The Gentleman and the Thief

By: Sarah M. Eden

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

A gentleman scribes penny dreadful novels by night and falls in love with a woman who is a music teacher by day - and a thief at night.

London 1865 

From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he’s smitten. Even though he’s from a wealthy, established family and she isn’t, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke. 

Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father’s successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduced his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the “Phantom Fox”. She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling. 

When Hollis’s brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other. 

When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief?

©2020 Sarah M. Eden (P)2020 Shadow Mountain

Another delight!

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
A gentleman scribes penny dreadful novels by night and falls in love with a woman who is a music teacher by day—and a thief at night.

MY TAKE
I love this series so much. Eden creates such fun yet deep characters. This second edition in The Dread Penny Society once again provides us with three stories for the price of one. And I was rooting for the characters in all three stories.

Hollis and Ana were introduced in the first book, and it was obvious then that they were interested in each other. Not only did we get to see the development of an interesting start to their courtship, but we also got a deep looking into both of their histories and their families. And both kind of broke my heart. There's romance, action, and intrigue.

This particular story is resolved but the overall mystery hasn't been solved. For me, it's the perfect kind of cliffhanger. I'm not left frustrated but rather intrigued and looking forward to the next installment.

I listened to the audiobook and Justine Eyre was wonderful as the narrator. As usual.

Poorly ending

Serina. and children LEFT BEHIND. A promise is a promise_——— NOT for next book. !!! They could have been found later that night in secret wall in servants quarters. WE DONT LEAVE CHILDREN BEHIND AFTER PROMISING. Very disappointed

Delightful

I was truly excited when I found Sara M Eden’s next book in the Dreadful Penny Society Series. I’m not sure how Eden can create these delightful characters and amazing, intricate plots. I’m so thankful she did. I discovered this author by reading a anthology of Christian romance novelist Novelas. If you like novels with a book within a book, you’ll love this one. Two books within a fast-paced romantic-mystery plot. Must read The Lady and the Highwayman first. Both are delightful!

Delightful, Entertaining and Whittie

What a treat! I love the different stories interjected into the main story.
I hope there will be sequels to this very charming book.
Sarah Eden is one of my favorite authors and Justine Eyre is icing on the cake with her performance.
It also draws to our attention the abuse our children around the world suffer, but does it a way that I don’t become depressed for days. Children living on the streets is and has been all over the world. They have been bought and sold and abused beyond comprehension.
The Dredge Penny Society in this novel takes on the challenge of rescuing these little street urchins
A must read or listen to.

WOW!

This story was amazing! I loved the characters and the way that it was three stories in one. I loved the mystery and intrigue in one story along with the sweet innocence in another. The romance was lovely and the ending left me hopeful for more to come.

Really enjoyed it

I think this book was even better than the previous. I loved all the sneaking around of the thief. I enjoyed also that they have multiple stories in one book. I also love how the relationships between them have portrayed. I love how the writter and narrator make tge romance feel real.

Kim

THIS NARRATOR HAS AN IRRITATING TWANG IN HER VOICE

This is a continuation of the Penny Dreadful books, with the secret author this time being one Hollis Darby - a titled man- (his real name - not his pseudonym) This organization is mostly made up of men - one woman - who, no matter what their status - some are titled men, one even American(!) write under a different name and keep their real identities a secret. Unbeknownst to Hollis, he falls in love with the "Phantom Fox", a woman thief - who is stealing what belonged to her family, when she and her grandfather - as the only remaining ones left in her family- from those who took them when her family fell from society's grace, and became poor. Hollis falls in love with Ana but doesn't tell her right away. When all comes out in the open, they are asked to break up a gambling ring across the street from her house, where titled men are playing and losing at high stakes. They reluctantly agree, and after much worry and strife, do so. To me this book was very predictable - and a real fantasy. A titled man falling in love with a woman whose family in now poor, although a former "society" member??? I doubt very much that would happen. It was wrapped up clean (which I do like) but so predictable on the way to it's conclusion!

Amazingly Entertaining

Another fantastic book in this series! Creative, sweet, funny, adventurous. Three story lines, all so enjoyable. Great narrator with fun and engaging accents. A great listen in the middle of the pandemic! Keep 'em coming!

Hard to put down and very enjoyable.

Great story line - great drama - very good reading. Ready for the next book.

Well written. very enjoyable

A well written, interesting story. The second installment. Looking forward to more of the Dread Penny Society and their companions.

Charming

Great, a gentle easy listen. You can tell where the plot is heading, however the journey there is definitely enjoyable. Again, we have the trio of parallel stories, and characters from the first book make many an appearance.

Very gentle and enjoyable

Perfect of its genre. Very gentle and enjoyable. I will listen or read to more in the series.

3 books in one.

I love the way this author can write three stories in one book. The narrator does pronounce some words wrongly which surprised me as her Accent is more Oxford English . But… you’ll love the book and the stories within the main one.

annoying

I wasn't sure of the story at 1st and got muddled by the characters.
had t b at least half way through b4 I 'got it'
the narrator annoyed me. the word Haunted...was pronounced Hunted. and lots more words also.
I listened till the end AND enjoyed the book but the narrative really irked me

Sweet, intriguing, fun

Having lived in London and loved feeling the history all around me, it’s great to take a step back through time a imagine the lives of Londoners in Victorian/Edwardian times.

dreadful narration

couldn't tell which character was speaking but had to switch off at the Irish accent, couldn't bare it. Only managed the first chapter but didn't sound like I was going to miss much

Failed to recapture the magic of book 1...

Great narration as always from Justine Eyre, and good writing from Sarah M Eden, as I’ve come expect only... where the previous book was fresh and new and magical, this one tried to tell the story in exactly the same manner. This made it predictable and nowhere nearly as enticing or odd as before. As a consequence I never felt drawn to the characters, their budding romance, or their personal development. Maybe if the series continues she’ll shake it up a bit. The first book is still a must listen/read.... this one is a major miss sadly! Never thought I’d say this about Eden.

Unbearable narration

I managed to last 16 minutes of this. I’m sure it’s a great book but the narration is just so bad! The girly Sloane-ranger voice and upwards intonation at the end of every (and I mean every) sentence had me feeling physically uncomfortable. Im pretty sure this is how our PM’ s latest partner sounds. Ghastly darling.