The Painted Veil

By Susan Carroll

"My intentions toward you are quite dishonorable. The only promise I make is that there will be a great deal of pleasure for both of us...." It was a dangerous time in London, as a murderous scoundrel called the Hook terrified rich and poor alike with his dastardly conquests. It was certainly not safe for Anne Fairhaven to walk darkened streets, even with a loaded pistol in her purse. But desperation made one do reckless things. Anne's young daughter had been stolen from her in a vicious act of vengeance. And with a mother's unyielding love, she vowed to reclaim her child. Such dire need forced her back into the glittering society she hated. She was willing to risk her life and even dance with the devil himself--the Marquis Mandell, a callous, cynical libertine with night-dark eyes and full warm lips that could tempt an angel to sin. Though playing the hero was rare for a man cast in a villain's role, Anne stirred something in him that he believed lost long ago. As intrigue and peril lay devious traps, two lost souls discover that somewhere between heaven and hell, there is love....

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0449149625
• ISBN13: 9780449149621
• Release Date: August 1995
• Publisher: Ivy Books
• Length: 362 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.3" x 1.3" x 4.8"

Customer Reviews

A Rake's Redemption.

A marvelous Georgian historical romance/murder mystery. This romance is very well plotted. It starts with a child's abduction. Widowed Anne is attempting to recover her young daughter, Norrie, from her brother-in-law, Lucien. Lucien is Norrie's guardian, and he is happily using that position to torment Anne. Lucien has long been obsessed with Anne. There is a series of horrorific murders. A thief nicknamed, The Hook, is slaying young gentlemen of the Ton. The Hook began his career as a cutpurse but has advanced to deadly assaults. One of the romance's pivotal characters will be a victim of the Hook. We have a tortured, handsome rake, the Marquis of Mandell. As a child, he had witnessed his mother's horrific murder at the hands of a French mob. Mandell is intent upon the seduction of Anne. He offers to rescue Norrie if Anne will submit to his seduction. Desperate for her daughter's return, Anne agrees to his terms. The story takes off from there and doesn't stop 'til the satisfying happily-ever-after ending. The protaganists are sympathetic, the secondary romance interesting, and the villianous antagonist a surprise. There is sustained sexual tension between Mandell and Anne. A real, caring relationship with daughter Norrie and Mandell. And a revealation of the events that led to the deaths of Mandell's mother and father. A really well written romance with a strong plot and realistic dialogue. Recommended.

The Hook hooked me in!

I turely enjoyed this book from being to end. No one is safe to walk the streets of London at night. The Hook Is out! Yet Lady Ann dares to walk them in pursuit of her young daughter Norie. She would do anything to recover her from the man who took her. Even if she has to make a deal with the devil, the Marquis of Mandell. The man with the heart of ice and manners of a rake. Together they will Embark on an adventure of almost endless peril. As the learn it's never to late to love.