I don’t know that I would be feeling so warmly about this book if the next part of the series wasn’t scheduled to be released later this year as it ended with an infuriating teaser. But that is the brilliance of Kerrigan Byrne. She writes characters that you can’t help but invest yourself in. Fiona Mahoney is just her latest.

This is the second book in the series about the young Irish woman who came to England only to find her best friend murdered by Jack the Ripper. Determined to make something of herself while also seeking revenge for her friend’s death, Fiona has developed a business for herself cleaning up crime scenes. The first book in the series, The Business of Blood, provides more details of her work and how she came to be who she is. I highly recommend reading it before this second book in the series as the incidents in the first create a life-altering change for her as she begins the second book that will be hard to understand without the context of the previous story, although the author does her best to retell the key elements of that story.

In this book, Fiona matures as she takes on the case of murdered prostitues clearly not linked to Jack the Ripper. Although she never wanted to be an investigator, she is compelled by a new friend, the sister of Detective Grayson, to look into the matter. Knowing the women will not have a fair investigation as they, like her friend, were considered unimportant due to their profession, she reluctantly agrees to help. As expected, her journey brings her into contact with the key characters from the previous book, including those from the underworld who are pulling her into a life on the wrong side of the law. She wars with her conscience as much as her attraction to the various men in her life and the responsibility she feels to those around her.

A stark departure from the intimate romance novels Ms. Byrnes typically writes, this series nonetheless reveals her trademark skill for delving into the psyche of her characters, bringing out their deepest fears and unruliest thoughts, making them sympathetic and fascinating even when they are at their worst. Once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down.

ARC via NetGalley ( )

Enthralling continuation!

Oh my goodness! Victorian clean up specialist Fiona Mahoney is surrounded by men of power! And such men! Like the Scotland Yard Inspector, Grayson Croft and The Hammer, dangerous lord of London’s underbelly, alongside the exotic assassin, Aramis Night Horse, and yes, Jack the Ripper. All take an interest in Fiona. Fiona is London’s premier post mortem sanitation cleaner. The sanitation work is how Fiona puts food on the table. Her true passion is investigating who’s killing prostitutes in Whitechapel. This has become her overriding raison d’être after her best friend and prostitute Mary Kelly, was butchered by Jack the Ripper.
In this issue Fiona has slowly come out of the dreadful place she’s been in following her ex fiancé and childhood friend, Father Aidan Fitzpatrick’s death, to be given the news that another young courtesan has been brutally murdered. Not Fiona believes, by the Ripper. Her investigations lead her into dark alleyways, physical assault and DANGER!
Aunt Nola (Fiona’s somewhat unusual aunt who communes with the spirits and taro cards) had it right when she warned of “Betrayal, Fiona. They’ve told me. Someone close to you is going to betray you…or worse. You are going to betray them. Lovers, I think. Your lover? Or maybe someone you love? Someone will be in love, and then…treachery. Treachery will tear them apart.”
Depravity is nothing unusual for the ladies of the night but here new depths are reached, even as Fiona and Croft’s sister Amelia search for answers.
Ending on a note that has me absolutely tantalised with anticipation, and screaming with frustration, I am on tenterhooks for the next in this compelling series.
Let’s just say that this tale has all the energy, passion and suspense that the best of Byrne’s titles give.

An Oliver Herber ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change ( )

I thought I would just make a start on this, but ended up reading it straight through and staying up half the night, lol. Every step of the way I just really wanted to know what would happen next.

The heroine is a bit hot tempered, and walks right into danger a few times, but overall I still quite liked her. And the potential romantic interests... spoiled for choice is our Fiona! It was a fun element to the story sprinkled in.

Overall it held tight to my interest and brought me enjoyment. I want to read the next book ASAP.
** I received an advance review copy and am leaving this honest review of my own free will. =) ( )