Her father is infirm and her older brother has been gallivanting around the Continent for years. Lady Catherine Mabry finds herself in a desperate situation. This laughable premise is one of the main reasons I struggled to get into the book. As a result, London society shuns him and labels him a thief and murderer, which technically he is. He trains to be the earl, but never believes it and neither does anyone else other than the man who claims to be his grandfather. Despite this, he then takes Luke and his band of Oliver Twist like urchins to rear. Before the trial, the current Earl of Claybourne identifies the murderer as his long lost grandson, Lucian. Years earlier street ruffians attacked and killed the heir to Claybourne and later the next heir is murdered and the suspect arrested. Lucian Langdon, referred to as the Devil Earl by London’s aristocracy, may be the Earl of Claybourne, or he may not. While the plot deals with the meaty issues of spousal abuse and childhood poverty and crime, the characters were uninspiring and the situations too fantastic. Saying that, I must add that the last third of the story saved it from a much lower grade. However, Heath handles this aspect very well and the hero and heroine are both very likable as individuals and as a couple.Īll in all, a light and entertaining read and I will continue with the series possibly due to the fact that the hero in the next book, Jack, is quite the anti-hero.This is, sadly, another one of those books I forced myself to read. In terms of the romance, the story contains a trope that does not usually appeal to me, i.e., the hero believes he is in love with another woman. While the mystery is intense and suspenseful, the resolution is not as satisfying as it could have been, and it is clear that this is not the last we've seen of the villain. For instance, the references to Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist are obvious, unimaginative and trite.

As the two set about fulfilling their respective parts of the bargain, they realize that they are bound by more than their agreement.Īn enjoyable historical romance although there are some contrived situations and predictable developments. Nevertheless, he is willing to come to her aid on the condition that she return the favor.

Notorious in society for his dubious origins and reputation as a killer, Lucian Langford, or the Devil Earl, is astounded when he is approached by Lady Catherine Mabry with an outrageous request.

In Bed with the Devil by Lorraine Heath