Book three of the No Ordinary Hero series, it kind of plays out like it's the last one since the antagonist in all three books finally gets his just due. Even though all three books have the common enemy they can be read as standalones; there is very little character crossover and when there is it's only pertinent to this storyline. Suzanne Enoch definitely has a way with words, the characters really came to life for me, and the mystery and the little bit of suspense were very well done, this is probably my favorite of hers so far.Callum, Ian, and Rebecca all grew up together. Ian the stoic, studious older brother; Callum the fun one and also risk-taker. Rebecca was a neighbor the daughter of a shipping merchant who got rich. Rebecca loved both brother's but when it came time to marry she choose the older not just because the title but because he was who he was and everything Callum was not. Callum was a drunkard who would tup any pretty girl and took nothing seriously. That is until Ian and Rebecca announced their engagement and not only that but a deal between Rebecca's father and the Duke of Dunncraigh. Callum knows Dunncraigh is bad news and after he finished insulting his brother and Rebecca, because how could she want Ian when she can have him, Rebecca insults him back basically saying he's a drunken loser and then Ian kicks him out of the house and the family, but before Callum leaves he tells them what a bad idea it is to get into business with Dunncraigh and if anything bad happens he knows it will be Dunncraigh's fault and he will seek his vengeance.
Callum left Scotland dejected and heartbroken, he never realized how much he loved Rebecca until he realized she wouldn't be there any more and with the truth of her words ringing in his ears he travels to America to create a new life for himself, and he does with his Kentucky Whiskey. A couple of years into in banishment he starts to receive letters from his brother, Callum never even bothers to read them until almost ten years later he sees the obituary for his brother in a months old newspaper, the latest letter goes unburned and Callum finds himself finally going back to Scotland after all these years because he promised he would get his vengeance.
Rebecca was content with her life until Ian died and suddenly followed her Father. The Dunncraigh's had been nothing but generous with their sympathies and their offers to help with the business. The sudden appearance of Callum a year after Ian's death has her all confused she doesn't know what to think of this brisk and brutish man who use to be the boy she knew and what he wants is his inheritance and to make her life miserable. Callum wants to hate Rebecca for what she said all those years ago, he wants her to be a social climbing vixen who had a hand in his brother's death but it's clear she's not and she every bit a beautiful and headstrong as ever and he loves her all the more for it. Now she just needs to stay out of his way while he proves the Dunncraigh and his son are the reason his brother and Rebecca's father are dead. If only it was easier said than done.
Overall, it was a wonderful story, very well done nicely paced. Rebecca could be a little annoying with her stubbornness but her entire world got turned upside down I don't blame her for not believing Callum's suspicions in the beginning. Rebecca and Ian's daughter Mags is so adorably precocious and Callum's wolf and that walking mop of a dog of Mags, that's funny. It has a wonderfully satisfying ending, and I look forward to reading more of Suzanne Enoch.
