Judith's review of Shameless (The House of Rohan #4) by Anne Stuart.

"Landep News"

A long string of tragic loves haunts Viscount Benedick Francis Alistair Rohan. Cool and cynical, he's weary of life's fickle games and wants a prim and proper wife he can ignore while indulging his sensual appetites.

Lady Melisande Carstairs is nothing less than a tornado storming into Benedick's measured life. Possessed of boundless energy and the soul of a reformer, Melisande always conquers, whether it's saving the souls of soiled doves or seducing the man she's inconveniently fallen for. When she informs Benedick that his brother's newly revived Heavenly Host has graduated from simple carnal debauchery to sadistic violence, he's compelled to investigate, undercover. Under those covers, however, is Melisande herself, playing a dangerous game in the name of justice.

And the Heavenly Host has just seen her hand, and more. . .

Thanks to the writings of Charles Dickens, most people are aware that there were crying social needs in 19th century England. Certainly there are few people living in the developed nations of the world that haven't either read or watched a TV version of Christmas Carol. However, one of the social ills that few writers refer to seriously or with any real concern is that of prostitution. Old London certainly had its bawdy houses and its high-class "call girls" often referred to as the demimondedaines. What most writers choose to ignore was the rampant STD's that were passed on by women who were "hooking:" as a means of feeding their families. If they didn't start out diseased, the soon contracted something, thanks in large part to the men of the street, and even the aristocracy, who trolled the dark alleys and tenement sections of London. Like the ills of unemployment, work houses for children, etc, there were few reformerswho sought to do anything productive to address prostitution. That it, until you encounter Lady Melisande Carstairs, a widow who had plenty of money, thanks to her now-deceased husband, and lots and lots of rooms in her mansion, far more than one person could ever use. She was also blessed with a social conscience and little concern for what the London aristocrats thought of her and her projects. Thanks to her, several well-known "houses of ill repute" had been closed down, and one of her closest friends and residents in her home was a former madam.

Now she literally sweeps into the life of the Viscount Rohan, a rake who is looking for a wife who is bland, obedient, fertile, and who will not complain if he virtually disappears back into his life of sensual pursuit once a child or two is fathered. He wants to encounter Lady Carstairs like he wants another hole in his head. But she has an "ace" up her sleeve: his very own brother. But he is not her major concern. Melisande is looking for one of her "girls" who has disappeared, and the attackers of another of her girls who has barely survived a terrible beating. She knows that the underground society called the Heavenly Host is responsible but because it is hidden, knows not who is involved EXCEPT the viscount's brother. Hearing that, Benedick knows that he is caught in her web and must aide her in her investigation, if for no other reason than liberating his brother from a very destructive lifestyle.

This is the fourth book in the "House of Rohan" series and as with all Anne Stuart novels, it is a multi-layered, multi-strand kind of story, with lots of secondary characters who may at first seem like window dressing but who ultimately turn out to be important to the story, its crisis, and its resolution. Benedick is the offspring of men who have been active in Heavenly Host for generations. In fact, it was one of his ancestors whose initial idea was responsible for the society's existence back in the 1700's. But the description of the kinds of ritual violence now being practiced is another reason Benedick is concerned and agrees to be a part of this crazy project with Melisande. That he is wildly attracted to her doesn't even enter into the situation . . . or at least, that is what he is telling himself.

This novel is really about the clash of two ways of thinking, two sets of personal values, and the open sores that lay on the "skin" of London society, the disregard of those who could do something about them, and the resources and energy that went into the pursuit of sensuality by those who had way too much time and way too much money. It is also about the recognition this woman gained of Benedick's finer self, a part of himself he chose not to recognize as that would put binders on his way of living. She also challenged his understanding of marriage, his view of women, especially upright women, and their value to society and to him. Her energy and enthusiasm for living as a truly good person who wanted the finer things for all people, not just for the titled rich, made him uncomfortable and poked at his conscience. He tried like crazy to get her out of his life, out of his head, out of his dreams. Yet she always seemed to be there, poking and prodding, never letting him forget that there was an inner self that really wanted something better out of life.

This is one of those books that is a romance paired with a suspense plot--who is involved in Heavenly Host and who is the mysterious Guardian who is pushing the ritual violence, and why? Like all really good writers, Ms Stuart has the expertise to keep these two themes going throughout the book and ultimately bringing them together. Not an easy fete to accomplish and one that many writers attempt and don't necessarily do well. It is a book that will keep ther reader's mind engaged almost from the first paragraph. The dialogue is witty and the "girls" who reside with Melisande are a total hoot, especially when they are on a roll explaining the more "interesting" aspects of sex and when they pull out all the stops in dolling Melisande up for her social appearance with Benedick in their quest for information. There is so much to like here, but don't be fooled. There are places where the emotions are deeply engaged, where the relationship of Benedick with his brother are deeply troubling. There were also occasions when I was really disgusted with some of the aristocratic matrons of London who loved to throw nasty comments toward Melisande and her covey of "soiled doves" as they walked throught the public parks. But I had to admit that their behavior certainly isn't too different than what is often seen right here in the ole USA as some of our "finer" folk practice their favorite sport: kicking someone when they are already down.

I highly recommend this book, even if you haven't read the preceeding three novels in the series. Each is a stand alone book and reading this one first will not really ruin the reader for going back and reading the others. It is truly a fine example of historical romance with lots of humor, action, suspense, and, of course, loving.

I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

The Series: