Lavinia Lake first encounters Tobias March when he bursts into her antiques shop in Rome, trashing her wares, all the while claiming to be on the trail of a murderer and warning Lavinia that she is in danger. There's also talk of treason, a criminal organization known as the Blue Chamber and an evil mastermind named Azure. Despite her skepticism, Lavinia returns with her niece, Emeline, to London, where she is caught up in more intrigue. She sets herself up as a private detective and even though stubbornness on both sides leads to an oil-and-water pairing, she soon finds herself in business with Tobias, attempting to foil a blackmail scheme, locate the culprit in a series of murders and identify the surviving member of Azure's organization.
Lavinia also is skilled in the practice of mesmerism, but decides to become a private investigator. Strong-willed and independent, Lavinia isn't a typical society widow, a fact which alternately attracts and frustrates her enigmatic partner, Tobias March. Lavinia and Tobias have a prickly and passionate relationship, and Tobias is determined to protect her, while Lavinia is just as determined to be an equal partner in their business.
Both Lavinia and Tobias come from simliar backgrounds where they have to take responsiblity of another person and help make both better. But the sexual tension doesn't have much depth and it took me awhile to figure out what drives the characters. The sub-characters were almost more interesting than the main ones.
The first chapter of the next book in the series was included but I'm not sure if I'm that interested in reading more of this series or not. It reminds me of the Amelia Peabody and Radcliffe Emerson series by Elizabeth Peters which I think I really prefer. Plus I think I prefer her books that have more a futuristic aspect to them that she writes under Jayne Castle.