Fleet Street Scoundrel by Annabelle Anders

Fleet Street Scoundrel is book three of the Rakes of Rotten Row series by Annabelle Anders. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I caution my fellow readers to begin at the beginning of this series. Although Fleet Street Scoundrel can be read as a stand alone, there are quite a few characters and references that just make more sense if you read the books in proper order. On the positive side, Anders does a wonderful job of creating unique characters. Each one has their own particular voice and makeup. I liked Lady Caroline Rutherford the heroine. She is pretty, intelligent and she’s had a rough time assimilating into society. When she trips down the stairs at her own coming out ball, she is cut by many members of the Ton. Even though, in fiction this can be part of the story, in real life, it’s very doubtful that people would have cut Lady Caroline for tripping down the stairs. The cut was reserved for truly obnoxious people. The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue goes into great detail about the “cut”. I highly recommend that resource for history lovers.

I also liked the hero of the story. Maxwell Black, the Earl of Helton has wavy black hair and green eyes. Maxwell has a secret that prevents him from marrying, so when he meets Lady Caroline his dilemma begins.

On the negative side, I wish Ms. Anders would give a time setting for her books. I’m assuming that with the Queen mentioned and with the steam press used throughout the story that it takes place around 1839 – Queen Victoria reigned then and the British were involved in the Opium War at that time.

There are several very steamy scenes, so readers should be aware. Overall, Fleet Street Scoundrel is a rich story with worthy characters and a pace that will make the book hard to put down.