Book Review: Don't Look Back

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Don't Look Back     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Amanda Quick
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Romance   Historical
Series: Lavinia Lake and Tobias March # 2
Bantam, Jun 2002, $24.95, 336 pp.

Pushed by his lovely wife Celeste who sees her husband’s skills as a means to enter society, Dr. Howard Hudson moves to London to open up a medical practice. Howard uses mesmerism to minister to patients suffering from nervous disorders. However, the elation felt by the move turns ugly when someone murders Celeste and apparently also steals a valuable bracelet.

Howard asks his long-term friend and fellow mesmerist Lavinia Lake to investigate who killed his wife. Fearing for her safety, Lavinia’s lover and partner Tobias March tries to persuade her not to get involved. Tobias firmly believes Hudson killed his spouse and wants Lavinia to locate the missing jewelry before he disposes of his so-called friend. However, Lavinia remains as obstinate as ever and begins making inquiries with the help of Tobias' brother- in-law Anthony and Lavinia's niece Emeline. Tobias soon feels obligated to help if he wants to keep the three people he loves safe.

DON'T LOOK BACK is a humorous Regency mystery with a touch of romance as a secondary subplot. The quick story line is quite funny especially when an exasperated Tobias tries to keep Lavinia from diving off the deep end as is her penchant. As Amanda Quick did with the Lake-March first novel SLIGHTLY SHADY, the author provides a delightful who-done-it.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner