Thief of Shadows

 by Elizabeth Hoyt

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

Reviewed by Cheryl Sneed, July 12, 2012
Winter has channeled all his frustration, all his passion and his need for physical release into his nocturnal wanderings as the Ghost, affecting solutions and punishing those who prey on the weak in ways he cannot as the Home's manager. And now, a new menace has come to St. Giles - someone, dubbed "the lassies snatchers," is stealing orphaned girls off the streets before Winter can get them to the safety of the Home. The Ghost is desperate to find those responsible.

I really liked Winter and, while it took a bit longer for me to warm to Isabel, I did wind up rooting for her. They make an unlikely pair, and I finished the book wondering if they are truly suited for each other over the long haul, but this is fantasy, after all. I appreciated Winter's interactions with the children and his obvious love for them. There was a side plot that ran throughout the book that felt completely unconnected to the story, and was there solely to set up the next book in the series, that I found to be intrusive and annoying.


But, Thief of Shadows is Winter's story, and, in the end succeeds, for he is a fascinating and compelling character.
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