Categories: Historical romance; Paranormal romance; Romantic suspense;
Series: The Ladies of Lantern Street #1
Book source: Public library
According to a recent interview with debut novelist Beatriz Williams , Jayne Ann Krentz is trying to "untangle" her three pen names now that she is done writing the Arcane Society novels. (A pity, since I rather enjoyed most of the Arcane series.) Crystal Gardens is the first in the "Ladies of Lantern Street" series, written under Krentz's 'Amanda Quick' pseudonym. Like all the Amanda Quick novels, this one is set in Victorian England.
Evangeline Ames, first-time novelist, paid companion, and psychic private investigator, has come to Little Dixby for two reasons: to work on her book and to recover from a harrowing attempt on her life at the end of her last case. So when an intruder breaks into her rented cottage, resourceful Evangeline is out the window and pelting down the road to the neighboring estate before the assailant reaches her bedroom. Her best chance to escape him lies in the lush and eerie Crystal Gardens. There she is rescued by Lucas Sebastian, himself a psychic investigator -- and her landlord. Lucas takes it upon himself to protect Evangeline and discover who is trying to kill her -- and why.
Crystal Gardens finds Krentz/Quick in better form than in Copper Beach (Krentz, Jan.2012), though still not at the top of her game. The mystery holds together reasonably well; it certainly kept me reading. The characters are enjoyable, particularly Evangeline, though Sebastian is not unlike a number of other Krentz/Quick/Castle heroes in his dark, brooding, hunter-like qualities. There's a bit of misdirection in the form of treasure-hunting intruders; unfortunately this is solved rather easily and thus loses its ability to distract and heighten the suspense, but there remain a few surprises nonetheless.
Crystal Gardens contains a little more background explanation for the psychic abilities shown by the hero and heroine than was evident in Copper Beach. Lucas, at least, had a mentor in his youth who taught him how to use and control his talents. However, the existence of psychic talents and devices (an unusual lantern or flashlight, for one) and their development still have no historical or explanatory foundation within the story, which I find annoying.
In short, I finished this novel feeling moderately but not totally satisfied. I've read better from Krentz/Quick, but there was enough here to enjoy.
Note: It looks as though there will be at least two more books in this series. Evangeline's closest friends and housemates, Clarissa and Beatrice, are similarly talented and work for the same private investigation firm.
I loved all of the characters that were introduced and combined with the setting created a book I couldn't put down. I devoured the interactions between Evie and Lucas, but I don't want to give anything away.
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