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Madam of Espionage #3
India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy
"In Victorian London, India Black has all the attributes a high-class madam needs to run a successful brothel--wit, beauty, and an ability to lie with a smile. Luckily for Her Majesty's Government, all these talents also make her a first-rate spy..."
India Black, full-time madam and occasional secret agent, is feeling restless, when one of Disraeli's men calls on her to meet the prime minister--alone. Even though all her previous meetings have been organized by the rakishly handsome spy French, it's been decided this is a mission India must attempt on her own.
Revolt has spread across Europe and reached the shores of England--anarchists have begun assassinating lords and earls, one by one. Now India must infiltrate the ranks of the underground group responsible for those attacks, the sinister Dark Legion. To stop their dread plot, India will go from the murkiest slums of London to the highest levels of society, uncovering secrets that threaten her very existence...
India Black, full-time madam and occasional secret agent, is feeling restless, when one of Disraeli's men calls on her to meet the prime minister--alone. Even though all her previous meetings have been organized by the rakishly handsome spy French, it's been decided this is a mission India must attempt on her own.
Revolt has spread across Europe and reached the shores of England--anarchists have begun assassinating lords and earls, one by one. Now India must infiltrate the ranks of the underground group responsible for those attacks, the sinister Dark Legion. To stop their dread plot, India will go from the murkiest slums of London to the highest levels of society, uncovering secrets that threaten her very existence...
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2013
16 people are currently reading
923 people want to read
About the author
Carol K. Carr
8 books301 followersAfter a career as a lawyer and corporate executive, Carol K. Carr turned to writing. India Black is her first book. She lives in the Missouri Ozarks with her husband and two German Shepherds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
November 10, 2016
Another enjoyable entry in the Madam of Espionage mysteries. We're finally getting more background on India and French. More so for India in this installment. I'm a little worried that the 4th book is the last one and I really want to see more of these characters. They're entertaining and fun, and I would hate to see them go so quickly.
August 30, 2025
Daily life has grown dull- and a little desperate for clients when India gets called upon once again to do her patriotic duty- this time infiltrating an extremist secret anarchist society. Most would give odds of no chance at all that she comes through unscathed, but then, again, India never counts the odds. Carol K Carr’s indomitable and clever Victorian madam turned spy is back and ripe for adventure as ever.
India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy is book three in the Madam of Espionage series. While the mysteries are wrapped up with each book, there are some ongoing plot threads since the first book that make the reader enjoy them best when read in order.
After the last mission in India Black and the Widow of Windsor, India is impatient for both Mr. French, Disraeli’s top spy to make his move (and not out of reach on some secret mission she’s not allowed to know about, ugh) and for the Dowager Marchioness to spill the tea on what she knows about India’s mother. As neither prospect is in the offing, India snatches up the opportunity to work the new case “Dizzy”, the PM offers her. She didn’t miss the side eye of disbelief the superintendent of Scotland Yard gave Disraeli when he gave a most volatile situation into India’s amateur hands. She’d show Stokes how to get it done right with a woman who knew how to lie and scheme with the best of them slipping past the anarchists’ suspicious guard, tagging the leader, and putting this secret group out to pasture before the tarts in her brothel kick up too much trouble for her.
India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy was as full of mischief and mayhem as the previous installments. One can’t go into these and expect them to take a serious tone because there is little resemblance to an edge of your seat spy thriller as one can get. Oh, not that there is attention to historical detail in the backdrop or the situations of the characters. This time, the very real threat of anarchist groups that were a threat historically during this late Victorian period.
Beyond the latest mission, which was an entertaining suspenseful romp, I really loved seeing India get some answers about her mother’s past and a few really good hints about French’s life beyond his spywork. And, oh yes, what was suspected about this pair came out in the open in this one when French showed his protectiveness and feelings and India got a case of jealousy when she caught sight of a certain sweet little blond very unlike herself. Oh, and wasn’t that unexpected to encounter a familiar face from the past.
I sputtered laughter several times, held my breath through a few suspenseful moments, and was all-around entertained by India, French, sidekick and street urchin Vincent, her lush of a housekeeper Mrs. Drinkwater, and even Disraeli himself.
Another India Black book was devoured swiftly and now I am lurching forward reluctantly toward the fourth and final book. I look forward to seeing where things go with India and French especially now that she got that zinger on the last page of this book. Those who like light comedy blended with historical mystery should definitely take this series for a spin.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 8.17.25
India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy is book three in the Madam of Espionage series. While the mysteries are wrapped up with each book, there are some ongoing plot threads since the first book that make the reader enjoy them best when read in order.
After the last mission in India Black and the Widow of Windsor, India is impatient for both Mr. French, Disraeli’s top spy to make his move (and not out of reach on some secret mission she’s not allowed to know about, ugh) and for the Dowager Marchioness to spill the tea on what she knows about India’s mother. As neither prospect is in the offing, India snatches up the opportunity to work the new case “Dizzy”, the PM offers her. She didn’t miss the side eye of disbelief the superintendent of Scotland Yard gave Disraeli when he gave a most volatile situation into India’s amateur hands. She’d show Stokes how to get it done right with a woman who knew how to lie and scheme with the best of them slipping past the anarchists’ suspicious guard, tagging the leader, and putting this secret group out to pasture before the tarts in her brothel kick up too much trouble for her.
India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy was as full of mischief and mayhem as the previous installments. One can’t go into these and expect them to take a serious tone because there is little resemblance to an edge of your seat spy thriller as one can get. Oh, not that there is attention to historical detail in the backdrop or the situations of the characters. This time, the very real threat of anarchist groups that were a threat historically during this late Victorian period.
Beyond the latest mission, which was an entertaining suspenseful romp, I really loved seeing India get some answers about her mother’s past and a few really good hints about French’s life beyond his spywork. And, oh yes, what was suspected about this pair came out in the open in this one when French showed his protectiveness and feelings and India got a case of jealousy when she caught sight of a certain sweet little blond very unlike herself. Oh, and wasn’t that unexpected to encounter a familiar face from the past.
I sputtered laughter several times, held my breath through a few suspenseful moments, and was all-around entertained by India, French, sidekick and street urchin Vincent, her lush of a housekeeper Mrs. Drinkwater, and even Disraeli himself.
Another India Black book was devoured swiftly and now I am lurching forward reluctantly toward the fourth and final book. I look forward to seeing where things go with India and French especially now that she got that zinger on the last page of this book. Those who like light comedy blended with historical mystery should definitely take this series for a spin.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 8.17.25
January 30, 2013
Chalk up another winner for Carol K. Carr and her fabulous Madame of Espionage, India Black! In India Black & the Shadows of Anarchy Carol has once again provided an excellent Victorian-era adventure--this time taking us among the spies and anarchists intent on over-throwing (if not eradicating) the privileged establishment.
India's partner in the spying business, French, has disappeared on a top-secret mission for Dizzy, Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, and it's up to India to find a way to infiltrate the Dark Legion--the latest anarchist cell to spring up in London's underbelly of spies, malcontents, and Russian/French/German ex-patriots who are seeking a way to vent their spleen on the heartless rich who keep the common man under their boot heels. It's time for the workers and the poor to throw off their shackles, blow up a few government buildings, assassinate one or two peers of the realm, and generally create chaos & make mayhem. Dizzy and Inspector Stoke recruit India to make contact with the Dark Legion and to find a way to capture the elusive leader, Grigori. Her first order of business is to steal a strumpet from Mother Edding's establishment...for rumor has it that Martine, the "lady" in question has connections to the anarchists.
Soon India finds herself committed to blowing up a bandstand full of London dignitaries and making preparations for an even more daring scheme. Before the dust settles, she and French will face an old enemy and death--all in the name of queen and country. Along the way, India takes time to follow up clues that will tell her more about her past and her mother and she continues her quest to find out French's first name and any other tidbits about his life beyond the world of espionage.
India is her usual sharp-witted, cheeky, brazen self. She easily matches wits with foreign spies, home-grown anarchists, and hired ruffians out to end her career. She holds her own in a fight, shows she can handle her Bulldog, and takes care of the wayward girls in her house that get out of line. But then she can also charm the secrets out of unsuspecting engineer and dazzle a few guards along the way.
This story has everything from explosions and roughhouse fighting to clandestine meetings and hidden bombs. There are assassination attempts and near-drownings. We learn some of India's secrets and also a few of French's....and there's even a hint of romance in the air. And it's all told with Carr's marvelous gift for witty dialogue and incredible characters. Four and a half stars!
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
India's partner in the spying business, French, has disappeared on a top-secret mission for Dizzy, Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, and it's up to India to find a way to infiltrate the Dark Legion--the latest anarchist cell to spring up in London's underbelly of spies, malcontents, and Russian/French/German ex-patriots who are seeking a way to vent their spleen on the heartless rich who keep the common man under their boot heels. It's time for the workers and the poor to throw off their shackles, blow up a few government buildings, assassinate one or two peers of the realm, and generally create chaos & make mayhem. Dizzy and Inspector Stoke recruit India to make contact with the Dark Legion and to find a way to capture the elusive leader, Grigori. Her first order of business is to steal a strumpet from Mother Edding's establishment...for rumor has it that Martine, the "lady" in question has connections to the anarchists.
Soon India finds herself committed to blowing up a bandstand full of London dignitaries and making preparations for an even more daring scheme. Before the dust settles, she and French will face an old enemy and death--all in the name of queen and country. Along the way, India takes time to follow up clues that will tell her more about her past and her mother and she continues her quest to find out French's first name and any other tidbits about his life beyond the world of espionage.
India is her usual sharp-witted, cheeky, brazen self. She easily matches wits with foreign spies, home-grown anarchists, and hired ruffians out to end her career. She holds her own in a fight, shows she can handle her Bulldog, and takes care of the wayward girls in her house that get out of line. But then she can also charm the secrets out of unsuspecting engineer and dazzle a few guards along the way.
This story has everything from explosions and roughhouse fighting to clandestine meetings and hidden bombs. There are assassination attempts and near-drownings. We learn some of India's secrets and also a few of French's....and there's even a hint of romance in the air. And it's all told with Carr's marvelous gift for witty dialogue and incredible characters. Four and a half stars!
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
November 27, 2016
For someone who didn't like historical mysteries before, I've grown quite fond of them this last year or so. India is a great character. She's a madame, so you know she's no shrinking violet. In this one anarchists have hit England and noblemen are being assassinated all over the place. Disraeli brings India into service for the Crown once again. Recommend~
February 8, 2017
I feel like this series would make a great movie. I never realised I liked bumbling "secret" agents so much. The hilarity continued and the ending was a real what the hell just happened moment. That French. Can he be trusted??
April 19, 2013
On my way back from San Francisco I was pleased to find my seat-mate was reading George McDonald Fraser's Flashman in the Great Game. We talked a bit and I told him that if he liked Harry Flashman, the bravest cad in the Victorian army, he might well like Carr's India Black novels.
While far from reaching Fraser's heights of literary invention and blending historical fact with fictional adventure, these are delightful books. In them, our heroine, a Victorian madam, finds herself involved in spy adventures on Disraeli's behalf. In this, the third of these novels, she has to deal with the first generation of anarchists. As always, she does with dash, wit, and with many a snide aside that Sir Harry would appreciate.
That said, this is more of a light romp than the Flashman books, but still fans of one will appreciate these as well.
While far from reaching Fraser's heights of literary invention and blending historical fact with fictional adventure, these are delightful books. In them, our heroine, a Victorian madam, finds herself involved in spy adventures on Disraeli's behalf. In this, the third of these novels, she has to deal with the first generation of anarchists. As always, she does with dash, wit, and with many a snide aside that Sir Harry would appreciate.
That said, this is more of a light romp than the Flashman books, but still fans of one will appreciate these as well.
September 2, 2017
Another enjoyable story in the India Black saga! I know there's only one more book left, and that Carol K. Carr has sort of left us hanging a bit, but I'm still excited for the next one!
We learned bit more about India's past, while learning a smidge about French, and then of course a big cliffhanger! This one took place in London and featured India infiltrating a group of anarchists. I didn't enjoy the anarchist story as much as the plot of the first two novels, but it was interesting nonetheless.
We learned bit more about India's past, while learning a smidge about French, and then of course a big cliffhanger! This one took place in London and featured India infiltrating a group of anarchists. I didn't enjoy the anarchist story as much as the plot of the first two novels, but it was interesting nonetheless.
January 16, 2016
In Victorian London, India Black has all the attributes a high-class madam needs to run a successful brothel 13wit, beauty, and an ability to lie with a smile. Luckily for Her Majesty 19s Government, all these talents also make her a first-rate spy 26
Revolt has spread across Europe and has now reached England. Anarchists have begun assassinating lords and earls. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (Dizzy) has sent for India Black. He believes she is ready to handle an assignment on her own. He wants her to infiltrate the underground group he believes is responsible for the attacks. To stop their deadly plot she will travel from the poorest regions of London to the highest levels of society. All in attempt to uncover the secrets that threaten her very existence.
Dollycas 19s Thoughts
Carol K. Carr is an amazing storyteller, just Amazing! She takes us back to the Victorian Era and immerses us in the political and social cultures and wraps it with mystery, intrigue, and humor in her own unique writing style.
India Black is a strong, savvy, cheeky protagonist. French appears later in this story and some of the secrets of his life are starting to be revealed as are the secrets to India 19s past. Their romantic tension is slowly building with hopes of a real romance. Vincent is a very colorful character. The anarchists are quite an unconventional group. One is just downright strange.
The main mystery is carefully plotted and full of surprises. India places herself in some very dangerous situations and more than once I thought she might be meeting her maker.
Carr keeps us on the edge of seats one minute to laughing out loud the next. I feel like I am watching a movie rather than reading a book. In my review of India Black and the Widow of Windsor I said 1Dher words are like a thousand pictures 1D and that is even more true with these story. You can hear the door creaks, the rats running through the alleys, the thump as India hits the ground and the splash of the water. Pictures are painted in your mind vividly. You see the squalor of Seven Dials, the bints favorite yellow dress and all of India 19s finery. You can smell the stench being emitted from Vincent and almost taste what Mrs. Drinkwater tries to pass off as edible food.
The author also leaves us a bit of a cliffhanger to tempt us as we wait for the next India Black adventure. I can 19t wait foe the next Madam of Espionage Mystery.
Revolt has spread across Europe and has now reached England. Anarchists have begun assassinating lords and earls. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (Dizzy) has sent for India Black. He believes she is ready to handle an assignment on her own. He wants her to infiltrate the underground group he believes is responsible for the attacks. To stop their deadly plot she will travel from the poorest regions of London to the highest levels of society. All in attempt to uncover the secrets that threaten her very existence.
Dollycas 19s Thoughts
Carol K. Carr is an amazing storyteller, just Amazing! She takes us back to the Victorian Era and immerses us in the political and social cultures and wraps it with mystery, intrigue, and humor in her own unique writing style.
India Black is a strong, savvy, cheeky protagonist. French appears later in this story and some of the secrets of his life are starting to be revealed as are the secrets to India 19s past. Their romantic tension is slowly building with hopes of a real romance. Vincent is a very colorful character. The anarchists are quite an unconventional group. One is just downright strange.
The main mystery is carefully plotted and full of surprises. India places herself in some very dangerous situations and more than once I thought she might be meeting her maker.
Carr keeps us on the edge of seats one minute to laughing out loud the next. I feel like I am watching a movie rather than reading a book. In my review of India Black and the Widow of Windsor I said 1Dher words are like a thousand pictures 1D and that is even more true with these story. You can hear the door creaks, the rats running through the alleys, the thump as India hits the ground and the splash of the water. Pictures are painted in your mind vividly. You see the squalor of Seven Dials, the bints favorite yellow dress and all of India 19s finery. You can smell the stench being emitted from Vincent and almost taste what Mrs. Drinkwater tries to pass off as edible food.
The author also leaves us a bit of a cliffhanger to tempt us as we wait for the next India Black adventure. I can 19t wait foe the next Madam of Espionage Mystery.
February 7, 2015
#3 Madam of Espionage mystery series
India Black, madam of Lotus House, is once again enlisted by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli to secretly infiltrate an anarchist group.
Revolt has come to England. One dangerous anarchist group, the Dark Legion, has successfully assassinated several lords and earls in London.
India is usually contacted by French, the mysterious spy for the Queen. This time French is not involved in the contact. India must face the danger of convincing the anarchists of her devotion to their cause without French's back up.
Book 2's cliffhanger ending was delivered by the wealthy old marchioness, a crafty, cranky old woman with nasty habits. In book 2, India posed as her maid. The old woman shocked India as they parted with a comment about India's mother, about whom India knows little.
This is a solid Victorian mystery series, always enjoyable. The plot is complex, the characters are very good, and the plot lines (the mystery of India's mother, the anarchists' plots) are entertaining.
The cover art bothered me. India's hair is black, not the chestnut color on the cover. The shade of lipstick is hideous. This really bugged me.
I was distracted throughout the book wondering why India would keep her cook, the useless, constantly drunk Mrs. Drinkwater. She can't even make a decent cup of tea, or produce a decent snack. She also steals India's expensive liquor on a regular basis.
India runs a tight ship, budget-wise, so it doesn't make sense to me that she wouldn't get a decent cook who doesn't steal from her.
Also, why doesn't India, or French for that matter, give Vincent lessons in hygiene, provide him with bathing facilities, and demand he keep himself clean? And buy the poor kid a decent wardrobe?
Vincent, the whip smart street kid is proving his skills at spying, gathering information, etc. It doesn't make sense that India, with her fine furniture in the brothel's main rooms, flinches when Vincent sits or enters a room, due to his filthy clothes and terrible odor.
I'll definitely keep reading, but c'mon, Ms. Carr, Vincent has proven himself valuable. Get the kid access to regular bathing and grooming and a few decent sets of clothes. This is a constant distraction for me.
India Black, madam of Lotus House, is once again enlisted by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli to secretly infiltrate an anarchist group.
Revolt has come to England. One dangerous anarchist group, the Dark Legion, has successfully assassinated several lords and earls in London.
India is usually contacted by French, the mysterious spy for the Queen. This time French is not involved in the contact. India must face the danger of convincing the anarchists of her devotion to their cause without French's back up.
Book 2's cliffhanger ending was delivered by the wealthy old marchioness, a crafty, cranky old woman with nasty habits. In book 2, India posed as her maid. The old woman shocked India as they parted with a comment about India's mother, about whom India knows little.
This is a solid Victorian mystery series, always enjoyable. The plot is complex, the characters are very good, and the plot lines (the mystery of India's mother, the anarchists' plots) are entertaining.
The cover art bothered me. India's hair is black, not the chestnut color on the cover. The shade of lipstick is hideous. This really bugged me.
I was distracted throughout the book wondering why India would keep her cook, the useless, constantly drunk Mrs. Drinkwater. She can't even make a decent cup of tea, or produce a decent snack. She also steals India's expensive liquor on a regular basis.
India runs a tight ship, budget-wise, so it doesn't make sense to me that she wouldn't get a decent cook who doesn't steal from her.
Also, why doesn't India, or French for that matter, give Vincent lessons in hygiene, provide him with bathing facilities, and demand he keep himself clean? And buy the poor kid a decent wardrobe?
Vincent, the whip smart street kid is proving his skills at spying, gathering information, etc. It doesn't make sense that India, with her fine furniture in the brothel's main rooms, flinches when Vincent sits or enters a room, due to his filthy clothes and terrible odor.
I'll definitely keep reading, but c'mon, Ms. Carr, Vincent has proven himself valuable. Get the kid access to regular bathing and grooming and a few decent sets of clothes. This is a constant distraction for me.
January 30, 2013
This is the third book in the wonderful A Madam Of Espionage Mystery series.
India Black is the madam of a high-class brothel in Victorian England, but is also a secret agent, along with French, for Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
In this book India get to showcase her prowess at being a secret agent. P.M. Disraeli summons India to his office, to meet with him and Superintendent Stoke of Scotland Yard. Anarchists are running rampant in London killing off lords and earls at will. They want India to infiltrate the Dark Legion, to determine who the leader is, and put a stop to the killings.
French is off on another mission for the PM so it all up to India to handle this matter. Stoke tells India a prostitute that works in Seven Dials might be able provide some information about who the members are. Being a little devious, India is able to convince the girl to come work for her, hoping the girl will be able to provide information needed to infiltrate the Dark Legion. India get a foothold in the legion and it helping plan further subversive events. Just when India is due to meet some the higher people in the Legion, French appears and with his help, India and French are able to break the Legion.
I am very happy to see that India was able to take the lead in this book. Hopefully in future books, she will also be able to take the lead, just to keep in the back of French's mind that she is capable of taking the lead.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and to see if there is a chance of India and French teaming up in more than their spying.
India Black is the madam of a high-class brothel in Victorian England, but is also a secret agent, along with French, for Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
In this book India get to showcase her prowess at being a secret agent. P.M. Disraeli summons India to his office, to meet with him and Superintendent Stoke of Scotland Yard. Anarchists are running rampant in London killing off lords and earls at will. They want India to infiltrate the Dark Legion, to determine who the leader is, and put a stop to the killings.
French is off on another mission for the PM so it all up to India to handle this matter. Stoke tells India a prostitute that works in Seven Dials might be able provide some information about who the members are. Being a little devious, India is able to convince the girl to come work for her, hoping the girl will be able to provide information needed to infiltrate the Dark Legion. India get a foothold in the legion and it helping plan further subversive events. Just when India is due to meet some the higher people in the Legion, French appears and with his help, India and French are able to break the Legion.
I am very happy to see that India was able to take the lead in this book. Hopefully in future books, she will also be able to take the lead, just to keep in the back of French's mind that she is capable of taking the lead.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and to see if there is a chance of India and French teaming up in more than their spying.
April 15, 2013
I love India, so I was really looking forward to this latest book in the series. It didn't disappoint, but I felt it was a little less exciting than the previous books in the series.
India really is the same heroine I have come to know and love. I love that she never bats and eye when it comes to joining forces with this zealots who want to bring down the monarchy. I often wondered if they were buying her story, but she never seemed to waiver. She was more than willing to do what it takes to prove that she's loyal to the cause. I don't think they couldn't have put any better of a person in that situation.
I think the reason that it didn't live up to my idea was because I really missed French. It wasn't just his interaction with India that I wanted, I wanted more of him. He's missing for a part of the beginning. But when we do finally see him, India and French need to act like they don't know each other. It's safer for both of the. We do finally get that interaction, and I really enjoyed every moment of it.
I loved some of the events in the story. We're finally getting closer to knowing who India might really be. And the tension between French and India is to the point that something has got to give! I'm hoping this isn't that end, because I would love to see a 4th book in the series!
India really is the same heroine I have come to know and love. I love that she never bats and eye when it comes to joining forces with this zealots who want to bring down the monarchy. I often wondered if they were buying her story, but she never seemed to waiver. She was more than willing to do what it takes to prove that she's loyal to the cause. I don't think they couldn't have put any better of a person in that situation.
I think the reason that it didn't live up to my idea was because I really missed French. It wasn't just his interaction with India that I wanted, I wanted more of him. He's missing for a part of the beginning. But when we do finally see him, India and French need to act like they don't know each other. It's safer for both of the. We do finally get that interaction, and I really enjoyed every moment of it.
I loved some of the events in the story. We're finally getting closer to knowing who India might really be. And the tension between French and India is to the point that something has got to give! I'm hoping this isn't that end, because I would love to see a 4th book in the series!
September 9, 2013
This is the third installment in the India Black series and I'm happy to say that it comes closer to matching the fun of the first book. That may be partly due to the fact that the events take place in London proper again as India, French, and Vincent try to foil an anarchist plot on their home turf. Of course, my personal opinion is that this book is more fun simply because there was more of French and Vincent in this one as compared to the last book.
India remains her no-nonsense, pragmatic, unsentimental, somewhat jaded self. She's very sure of her beauty and her effect on men and I probably shouldn't like her as much as I do. We get more clues about her past which seems to be a story arc that will continue to pull India forward. More of French's personal life is revealed as well and I can't wait to see how all that works out, especially in light of the changes in his relationship with India. And the ending! Well, that certainly raises some questions as well. I'm looking forward to the short story coming up, India Black in the City of Light, to hold me over until the fourth book comes out.
May 19, 2013
These guys are like the worse spies ever, the plot written self consciously, and the wit forced at times. And yet, I love our bumbling pair, as they make clearly, super obviously bad decisions. They have so much luck or equally silly counterplayers. I adore it, actually, before anyone comments. I think it is refreshing, and they seem like real, regular people at times, with cute scenes. I do dislike the way women are described who are NOT india black, but I like to tell myself it is just India's frank vanity. I like an honest girl. This would probably be more at home as an historically inaccurate/very romatized manga. :) I can't wait for the next book, they make me grin. Especially in a world full of super perfect genius cankill10guysatonce spies.
July 1, 2013
India Black now has a taste for intrigue that goes beyond her life as a madam, corralling girls and making money. She is summoned by Disraeli to hire a whore into her house that has ties to anarchist plots and destruction. Eventually, India infiltrates the group and with some edge of the seat action, investigates fully.
The mystery of her mother and her heritage continues to intrigue and evolve. Just as she finds answers, more questions emerge.
It's rare that I can read books by the same author in the same series all at once. This series is so engaging, the stories so interesting, the repartee so witty, that I couldn't get enough of them! I read three novels and a novella in the space of a couple of weeks. If weren't for my day job, I might have done it faster!
The mystery of her mother and her heritage continues to intrigue and evolve. Just as she finds answers, more questions emerge.
It's rare that I can read books by the same author in the same series all at once. This series is so engaging, the stories so interesting, the repartee so witty, that I couldn't get enough of them! I read three novels and a novella in the space of a couple of weeks. If weren't for my day job, I might have done it faster!
July 7, 2015
WHAT.
How can you do this to me, Carol K. Carr? I just.. I can't even.... How... Why...
UGH!
I need book four now. This minute. I just can't take it anymore!
Review to come once I've sorted through all my feels.
How can you do this to me, Carol K. Carr? I just.. I can't even.... How... Why...
UGH!
I need book four now. This minute. I just can't take it anymore!
Review to come once I've sorted through all my feels.
January 17, 2015
How many secret agents are there? How many bombs? We get closer to learning India's background and the attraction between French and India increase. I love this series. So much fun and humor and great mystery, too! Gimme more!
June 25, 2013
I love this character more with each book. She is such a funny narrator and with this book we get a little insight into our heroine's past which provides a little softness to her usual tough shell.
December 30, 2018
Extremely entertaining writing style with a very good story
-Very entertaining follow up in the series with India Black. She is now called upon by the Prime Minister, Disraeli (referred to by those who work for him as Dizzy) to assist in the uncovering of a group of anarchists who have terrorized the city of London with various bombings. French, the British agent who had always accompanied her on her previous missions, is now occupied with other cases, and she is enlisted by Dizzy to go it alone.
-Her initial project is to hire away a prostitute that’s working for a madam in a very low end of town, called Seven Dials. She undertakes this and tricks the madam, who is a bulldog of a woman, to leave the house so she could make an offer to this specific prostitute, Martine. According to the information given to her by Dizzy, this prostitute is known to be connected to a man, Bonnaire, who is part of a ring of anarchists, and who the government is trying to infiltrate. She succeeds in doing so, but also succeeds in making an enemy of this madam, which causes its own problems.
-She feigns to be loyal to the cause of the anarchists in front of Martine, who confides in her and introduces her to Bonnaire. He, in turn, brings her into the anarchist circle along with another new recruit. It’s all that India could do to hold back her surprise as the other recruit turns out to be French.
-This turns out to be a game of wits between the anarchists and herself and French, as they have to arrange for plots which will make the anarchists believe that India and French are totally committed to the cause, while they must also foil whatever plans are made to blow up areas in London.
-Along the way, India investigates her own background, from the comment from Lady Aberkill of Tullibardine that India’s mother was known to her. She finds out about the home that she grew up in, and then finds out details about her mother that she never knew before, including the fact that her mother was born into an upper circle family. To add to the events in India’s personal life, her relationship to French takes on a new course, when her attraction to him is met by his admission of the same feelings toward her, although there are a few wrinkles to be worked out first.
-This is another very enjoyable story, with the superb, tongue in cheek writing, that makes the whole journey so pleasant. The ending is also something that is totally unexpected.
-Very entertaining follow up in the series with India Black. She is now called upon by the Prime Minister, Disraeli (referred to by those who work for him as Dizzy) to assist in the uncovering of a group of anarchists who have terrorized the city of London with various bombings. French, the British agent who had always accompanied her on her previous missions, is now occupied with other cases, and she is enlisted by Dizzy to go it alone.
-Her initial project is to hire away a prostitute that’s working for a madam in a very low end of town, called Seven Dials. She undertakes this and tricks the madam, who is a bulldog of a woman, to leave the house so she could make an offer to this specific prostitute, Martine. According to the information given to her by Dizzy, this prostitute is known to be connected to a man, Bonnaire, who is part of a ring of anarchists, and who the government is trying to infiltrate. She succeeds in doing so, but also succeeds in making an enemy of this madam, which causes its own problems.
-She feigns to be loyal to the cause of the anarchists in front of Martine, who confides in her and introduces her to Bonnaire. He, in turn, brings her into the anarchist circle along with another new recruit. It’s all that India could do to hold back her surprise as the other recruit turns out to be French.
-This turns out to be a game of wits between the anarchists and herself and French, as they have to arrange for plots which will make the anarchists believe that India and French are totally committed to the cause, while they must also foil whatever plans are made to blow up areas in London.
-Along the way, India investigates her own background, from the comment from Lady Aberkill of Tullibardine that India’s mother was known to her. She finds out about the home that she grew up in, and then finds out details about her mother that she never knew before, including the fact that her mother was born into an upper circle family. To add to the events in India’s personal life, her relationship to French takes on a new course, when her attraction to him is met by his admission of the same feelings toward her, although there are a few wrinkles to be worked out first.
-This is another very enjoyable story, with the superb, tongue in cheek writing, that makes the whole journey so pleasant. The ending is also something that is totally unexpected.
June 20, 2020
Found this a little less entertaining and slightly boring comparatively. That said the action never stopped and the 'romance' between India and French became somewhat heated. Here again, less is more and we are left with fantasies that are quite delicious. Once again Vincent proves invaluable.
French's short declaration is an explosion of understatement. The letters from snuff dowager continue India's search for her legacy as does her meeting with Greenwood. What she extracts from this seedy earl actually does reveal where India has come from, who her father was, and the great aunt, obviously the dowager of snuff. It is clear India is of the Scottish gentry. And as revealed later, so is French. It was obvious to me that at least the French Bonnaire was an French official. Ivanov reappears. India shooting French was well executed [forgive the pun], and their relationship does move forward. Especially as French has to strip off his upper garments to clean up the pig blood and India does get to savor his charms. He begs off from her offer as he is in need of a bath, but promises they will iron things out. We do have the unveiling of French's entire genealogy, as well as his engagement to a duke's daughter. Still his attraction is definitely announced. Once the bombing plot has been foiled by Vincent in the lead of his swarming arab mates, a staggeringly brilliant operation, the three meet to congratulate and drink their libations. Next, the kidnapping of Disraeli was somewhat of an afterthought as it turns out most of the anarchists cell were foreign police operatives. Ivanov is captured finally, Vincent again, and the three emerge as heroes. Back at the Lotus, French and India celebrate with champagne and a potential liaison when India receives another snuff letter that shoves the secrets of India's parentage onto French. She decides instead of bedding him, they fence. the end. onto the next and purportedly next plot that involves a gentleman thief India was once in love with, and she does not reveal, which sparks French's interest. But remember he is already engaged, It seems that between these two we never have a resolution, only the growing need to savor one another, which according to the reviews, does not happen. Here i bring up the 'Bond girl' comparisons only to commiserate with those left unsatisfied. onto the last installment.
French's short declaration is an explosion of understatement. The letters from snuff dowager continue India's search for her legacy as does her meeting with Greenwood. What she extracts from this seedy earl actually does reveal where India has come from, who her father was, and the great aunt, obviously the dowager of snuff. It is clear India is of the Scottish gentry. And as revealed later, so is French. It was obvious to me that at least the French Bonnaire was an French official. Ivanov reappears. India shooting French was well executed [forgive the pun], and their relationship does move forward. Especially as French has to strip off his upper garments to clean up the pig blood and India does get to savor his charms. He begs off from her offer as he is in need of a bath, but promises they will iron things out. We do have the unveiling of French's entire genealogy, as well as his engagement to a duke's daughter. Still his attraction is definitely announced. Once the bombing plot has been foiled by Vincent in the lead of his swarming arab mates, a staggeringly brilliant operation, the three meet to congratulate and drink their libations. Next, the kidnapping of Disraeli was somewhat of an afterthought as it turns out most of the anarchists cell were foreign police operatives. Ivanov is captured finally, Vincent again, and the three emerge as heroes. Back at the Lotus, French and India celebrate with champagne and a potential liaison when India receives another snuff letter that shoves the secrets of India's parentage onto French. She decides instead of bedding him, they fence. the end. onto the next and purportedly next plot that involves a gentleman thief India was once in love with, and she does not reveal, which sparks French's interest. But remember he is already engaged, It seems that between these two we never have a resolution, only the growing need to savor one another, which according to the reviews, does not happen. Here i bring up the 'Bond girl' comparisons only to commiserate with those left unsatisfied. onto the last installment.
February 23, 2025
A wet and rainy spring in London in 1877 has India bored, and her business apathetic as all Lotus House's customers are staying at home due to the endless rain. On top of that, French is off on some secret mission for Disraeli which miffs her no end as who's going to protect his back on this mission if she's not there? Fortunately Dizzy, her irreverent nickname for the Prime Minister, comes to the rescue with her first solo assignment: penetrate a newly formed anarchy group and identify the head, and do so before any more aristocrats are murdered by them. Oh and she needs to work closely with an Inspector Stokes of Scotland Yard who not only doesn't have any faith in a woman's abilities as an agent, but especially not a brothel madame. However, since getting to the anarchists requires gaining trust of a young whore in Seven Dials, India's perfect for the job.
This was quite the amusing thriller, with multiple surprises and a plot that allows for us to enjoy India in all her daring, smart and irreverent glory, plenty of action, and surprises. Favorite characters like the smelly street urchin Vincent make frequent appearances, and French of course isn't left out too long. India also starts to learn more about her and her mother's past, and revelations flow at the end about French. And that slow-burning romance is starting to move into a real flame.
At the end, odiferous Vincent lets slip to French comments about a 'gentleman thief' with whom India apparently had dealings - or relations. That tale is told in a short story I plan to read now. There are still a couple books in this series and at least one other short story. Alas, nothing seems to have been written by the author in about 10 years, so I will spread out finishing the series. I do hate not having another novel from an author in a series I like to look forward to.
This was quite the amusing thriller, with multiple surprises and a plot that allows for us to enjoy India in all her daring, smart and irreverent glory, plenty of action, and surprises. Favorite characters like the smelly street urchin Vincent make frequent appearances, and French of course isn't left out too long. India also starts to learn more about her and her mother's past, and revelations flow at the end about French. And that slow-burning romance is starting to move into a real flame.
At the end, odiferous Vincent lets slip to French comments about a 'gentleman thief' with whom India apparently had dealings - or relations. That tale is told in a short story I plan to read now. There are still a couple books in this series and at least one other short story. Alas, nothing seems to have been written by the author in about 10 years, so I will spread out finishing the series. I do hate not having another novel from an author in a series I like to look forward to.
September 17, 2017
Book 3 of the India Black series. This one was a bit better than Book 2; there was a bit more humor and we get more of India's cocky attitude. We also learn French's first name.
In this book, foreign anarchists have come to England, after being thrown out of their own countries, and go after British aristocrats and government leaders, killing several via bomb. French is away on assignment and India is asked by the PM to infiltrate an anarchist group.
I found the plot to be weak, but the tussles with two rival madams kept the book going. Smelly Vincent saves the day a time or two and you'd think by now, India would at least let Vincent use her bathtub and keep some clean clothes on hand for him. AND lock up her cigars and better booze. The book ends with a WHAT? that got me grabbing for Book 4.
In this book, foreign anarchists have come to England, after being thrown out of their own countries, and go after British aristocrats and government leaders, killing several via bomb. French is away on assignment and India is asked by the PM to infiltrate an anarchist group.
I found the plot to be weak, but the tussles with two rival madams kept the book going. Smelly Vincent saves the day a time or two and you'd think by now, India would at least let Vincent use her bathtub and keep some clean clothes on hand for him. AND lock up her cigars and better booze. The book ends with a WHAT? that got me grabbing for Book 4.
April 17, 2019
Omg what am ending
Carol Carr has done it again, I was abit afraid starting this as I was worried that India's role might diminish a little bit like if did in the 2nd book.... but I was proven mistaken and I have absolutely LOVED her in novel...
Her character, her sass and that sexual tension between her and French just had me glued to the book....
It saddens me that there is only one more book to go but am more than ready to dive head on into it... especially after the way this book ended... I really can't wait to see what India do to our dear Mr. French 🤣
Carol Carr has done it again, I was abit afraid starting this as I was worried that India's role might diminish a little bit like if did in the 2nd book.... but I was proven mistaken and I have absolutely LOVED her in novel...
Her character, her sass and that sexual tension between her and French just had me glued to the book....
It saddens me that there is only one more book to go but am more than ready to dive head on into it... especially after the way this book ended... I really can't wait to see what India do to our dear Mr. French 🤣
July 27, 2017
I'm being generous with 3 stars, I don't really know why. I like India and this installment finally tried to crack the wall up around her past, but everything seemed to fall just short of the mark. The anarchist swing of things was honestly boring. and I'm starting to believe that India and french will never get together because the author is apparently terrified of writing in even a little kiss, let alone one flimsy sex scene.
August 11, 2018
We are finally finding out more about French! Every time something came up concerning him I was so excited. The plot for this was good, and I liked that India was able to do more on her own, but the scenes between French and India are what really made this book good. The series is getting better and better!
January 31, 2020
Excellently written, but the point I couldn't understand was, Why Lotus House don't have a security or some kind of guards since it was a big establishment & normally the brothals have kept men for safety....this point was missing
August 10, 2017
These are fun little books. Sort of like the Parasol Protectorate series without the werewolves, vampires and ghosts. But with prostitutes instead.
November 14, 2017
Great story of a Madame who spies for the British and gets in all kinds of trouble along the way
March 24, 2019
Another fun India Black mystery where we finally learn more about India and French.
December 9, 2019
I love this series, and wish that Carol would continue on with it. India and French have amazing chemistry between them.
January 2, 2020
Intriguing end. 🤔
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