WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED is the third book in the Studies in Scandal series by Manda Collins. I recommend reading this series in order. The first book in this series details how four young women -- Ivy, Daphne, Sophia, and Gemma -- arrive at the Beauchamp House in hopes of collecting on an inheritance. The presence of their benefactress, Lady Celeste Beauchamp, can be felt by each woman as they forge their path in each book. In WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED, artist Sophia Hastings falls into the strong arms of the charming vicar Lord Benedick Lisle. Their attraction to each other grows as they dig up clues in a tantalizing mystery and bust a cutthroat group of forgers.

When Sophia overhears two unseen villains plotting before taking a potentially fatal tumble, Manda Collins gives this historical romance a Hitchcockian flair. Sophia is determined to investigate the evil that seems to have infected the sleepy town of Little Seaford. Ben is the perfect partner to have along on for her sleuthing because of his strength, temperament, and intellect. As vicars go, in Jane Austen terms, Ben is much more the Henry Tilney type that the obnoxious and pious Mr. Collins. The art world and local politics collide when Sophia and Ben must decide if the suspicious things they slowly become aware of are connected, or two separate, sinister operations. Bullies and thugs populate WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED and create danger amidst balls and afternoon tea. Blowhard and businessman-turned-local politician Peter Morgan is the apparent crook, but it's less clear what his role in everything is, and whether he's working alone or with others. Ben and Sophia make a great team. I like how Sophia demands respect and refuses to be steamrolled by anyone. Her strength and spirit make her just as attractive to Ben as her physical appearance.

WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED is a thrilling mystery with small-scale political intrigue, art capers, and a dazzling romance. It was terrific seeing more of the always amazing Lisle brothers in WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED, and I hope to see more of the fiery chemistry between Gemma and Cam in the next book in this series. I look forward to the next Studies in Scandal novel.

Book Summary

THE PICTURE OF ROMANCE

A dedicated painter, Miss Sophia Hastings is far more concerned with finding the right slant of light than in finding Mr. Right. But when an overheard conversation hints at danger for another local artist, Sophia is determined to get involved. Even if it means accepting help from an impossibly good-looking vicar who insists on joining her investigation—and threatens to capture her heart…

Reverend Lord Benedick Lisle knows that Sophia is no damsel in distress. But he won’t allow her to venture into peril alone, either. . .especially since he finds Sophia’s curious, free-spirited nature so alluring. But protecting her from harm is becoming more difficult than the vicar could have expected as he and Sophia confront their fiery mutual passion. Who could have known that the art of love would prove so irresistible?