ARC Review: The Dark Affair by Máire Claremont

I read a novella by Máire Claremont so I was really looking forward to “The Dark Affair”. It did not disappoint. The beginning scene was fantastic. Lord James Stanhope, Viscount Powers is in a dungeon. He is thought of as mad and his actions portray that of a madman. Lady Margaret is very frighten but she tries to be strong and stands up to him. Lord James has lost everything he once held dear to him and doesn’t care if he lives or dies.

Lady Margaret Cassidy was really a fascinating character. She was a mixture of sensitivity and vulnerability but also very strong and honest. I love that she was upfront with Lord James and that she explained their mutual benefit in marrying. There is a strong attraction to each other but she clearly understands that he is an addict. Lady Margaret has endured a lot. She fled her homeland of Ireland under political uncertainty. She is constantly afraid and worried for her brother as his life is in danger. Maggie tries to protect her brother but the people he associates see her as a traitor. It is only a matter of time before she is placed in danger. The author really portrays the tension felt with the political unrest of the Irish.

Lord James was so wounded and so broken it was heartbreaking to see how he’s lunacy unfolded. One great aspect of the author was how real she portrayed this situation. There were many elements of the story that were very dark and disturbing-she in no way romanticized Lord James addiction or the extent of his emotional wounds. James is overcome with violence and anger at just the mention of his wife and his lost child.

When Lord James and Margaret’s marriage becomes real they have to learn to get over their mutual pasts. Both bare very deep wounds. When Lord James becomes aware of Maggie’s efforts to send money to the starving people he can’t helped but be moved. My only regret is that I didn’t read the previous two books in the series. Although this novel can easily stand-alone I would have liked to know the story entirely with the previous characters. This was a fantastic story. It was gut-wrenching and heart-breaking and beautiful. I highly recommend it and will be reading more in her past books in the Mad Passions series.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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