The Queen and the Knave by Sarah M. Eden

Tracy

Sep 3

Series: The Dread Penny Society, #5

Release Date: September 5, 2023

Picking up where the previous book ended, Moirin Donnelly, the Dread Master, is frantic to save her members from the Tempest and to stop the woman's reign of terror. But unfortunately for Moirin, it seems like the Tempest is always one step of her and when her members begin to disappear, is clear that she is going to need help. She trusts Constable Fitz Parkington, to an extent, but Moirin has secrets that could destroy her and by association Fitz, so despite the attraction she feels for him, the risk to both of them is too great. But before she can even worry about that, she needs to stop the Tempest before she kills any of her "dreads.

Fitzgerald "Fitz" Parkington, has finally been promoted to the Detective Division of Scotland Yard and hopes that the promotion will enable him to finally find out what happened to his grandfather twenty years ago, who disappeared without a trace and left nine-year-old Fitz all alone and homeless. But before he can even start looking into that matter, he finds himself pulled into the troubles of the DPS and the Tempest. For years he has been helping the members, but recently Moirin has been holding his attention, he knows she is keeping secrets, but he isn't sure he cares. And if they survive the coming storm, he plans to prove it to her.

This installment of The Dread Penny Society is the climax of the story that has been building since the first book. Personally, I wouldn't classify this book as a Historical Romance, it is more mystery and historical fiction, with just a hint of a romantic connection between Moirin and Fitz, but that hint is potent, and while the book has a happy ending, I wouldn't call it a "happily ever after" at least not for Moirin and Fitz as a couple. As with the previous books, there are two Penny Dreadful novellas interwoven into the book and as with the previous books, I skipped over them while reading the story and read them after I finished the book. For me, reading them as they are placed is distracting and breaks the flow of the actual story – but they are delightful additions and are not to be missed! This is the fifth book in the series and I strongly suggest reading the books in order, because they are definitely not standalone titles.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*