Calista Langley has had no choice but to go into trade to keep a roof over her head and that of her younger brother. But in the Victorian days there were few options for well born woman to do especially with a sibling. To make ends meet she begins an "introduction" service. It is her job to carefully vet out ladies and gentlemen who desire to meet someone of like mind and interest and possibly get the privilege of saying TIL DEATH DO US PART. No fortune hunters allowed so the members are carefully investigated.

Unfortunately someone has become obsessed with Calista sending her gifts that would be more suitable to someone who is mourning or dying. As she becomes more frightened she finds an unlikely allies in reclusive mystery writer Trent Hastings. Initially Hastings had come to Calista about her introduction service fearing for his sister, but he soon finds not only the woman in charge intriguing but is determined to help with the mystery that she faces.

I have always enjoyed the Amanda Quick books because they are historical with a twist and TIL DEATH DO US PART is another that gives you a number of twists and turns. The main twist in her writing style is that the heroine of the story is usually quite capable of fending for herself. A nice touch for time periods when that was the oddity not the norm. The romance side of this story line is good if just a little on the sparse side, but what is there is well written and it is fun to see a couple come to the realization that they have fallen in love.

The four main characters Calista, Trent, her brother Andrew and his sister Eudora immediately clicked into a solid working unit and it was interesting to see that all but Andrew had different touches of guilt leading them to act and react the way they were. I can't go into much about the guilt or how working together saves the day without giving away the plot. I can say you will find yourself spellbound by this book. I found it intriguing how Ms. Quick added a number of interesting supporting characters to take you into the different lifestyles that made up Victorian England. Step by step the reader will follow this team as they work their way toward the answers to the mystery behind who is frightening Calista and a couple of other things that pop up. Believe me when I say you won't want to stop reading. Of course just when you think they have the answers ... think again.

Ms. Quick is very good at leading her readers astray only to jolt them back with an "I didn't see that one coming." TIL DEATH DO US PART is another great historical read that will go on my TRA shelf and I look forward to the next offering by Ms. Quick (or of course from her alter egos Jayne Ann Krentz or Jayne Castle).

Book Summary

Calista Langley operates an exclusive “introduction” agency in Victorian London, catering to respectable ladies and gentlemen who find themselves alone in the world. But now, a dangerously obsessed individual has begun sending her trinkets and gifts suitable only for those in deepest mourning—a black mirror, a funeral wreath, a ring set with black jet stone. Each is engraved with her initials.

Desperate for help and fearing that the police will be of no assistance, Calista turns to Trent Hastings, a reclusive author of popular crime novels. Believing that Calista may be taking advantage of his lonely sister, who has become one of her clients, Trent doesn’t trust her. Scarred by his past, he’s learned to keep his emotions at bay, even as an instant attraction threatens his resolve.

But as Trent and Calista comb through files of rejected clients in hopes of identifying her tormentor, it becomes clear that the danger may be coming from Calista’s own secret past—and that only her death will satisfy the stalker...