Despite and/or because of his flaws, Devellyn is strong, compelling and entirely sympathetic. Because of a terrible event in his past, he goes through life dulled by alcohol and exiled from his family and polite society. He's more large and rough around the edges, at times clumsy with his words, always self-deprecating, than he is charming and refined, as one might expect. Devellyn isn't your typical rake either - he's gone through a slew of mistresses, but they're the ones who have left him - one scorned mistress is absolutely hilarious, as is Devellyn in enduring her assaults with beleaguered good humor and resignation that he’s a lost cause. And even if she wants to be an avenging angel on behalf of wronged women everywhere, her reasons for doing so are genuine and understandable – and the way she goes about it is such fun after all : ) Though the book doesn't try and convince the reader that Sidonie's double life is a complete lark either - it's dangerous and Sidonie knows it, and keeps at it anyway - as much for the danger as for her Robin Hood mission. But thankfully the book addresses the misguided nature of her philanthropy so that her bleeding heart didn't get on my nerves. Part of her reason for dressing up as the Black Angel has to do with an admittedly misguided desire to save the fallen women of the world.

Sidonie is great - a woman who takes risks and can take care of herself, who walks the fine line of her double life with flair. Sidonie Saint-Godard by day, the Black Angel by night, the heroine of The Devil to Pay is caught in a thrilling game of intrigue and revenge - a game that almost catches up with her when she targets Aleric, the Marquess of Devellyn.Carlyle offers a rare blend of humor and the darker tinge of poignancy with her two original and engaging characters.

The Devil to Pay by Liz Carlyle