"exhilarating amateur sleuth historical romance"

After five years of self-imposed exile following the failed attempt to steal a fiancé of a friend, Charlotte Quinton visits her injured grandma hurt in a coach accident. Two other members of the senior citizen Rosebuds were also injured. The visit is not easy for Charlotte because her grandma convalesces in the home of Brad Villiers, whose relative is one of those hurt. Sixteen years ago she threw herself at him and he rejected her and her friend is his stepsister.

Brad investigates the accident as he feels that it was deliberate tying back to someone killing the members of the disbanded Lucifer Club. The Rosebuds were witnesses to the end of the club so are possible murder victims. Charlotte reaches the same conclusion and begins her own inquiries until Brad brings her into his. As they work close together, they fall in love, but an unknown assailant wants Brad dead or at least accused of murder by Bow St. and only Charlotte can save him at risk to her own life.

Barbara Dawson Smith is becoming very well known for her exciting Regency romance novels such as ONCE UPON A SCANDAL and HER SECRET AFFAIR. Her latest tale, ONE WILD NIGHT, is an exhilarating amateur sleuth historical romance starring two delightful lead protagonists and the charming Rosebuds. Though the hero's holier than thou ethics towards the heroine come across hypocritical when his indiscretions come to light, readers will appreciate this solid historical suspense.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 16, 2003