Amanda Quick - Don't Look Back

As if a head for business and a nose for trouble aren’t enough to distinguish fiercely independent Lavinia Lake from the other women of London’s fashionable Claremont Lane, there is one more feature to set her apart. Lavinia is also well versed in the practice of mesmerism, an extraordinary gift that far surpasses mere charm and physical appeal. Nobody knows this better than the usually coolheaded Tobias March, who seems to have fallen hopelessly under her spell. Fortunately for all, however, Lavinia uses her powers for good. And ever since a tragedy involving one of her subjects, she has even retired them in favor of her work with Lake and March, a joint venture providing “discreet private inquiries for individuals of quality.” Celeste Hudson, the stunningly beautiful young wife of a family friend and fellow mesmerist, would surely count herself among such individuals--were she still alive, that is. 
Together, Lake and March undertake a tantalizing investigation that leads them from the glittering ballrooms of the ton to London’s seediest taverns to a mesmerist whose therapies include treating ladies suffering from “hysteria” is a a most unconventional method--and, not least of all, to the darkest reaches of men’s psyches. Along the way, Don’t Look Back becomes a completely mesmerizing read as the irrepressible Lavinia and Tobias mix business with pleasure....

Comment: Just a short comment about this second installment in the Lake/march trilogy by Amanda Quick. I've read the first book last month and it was a story that didn't being any surprises when it came to writing style. Since this author is very consistent in her writing, I knew I'd like this one as well...

In this second story we keep on following the adventures of Lavinia Lake and Tobias March as they get more and more comfortable with one another, both in their professional arrangement and in the developing personal relationship they have started.

In this story the two team up again to investigate the murder of the wife of an old friend of Lavinia. During the investigation, suspicion also falls on Lavinia's friend, and Tobias is adamant he won't let Lavinia put herself in danger to help her friend who, according to Tobias, looks at her as not just a friend...

However, things get even more complicated when rumors about the dead woman reveal she wasn't as innocent as she appeared. Will the investigators uncover the secrets behind apparently unrelated situations which turn out to be the opposed of what everyone thought?

As I've said, this was a story I expected to read easily and I was proven right. I think the author has succeeded in finding her style and she sticks to it, whether it's her historical novels or her other genres. In this book, this is very evident and it was quite satisfying to expect a certain type of plot/story and seeing it being delivered.

I liked this story overall, but mostly for the details and the advance in the romantic entanglements.

The murder plot wasn't as difficult to follow as one can imagine and most of the elements connected to it were basic. It was still fun to see what would happen next, of course. I especially liked how some things were assumed to be developed a certain way in terms of investigation but then we discover those details weren't as important and vice-versa. I see why the author adds so many investigation clues - after all the plot is based on that - but in my POV, the real attraction is the characterization of everyone.

I really like how the relationship between Lavinia and Tobias is being presented. Although, I must say that sometimes their behavior seems to be a little too modern-like, even if that doesn't remove any of the interest in reading things about them.

Their relationship goes slowly but of course we can know they like one another a lot more than they admit and even the small interactions they share through the day are clues regarding the feelings between them. I can imagine things will finally be made solid in the last story but it's quite amusing too, how others work together to let them share moments and to realize they are well matched.

In fact, the secondary characters are key players in the story for they allow many interesting situations to happen. There is a certain emphasis on two other secondary couples and all mixed up, it feels like these people are part of everyone's lives and I do like when authors take the time to add domesticity and surroundings to things, it makes them feel more realistic in a way.

I'm quite curious to see how the trilogy ends.

Grade: 7/10