**GIVEAWAY** - Theft of Life - Imogen Robertson

"London, 1785. When the body of a West Indies planter is found pegged out in the grounds of St Paul's, suspicion falls on one of the victim's former slaves, who was found with his watch on the London streets. As Harriet and Crowther begin investigate, however, they find the answer is not that simple. Together, they negotiate the interests of the British government, the secrets of the plantation owners, and a network of alliances stretching across the Atlantic. And they must confront the uncomfortable truth that some people are willing to do great evil when they believe their cause to be just."

I had never read any Imogen Robertson before this novel, but she's definitely going in my TBR pile. Although a little slow to start, this ended up being a brilliant crime thriller set in the 1700's. I loved Harriet - despite the restrictions placed on women during that time Harriet seemed to reject all of them and carry on doing her own thing, (and I do love a woman who carries on and does her own thing!). There were a lot of characters to get my head around in this book, but I think it would have helped if I had read the four other previous novels in the series. Despite that, once I remembered who everyone was I really enjoyed the plot, it moved at a fast enough pace to entertain while still giving great amounts of detail, that I find always helps when reading historical novels. 

Theft of Life works well as a standalone novel, and yes, I do think it helps to have read the previous books, but its not absolutely necessary to enjoy this one. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am now going to back track on myself to find out what Harriet was up to before this! 

Theft of Life is published in paperback today - 26th March - and you can get it here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Theft-Life-Crowther-Westerman-5

**GIVEAWAY** - Reading Room with a View has one paperback copy up for grabs! To win just follow @ReadingRoom79 and retweet the giveaway! Winner picked Monday 30th March.

*Thanks to Frances Gough at Headline for my review copy*