Drake’s Lair

Tristan “Drake” Hannaford, Earl of Shelldrake has finally returned home to Drake’s Lair. Five long years have passed since his mysterious disappearance following the death of his wife, and he is shocked to find how the reins have slipped in his absence. Upon his return, he finds a tawny-haired girl gathering herbs on his property and he bristles at her cheekiness – of all the nerve!

Lady Delmeza Ahern – Melly to her friends – can’t believe the insufferable bounder that is the Earl of Shelldrake. She only gathers the herbs to make a living, making healing potions and lotions with the plants, and now the Earl plans to take even that from her. For Melly has lost much in her life, and now the Gypsy tells her a fortune of danger, a grave danger that will dog Melly’s path. When a case of arson nearly claims Melly’s life, she comes to live under the Drake’s very roof, and becomes embroiled in a web of deceit and danger far beyond her wildest nightmares...

Drake’s Lair plunges readers into a suspenseful, Gothic-style whodunit with a heart-tugging twist. Dawn Thompson weaves an enigmatic spell of mystery over this tale, pitting the crabby and wounded Drake against Melly and her healing nature. Nuggets of the back-story surface as this tale unfolds, drawing readers into this superbly crafted book. Drake’s Lair expertly captures Drake’s dark and brooding moodiness, and his bad habit of trying to fit Melly into his deceased Countess’ shoes. Ms. Thompson writes a tension-wrought maze into this story, and readers will emote right along with these strong-minded characters as this story spins out to its ending. Well done!

Reviewed by: Michelle