City of Secrets (A Counterfeit Lady Novel Book 2)

Having enjoyed the author’s “Gaslight” series of cozy historical mysteries, I decided to try her new “Counterfeit Lady” series. I was not disappointed. I founded entertaining and grounded in authenticity of time and place.I do recommend reading then in the order in which the author has written them. I actually read this book, which is the second book in the series, first. I realized it when the book kept making reference to a back story with which I was unfamiliar. Notwithstanding this, the pieces did come together for me, and I was able to put two and two together.Elizabeth, a lady of somewhat dubious origins, realizes that one of her recently widowed friends appears to have been swindled out of a fortune, which would leave her and her two young children penniless. Elizabeth engages her scrupulously honest fiancée, Gideon, as well as some other less than honest characters, to assist her in recovering the widow’s fortune. The machinations in which they engage are definitely intriguing and hold the reader’s interest.This was a quick and easy read, as well as quite entertaining. As a native New Yorker, I enjoyed the historical details in the book, which takes place In New York City sometime before the first world war. I especially enjoyed discovering a new historical tidbit of which I had been previously unaware, that of the Westside Cowboy.So, if one is a fan of the author or simply enjoys cozy historical mysteries, this atmospheric, fast paced series will definitely keep one turning the pages.

The idea of loving a semi-reformed grifter and her grifter father amazes me, but that's exactly how I feel about Elizabeth and the Old Man! And Gideon, her fiance, an honest-as-the-day-is-long attorney! There were some very unsavory characters in this book, and even though the reader knows early on who they are, it has to be read to be believed.The motivation for Elizabeth to go back into setting up a con is a righteous one -- her friend Priscilla has been cheated out of her entire savings. Priscilla and her daughters are penniless through no fault of their own. They were seriously wronged by villains.The book gives the villains their comeuppance, and the reader is left feeling sated! My kind of story! Brava, once again to Vicki Thompson!

Book one in this series, City of Lies, gave us a good history lesson about the Women’s Suffrage movement. This second in an, I hope, ongoing series digs down into more of the interpersonal relationships of Elizabeth, Gideon, and their families and friends. It also has more of a mystery than the first book.Elizabeth’s new friend, Priscilla, has been taken to the cleaners by her recently deceased husband. All the money she had from her first, loving, marriage is gone. She and her daughters will soon be destitute. Elizabeth, the con artist, and Gideon, the most honest man ever, work together to find out why the money is gone and who perpetrated this dastardly deed! Lots of intrigue, although the mystery was pretty easy to figure out.Although not as rich in historical details as the first book, still a great read. I’m loving this series and can’t wait for the next installment.

Elizabeth, raised to help her father run cons, has remained in New York, after helping the son of her suffragette friend to escape a con. And has made a surprising discovery: she can and does fall in love—a tough discovery because she is already engaged to his best friend. Admitting to themselves that they are attracted to each other, the relationship grows. But then Elizabeth discovers a blackmail plot that threatens a friend and seeks to recoup the lost money by running a scam. Gideon, who is a lawyer, believes that it is immoral to break the law—a discovery that places them at odds and destroys their engagement.This is a fast, engaging, and satisfying read. I suggest reading the first book first, but this mystery will stand on its own as you sit through a wonderful book.

Very poorly written. It constantly refers to things from the first book and you have no idea what nor whom they are talking about. Gave up on it after a few chapters. I have many of Victoria Thompson's series of "Murder in ….." books and am surprised that this book is so bad. Will be skeptical about buying anything else she writes.

This series is a lot of fun to read. City of Secrets is even better than the first book, City of Lies, because the relationship between Elizabeth and Gideon evolves in a very interesting way. The question of how justice applies is embedded in an engaging story. Don't miss this series. If you like historical mystery/romance, you will love this one.

Loved this book. All kinds of cons going on and you never know what's next. Lots of romance and fun. Can't wait for next one.

I like the plot, but the small print made it very hard to enjoy this book.I won't be purchasing any other books from this author; I don't recommend this book.

Lacklustre. The only character I liked in the book is the male protagonist, and he's a lap dog to the female lead - worst of all becoming more like her. Yuck.