VIRTUOUS SCOUNDREL Regency Romp Trilogy, Book 2

Sue Pitkin narrates this alternately touching and turbulent tale, which begins with mutually unrequited love. Sebastian Sherbrook returns to London to assume the title of a despised uncle and settle affairs with Lady Katherine Manwaring, the late uncle's newly minted widow. Katherine and Sebastian have long secretly adored each other, but there are impediments, obvious and otherwise. Pitkin differentiates cleanly between characters even amid some challenging dialogue. Sideshows, including interfering friends, enthusiastic pets, and an inept dognapping plot, are given proper over-the-top treatment as they collude to teach the would-be lovers to trust each other and admit their feelings. At her best in moments of straightforward narrative, Pitkin delivers madcap descriptions with the infectious relish of a downstairs housemaid who only just witnessed it all. T.M.D. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2016]