Slightly Shady (Lavinia Lake and Tobias March)

I have enjoyed every one of Amanda Quick's books. Her stories are always interesting, delightful and so enjoyed to read.

Lavina Lake meets Tobias March as he rousts her out of her antique shop and sends her packing back to England. But Lavina always lands on her feet...she starts a job as a detective. When her case forces her to join forces with Tobias, sparks fly. They deal with dead bodies, wax figures, spies and intrigue...and feelings neither of them expected!A totally fantastic read. Great mystery. Great history. But best of all, Great Romance!! Amanda Quick never disappoints!

"slightly shady" is such a fresh, breezy & fun ride in the world of romance novels. it's like breathing in fresh, revitalizing ocean air on a beach in maui after living in a big, bustling, polluted city for years & years & years & never leaving. this book is different from most in its genre & some who don't prefer mystery with an endearing romance in its folds (in the same modern manner as the stephanie plum series, by janet evanovich, that is so well known & well loved today) will not appreciate its true value. this book is written in a more reserved manner for quick, and i truly truly felt it was a breath of fresh air. lavinia is a woman who knows exactly what she's about & has a tremendous backbone & will not allow herself to be taken advantage of. v. unusual traits in the women of her time, many who just listen & make no comment & don't even have opinions themselves. march is determined, fiercely intelligent & v. caring. the supporting characters are well defined. the mystery is riveting & the dialogue between these two main characters is quite entertaining. granted there isn't as much sex sex sex in this novel as there are in normal romance novels, but i think that just adds to the freshness & uniqueness of the story. these are all very real characters and in quick's fit hands, stick to their characters all throughout the story & therefore allow us to get to know them better & better as the mystery unfolds. i must warn you, though, once you finish slightly shady, you will want to immediately read "don't look back" which continues lavinia's & tobias' story. and then, when you read "don't look back" you still will not be satisfied! you will still be left wanting more of lavinia & march & emeline & anthony & joan & mrs. chilton.....hurry up ms. quick & give us some more of these great characters! you're killing me!

Englishwoman, Lavinia Lake, is left widowed, poor, and the guardian of an intelligent, marriage-aged niece. Having no money, but a lot of determination, Lavinia goes from one job to the next, each ending under somewhat disasterous circumstances. First, she's a companion to a countess who runs away one night and leaves Lavinia and her niece stranded in Rome. Then she opens a shop in Rome and sells antique reproductions. The shop is unexpectedly destroyed by a seemingly madman.Finally, she returns to England and sets herself up as a private detective, making discreet and SLIGHTLY SHADY inquiries for those who can afford her services. Once settled in this business, she encounters none other than the madman who destroyed her shop in Rome. He is Tobias March, also a detective. They find they are working on the same case, and after a series of misadventures, reluctantly agree to work together.What comes out of their partnership is a deep mystery and an unforeseen love affair.Amanda Quick promises that SLIGHTLY SHADY is Book One in a series starring Lavinia Lake and Tobias March. I look forward to Book Two.

I can understand why some of the customer reviews are not good. There is much more mystery and much less romance than is usual for this author. In my opinion, howerer, the mystery elements were far superior to what they usually are in an Amanda Quick book. The supporting characters were much more interesting as well. I am looking forward to the sequel.

Elizabeth Stone's narration of Amanda Quick's Slightly Shady adds life and excitement to the story of Lavinia, who faces a stranger in her antiques store. He's in pursuit of a killer; she is convinced he is out to destroy her. The plot thickens throughout.