Title: The Silver Lion
First published: 2003
Description: The Big Cat Trilogy #3
RITA Award by Romance Writers of America Nominee for Long Historical Romance (2004)
The Silver Lion is the final book in Lynn Kerstan’s Big Cat Trilogy, (the others being The Golden Leopard and Heart of the Tiger ) and although, like the others, it can be read independently, it actually picks up some of the plot threads left behind at the end of Heart of the Tiger, so it might be an idea to have read that first.

We have already met the two protagonists. The super-efficient, mysterious Helena Pryce appeared at the start of the series as Jessica Carville’s assistant and secretary in The Golden Leopard, and made several appearances in that book and in Heart of the Tiger. She has an unrivalled skill when it comes to acquiring knowledge – much of it gleaned through her numerous contacts in the less salubrious areas of London – is an expert negotiator and organiser and fiercely intelligent. Although she is a servant, she is not subservient, yet it is clear that there is more to her than meets the eye. Her appearance is marked by the unusual spectacles she has to wear to protect her eyes from the light – and more than that, she hides her true self from the world behind them.

Derek Leighton, Earl of Varden also appeared previously, as an adversary of Michael Keynes in Tiger. Nicknamed “The Archangel” because of his golden good looks, Varden and Keynes hate each other, and while the matter of the death of Keynes’ detestable brother has, to all intents and purposes been solved, Varden is still convinced of Keynes’ guilt and is determined to bring him to justice.

This, together with a series of mysterious attacks on influential members of the aristocracy, thrusts Varden and Helena into a deadly search for incriminating documents relating to extortion and murder.
This part of the story is very well done and I enjoyed the mystery. The set-up is established quite early on, and the clues and reveals come gradually at first, with the pace quickening as we get closer to the end.
The Big Cat Trilogy:
The Golden Leopard
Heart of the Tiger
The Silver Lion
Subjects: Fiction, Romance, Historical, series:big cat, mystery, historical romantic mystery, series:The Big Cat, 2004 RITA Award, Regency Romance
People: Helena Pryce, Derek Leighton Earl of Varden
Time periods: 1820's
LC classification: CPB Box no. 2189 vol. 12