible engine. Aunt Delores because she had not forgiven her brother for paying off a suitor in her debutante years. The Mr. Peele Sr. because of money in a company they both owned shares in.
Minerva and her friends Beth and Jeremy started her Hepplewhite Discreet Inquiries business which she would use her inheritance to get established. She helped a lady before and asked her to be a reference and to help with referrals. Her first client was herself to prove her innocence in killing the Duke. She and Jeremy and another young lady she hired worked as servants for the Duke when the family came home for reading of the Will. Chase observed her presence as a maid, while she walked in front of the house, and knew she was eavesdropping. He asked her to compare notes each sharing what they learned. He went over to her house after the days work was done to consult. The second evening lead to their first kiss. She didn’t know if she could bare it. She liked it and didn’t have any bad feelings afterwards. Their next meeting they kissed again eventually sleeping together. They fall in love. Chase proposes and she accepts. They never solve the murder of his Uncle but they do clear her name and start a Discreet Inquiry business together. I gave this 4 stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 19, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an e-galley of this novel.
I suppose this book should be classified as a cliffhanger but I'm not so concerned about that as I might normally be since I picked up the book to read knowing it was a trilogy all wrapped around a basic premise. A Duke has died and his will reveals that he has left a veritable fortune to three women his family don't know anything about. Naturally the relatives had been counting on any fortunes to be coming their way so they are upset with the terms of the will. When the Home Office gives one of the family members the charge of gathering evidence to show whether the death was an accident or something else the private lives of the family members begin to be revealed.
In this first book in the series the plot revolves around Miss Minerva Hepplewhite who has begun Hepplewhite's Office of Discreet Inquiries to earn a living. Minerva has quite an interesting backstory which is uncovered pretty quickly by Chase Radnor who has been charged by the Home Office with uncovering the circumstances of the death of the Duke. Miss Hepplewhite might be one of the missing women who have been left a large legacy so Chase is investigating her past. Can these two strong willed people join forces to solve the investigation? Hmm, I wonder.
This book is liberally peppered with people who are inquiry agents; Minerva, Chase and one other. I liked the writing style of Madeline Hunter and the gathering of evidence was handled well so that portion of the novel was satisfactory for me also. As expected Minerva and Chase soon begin to establish a romantic relationship which felt pretty rushed to me but what's an author supposed to do with only a certain number of pages to accomplish all that needs to happen. Vague hints were given about who the next recipient of a legacy might be but we will have to wait to see how that portion of the story plays out.
I suppose this book should be classified as a cliffhanger but I'm not so concerned about that as I might normally be since I picked up the book to read knowing it was a trilogy all wrapped around a basic premise. A Duke has died and his will reveals that he has left a veritable fortune to three women his family don't know anything about. Naturally the relatives had been counting on any fortunes to be coming their way so they are upset with the terms of the will. When the Home Office gives one of the family members the charge of gathering evidence to show whether the death was an accident or something else the private lives of the family members begin to be revealed.
In this first book in the series the plot revolves around Miss Minerva Hepplewhite who has begun Hepplewhite's Office of Discreet Inquiries to earn a living. Minerva has quite an interesting backstory which is uncovered pretty quickly by Chase Radnor who has been charged by the Home Office with uncovering the circumstances of the death of the Duke. Miss Hepplewhite might be one of the missing women who have been left a large legacy so Chase is investigating her past. Can these two strong willed people join forces to solve the investigation? Hmm, I wonder.
This book is liberally peppered with people who are inquiry agents; Minerva, Chase and one other. I liked the writing style of Madeline Hunter and the gathering of evidence was handled well so that portion of the novel was satisfactory for me also. As expected Minerva and Chase soon begin to establish a romantic relationship which felt pretty rushed to me but what's an author supposed to do with only a certain number of pages to accomplish all that needs to happen. Vague hints were given about who the next recipient of a legacy might be but we will have to wait to see how that portion of the story plays out.
July 14, 2020
I always enjoy a good historical mystery and Ms. Hunter's book, Heiress for Hire, does not disappoint. The characters were well developed and the plot moved swiftly. I'm looking forward to the next one in this series as there are still two more heiress to find before readers may get all of the answers to the murder mystery.
April 24, 2021
A escrita da autora não me cativou muito e achei as primeiras 100-150 páginas um tanto aborrecidas.
Se não fosse pequenino, teria-o deixado a meio.
Não irei continuar com a saga provavelmente. :(
Se não fosse pequenino, teria-o deixado a meio.
Não irei continuar com a saga provavelmente. :(
December 31, 2023
The book focuses on the investigation into the death of the Duke of Hollingburgh. Chase is one of his nephews and the official investigator. Minerva is an heiress to whom the Duke leaves a significant part of his inheritance without her knowing him in the slightest.
Throughout the book, you can see that Chase and Minerva are a good match, but it's not something torrid or unique, perhaps because of her past? I don't know...
I enjoyed following the investigation and the intrigue surrounding the inheritance, but I found the ending rather frustrating. I won't elaborate so as not to give away spoilers.
Throughout the book, you can see that Chase and Minerva are a good match, but it's not something torrid or unique, perhaps because of her past? I don't know...
I enjoyed following the investigation and the intrigue surrounding the inheritance, but I found the ending rather frustrating. I won't elaborate so as not to give away spoilers.
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