The Queen and the Knave + Giveaway

Romance and mystery come full circle in the fifth and final book of Sarah M. Eden’s best-selling Victorian Proper Romance series.

London, 1866

Móirín Donnelly has spent the last five years working in the shadows for the Dread Penny Society, but spending so much of her life in secret is taking a toll on her soul—and her heart.

When members of the Dread Penny Society begin disappearing, Móirín turns to Detective Constable Fitzgerald Parkington for help. The two have developed a friendly rapport, and Móirín feels like she can trust him, though perhaps not with all of her secrets.

Fitzgerald Parkington has a sixth sense when it comes to hunting down criminals, which is why he’s recently been transferred to the Detective Department at Scotland Yard. But when red tape keeps him from tracking down the criminal mastermind known as “The Tempest,” he must rely on the one woman who has unexpectedly captured his heart—the bold and fiery Irish lass, Móirín Donnelly.

As the Tempest’s deadly reach threatens to overwhelm all of London, Móirín and Fitz are caught in an elaborate game of cat and mouse that leads down back alleys, through dark London buildings, and right to the gates of Kensington Palace. Móirín has one chance to save Fitz and the Dread Penny Society from the Tempest, and she might have to sacrifice her one chance at love to do so.

My Review:

Special Note: Since this series is the kind that should be read in order, this giveaway will be for any of the five books so you can hop in wherever you need to. Look for details under ‘Giveaway Opportunity’

What a spectacular conclusion to the Dread Penny Society series. I think this is my favourite series by Sarah M. Eden. So cleverly unique. And my emotions are all in a jumble now that it’s all over. Definitely books I will revisit over and over again.

There’s not a lot I can say about The Queen and the Knave (other than it’s fantabulous!) because it’s full of series spoilers from the very first chapter. This fifth book definitely must be read last. And I think this is the kind of series that should be read in order because that will give you a greater understanding of the Society and how it works as well as an introduction to key characters. Plus, there’s a continuous part of the suspense plot that builds with each book…and comes to a blockbuster, stand-up-and-cheer (after you’ve chewed all your nails to the quick) ending that just won’t be as impactful if you haven’t followed these characters through all five books.

Here are a few basics about the series:

  • The Dread Penny Society is a group (a wonderful cross section of society) of Penny Dreadful authors who work ‘undercover’ to rescue London’s downtrodden. They have nefarious enemies who will go to any lengths to ensure they don’t succeed so cue the heart-tripping mood music and settle in for some intrigue and action.
  • As with all the other Dread Penny books, we get two actual Penny Dreadfuls interspersed into the story. They are fashioned after the serial publications so popular in the Victorian era so be prepared for damsels in distress and some paranormal tones. Reminiscent of traditional fairy tales — not fiercely eerie, but definitely not Disney-fied. And both mesh nicely with the ‘real life’ suspense plot involving Móirín and Fitz and the rest of the gang.
  • Though there’s danger afoot, and an odious villain…well a multitude of them…to thwart…our Dread Penny heroes and heroines still have time to banter and josh and the author gives us some enticing glimpses into the lives of characters who starred in previous books. As well as the long-awaited romance between Móirín and Fitz (it’s been brewing in the background for a few books.)

I listened to the audible edition of this book narrated by one of my favourite narrators — Justine Eyre. She does such an amazing job with voices and accents, conveying the emotions and intricacies of the characters and plot. Always makes for a thrilling listen.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Winner may chose one of these books from the Dread Penny series:

#1 The Lady and the Highwayman

#2 The Gentleman and the Thief

#3 The Merchant and the Rogue

#4 The Bachelor and the Bride

#5 The Queen and the Knave

Please leave the title of your choice in a comment below or in an email:

Editions available:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com (US) Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the Dread Penny Society novels, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 16, 2023

31 thoughts on “The Queen and the Knave + Giveaway”

  1. Thanks for the explanation of who & what Penny Dreadful is because, though I’ve heard of them, never really knew what it was all about. Now I want to read these even more!! Absolutely love Sarah Eden to boot 😊💖

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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      1. Ooops, I was supposed to list which one I’d like to win, sorry Kav! I really DO know how to follow directions 😂

        Anyway, I think I’d like the one you reviewed (The Queen and the Knave) because I can borrow the ebooks for the rest of the series from my digital library. They don’t always get the newest ones like this right away. Plus, that cover is gorgeous and I’d love to hold it in my hand and lovingly gaze at it before I open it 😂😂

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  3. FINALLY!! The long-awaited conclusion is here! I don’t remember how I found this series, but it’s been amazing. The Queen and Knave is my pick. 🙂

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  5. Sounds like a fabulous series that I’d love to get in on. And getting started means going to the beginning. If I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would love the opportunity to read #1 “The Lady and the Highwayman” and start in on the ground floor so to speak.

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy and enable one to start a new to me amazing new series!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  6. Sounds like a lot of fun. I have not read this series so I would need The Lady and the Highwayman to get me started in paperback form. TY!!!

    dianemestrella at gmail dot com

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  8. I have the first four books, but haven’t read any of them! Eek! I’ll throw my hat in for book five, please. Thanks for the giveaway! Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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  13. This sounds like a great series, and I see it’s available at my library! My choice would be the last book, The Queen and the Knave.

    Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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  14. I had to go look up Sarah Eden and I can’t believe that I haven’t read one of her books yet and she has written so many already. Count me in on this one, will have to start with “The Lady and the Highwayman”.

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