The Iron Duke

Ten years ago the Iron Duke, Rhys Trahaearn, shattered the Horde’s control over England. In the intervening years, life has slowly begun to return to normal. Until Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth is called away from a ball celebrating the anniversary of the Duke’s victory to investigate the dead man dropped (literally) on his front steps. Figuring out who the man was and how he died leads Mina and the Duke far beyond London’s grimy streets. They must overcome their differences and work together stop the mysterious Black Guard before it’s too late. Can they manage to find happiness while they race to save England?

It’s a mystery! It’s a romance! It’s steampunk! With zombies!

I picked this up because Liz B reviewed it on Tea Cozy and it sounded interesting. I don’t read a lot of romance, and haven’t had much luck with the few blind forays I have made into that genre. This, however, was a most enjoyable read. The plot was complex, the characters were engaging, and the setting was fascinating. There was a fair bit of sex too, but it was neither ridiculous nor overabundant. (The book reminded me a little of the Alexia Tarabotti novels, in that it mashes up romance with steampunk and mystery, although it is nowhere near as silly.)

This appears to be the first book in a new series, and I’m curious to know more about this world…so I guess I’m a romance reader now. And that’s ok.

Meljean Brook’s site

Source: borrowed from library