This book picks up where Book 2 left off right in the middle of things. There was so much going on I found it hard to put the book down. as you felt things could go either way for much of the story. In addition there is also a side plot of a missing child who was being trafficked and could she be saved in time just in case there wasn't enough going on in the main story. A thoroughly enjoyable story but does need to be read in order as they are interlinked and do not fully resolve everything in each book although some resolution does happen. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Loved this book! It kept me interested and didn’t want to put it down.

I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion from Netgalley

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. It’s number three in the House of Croft series, and I thought it might be the end, but there’s too much more to mine from this vein. Adrian and Samantha were great when they were adversaries. As partners, they’re unstoppable. I began to see them as superheroes, which isn’t so far-fetched when you consider that Adrian, in particular, is driven by the need to punish the criminals who don’t get caught. At first, Adrian is convinced that he’s in jail because Samantha betrayed him, but visits with his lawyer and from his best friend Edward demonstrate otherwise. She is madly working behind the scenes to free him. ‘Behind the scenes’ because she is also a fugitive. She’s considered a traitor for not finding evidence to convict Adrian.

Even Peter Kendrick, the constable who hunted Adrian with dogged determination, begins to realize Croft isn’t the villain he thought he was. When Kendrick apprehends Croft, he thinks he’s taking a criminal off the streets. However, when he hears Croft’s story, he decides Croft may not be a criminal, after all. But his superiors will not allow him to investigate further, and the trial is put on a fast track to convict and hang Croft. Even Kendrick can see that the entire thing is rigged—complete with false witnesses, and a paid-off judge and jury. Adrian doesn’t stand a chance. Kendrick begins to suspect a plot within the aristocracy to eliminate Croft so they can continue their wrongdoing.

Simultaneously, the plot follows the fate of young Molly, a beautiful six-year-old girl destined to be sold as a slave. In their impatience to convict Adrian, Kendrick’s superiors not only forbid him from searching for more evidence to exonerate Adrian, but also decide searching for Molly isn’t important. It’s important to Kendrick, and he’s determined to find her, with or without approval. It’s fairly clear from the start that the Crofts will rescue her from her kidnappers. The question is, will saving Molly and the other children from these monsters be enough to absolve the Crofts of their crimes? It doesn’t seem likely. What they really need is to find evidence that Adrian is not guilty and get a pardon for Samantha. I won’t ruin the end by telling you what they actually do accomplish.

I love the character arc of Peter Kendrick, who really presented as a villain in the first two books. In this book, it becomes apparent he was following the directions of his superiors and didn’t have all of the information they did. Once he understood what was going on, his innate desire to do the right thing took over. I also enjoyed Samantha’s interactions with Adrian’s associates, working together to save him from the hangman’s noose. It’s truly a team effort and Adrian is overcome with appreciation for all of the people who care enough about him to risk their own lives—especially Samantha because he doubted her.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, rooting for Adrian and Samantha to make it to safety. It’s not a cliffhanger, but there are definitely threads to be pulled for the next book in this series. I can’t wait to read more!

DNF.

This is book three in a series. I wasn't aware when I requested a free copy via Netgalley that it doesn't quite work as a standalone novel.

The book revolves around Adrien, a master blackmailer, and Samatha, a super spy. Apparently in the previous books, Samantha had been sent to take down Adrien but fell in love with him instead. It requires more suspension of disbelief than the book is worth IMO.

Adrien has been arrested and believes Samantha set him up. The entire book is the drama unfolding while his enemies try to have him hanged, and Samayja trying to free him. There's also some drama where their love is tested because he believes Samatha turned on him.

It was boring and I wasn't able to care about either character. The Evie side story was interesting but not enough to rescue the book.

Three stars because it wasn't horrible, I just didn't like it.

I rather enjoy this series about Adrian, a man whose ancestors were powerful criminals with lots of information about everyone in England. Adrian wanted to leave the dark side, but they keep pulling him back in as he investigates the murder of his sister and another noble young lady. Samantha, has been trained to be a female superspy. It’s totally unrealistic, but just go with it. She was tasked with getting Adrian’s files, but she ended up falling in love with him and they got married. But, at the end of the last book, Adrian has been arrested for murder (which he did) and he blames Samantha for leading the police to him Now she has to work with their team of loyal servants to rescue Adrian.

If you haven’t read the earlier books, you’d have no idea of what was going on and who was who. Very little is explained and you just have to go along with everything. And the book ends with a cliffhanger. So those are annoyances. But once the earlier books came back to me, I enjoyed the twists and turns.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Sophie Barnes for this amazing e-ARC in exchange for a honest review

I think I can establish Sophie Barnes as my new favorite author, which I rarely do. I couldn't thank her enough and appreciate her works enough, especially for the House of Croft series. 5 stars straight for each 3 books is just crazy! Sophie did it again and again!

I feel like the plot is so rich and the dynamic is incredible! I love every developments she's written in this book, each made me feel intrigued in every chapter. It's always fun to have different 'side quest' kinda in each books. I just love this book so much, and I expect more from the fourth book.

Despite of my everending love for this series, I hope the fourth one would be the last, with a satisfying and suitable closure. I feel like if there's more than 4 of them, I don’t think it would be a good series and I think it'd be too much

Adrian is telling the truth about the crime he is arrested for, but he has too many enemies who want to see him hang. He is heartsick that his wife Samantha was behind his arrest. But Samantha is moving in the shadows, plotting to free her husband. The question is, who will help and who will hinder? This is a fast moving story and very satisfying. But we're not done yet! Other mysteries remain to be solved, including who murdered Adrian's sister?

This was everything that I was looking for as a opening chapter in this series. I was engaged with what was happening and enjoyed the use of the time-period. It had that element that I was hoping for and enjoyed the feel of this. Sophie Barnes wrote this perfectly and am excited for more.

A Ruthless Angel Weeps is book three in the House of Croft series so if you haven't read the first two books, you should stop reading now as you definitely need to read these in order to not miss out on anything. And let me tell you, you should definitely go read the first two books - I am HOOKED on these characters and the story.

This book picks up right after the end of book two where Adrian has been arrested for murder and Samantha has escaped and is trying to figure out how to save him. Adrian isn't sure what to think right now as he sits in jail. On one hand, he has seen evidence that Samantha is doing things to protect him. But on the other hand, she led Kendrick right to him and now he could hang because of her. But when his best friend, the Earl of Marsdale, comes to visit him and sets him straight on some details, Adrian starts to understand just how far Samantha is willing to go to save him.

I can't say too much about the details here for fear of giving anything away and since there's a lot going on in this one, I don't want to do that to anyone invested in this series. Just know you will get the answers you're hoping for but there's always more. The lead-in at the end around Evie's death was perfectly done because you know I'll be picking up the next book.

If you're looking for a historical mystery series with some great twists and turns, consider picking this one up. It has great characters, an interesting storyline, some romance, and a plot that will keep you turning the pages.

In this historical thriller, Samantha is a trained agent of the Crown (a sort of gas-lamp Black Widow) married to a master blackmailer who is determined to counter corruption among the powerful. He has been arrested for murder and is likely to hang if she can't find a way to break him out. The action is good, the characters are interesting, and the history seems pretty sound. That said, it's all too clear that this is a continuation of a series and it's a little difficult to get absorbed if you haven't read the earlier books.

Read via NetGalley for no consideration other than an honest review.

Another book full of suspense and intrigue. It got my adrenaline up a couple of times wondering if it was close to the end for Adrian and Samantha or if they would survive and be enemies. The twists and turns and complications in trying to prove Adrian’s innocence to murder and save him from hanging melded into other mysteries. I loved seeing more of a focus on Edward and hope he plays a prominent part in the next book (or even his own), so we can see his choices and whether he follows his heart. I also can’t wait to see how Samantha has to deal with further interactions with her adopted family. I’ve really enjoyed this series from the beginning and can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Book Three of the Series picks up where Book Two left off, with Adrian under arrest for the murder of Benjamin Lawrence and Adrian still believing that Samantha brought Peter Kendrick to catch him. What ensues is a complex series of events with some trying to put an end to Adrian, and some working to save him. An enjoyable tug of war! On to Book Four!

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

This is the third book in the Croft mystery series, not to be read as a stand-alone, you need to have read the previous books to understand the story fully.

The book starts immediately where the previous one left off, Croft in a cell and Samantha running and trying to craft a plan to set him free.

The way the story twists and turns will keep you riveted and it will be really hard to put the book down.

The characters are well thought out and you get really to sympathize with Croft and Samantha's situation.

I have received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.

When Samantha’s husband, Adrian, is accused of murder she will do anything to save him. She saves him from the noose and helps him prove his innocence. Having not read the previous books in the House of Croft series, I found it hard to figure out who were the bad and who were the good people. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

The third installment of the series was suspenseful and exciting. It continues after Adrian was arrested. It shows the length that Samantha would go to help him. It also demonstrates the people that care for him know him and capable of doing injustice. It was a great page turning book.

Loved, loved, loved reading the engaging, exciting, and entertaining story. Samantha needs to free her husband before he is hung for murder. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of mystery and intrigue, and a must read riveting storyline. Can't wait to read the next story in the series by the phenomenally talented author, Sophie Barnes!