Rating: 3 1/2 stars

After an unknown event that stole her memory, Elena Whitney found herself as the ward of Archer, Lord Black; a guardian she has no memory of and doesn't know if she ever met. Though he has surrounded her in wealth and comfort she finds herself drawn to London's poorer districts, serving in a hospital near Whitechapel. Unknown to Elena, and the rest of Whitechapel, a brutal killer is about to make his presence known.

Recently returned to London at the request of Queen Victoria, Lord Black comes face-to-face with the woman he saved and then forgot. Though he finds himself undeniably drawn to Elena he cannot let himself be distracted. Archer, Lord Black is a member of the hidden Shadow Guard; an elite and immortal band of assassins who protect the mortal world from evil. With the rise of Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel, the Shadow Guard find themselves faced with their biggest challenge yet. It may cost Elena her life, and another Shadow Guard, Mark, Lord Alexander may lose his very soul.

Encompassing a variety of mythological and historical figures, Lenox has created an intriguing plot and setting for this new series. She brings real life to the dirty and shadowed streets of London's poor districts, however it's the characters themselves that tend to fall a little flat, lacking in depth and good dialogue. It's not enough to sink the book, or the series but one hopes to see some improvement in future books. Kudos though, on stepping out of the overridden regency era and focusing on the Victorian, which is a lovely change of pace. I'm eager to see what Lenox brings next.

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Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Signet (October 7, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0451225376
ISBN-13: 978-0451225375