Guest Review: Wicked, Sinful Nights by Julia Latham

Reckless Sir Robert Hilliard has one last chance to remain a member of the League of the Blade, a daring fraternity of elite knights that secretly raised him. A Bladesman has been poisoned, and Robert must uncover enough evidence to hang the murderess. It seems quite simple, really . . . until he meets the red-haired beauty and falls hopelessly under her spell. He may be handsome, but Sarah Audley quickly discovers that Robert is no knight in shining armor. He’s out to convict her for murder! Though Sarah vows her innocence, forces beyond her control are gathering against her. Even worse, she cannot deny her own flaming desire for this man who’s so dangerous and so irresistible. To satisfy their burgeoning passion, Robert may have to sacrifice his only dream. But he’ll gain something even more precious – Sarah’s undying love.

Gershwin proclaimed . . . “a red-headed woman makes a choo-choo jump its tracks!” I really think that is the way Robert feels when he encounters Mistress Sarah Audley. He is prepared to see the worst in her and enters into his investigation of the murder of her employer with great determination in order to prove to the League of the Blade that he is a serious, properly focused member of that fraternity and one who will be useful and successful in carrying out the goals of the League. Yet Mistress Sarah engages his attention immediately upon arrival at their destination and the story moves forward from there. Enter the little Lord Francis, Sarah’s closest friend Margery, the non-communicative Sir Walter who is Robert’s partner, Sir Simon who appears to be seriously courting Mistress Sarah, Lord & Lady Ramsey who appear late in the story, and a myriad of personalities who make up the household of Lord Francis, and you have a colorful and engaging story set in the Middle Ages. It is a favorite historical period of mine so I was looking forward to reading this book.

Julia Latham has developed the characters well and the unfolding mystery and suspense of discovering the true murderer is very well done. I found the lengthy internal monologues of the main characters a bit tiresome—I am not always so sure that these are as helpful as some authors believe them to be. I am also not sure what may have been the origin for the book’s title. It is filled with sensuality and sexual tension, but I can’t get away from the sense that the title is just not reflective of the true nature of the story. It is a very well-told love story and the reader is kept in suspense until the book is almost finished. So I appreciate the writing expertise that produced this tale. However, it seems to have some unevenness in the telling and there were portions for me that were easy to skim. I don’t think a really, really good story allows the reader to “skim.” Don’t get me wrong . . . I enjoyed reading this book and I think Latham did her research and wrote accurately of the 15th century. In spite of any lack, it is still a book well worth the time it takes to read.

You can read more from Judith at Dr J’s Book Place.