Vivian Loren, the poor relation of an earl, has no recourse but to go into service upon the murder of her brother Evan, with whom she lived. She is actively looking for her brother's murderer, and it seemed that getting close to James Spencer, the Duke of Abermont, would provide answers. James is the head of the Clocktower, a covert spy organisation to the Crown where his sisters are also spies. James has no time nor inclination to mix with the Ton, however one of his sisters informs him that being single could put the organisation's work in jeopardy. The Marriage Mart Mamas would hinder their operations as he would be too visible. The new governess, Miss Loren, has caught James' eye. She is not afraid to speak her mind even to a Duke, but good Heavens, it is unfathomable that a personage of such importance could fancy an underling, or is it?

Erica Monroe writes about the Regency spying world with the same flair and panache that made her previous series on the rookeries so captivating! I SPY A DUKE, the first book of the new Covert Heiresses series, introduces the characters that will populate this promising series, which doesn't stop Ms. Monroe from crafting an excellent suspense story. Every character is well defined, and Oliver and Vivian dealt with their respective secrets in a reasonable manner. The world- building is solid, and the writing is seamless.

I had been waiting a long time for a new book by Erica Monroe, and I SPY A DUKE is everything I have come to expect from her: elegant and flowing prose, clever dialogues, engaging characters that are atypical of the usual historical romance fare. I SPY A DUKE is meticulously researched and richly detailed, and the author's depiction of the bygone era is flawless.

I SPY A DUKE is yet another proof that Erica Monroe is a force to reckon with in Regency romance!