THE MIDNIGHT MAN
Charlotte Mede
Brava
ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-2367-8
August 2008
Historical Romance

I have always stood up and taken notice when a book comes out from the Brava Publishers. Though many times the book is a hit or miss for me, I can usually count on the fact that the author has taken time and effort to produce an in depth and complex plot. Nicolas Ramsey and Lady Helena Hartford's story in THE MIDNIGHT MAN by Charlotte Mede falls into this category.

Victorian England,1860, a time when women have few rights in the eyes of the law, Helena Hartford is in trouble. Outspoken and outrageous, she has lived life first under her father's thumb, and then her older husband. After both of their deaths, she breathes a sigh of relief that she will be able to pursue her dream of painting, especially since she is independently wealthy and a duchess to boot. Providence is not to be in this instance. Her hated nephew- by-marriage happens to be the Bishop of London. Sissinghurst is a VERY powerful man, and he wants Helena's fortune. The only way he can secure it is by her incarceration into Bedlam or some other "nut house". If she is dead, he cannot control the fortune since it would not go to him (the money was hers, not her late husband the Duke).

Nicholas Ramsey is an enigma, plain and simple. He is a self made man, reputedly richer than the queen and no one knows anything about him. He is a "silent" backer of a group called the X Club which meets to discuss the merits of the new theories espoused by Charles Darwin. But all is not what it seems with Nicholas. Like the complexity of Italian Renaissance politics, Nicholas' motives are multi-layered and as clear as mud.His interest in Helena has her on alert, but Sissinghurst's men are closing in around her fast. She has no where to turn and dares not trust any man.

THE MIDNIGHT MAN is an interesting and complex book. The writing is erudite, with artistic and historic references abounding. I enjoy challenging reads, and this definitely fits that bill. Helena and Nicholas are both interesting characters, though getting to know Nicholas takes just about the entire book.Characters that are Evil (with a capital E) are not my favorite plot device. Sissinghurst and his sidekick Mosely are a bit over the top, Evil through and through (as can be seen throughout the story over and over again in their actions). With two different negative aspects pursuing Helena, I would have liked to have seen a less obvious conflict. Over all, there were times that the writing took time to warm up to, but I enjoyed this thoughtful read.

Reviewed by Sarah Silversmith
Rating: 4