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Archer Family #2
The Bricklayer's Helper
A masquerade turns deadly when a murderer discovers one of his victims survived...
After her family perishes in a suspicious fire, Sarah hides her identity by working as a bricklayer's helper. But her disguise can't keep her safe when someone discovers she survived the flames. Alone and terrified, Sarah pins all her hopes on William Trenchard, an inquiry agent with Second Sons. William, however, seems far too handsome for Sarah's peace of mind and she soon fears that involving him may be her final~and fatal~mistake.
The pair are in for a wild ride as they try to solve a decade-old mystery of murder and deceit in Regency England.
Appearances can truly be deceiving.
After her family perishes in a suspicious fire, Sarah hides her identity by working as a bricklayer's helper. But her disguise can't keep her safe when someone discovers she survived the flames. Alone and terrified, Sarah pins all her hopes on William Trenchard, an inquiry agent with Second Sons. William, however, seems far too handsome for Sarah's peace of mind and she soon fears that involving him may be her final~and fatal~mistake.
The pair are in for a wild ride as they try to solve a decade-old mystery of murder and deceit in Regency England.
Appearances can truly be deceiving.
365 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2010
899 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Amy Corwin
59 books133 followersAmy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years and managing a career as an enterprise systems administrator in the computer industry. She writes Regencies/historicals, mysteries, and contemporary paranormals. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.
Amy’s books include the two Regency romances, SMUGGLED ROSE, and LOVE, THE CRITIC; three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.
WHACKED!, a contemporary mystery from Five Star, will be out in 2012, and her most current historical mysteries include THE VITAL PRINCIPLE--a Second Sons Mystery.
Amy’s books include the two Regency romances, SMUGGLED ROSE, and LOVE, THE CRITIC; three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.
WHACKED!, a contemporary mystery from Five Star, will be out in 2012, and her most current historical mysteries include THE VITAL PRINCIPLE--a Second Sons Mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
February 4, 2019
Sarah is the only member of her family to survive a devastating fire years earlier. She has spent the last 13 years posing as a man to work. To try and find out the truth of her Family's death, she hires an inquiry man (private investigator) to look for information. When he finds out the truth of her identity and an number of attack happen, only he can protect her.
I find the plot good, but the heroine a touch on the Mary-Sue spectrum. It had some madcap-mystery-comedy moments and was really sweet with no sex. I might check out another standalone from the series soon.
I find the plot good, but the heroine a touch on the Mary-Sue spectrum. It had some madcap-mystery-comedy moments and was really sweet with no sex. I might check out another standalone from the series soon.
July 3, 2018
Interesting heroine situation
This heroine is interesting with a unique situation (no spoiler here) that gives opportunities for her decisions and behaviors to exceed the normal female boundaries for propriety in her time and place.
There is a mystery to solve and a dashing young man as well.I
I found this book has a number of emotional highs and lows and some suspense where I would cringe and say to myself "no, don't do that!" . But the author pulled me through these situations gracefully.
Enjoyable story!
This heroine is interesting with a unique situation (no spoiler here) that gives opportunities for her decisions and behaviors to exceed the normal female boundaries for propriety in her time and place.
There is a mystery to solve and a dashing young man as well.I
I found this book has a number of emotional highs and lows and some suspense where I would cringe and say to myself "no, don't do that!" . But the author pulled me through these situations gracefully.
Enjoyable story!
August 7, 2022
It was a light-hearted book. It has a good premise but was poorly executed. *spoiler* The main character Sarah was nice, but she wasn't tough enough to survive in London in 1819. We are supposed to believe she posed as a man for years and worked as a bricklayer. REALLY?
July 4, 2018
I almost didn't get this book because the cover looked like every other crappy free romance, but then I saw the author's name and knew I'd enjoyed her other books. Not like any other story with the "lady" masquerading as a bricklayer--a man--for 13 years. Snarky dialogue, ridiculous situations, countless potential villains, a good mystery, and a happy ending. Three stars probably isn't enough because there were no editing boners to bitch about and Amy Corwin can write. That cover? Ignore it. Clearly doesn't represent the characters at all.
December 3, 2020
I really disliked sarah/Sam. She had no redeeming qualities. Constantly walked into danger and demeaned William when saved her. Dnf at80%
April 16, 2020
Excellent mystery with a romance
The plot moves consistently and quickly! I thoroughly enjoyed it, from the mysterious murder of Major Pickering to the big reveal of whodunit and why at the end. The romance was secondary, an organic outgrowth of the events surrounding Sarah and William. Mr Archer is certainly cunning; he's one I'd like to meet. Criticisms are below the triggers, and they contain spoilers, so beware.
Sex: a few kisses
Language: 0 F words, 21 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: stabbing, murder, gunshots, beating, reliving arson
Cliffhanger: no
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Would I read more of the series: yes!
What's the deal with Carnaby and the Pochards? It seems like love at first sight when he goes to investigate his ruining the daughter without leaving a necklace, but then later it seems one of them alerted him about the box being sold.
How come Hawkins doesn't try to find his future son-in-law and partner after Sarah gets injured?
Sarah doesn't want to be a lady, thinks she can be a bricklayer on the Isle of Wight or maybe an investigator with Second Sons. The book ended with no future plans other than they're married.
The plot moves consistently and quickly! I thoroughly enjoyed it, from the mysterious murder of Major Pickering to the big reveal of whodunit and why at the end. The romance was secondary, an organic outgrowth of the events surrounding Sarah and William. Mr Archer is certainly cunning; he's one I'd like to meet. Criticisms are below the triggers, and they contain spoilers, so beware.
Sex: a few kisses
Language: 0 F words, 21 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: stabbing, murder, gunshots, beating, reliving arson
Cliffhanger: no
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Would I read more of the series: yes!
What's the deal with Carnaby and the Pochards? It seems like love at first sight when he goes to investigate his ruining the daughter without leaving a necklace, but then later it seems one of them alerted him about the box being sold.
How come Hawkins doesn't try to find his future son-in-law and partner after Sarah gets injured?
Sarah doesn't want to be a lady, thinks she can be a bricklayer on the Isle of Wight or maybe an investigator with Second Sons. The book ended with no future plans other than they're married.
March 15, 2021
This was a fun read. I enjoyed both Samuel/Sarah’s character and William. If I were to wish for something more from this book, it would be a better romance. I thought it focused on the whole “mystery” too much for my liking. Near the end it all got a bit Ugh but oh well, I can live with that.
April 25, 2020
A refreshing change from the usual historical romances. I liked the unique characters. There is a mystery to solve and several plot twists.
February 17, 2018
I literally had a difficult time putting this book down once I'd started it. I thought it would be a smutty romance since it was one of the free books I found on Amazon, but I'm happy it wasn't. I feel like that would have taken away from the story.
I loved the main characters. Sarah was fun to read when the story followed her. The dilemma of being a young woman disguised as a young man made her character more interesting than most girls in other historical romances. William made me laugh. His inner debates were amusing.
The romance is cute. I enjoyed it greatly.
The mystery was one twist and turn after another. I didn't really know who to trust until the end. It was a fast read, but a good one.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes a mystery and a little romance thrown in.
I loved the main characters. Sarah was fun to read when the story followed her. The dilemma of being a young woman disguised as a young man made her character more interesting than most girls in other historical romances. William made me laugh. His inner debates were amusing.
The romance is cute. I enjoyed it greatly.
The mystery was one twist and turn after another. I didn't really know who to trust until the end. It was a fast read, but a good one.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes a mystery and a little romance thrown in.
August 15, 2017
Who is he/she? A very good story
Young Samuel Sanderson hires William to find out who killed Major Pickerton, only to find out that it was him they wanted to kill him. Sam has been working as a bricklayer for thirteen years, only he wasn't a he but a she. William was trying to find out who was trying to kill Sam when he found out that Sam was a female, after she was stabbed in the side. Was Mr. Archer to blame, after all only he and his wife escaped the fire that killed Sam's parents and fairy years before, or, was it someone else. This is a very good story with twists and turns, including an unexpected turn at the end of the book. I believe you will enjoy this story.
Young Samuel Sanderson hires William to find out who killed Major Pickerton, only to find out that it was him they wanted to kill him. Sam has been working as a bricklayer for thirteen years, only he wasn't a he but a she. William was trying to find out who was trying to kill Sam when he found out that Sam was a female, after she was stabbed in the side. Was Mr. Archer to blame, after all only he and his wife escaped the fire that killed Sam's parents and fairy years before, or, was it someone else. This is a very good story with twists and turns, including an unexpected turn at the end of the book. I believe you will enjoy this story.
March 2, 2019
There's something about these books that really grabs my attention. I quite like the plots - they remind me of cosy detective novels, I suppose!
The only thing that consistently turns me off is the author falling into romance novel tropes. I keep wishing that the author would stick to the original ideas rather than constantly sprinkling in bits of expected romance, and misunderstanding, and longing and blah blah blah.
I'm not against romance novels, per se... I just feel like this one (and #1) could be AMAZING if the development of the characters relationship was a little less heavy on the cliche.
The only thing that consistently turns me off is the author falling into romance novel tropes. I keep wishing that the author would stick to the original ideas rather than constantly sprinkling in bits of expected romance, and misunderstanding, and longing and blah blah blah.
I'm not against romance novels, per se... I just feel like this one (and #1) could be AMAZING if the development of the characters relationship was a little less heavy on the cliche.
May 22, 2021
Harebrained Heroine - 1.5 Stars
Sarah was a nuisance, plain and simple. She hired William to investigate her case then proceeded to impede the investigation with her ill-conceived notions. She was so silly, it's hard to believe she survived 13 years as a laborer - especially in her disguise. William's character was dull. He did little else besides trying to talk sense to Sarah and rescuing her when she didn't listen. The mystery portion of the story was the only thing that kept me reading. Watching Sarah get in her own way was tedious, and the other characters seemed bland and nonsensical.
Sarah was a nuisance, plain and simple. She hired William to investigate her case then proceeded to impede the investigation with her ill-conceived notions. She was so silly, it's hard to believe she survived 13 years as a laborer - especially in her disguise. William's character was dull. He did little else besides trying to talk sense to Sarah and rescuing her when she didn't listen. The mystery portion of the story was the only thing that kept me reading. Watching Sarah get in her own way was tedious, and the other characters seemed bland and nonsensical.
January 31, 2016
This is another book in the "Second Son Inquiry Agency" series.
A young girl successfully disguises herself as a man and works as a bricklayer, becoming an integral part of her employer's business.
They come to London to do some work and she's contacted by someone from her past. The person is killed and she hires someone to look into it.
This book is rather annoying as "Sam" constantly puts herself unnecessarily into danger for no good reason and the situations she gets into are just plain silly.
Not wonderful.
A young girl successfully disguises herself as a man and works as a bricklayer, becoming an integral part of her employer's business.
They come to London to do some work and she's contacted by someone from her past. The person is killed and she hires someone to look into it.
This book is rather annoying as "Sam" constantly puts herself unnecessarily into danger for no good reason and the situations she gets into are just plain silly.
Not wonderful.
July 4, 2018
The beginning of the book was written to capture my attention- well written, intriguing. As the book carried on, the mysteries of the reason why all those people died in the fire, became somewhat labored. I wasn't sure if the Archers were good people or not. It wasn't clear enough to me until she was asked why they were not there on the night of the fire. I thought the book was well written, exciting, and had a good mystery going on. I liked the main character and felt like she was well developed. I enjoy romance books in this genre.
July 26, 2017
A Riotous Tale from the first page!
I'm so glad I didn't give up on this series after the first book. Mr Archer and Lady V are wonderful supporting characters and in this book the story that surrounds them had me hooked from the beginning!
You will not be lacking for intrigue and action. I rather wondered whether poor Sarah would make it to the end of the book!
A thoroughly enjoyable read! I'm off to the next in series...
I'm so glad I didn't give up on this series after the first book. Mr Archer and Lady V are wonderful supporting characters and in this book the story that surrounds them had me hooked from the beginning!
You will not be lacking for intrigue and action. I rather wondered whether poor Sarah would make it to the end of the book!
A thoroughly enjoyable read! I'm off to the next in series...
May 31, 2017
A delightful, sweet romance novel, with well thought out characters and a refreshingly different heroine. Well written, and well paced it kept you wanting to turn the page. A great read from start to finish.
July 9, 2018
Charming
Delightful romp through a tale of a frighten child runaway who realized she could best survive as a male. She enjoyed being a fellow for 13 years and even got engaged to marry a woman. But then she fell in love with a man and everything changed.
Delightful romp through a tale of a frighten child runaway who realized she could best survive as a male. She enjoyed being a fellow for 13 years and even got engaged to marry a woman. But then she fell in love with a man and everything changed.
October 6, 2015
Enjoyed it. Clean read.
September 13, 2018
Entertaining Unusual and Mysterious Clean Regency Romance!!!
This extremely well written and capivating Regency period Historical Romance is two books in one, as it's also an intregueing murder mystery!!!
The heroine is surrounded by mystery about her circumstances and identity that continues until the very end of the book. It's also inspired by a true story about a woman disgusting herself as a man in this era.
The characters are very well developed and believable for the Regency period. The view point from the middle cand lower classes of the period is refreshing and enlightening.
The adventure, action and unraveling of the mystery while the hero and heroine fall in love with each other is engrossing and fulfilling!!!
If you like stories about mystery solving and unexpected twists and turns with romance and humor then you must read this book!!!
This extremely well written and capivating Regency period Historical Romance is two books in one, as it's also an intregueing murder mystery!!!
The heroine is surrounded by mystery about her circumstances and identity that continues until the very end of the book. It's also inspired by a true story about a woman disgusting herself as a man in this era.
The characters are very well developed and believable for the Regency period. The view point from the middle cand lower classes of the period is refreshing and enlightening.
The adventure, action and unraveling of the mystery while the hero and heroine fall in love with each other is engrossing and fulfilling!!!
If you like stories about mystery solving and unexpected twists and turns with romance and humor then you must read this book!!!
April 4, 2020
This was a wonderful mystery story. I really liked the characters and the plot of the story. It kept me guessing till the very end just like the characters were guessing who might have been responsible for the fire and for trying to kill Sarah. I also got a kick out of how William was attracted to "Sam" aka Sarah even though initially he thought Sarah really was a male. I also couldn't get over the fact that none of the men she worked with (including her boss) suspected that she might not be a man, especially since she was described as being pretty darned feminine (and pretty). I guess people see what they want to see. It was crazy that both her landlady and her boss were trying to get her to marry their daughters. And I also loved the surprise ending at who she really turned out to be.
August 10, 2022
AUDIOBOOK.
An historical mystery with strong romance elements. Lady Sarah is the daughter of a Marquess. Her entire family perished in a house fire when she was a child 13 years ago. Since then she has been living disguised as a man named "Samuel", working as a bricklayer.
When a man contacts her with information regarding the fire Sarah agrees to meet. Just before the meeting the man is murdered.
Sarah engages the services of enquiry agent William Trenchard to investigate the case. Meanwhile, Sarah's own life is threatened.
William discovers Sarah's secret disguise and tries to help her unravel the mystery of the fire and the murder. The two MC's develop feelings for each other as they spend time together but the main focus of the story is solving the question of who set the fire and why.
This book does not contain descriptive love scenes.
An historical mystery with strong romance elements. Lady Sarah is the daughter of a Marquess. Her entire family perished in a house fire when she was a child 13 years ago. Since then she has been living disguised as a man named "Samuel", working as a bricklayer.
When a man contacts her with information regarding the fire Sarah agrees to meet. Just before the meeting the man is murdered.
Sarah engages the services of enquiry agent William Trenchard to investigate the case. Meanwhile, Sarah's own life is threatened.
William discovers Sarah's secret disguise and tries to help her unravel the mystery of the fire and the murder. The two MC's develop feelings for each other as they spend time together but the main focus of the story is solving the question of who set the fire and why.
This book does not contain descriptive love scenes.
August 28, 2018
This is an excellent book with the most intriguing story. Sam is a woman posing as a man and has been doing so for 13 years. On that night 13 years ago the house was on fire. Sam was helped out a window and given a box to keep and told to run as far as she could. So she did. She earned her way by becoming a bricklayer. She is back in London and someone is trying to kill him/her. She hires an investigator to find out who is after her and why. A head injury from that night means she really doesn’t remember what happened before she went out that window.
This has been a most enjoyable book and I heartily recommendation it.
This has been a most enjoyable book and I heartily recommendation it.
April 23, 2020
Sarah was just a child when she escaped from her family's burning home when the rest of the family died. Her father's last words to her were to run, so she did. For many years she's been "hiding" as a male bricklayer in London, but someone has figured out her disguise and they're trying to finish her off. She seeks help from the agency across from her boarding house. William is also a younger son of a well to do family, but he takes her case as they try to figure out why the family was killed and who is behind it. Along the way, they fall in love, and discover who she really is. Interesting premise.
May 28, 2017
Rollicking good fun
The historical note at the end really needs to go at the beginning, although perhaps an abridged form to save on spoilers (beware!) might be appropriate! Might have saved me a great deal of eye rolling. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this historical tale of romantic suspense - escapism of the classic kind. Although the main characters seem basically demented in their decision making, that's not entirely unheard of in this and similar genres. Well written, inventively plotted and decently edited, I suggest you suspend belief and just enjoy the ride.
The historical note at the end really needs to go at the beginning, although perhaps an abridged form to save on spoilers (beware!) might be appropriate! Might have saved me a great deal of eye rolling. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this historical tale of romantic suspense - escapism of the classic kind. Although the main characters seem basically demented in their decision making, that's not entirely unheard of in this and similar genres. Well written, inventively plotted and decently edited, I suggest you suspend belief and just enjoy the ride.
June 15, 2017
A Lady in Hiding was hilarious! I love the Archer's! And I especially loved the ending; who knew it was so easy to get a man to marry you in the 19th century and so encouraged by your parents.
My only two issues were Corwin's over the top back and forth: I love him, how could he ever love me? I love her, how could she ever love me? And then there is the cover; William had blond hair.
Over all I do enjoy Corwin's books. The random bizarre twists are always funny and I appreciate the unique way they are worked into her stories.
My only two issues were Corwin's over the top back and forth: I love him, how could he ever love me? I love her, how could she ever love me? And then there is the cover; William had blond hair.
Over all I do enjoy Corwin's books. The random bizarre twists are always funny and I appreciate the unique way they are worked into her stories.
December 17, 2021
It turned out I already had this book. I read it in 2017 but didn't remember it. Possibly not a good sign. But I recently read book one and really liked it.
This book also had some interesting characters, an interesting mystery, and an interesting but very annoying female lead. I find Sarah to be the weakest character in this story as well, even as she is interesting in many ways. When we get to the big reveal about what really happened all those years ago, it seems petty and forced. The pettiness makes the tragedy even more tragic.
This book also had some interesting characters, an interesting mystery, and an interesting but very annoying female lead. I find Sarah to be the weakest character in this story as well, even as she is interesting in many ways. When we get to the big reveal about what really happened all those years ago, it seems petty and forced. The pettiness makes the tragedy even more tragic.
October 3, 2017
Absolutely love this series. Recommend listening to this book.
Love this series! It's not a lusty-busty. It's a clean regency mystery romance. The heroines is always a real woman who thinks she is average and is considered a social outcast, so she is forward and frank. I listened to this book at work so it was a little akward when I started to laugh out loud during a funny party at the end
Love this series! It's not a lusty-busty. It's a clean regency mystery romance. The heroines is always a real woman who thinks she is average and is considered a social outcast, so she is forward and frank. I listened to this book at work so it was a little akward when I started to laugh out loud during a funny party at the end
July 3, 2018
The truth will out (apologies to Wm. Shakespeare)
Whatta great ride is this book. Adventures out the wazoo, blood-curdling crimes against humanity on several fronts, honor, bravery, creativity and romance packed into the characters, plot, denoument with plenty of plot twists, near misses, life-threatening injuries and loads of common sense tethered to integrity abound! Loved this book by Amy Corwin. I am recommending this author to all my perspicacious friends.
Whatta great ride is this book. Adventures out the wazoo, blood-curdling crimes against humanity on several fronts, honor, bravery, creativity and romance packed into the characters, plot, denoument with plenty of plot twists, near misses, life-threatening injuries and loads of common sense tethered to integrity abound! Loved this book by Amy Corwin. I am recommending this author to all my perspicacious friends.
July 20, 2018
Fire of 13 yrs ago changes so many lives
13 yrs ago on the lands of Longmore a family was taken away because of greed and jealousy. A girl who was to be dead survived and hide herself as a boy for those years. But all of sudden her truth is coming out. She hires a private investigator and her troubles become more involved. Will William be able to find the truths out about the fire. Will the love come with the truths of the family and with William
13 yrs ago on the lands of Longmore a family was taken away because of greed and jealousy. A girl who was to be dead survived and hide herself as a boy for those years. But all of sudden her truth is coming out. She hires a private investigator and her troubles become more involved. Will William be able to find the truths out about the fire. Will the love come with the truths of the family and with William
June 7, 2020
An awesome clean romance book!!
I loved this book! Sarah, alias Samuel, was so stubborn & strong in spirit that I wanted her & William to be together immediately! Of course, they didn't..otherwise, no book! Ha! The story was filled with surprises, ending happily & with at least two twists which I thoroughly enjoyed. I,hope to read more books by this author soon. She's very talented. And I love the fact that she wrote this CLEAN romance. Thank you Ms Corwin!
I loved this book! Sarah, alias Samuel, was so stubborn & strong in spirit that I wanted her & William to be together immediately! Of course, they didn't..otherwise, no book! Ha! The story was filled with surprises, ending happily & with at least two twists which I thoroughly enjoyed. I,hope to read more books by this author soon. She's very talented. And I love the fact that she wrote this CLEAN romance. Thank you Ms Corwin!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews