Review: Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt

A Masked Man . . .

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles—protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A Dangerous Woman . . .

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society— flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons—Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar—and his lips so tempting.

A Passion Neither Could Deny

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything—the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

Perhaps coming off the high that was Scandalous Desires set me up for an unreachable goal concerning Thief of Shadows.  That's not to say I wasn't jonesing for Winter's book; of course I wanted to learn more about the quiet Winter Makepeace and the side of his nature he keeps hidden as the Ghost of St. Giles.  (It's very ironic that Winter's surname -- Makepeace -- seems so at odds with who the Ghost of St. Giles is and the mischief he clings to. Though I don't suppose Winter sets out to make mischief in St. Giles; he wants to restore his community, keep he, his family, and his charges safe from harm.  There's certainly no shame in that.)

I just felt a little let down by Thief of Shadows.  It's still a good book, and I'm very excited to read the next book in the series (Lord of Darkness, February 2013) because I do love the world Ms. Hoyt has created, especially given what Winter reveals to Isabel at the end of the book.  But Thief of Shadows ultimately didn't live up to my expectations.    

(A very special thank you to Hachette Book Group, Forever Romance, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Thief of Shadows.)