Phoebe Hillier never really wanted to marry her betrothed, but that does't stop her from being mad when he calls off the engagement, claiming he has money troubles and must leave the country. When the prime minister of historical England is assassinated the next day, Phoebe suspects there was more going on that what her ex-finance told her. The Duke of Wittaker, James, is also out to discover what really happened with the prime minister, and when he and Phoebe cross paths, they know they have a better chance of solving the mystery together...that is, if they don't fall in love first.

Michelle Diener does an excellent job writing historical fiction with superb mysteries and witty romances, and A DANGEROUS MADNESS does not disappoint. Though there are some familiar faces from one of her other books, A BANQUET OF LIES, this story focuses on James and Phoebe, two people who are both sick of putting up society's pretenses. I love how they complement each other so well and work together to figure out what really happened in the prime minister's assassination.

Though the mystery and suspense in the novel is page-turning, I do wish there had been more romance between James and Phoebe. As individuals, they are strong characters that are so intelligent, and I love how their brains spark as the clues add up. For mystery lovers, I don't think it will be an issue, but I just love this couple so much that I would have liked to have seen a little more focus on them than the mystery.

Overall, A DANGEROUS MADNESS is a fabulous novel for any historical fiction fans to pick up. Diener has a strong and noticeable voice as an author, and I never get tired of sitting down and reading her works.