The Shadow and The Star
by Laura Kinsale

Rated 5.0
Reviewed 4/20/97 by Isolde W.
Copyright 1991

It is a long time ago since a book touched me like this did. I could not put it down, I thus, I was up reading half the night.

Leda is a young woman who has nothing more then her decency. She works as a seamstress in a fashion salon in London. The woman who raised her has died.

One day Samuel Gerard comes into the salon. Leda is fascinated from the breath-taking man. He accompanies two Ladies. On that day Leda must give up her job. Now she has no work, no money, and no future. She doesn't want to become a whore.

Sometimes Leda thinks somebody is in her little flat but she can't see anyone. After she changes around her furniture, she finds out who the nightly visitor in her flat is. It is the mysterious thief which everybody in London is talking about. He always steals valuables and works of arts and then leaves at the place an indecent thing.

During the fight in her flat, Leda breaks the thief's feet and now she knows who he is - incredible - it is Mr. Gerard.

Because she knows his secrets, Samuel asked Leda to become his secretary. First Leda isn't interested in the job, but after losing her flat she accept his offer and becomes his secretary.

The rest of the story is full of secrets, suspense, romance, and foreign habits. The scene of the story changes between Hawaii and London.

It was no question for me --- I loved the book.