It was good to return to Burning Cove in The Lady Has A Past by Amanda Quick. Fans of romantic suspense and historical fiction will quickly lose themselves in this series. Murder, developments, and romance await you.
by Amanda Quick
Series: Burning Cove #5
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Beauty and glamour meet deception and revenge in this electrifying novel by New York Times bestselling author Amanda Quick.
Investigative apprentice Lyra Brazier, the newest resident of Burning Cove, is unsettled when her boss suddenly goes on a health retreat at an exclusive spa and disappears without another word. Lyra knows something has happened to Raina Kirk, and she is the only one who can track her down. The health spa is known for its luxurious offerings and prestigious clientele, and the wealthy, socialite background Lyra desperately wanted to leave behind is perfect for this undercover job. The agency brings in a partner and bodyguard for her, but she doesn't get the suave, pistol-packing private eye she expected.
Simon Cage is a mild-mannered antiquarian book dealer with a quiet, academic air, and Lyra can't figure out why he was chosen as her partner. But it soon becomes clear when they arrive at the spa and pose as a couple: Simon has a unique gift that allows him to detect secrets, a skill that is crucial in finding Raina.
The unlikely duo falls down a rabbit hole of twisted rumors and missing socialites, discovering that the health spa is a facade for something far darker than they imagined. With a murderer in their midst, Raina isn't the only one in grave danger—Lyra is next.
The Lady Has A Past was a delightful edition to the Burning Cove series and quickly pulled me in with its mystery thread and romance between investigator apprentice Lyra Brazier, and antiquarian book dealer, Simon Cage as the two go undercover.
We also finally get answers and the relationship story of Luther Pell and Raina Kirk. I was ecstatic as I have been waiting for more about Raina’s past and hoping for a happily ever after. You’ll have to read it to find out.
When Raina leaves town unexpectedly, Lyra and Luther both suspect something is wrong. They set out to find answers, and it leads them to an exclusive hotel and spa. Luther would be instantly recognized and Lyra is a Jr investigator, so Simon Case, an antiquarian dealer/investigator with unique abilities, offers to pose as Lyra’s new husband. The two check into the honeymoon suite and its soon clear that something nefarious is happening.
I loved fake arrangement, and Simon and Lyra were quite the pair. Lyra has a way of getting people to open up, but has trouble figuring Simon out. It was fun seeing their relationship develop. As an investigative team, the two worked well together and Quick gave us an intense, dark storyline that kept me flipping the pages.
The Lady Has A Past offered so many elements I enjoy with the bonus of getting answers regarding Raina and seeing her romance develop. Burning Cove is the place to be and admit to being envious.
While each story contains its own mystery and romance, the 1930s costal setting, townfolk and linked threads have me recommending you read/listen to this series in the order of its release. While this felt like the ending of the series, I would certainly visit Burning Cove and these characters again.
The Lady Has a Past (Burning Cove #5) by Amanda Quick delivered suspense, answers and a delightful side of romance. #historicalfiction #romanticsuspense Share on XAbout Amanda Quick
The author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print. She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries. Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Felicity Grace Terry
A mild-mannered antiquarian book dealer with a quiet, academic air … I’m in love already.
Not necessarily a genre I would normally read but covid has seen me gravitate towards more genteel reads albeit ones with a bit of suspense.
Katherine
I love Amanda Quick/Jayne Anne Krentz and really all I needed to see was Antiquarian bookseller. And throw in that cover and I need this now! Might need to do another book shopping run!
Wendy
Nice review. I haven’t read an Amanda Quick book in a while. Looks like I should read some more.
Jen
I don’t know that I really paid attention to what this series was about and I feel like I have been missing out. This sounds like a wonderful book and series! Thanks.
Joyousreads
I’m a fan of this trope as well — especially when they realize they’re fooling themselves with the whole fake engagement thing. Lol. I also like that this has some mystery aspect to it.