I love historical fiction. As an historian, I appreciate that it brings people into the past and makes them reimagine what they think they know. And as a reader, I find it incredibly immersive and entertaining. I know quite a bit historically about the Victorian period, but my fictional reading has been lacking. So, I was quite excited when I was asked to be a part of the blog tour for The Gentleman and the Thief by Sarah M. Eden. A massive thank you to NetGalley and to Laurel Ann Nattress for the eARC of this novel. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on the book and why you should read it!
The Gentleman and the Thief (Dread Penny Society 2), Sarah M. Eden
LONDON 1865
From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he’s smitten. Even though he’s from a wealthy, established family and she isn’t, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke.
Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father’s successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduced his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the “Phantom Fox.” She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling.
When Hollis’s brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other.
When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief?
Why You Need to Read This…
I was very impressed with this book- it was the perfect blend of mystery, romance, and fun. When I first saw “Penny Dreadful” in the series title, I was a tad worried that it would be bloodier or more violent than I would choose. However, Eden has played on the concept to make it less terrifying but still as thrilling. Ana and Hollis both lead double lives, and make for some of the most fascinating characters. Though they come from fairly different backgrounds, they are more similar than they originally realise. It makes for a sweet and enjoyable romance, but that doesn’t distract from the mystery at hand!
One aspect of this book that I really loved was the Penny Dreadful chapters. It was almost like reading an extra book, which is always a lovely feeling. It felt like we were getting more insight into Hollis as a writer, as well as the universe as a whole.
I was slightly concerned that being the second book in the series, I might be lost without having read the first. However, that wasn’t a problem at all. (I have added it to my reading list, though! And the third coming out, as well.) Like many mystery series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone book.
The Gentleman and the Thief Blog Tour
If you would like to follow the rest of the blog tour for more information, exclusives, and reviews, you can find the remaining tour stops here!
Nov 19 Lu’s Reviews (Review)
Nov 20 Reading with Emily (Review)
Nov 20 Books and Socks Rock (Review)
Nov 21 Bringing Up Books (Review)
Nov 21 Bookish Rantings (Review)
Nov 22 The Bibliophile Files (Review)
Nov 23 Impressions in Ink (Review)
Nov 23 A Bookish Way of Life (Review)
Nov 24 Bookfoolery (Review)
Nov 24 Wishful Endings (Excerpt)
Nov 25 Chicks, Rogues and Scandals (Review)
Nov 25 Joy of Reading (Review)
Nov 26 From Pemberley to Milton (Excerpt)
Nov 27 Fire and Ice (Review)
Nov 27 Austenesque Reviews (Review)
Nov 28 Impressions in Ink (Review)
Nov 28 Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina (Review)
Nov 29 Laura’s Reviews (Review)
Are you going to read The Gentleman and the Thief?
Cheers,
The Historian
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A link to purchase the book makes it a little easier for the eager reader. I shall seek it out at any rate, but just a tip to include a link when you help authors with a blog tour, although your review is wonderful.
(ETA: To remove specific links.)
Hi Sydney, thank you for stopping by! I actually include the Goodreads link specifically rather than a link to particular site because my readers purchase across many different sites and formats. The Goodreads link includes different retailers, giving many options. I understand that different readers like/dislike different retailers, so I try to respect that!