Joanna Shupe (The Rogue of Fifth Avenue) wraps up the stellar Uptown Girls series with a satisfying stand-alone tale set in the late 19th century. Social do-gooder Justine Greene, daughter of a Park Avenue magnate, makes a deal with the devil when she asks a favor of Jack Mulligan, rich and sophisticated Bowery crime king. Despite the social gulf between them, Jack is intrigued by the beautiful heiress who defends and champions the poor. In his own way, Jack does the same, and the two become unlikely allies.
Stubbornly independent, Justine chafes under her family's demands that she comply with elite Knickerbocker society rules. Her sisters' and grandmother's warnings that her father will never accept Jack aren't ignored, but Justine is fascinated by the handsome, ineligible man. They repeatedly find themselves crossing paths due to her work with the tenement residents, and the heated attraction between them grows with each interaction. Secretly, Jack has plans to shift away from criminal activity to legitimate business. His world is still very dangerous, however, and Justine's involvement with him threatens her safety.
When a vengeful deadbeat husband seeks revenge against Justine, and a competitor for Jack's criminal empire attempts a takeover, the Bowery explodes with violence. Jack has controlled the dangerous streets for years, but this time, he might not live to save the woman he loves. Justine's fierce courage, however, might just save them both.
Witty dialogue, compelling characters and a plot layered with honorable goals, nefarious plans, danger and hot romance combine to create an excellent novel. --Lois Faye Dyer, writer and reviewer