Starred review from February 20, 2023
Holton returns to a magic-infused Victorian London in her fiendishly clever third Dangerous Damsels romantic adventure (after The League of Gentlewoman Witches). When the Agency of Undercover Note Takers (A.U.N.T.) learns that a pirate is plotting to assassinate Queen Victoria, rival agents Alice Dearlove and Daniel Bixby must go undercover as a married couple to infiltrate the pirate’s house party and stop the scheme. As “professional heroes” who typically go it alone, they’re both wary about working with a partner—especially one they find so maddeningly attractive. The pair are surprised to find they have much in common, including their love of literary allusions and their levelheaded handling of curveballs lobbed at them by their salacious yet endearing pirate acquaintances. The longer they pretend to be in love, the more they actually fall for each other—but A.U.N.T. frowns on agents courting. As they descend further into the exciting and eccentric world of piratical hooliganism, Alice and Daniel must choose between their feelings and their duty. Holton’s signature tongue-in-cheek style shines, pairing dry wit with ludicrous situations to excellent effect. Alice and Daniel’s banter is a particular highlight, and their tender connection helps to ground all the action. This may be Holton’s best yet. Agent: Taylor Haggerty, Root Literary.
June 1, 2023
The third installment in the "Dangerous Damsels" series (after The League of Gentlewoman Witches) follows Alice and Daniel, the two best spies in the Agency of Undercover Notetakers (A.U.N.T) as they pose as a married couple to stop an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria. Having worked for A.U.N.T since childhood, they are experts in espionage and weaponry but know extraordinarily little about matters of love. Their tender and sweet romance unfolds in the background of a zany and boisterous plot involving flying houses, witches, parachute petticoats, clever spy gadgets, and even a pet tiger. While the final reveal is predictable and the story itself a bit over the top, Alice and Daniel reconciling tragic childhoods while falling in love is brilliant. VERDICT Listeners will come for the spies and pirates but stay for the romance. This joyous steampunk offering is full of camp and tropes, and Elizabeth Knowelden's narration perfectly matches the delightfully outrageous story, ensuring that even newcomers to Holton's world will be laughing and crying along with the characters.--Carmanita Turner
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