Review: More India Black for the fans! Of which I include myself with fervor.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 2, 2013
If you have read the full-length novels beginning withIndia Black, you already know that our snarky heroine of Victorian-era espionage (and derring-do) is the madam of a London brothel. But the novels never quite explain how India Black actually acquired Lotus House. That's accomplished in this pretty-darned-awesome novella, and it's exactly as charming as the full-length books.The short summary of this prequel: India's working in a brothel herself, when one of her regulars asks her to accompany him to visit a soon-to-be business customer, and to pretend to be a dutiful wife for appearance's sake. That sends her off on quite an adventure... with the wry humor you surely have come to expect from these stories.If you're new to the character of India Black (because someone like me has insisted that you'll love these books) I am sure you are tempted to "try it out" with this shorter novella, aiming to read the longer books if you like it. As much as I like "The Rajah's Ruby," though, I don't think it's the best introduction. Really, DO start with the first book in the series, and come back to this one later. (You will want to, I'm sure.) They're all fast reads; this isn't any hardship.