ARC Review: A Talent for Trickery by Alissa Johnson

It has been eight years since Charlotte BalesformerlyWalker has seen Owen Renderwell. Eight years since Charlotte's con-man father, William Walker, was killed attempting to rescue a kidnapped noblewoman. Eight years since Renderwell was rewarded with a title for rescuing that noblewoman.

Now, Owen is back in Lottie's life. Things are little tense between them. But they are just going to have to work past that. A woman has been murdered and Owen believes the key to the identity of the murderer is in William Walker's old journals. Coded journals that detailed Walker's con games.

I liked the suspense/mystery part of A Talent for Trickery. Despite the fact that they changed their name to Bales and relocated, the Walker family past is haunting the present. The current investigation reveals more about dear old dad's past and brings danger closer to the family. Which may have a side effect of bringing Lottie closer to Owen.

A Talent for Trickery is historical romance combined with suspense. The Walker/Bales family along with Owen Renderwell and his team spend several tense days together. While Owen and Lottie sift through Walker's journals they must also sift through their feelings. I like this process in the book. All sorts of things – facts, journals, opinions, codes and feelings – get revealed in this investigation.

On the romance side, the process is slow burning, though sometimes painful. Lottie has a habit of saying one thing and then thinking the exact opposite. This contradictory inner dialog became a little annoying at times. Which made the point where Lottie overcame this annoying habit very much of a relief!

Overall, I enjoyed A Talent for Trickery. If you like mystery with your historical romance, I betting you will like it too.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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