Purchase from
Amazon.com

The Most Wicked of Sins

by Kathryn Caskie

reviewed by Kristin Young

October 2009, 374 pages, Publisher: Avon, ISBN: 0061491012

The Most Wicked of Sins is the second in “The Seven Deadly Sins” series by by Kathryn Caskie. Despite the book being the second in a series, it is an excellent “stand alone” read. This was the first that I have read in this series, and I found it very easy to follow.

The Sinclair children have been thrown out of their family by their father until they are able to mend their evil ways. With very little allowance to live on, they do their best to put on a dignified appearance, while truly living in desperate conditions. Known by the ton as “The Seven Deadly Sins,” the Sinclair clan do their best to make their way in London, while trying to prove themselves to their father.

Like all the other Sinclair children, Ivy has a sin which personifies her - envy. Ivy had expected to be well on her way back into her father's good graces with the dull but dependable Lord Tinsdale as her fiance. She had him at her beck and call until an Irish beauty captured his attention. With her father arriving in less than a month's time, and his expectation of her upcoming nuptials, something must be done. In desperation, she concocts a scheme to hire an actor to shower her with affection. It seems a surefire way to make Lord Tinsdale return his affections, and with any luck, get this Irish beauty to transfer her affections to the actor. It all makes sense: Everyone wants what someone else has. However it isn't long before she wants what she can never have – true love – with an actor.

Dominic Sheridan, newly titled Marquess of Counterton, has come to London to see his cousin perform the lead role in a play. He never expected a gorgeous woman to kiss him, and then give him an acting role - of himself. She is obviously oblivious to his true identity, but she has peaked his interest. Dominic agrees to this insane scheme, only to find that he has developed feelings for Ivy that he never expected. Soon he sets out to win her real affections, while allowing Ivy to believe his identity is only a farce.

This book was all the more enjoyable for it's variety of "villains." I quickly found myself liking all of the Sinclair children, and identifying with many of them. All of the characters are very well written and have excellent personalities.

I have found the majority of historical romances that I read lately have either a mystery or darker plot embedded, and found the humor-touched pages of The Most Wicked of Sins a refreshing delight. As I became wrapped up in the story, I found myself snickering or having an all-out laugh at one of the characters. Once I began reading this book, I couldn't bear to put it down. Between the passionate romance, humor, and colorful characters who draw you in. I highly recommend this book to anyone.