Customer Reviews

Wicked (Harlequin Historical)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lilly Renfrew is a dutiful daughter and a not-too-hopeful spinster in San Francisco in the 1880's, but she is also a talented photographer. While taking pictures in the city's notorious Barbary Coast area, Lilly witnesses the murder of a prostitute she had befriended. Fleeing the murderer, she runs into (literally) Deegan Galloway, who hides her and saves her life.

Lilly is determined to see justice done and doesn't realize how much in harm's way she is putting herself. Deegan does. He had a former life in the Coast as Digger O'Rourke and he slips back into it to help and protect Lilly, even though he believes his past makes him unworthy of Lilly. She has her own doubts about fitting into what she perceives as Galloway's upper crust world. In addition, she must cope with invalid parents, an interfering sister, and an aloof brother.

This is a well written and, as best I can tell, well researched historical romance. Possibly Deegan and Lilly are a little too modern in their thinking, but I don't know that for a fact and it's a minor quibble. The main characters are very likable and many of the supporting characters are noteworthy as well. The villains are dastardly but believable.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and will look for other work by this author.

Lilly Renfrew has just witnessed a murder. She doesn't care it if was "just" a prostitute...to her it is still another human being. A small gasp betrays her and the murderer realized he's been watched leading to a chance through the Barbary Coast area and directly into Deegan Galloway's arms.

Deegan has been bored...he wants adventure, and when the little wren, Lilly, stumbles into his arms trying to escape from a man chasing her, he is quick to oblige. Once he hears her story he decides to join in the hunt for the murderer.

While this is labeled a Romance, and it does have a few steamy scenes in it, it was more of an action/mystery in my opinion. The hunt for the murderer leads to all manner of unusual circumstances and list of highly unlikely suspects. The author does a wonderful job of keeping the true bad guy's identity a secret until almost the very end, which I admire a lot.

Lilly and Deegan are both wonderful characters that are struggling to realize who they really are underneath. Their journey together is fun to follow and I truly enjoyed watching them become who they really were.

3/5

No idea where this designation came from as the story takes place in 1880 in San Francisco. See the listing for WICKED without the "Indian" notation for there are no Indians in it, nowhere, no how. Otherwise, in my humble opinion as the author, it is a wonderful story. :-)

This engaging mystery, adventure and love story is a quick and easy read. The storyline is based on coming to terms with ones' past and recognizing the future and being content with what is. This tale is also about moving ahead in life despite the cards that are dealt.

Very enjoyable! Don't pass up this one!