Review: Buy Them!  Read Them!  You Won't Be Sorry!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 26, 2014
Captain Lacey is such a strong "Main Guy" - love his stories to the point I began reading them a couple of days ago and am now on Volume Two. During the past three years, I have focused on Historical Romance novels and have run across these books a few times and opted not to buy any of them because I just couldn't see how they would hold my interest. I assumed they would be mostly "detective" stories and indeed, although they do focus on Captain Lacey solving mysteries that involve dark and dangerous happenings, I never would have imagined that I would fall in love with the man himself along with all the minor characters in these stories.Brief synopsis of Captain Lacey's life and threads that run through his stories follow: He lives on the edge of poverty with only his half-pay from his military career to get him by. He allows his neighbor, Marianne Simmons, an erstwhile actress, to poach candles, food and snuff from him. He refuses to allow his very wealthy friend, Grenville, to support him in any manner, with the exception of friendship, occasional meals, loan of his carriage and the occasional inclusion of invitations to ton events. Although Captain Lacey's background is that of a gentleman, his father spent the family funds and nothing is left for Captain Lacey but a rundown house on a small bit of property that he is currently unable to maintain. Therefore, he lives in a small set of rooms in a not-so-nice area of London. From there, the mysteries that come his way are solved with a lot of perseverance, fortitude and guts. This same fortitude took him through many battles during his days of serving in the military from the turbulence in India to the war with Boney. He is in constant strife with the man he most admired and who was responsible for helping him promote to the position of "captain" in the military - this same man was his commanding officer in the military - Brandon. Due to some conflict between Captain Lacey, Brandon and Brandon's wife, Louisa - Lacey and Brandon can barely stand to be in the same room. However, Lacey and Louisa remain very good friends which continually fuels Brandon's anger. The reader wonders exactly how deep the relationship with Lacey and Louisa is/was. It's apparent that Louisa is a good woman but there is definitely an undercurrent of very strong feelings between Lacey and Louisa. This same conflict contributed to Lacey and Brandon being asked to leave the military and is also related to Lacey's belief that Brandon sent him on a last mission with the full awareness that French soldiers would capture Lacey. In fact, Lacey was captured, tortured and was left for dead. He now has a mangled knee which constantly gives him pain and is a frequent focus of the storyline. For the foregoing reason and others that are slowly revealed throughout the stories, Lacey and Brandon have a love/hate relationship which puts Louisa in the position of constantly trying to be the peacemaker. Lacey was also married when he was a very young soldier to a woman named Carlotta. After five years of following the drum, she left Lacey for a French soldier and took their little two year old daughter. Lacey thought to go after her but was persuaded to let her go. That was 14 years ago and he wonders whether or not she and his daughter are still alive. One other character in these stories is the infamous "Mr. Denis" - supposedly bad guy who can find anyone and make anything happen - for a price. In fact, Mr. Denis has confirmed that Carlotta and Lacey's daughter are still alive, living in France.  Mr. Denis wants to bind Lacey to him so Lacey will be under his control and attempts to do so throughout the books. Is Mr. Denis a truly bad guy or not? This reader is not sure about his total character but he does add a lot of interest to the storyline. Captain Lacey has also met a woman that has piqued his interest - Donata Breckenridge and their relationship is slowly being developed throughout the stories.  Has Lacey found true love?  If so, will he need to find Carlotta and obtain a divorce?  Just how will this all turn out?I look forward to continue reading these books and enjoy the fine development of the characters' lives and the little twists and turns that slowly reveal insights into Marianne, Grenville, Denis, Brandon, Louisa and others. Amazing storyline going on in these books. Many thanks Ashley Gardner/Jennifer Ashley!