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Where the Heart Leads
3 Stars

When Penelope Ashford requests his aid in investigating the disappearance of several young boys from the slums of the East End, Barnaby Adair, who has a reputation for helping the newly formed Metropolitan police to solve crimes involving the ton, is intrigued both by the case and the woman. Working together with Inspector Basil Stokes and Miss Griselda Martin, Penelope and Barnaby take on a nefarious criminal willing to destroy anyone who gets in his way.

Series note: This is book #1 in the Casebook of Barnaby Adair series, which is linked to the larger Cynster series. Penelope is the younger sister of Luc Ashford (book #9) and Portia Ashford Cynster (book #10). Barnaby also appears in books 12-14 as an investigator and friend to the heroes. Nevertheless, the mystery itself is standalone.

This book is a shift in style and tone for SL's writing. To begin with, it is more of a historical mystery than a romance, although there are romantic elements in the story. In addition, the pacing is tighter, and the narrative is less wordy (except for SL's signature prose for the sex scenes).

The mystery itself is quite straightforward and not as dark as expected, considering the subject matter - the kidnapping of young boys. While the resolution is satisfying overall, the final showdown is rather anti-climactic.

There are also two romantic pairings. The first between Penelope and Barnaby is typical of SL's Cynster series, with the marriage-averse hero and heroine realizing that they have met their perfect match. The second between Inspector Stokes and Miss Martin is by far the more engaging but is woefully underdeveloped. Their lower-class backgrounds, especially Griselda's, are very refreshing in a series that primarily focuses on the upper classes, and it is disappointing that they don't get as much page time.

All in all, a solid start to this spin-off. The next book in my read-through of SL's backlist returns to the Cynsters, but I will be back to Barnaby soon. ( )

A fairly well written story with just enough action and interesting characters to keep one's interest.

It opens with Penelope Ashford, a Viscount's youngest daughter and Administrator of Foundling House, asking for the help of Barnaby Adair in the disappearance of several young boys. These youngsters were to be taken into the House at the time of their parent's or guardian's death and given not only an education but a chance at an occupation later in life.

As the story unfolds, we discover that these boys were snatched into the hands of men who run "burglary" schools, where the boys learn how to get in and out of houses without being caught. Small, quick-witted boys of about 7-11 years of age are the best choices for this sort of "trade", since they could shimmy down a chimney or through a small window left unlocked. (If you are thinking shades of Dickens' Oliver Twist and Fagan here, so was I.)

Penelope is not one to sit around whilst the menfolk are doing all the work, so she insist from the get-go to be involved in the investigation. This happily intrigues Barnaby [principle love interest and all that], though it does make his job a little more complicated. However, he and Penelope are well suited to each other, and soon with the help Inspector Stokes, of Scotland Yard, and Griselda, a Milliner, the "game is on". It's a race to discover the mastermind behind not only the kidnappings, but the burglaries for which these boys would be used. It's also a chance to follow the developing relationship between Penelope and Barnaby and, to a lesser extant, Stokes and Griselda.

This story is pretty good and I really was enjoying the exchanges between Penelope and Barnaby, until the story got to the overlong and drawn out descriptions of the intimate interpersonal activities of the two principal characters. Now imagine it read in a male voice with a BBC accent and it really reaches new levels of ... not quite melodrama. :o| And it's not even fun to listen to. (Fortunately, that particular activity took up far less of the text than I originally thought it would.) This is one story which would have been improved significantly by fading such scenes to black and just concentrating on the relationship of the two characters. Still, I had to fast-forward through a bunch of really uninteresting description to get back to the good parts. Sigh. :0(
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Where the Heart Leads - Laurens
Audio performance by Simon Prebble
3 stars

The first book of a Laurens spin off series. There’s a fairly decent mystery about kidnapped orphans and the beautiful, virginal manager of the orphanage. The noble amateur detective, Barnaby Adair, fills the need for a sleuth and a love interest. Inspector Basil Stokes of Scotland Yard provides the legal backup, and an additional romance. It was a predictable and pleasant way to pass the time. ( )

I adore this series!! Stephanie Laurens is a master at the Alpha Rake!! I love the men pursuing their ladies!! I really enjoyed it and hope there are more to the series!

What a great story! I laughed and cried many times! Such wonderful writing and really engaging characters!! I love this authors work!!

I adore this whole series and can not wait for more mysteries in the casebook!!

It is a bit formula with the alpha male who is often chased finding a lady he wants and being forced to pursue her. But formula works that why we love it!

Each book has an add but of intrigue that draws you in. And Stephanie Laurens knows how to deliver the steam!!

I am currently on a Regency kick and this one was terrific!! ( )