New York Times-bestseller Jeffries (The Truth About Lord Stone) delivers a delightful addition to the scandalous Sharpe family saga. Lady Minerva Sharpe must wed by year's end or lose her inheritance. Minerva, a successful writer of gothic novels, doesn't care about the money for herself, but for the sake of her siblings. Hoping to force her grandmother into changing this ultimatum, Minerva agrees to a bargain with her secret "weakness," Giles Masters, whom her grandmother hates. In exchange for marrying Giles, Minerva will kill off her favorite villain, the Marquess of Rockton, a spy and all-around rogue based—very loosely—on Giles. Coincidently, Giles really is a spy for the British government, when he's not working hard as one of the most promising young barristers in the country. Minerva worries about the secrets Giles is keeping from her, while Giles worries that his nemesis might seek revenge by hurting her. Quick pacing, witty dialogue, and charmingly original characters set Jeffries's books apart, and this one is sure to please old fans and make plenty of new ones as well. (Jan.)