The Caped Countess

Cloaks and Countesses #1

by Judith Lynne

By day, Lady Donnatella is a duke’s silly daughter.
So she can save London lives by night.

When she stumbles into something larger than a street fight, everything she's balancing may come crashing down...

It's another lonely season for Tella, dancing and gaming madly while keeping marriage away. She cannot tell her family or friends that her true self is the one battling danger in the city's dark streets. Nor will anyone guess; she's perfected her disguise. Then her night-time alter ego is seen — just when she can no longer count on her best friend, or her beloved great-uncle. And the resulting fuss in the newspapers isn't making any of this easier. Nor is the reporter who saw her.

Henry Fitzwilliam, third son of a marquess, left London society to serve in the wars, and won’t go back. He’s devoted his life to telling the stories Britain needs to hear, and perhaps this Caped Count falls into that category. He can’t be sure until he gets much, much closer.

Tella can handle a fight, but tracking a murderer is higher stakes. She might need someone at her back. Fitz might be the worst choice — or he might be more perfect than either of them suspects.

A new kind of Regency romance, full of action, adventure, and forever love

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2021

About the author

Judith Lynne writes rule-breaking romances with love around every corner. Her characters tend to have deep convictions, electric pleasures, and, sometimes, weaponry.

She loves to write stories where characters are shaken by life, shaken down to their core, put out their hand… and love is there.

A history nerd with too many degrees, Judith Lynne lives in Ohio with a truly adorable spouse, an apartment-sized domestic jungle, and a misgendered turtle. Also an award-winning science fiction author and screenwriter, she writes passionate Regency romances with a rich sense of place and time.

Reviews

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Caped Countess” draws one into Tella’s exciting adventures protecting those less fortunate than herself.

Read full review in the 2021 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Lisa DeMings · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, how can you not adore an author who tells you - up front - that no one is eaten by eels at this time? The Caped Countess checks all the boxes that I need in a Regency Romance: Lil' bit mystery, lil' bit tension, couple of steamy scenes, cool costumes (I need Donatella's cape), smart women, men who love smart women, and a real sense of the regency-period.

Perhaps the best part of the books, though, is that there's a universe inhabited by all Lynne's characters. Did you fall in love with Dr Burke and Cassandra in Countess Invention? No worries - you'll get to se them again. Loved Selene? Anthony? They're here, too. Haven't read any of these books and have no idea who Oliver, Cassandra, Selene, or Anthony are? Get on it people- they're characters worth knowing.

[Sara Ruch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit, I was curious how a hybrid superhero/regency romance would work out, but with Judith Lynne's penchant for research and relatable characters, it was awesome, of course! It was nice to have some character cameos from the Lords and Ladies series, but it's not required to read that series first to understand what's going on. (But you should anyway, because it's a great series.) There are several new characters; I look forward to reading more about them in future books. Hooray for Judith Lynne's accessible Regency world!

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - I think it’s the best one this author has written. There was adventure, risk, romance, friendship, passion, bad guys, family politics and a tall lanky hero. It was well done how the author introduced other books characters and their attitudes intertwining with Donnatella’s story and helped to embellish those characters further from a different perspective. I am looking forward to reading other books stepping from this book to continue the series and can’t wait to see what is in store for Fitz, Fred and Dan.

[JO O Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. An interesting heroine for once!!

[Susan Burlew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story about a woman who dresses like a man and protects innocent people with her defensive skills.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

More. Please.

I want more Tella. More Fitz. More smoke bombs and hand-to-hand combat and blue capes and finding one's own path within the strictures of society. More of that feeling of knowing who's going to show up at the party and what they'll say because I've already been to that party before, but now I'm seeing it through someone else's eyes (Judith Lynne--that was downright magical).

I want more. Now. Please.

[Mia Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judith Lynne’s “The Caped Countess” (Cloaks and Countesses Book 1) is a phenomenal tale of a crusading caped Countess masquerading as a young man, using her unique skills to protect young women on London’s streets late at night. Henry Fitzwilliam, third son of a marquess has devoted his life to telling stories for the newspaper and boy does he have a story to tell. Witnessing Tella in a fight, mistaking her for a young man, our hero jumps right in to help.

I just loved Tella, she’s unique, skilled, intelligent and resourceful. Fitz was the perfect sidekick for Tella. This is a thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining and delightful story! With wonderful characters that are well defined, witty, enjoyable dialogue, an interesting, adventure with a bit of mystery and a charming romance the author renders a multilayered, thrilling story.

Thank you so much Ms Lynne for this delightfully entertaining story. I can’t wait for the next books in the series! By the way, I love the cover!

[Kimberley Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Caped Countess kind of reminds me of Batman except it takes place in Regency England. Instead of Bruce Wayne we have Lady Donnatella Fairchild, daughter of the Duke of Gravenshire, and in place of Vicky Vale, Lord Henry Fitzwilliam is the journalist love interest. It’s a lot of fun with gadgets and secret identities and hidden villains and canoodling, a lot of canoodling. I enjoyed it a lot, and look forward to the next book in the series.

[Patricia O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow

I liked the story, but it really seemed to drag too much. It was a bit wordy, for a story that should be crisp and thrilling.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was shocked how much I enjoyed this book! Tella was the classic girl trying to protect her feelings and Fitz would not give up on her, but with the added twist that Tella was a secret badass! “Go ahead, fly at me. If you remember, I quite like it,” he said softly.” “Still looking right at her, Fitz said, “You can. I’ll catch you. I will always catch you.” I meannnn Fitz ok.