Rating: 3 1/2 stars

With Jack the Ripper gone, it seems that London should be breathing easier. Unfortunately there is still another killer on loose and this one is leaving gift-wrapped body parts up and down the Thames. The work of the Shadow Guard is never done, and in this follow-up to Night Falls Darkly, the elite assassins have their collective hands full.

Though he helped to bring an end to Jack the Ripper, Mark, Lord Alexander, lost an essential part of himself in the process. The key to recovering himself lies in an ancient, sacred scroll that is currently in the hands of the lovely and implacable Mina. Mina's father, an expert in antiquities, entrusted the scroll to her safekeeping. Getting through Mina's defenses won't be easy, especially when he also has to contend with the bride of Jack the Ripper who has now focused her attentions of the failing Shadow Guard. With no sure way to tell who is friend and who is foe, and fighting for his own life, Mark must undo the damage he has done.

Once again, Lenox returns us to the alternately beautiful and filthy streets and scenes of Victorian London. She does an admirable job of setting the tone and building interest but I still find that I'm stymied by somewhat wooden dialogue and shallow characters. While it is by no means a bad story it lacks the finesse that could make it a truly great story.
-------------------------
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Signet (May 5, 2009)
ISBN-10: 045122678X
ISBN-13: 978-0451226785