A Thieving at Carlton House by Erica Vetsch // Just Read Tour and Review

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for A Thieving at Carlton House by Erica Vetsch hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Thieving at Carlton House 

Series: Of Cloaks & Daggers #1 

Author: Erica Vetsch 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: September 17, 2024 

Genre: Regency Mystery Romance

Unlikely alliances form when a killer is on the loose... but who can be trusted?

The Home Office has asked Sir Bertrand Thorndike to head an investigation into stolen royal jewels. And as with everything concerning the Prince Regent, discretion is paramount. 

It's the perfect chance for Bertie to step out of his brother's long shadow. Unfortunately, his superior, The Duke of Haverly, has a plan that makes him balk: in order to sell his cover, Bertie must play the part of a man looking for love, ready to reform his rakish ways. The duke is willing to let Bertie name his own investigative team, but his recommendation that the team include 

Philippa Cashel has Bertie on his guard. Does the duke--known for his behind-the-scenes machinations--have an ulterior motive? Philippa Cashel escaped her life as one of society's best-known courtesans, devoting her life to helping other women in dire straits. So when Sir Bertrand Thorndike approaches her about joining his team as an agent of the Crown, she is skeptical. Why her? She's focused on getting her school for underprivileged women up and running, not in cloak-and-dagger skullduggery. Her hope is that if she labors hard enough at her charity work, she might begin to feel worthy of God's forgiveness of her past. 

When one of Philippa's rescued girls is arrested for stealing the royal jewels and another is murdered, Philippa will risk partnering with Bertie to find the loot and stop the killer. 

Two brilliant minds--with two wary hearts--and one cunning deceiver are on a collision course in Regency England. 

Beloved Regency author Erica Vetsch begins this new series with all the elements that keep her readers coming back. From historical accuracy to rousing mystery to deep character faith journeys, A Thieving at Carlton House will please Regency lovers--and anyone else who loves a great story.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

Review: 

Dive deep into a world of English intrigue, with a return to the world of two of Ms. Vetsch's previous series, in a brand new adventure. 

Bertie is on a sensitive mission from the Prince Regent, used to covering his tracks by playing the fop, he must now recover his image by staging a compelling romance. 

Phillipa Cashal has moved past her painful upbringing, and wants to help other girls in similar situations, and finds herself against a prideful and self-seeking adversary. When she is approached by Bertie to help him pull of his ruse, she wonders how she will ever make her dreams a reality. I admired her determination to help others, despite all the challenges she faced. 

A wonderful read, with a full cast of characters both familiar and new, with a compelling plot with themes of forgiveness, faith, and new beginnings, alongside a dangerous mission full of danger that kept me guessing. It was fun seeing the characters from previous books set in the same time and place, you definitely don't have to have read the other books in the serious, but there is some bonus reader payoff if you have read the books. There are a lot of characters and moving parts, and as this is the first of a trilogy there is a little more set up and backstory that is well worth it in the end, but leaves plenty to still be developed in the rest of the series. 

Overall, an enjoyable read with compelling characters, and a great plot. I really liked Aunt Dolly, and how she was wholeheartedly invested in her and Phillipa's dream to help girls in need. Great first novel in a brand new regency series! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Also Available:

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About the Author

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.

Connect with Erica by visiting ericavetsch.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of A Thieving at Carlton House and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 16, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 23, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. International prize ebook and egift card. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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