Amazon.com Setting: Regency England Sensuality: 7 A London lady who's skilled in the practice of mesmerism， Lavinia Lake has launched a new career as a private investigator， a startling and slightly scandalous occupation for a woman in Regency England. Strong-willed and independent， Lavinia isn't a typical society widow， a fact which alternately attracts and frustrates her enigmatic partner， Tobias March. Lavinia and Tobias have a prickly and passionate relationship， and Tobias is determined to protect her， while Lavinia is just as determined to be an equal partner in their business. When the wife of mesmerist Dr. Howard Hudson is murdered and a rare antique bracelet known as the Blue Medusa disappears， the doctor seeks Lavinia's help. Tobias is reluctant to become involved in the matter but Lavinia feels compelled to help her late father's associate. Their attempt to uncover the murderer leads them to obscure antiquities dealers， secret organizations， amoral heirs， and ladies of the evening. And when a madman threatens Lavinia's life， only Tobias can hope to save her. Lavinia Lake and Tobias March began their adventures in the novel Slightly Shady， and in this second installment， author Jayne Ann Krentz， writing under her Amanda Quick pseudonym， further develops the couple's romantic relationship while entangling them in a murder mystery enhanced by an exploration of ancient British jewelry. The author also introduces a charming secondary couple in the mix of eccentric and interesting cast members. Fans of historical romance and mystery will welcome this latest offering from bestselling author Krentz. --Lois Faye Dyer From Publishers Weekly In this sequel to last year's Slightly Shady， bestseller Quick brings back the winning detective duo of Lake and March for another mysterious romp through Regency London. Settling in to a partnership both professional and personal， Lavinia Lake and Tobias March take on a case deeply intertwined with Lavinia's own past. An old family friend， the mesmerist Dr. Howard Hudson， introduces the couple to his beautiful young wife， Celeste， and not long after， Celeste is brutally murdered. Was she murdered for the sake of an ancient jewel， the Blue Medusa， reputed to confer upon the wearer mysterious powers? The Blue Medusa is missing， stolen from the household of the senile nobleman who last possessed it. As the investigation proceeds apace， both Lavinia's niece Emmeline and Tobias's brother-in-law， Anthony， insist that they wish to become investigators， too， apprenticing themselves to the older couple despite objections. A secondary romance between the younger couple offers a charming counterpoint to the growing relationship between Lavinia and Tobias. While Tobias endeavors to protect Lavinia from the danger looming from her own past， Lavinia goes about solving the case in her own way， resulting in a dramatic confrontation with the killer. Though the suspense is low-key throughout， Quick nevertheless pulls the reader along with her eminently readable blend of humor， sharp dialogue and well-paced plotting. Readers can only hope that they have not seen the last of Lake and March.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information， Inc. See all Editorial Reviews