Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!!
I am excited to have Carol here today! Technically her books are not cozies as India is an agent of Her Majesty’s Government but these mysteries are full of humor, romantic tension and fantastic characters. If you like your cozies that take you back in time or across the pond you will love India Black.
KEEPING IT FRESH
by Carol K. Carr
I’m four novels into the India Black series, and I’m not tired of her yet. Or of Lachlan French, Vincent, the Marchioness or any other of the series characters I’ve introduced. That may seem like an odd thing to say, but authors do grow weary of their creations. Arthur Conan Doyle famously killed off Sherlock Holmes only to bring him back several years later, in part because Doyle got tired of being harassed about Sherlock’s untimely demise by fans of the detective.
But just because I say I’m not tired of India doesn’t mean that I think she should never change. We all grow and develop, even as adults, and while India would declare that she is perfect just as she is, she must also stretch her wings a little or we’ll all get bored.
So, how to keep India interesting? Some things are easy. I’ll send her off to South Africa with French, posing as missionaries. The very idea tickles me. The comedic possibilities boggle the mind. My mind, anyway. Because what could be more amusing than a, ahem, brothel owner masquerading as a daughter of the church?
I can also put India in circumstances that make her uncomfortable. She’s my character, after all, and I can do what I like. India claims she doesn’t possess the emotions typically sported by the average human, so why not put that premise to the test? Will she admit to a growing fondness for the Marchioness, or mistake that unsettling feeling for indigestion?
And then there’s the painful, even tortured, relationship India shares with French. That has to move along soon. I don’t want the readers to get restless. Has the tease gone on long enough? Probably. But don’t anticipate a future of white picket fences and (shudder) children for the two of them. India wouldn’t be India if she meekly accepted the role of Victorian wife. I almost feel sorry for poor French.
Well, there are a few ideas for keeping India fresh. I hope you’ll all be around for future installments.
Thank you, Lori, for the opportunity to appear as a guest on your blog.
You can read all about India, French and the gang at www.carolkcarr.com
~Carol
Thank you Carol for visiting today!! I hope you will visit again soon!!
India Black and the Gentleman Thief
(A Madam of Espionage Mystery)
4th in Series
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group (February 4, 2014)
Published by The Penguin Group
Cover Illustration by Alan Ayers
Cover Design by Rita Frangie
Trade Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425262481
E-Book File Size: 1262 KB
ASIN: B00DMCV1PQ
India Black’s double life operating a high-class brothel and running high-stakes espionage for Her Majesty’s government can take its toll. But there’s no rest for the weary—particularly when an international conspiracy comes knocking…
India Black is one of Victorian London’s most respected madams—not a bloody postmistress. So when Colonel Francis Mayhew forwards a seemingly innocuous shipping bill to her address, she’s puzzled. And when three thugs bust down her door, steal the envelope, and rough up both her and fellow agent French…well, that’s enough to make India Black see red.
The veteran spies soon discover that Mayhew has been butchered in his own bedroom. An impromptu investigation leads them to London’s docks, where India makes a startling discovery she can’t bear to tell the rakish French—she has a history with their chief suspect, the gentleman thief who once stole her heart…
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Each story is better than the last and Carr’s writing and her characters continue to evolve. India is the madam of Lotus House, a London brothel, where gentleman of of very high rank in government and military are welcomed daily. She has grown from just a madam to work as an agent for Her Majesty’s Government with full approval of the prime minister while maintaining the brothel. It makes a great cover. I have loved India Black since the start but the India in this story starts to let her guard down just a bit. The tension both romantic and in general between India and French is reaching a peak. We also learn more about India’s past and French’s too. Having the Marchioness of Tullibardine and her entourage underfoot at Lotus House gives the story a whole new dimension and even makes Vincent shine.
The story is full of action as India, French and Vincent travel from the War Office to the dirty, gritty docks and around the English countryside trying to catch a killer and stop a international smuggling ring. They find themselves in some quite precarious situations.
What I love about these stories is these fantastic characters are all unique and even facing serious danger their personalities continue shine through. India is a very stubborn woman, French puts up with her and does his best to keep her safe. Their dialogue is full of sarcasm and wit and at times had me laughing out loud.
We met the marchioness in India Black and the Widow of Windsor and the gentleman thief connects to the short story India Black and the Rajah’s Ruby,which is a prequel to the series. The stories take place in pretty quick succession. We are given just a hint as to what India and French will be up to in the next installment as this story ends. To truly enjoy this series it should be read in order.
A truly great series I recommend highly.
Thanks to the people at Penguin I have 2 copies to give away!
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I really like the cover for this book. I will definitely have to read it as I haven’t read anything by this author yet. Thanks for sharing your review.
I really enjoy India and this series. I must play catch up!
I’ve read at least one of the books in this series and loved it. With a non existent book budget I must rely on two different county’s library systems. I would love to win a copy of this book to start a collection of this author’s work in my home library.
An enjoyable feature. thanks.
Even though not a cozy it sure sounds really good.
It sounds like you have plenty of ideas for keeping India’s character fresh and lively in our minds, even if it’s not always comfortable for her. Thanks.
Love your books. Looking forward to reading India’s next adventure. Thanks for enjoyable reads.
This sounds like a book I’d love, the setting makes for brilliant mysteries. Well done on What’s In A Name so far!
Carol, it doesn’t sound like she has a chance of getting boring with your mind in charge.
I am surprised I wasn’t approached to participate in this book release. I have been part of all the others in the series. I love India, she is a great, strong female lead and I would read on till the cows come home. 🙂
A madam and a missionary go to ….LOL I love the idea of her posing as a missionary. The series is refreshingly new. Gave me the chuckles. All the best with India Black, Carol:)
I think this is a good series.
I have had this series on my Wanton Wantin’ Book List for some time. Off to bump it up to get sooner. I love the premise.
Congratulations on the publication of India Black and the Gentleman Thief! Love the cover. I enjoy this series and have added this book to my TBR list. Thanks for the great giveaway.
The book sounds like a fantastic read. I love that it is historical and set in England. The cover is so pretty. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Love this series! Latest one is on my SOON TBR list!
Sounds like another great series to add to my Wish List! I love historical fiction.
This cover is jut perfect for the series which I’m really enjoying so far.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I’ve loved every single India adventure and I’m hoping for many more to come! And may I just say, I LOVE the name Lachlan. Yum.