"...you have my word of honour I will behave as a gentleman.”
“I’ve met gentlemen.”
“Good point. I will behave as a gentleman ought to.” [loc. 1705]
Susan Lazarus, fiercely independent enquiry agent, is not best pleased to discover her childhood friend James (better known as Templeton Lane, one-half of the notorious jewel thieves the Lilywhite Boys) hiding in her rooms. Templeton has been surprised mid-crime, more or less red-handed, and is now sought by the police in connection with a double murder in Mortlake, which he claims he didn't commit. Why yes, that is a priceless opal necklace in his pocket (although he is undoubtedly also pleased to see Susan, despite her chilly disdain at their last encounter).
Templeton's got nothing left except the last vestiges of his pride, and a dangerously hot temper. His friends Jerry and Stan have -- quite rightly -- told him to clear off and stop endangering them. (Jerry, of course, has lost his nerve since he met Alec Pyne; or so Templeton tells himself.) He turns to Susan for help clearing his name, because she's the most intelligent person he knows, and she has a strong sense of justice. The two also have a painful shared history, but they are both determined not to let the past get in the way of the case.
Susan, though, has already told Templeton he owes her a debt: and if he can pay his dues, then perhaps there might be more to gain than simple exoneration.
This is a romance of equals, who respect one another's abilities and skills (reluctant though Susan might be to admit out loud that Templeton has any redeeming qualities) and who are both fearsomely competent. Another thing they have in common: they've both turned away from love, friendship, family, because it's dangerous to rely on others for one's happiness.
Fortunately, they are sensible adults, and they are capable of communication. Can Templeton discover why Susan burnt his letters unread? Can Susan admit that she may have been misled, or even, just possibly, wrong? (Will Jerry stop being an arse?)
There are some intriguing snippets of Vane family history (that slender, elderly man who taught Templeton the art of silent footsteps!) and a glimpse into the home life of Justin Lazarus and Nathaniel Roy. But the focus here is on Susan and Templeton -- Susan and James -- and their extralegal adventures. Often very funny, generally well-paced (though it does all become quite frantic towards the end), surprisingly educational, and emotionally satisfactory. Susan is a delight, and I would like to meet her in further novels.
No comments:
Post a Comment