Wanted, a Gentleman

Wanted, a Gentleman (2018) K.J. Charles

Set in England in 1805.

Theodore Swann runs the Matrimonial Advertiser, a paper for helping men and women find spouses. He also writes gothic novels under a pen name.

Martin St. Vincent is a freed slave who has done well for himself after being granted his release at age 18. When the daughter of the family who owned and later freed him gets herself into trouble, Martin is asked to discover what is happening and put a stop to it.

“Well, we are all commercial. This is the age of commerce. A man is worth his value at the bank.” “I know what a man is worth,” Martin said, the words tasting as sour as the beer.

What I found particularly interesting is that Martin was based loosely upon the character of Cesar Picton–a slave who had been freed by his owners and remained friends with them.

But that’s only tangential to the story. The story is finding out what Miss Conroy is up to, and how they can get her out of the mess.

The story did go in an unexpected direction, namely the past and behavior of Theodore. I can’t say I felt that the twist/surprise was at all a surprise, except in how relatively easily Martin forgave Swann.

Like the previous book, the story was fine, but it was definitely not one of my favorites, even if there were parts I liked very much.

I don’t think you have to be thankful that someone refrained from doing something terrible to you.

Publisher: KJC Books
Rating: 6.5/10

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