Ivy Dearing’s upbringing as the daughter of a Madam at the Maison Rouge, was unorthodox to say the least. She has always known Saint for what he was, and has been attracted to him in spite of it. Ivy knows there is only attraction and perhaps fondness; love simply does not exist, no matter what Saint tells her.

After centuries of existence, Saint is positive he can control his emotions and actions. Instead, he finds Ivy has a way of making him feel and think about things he would rather leave in the past. The fact that she can bring him to his knees with a sigh is enough reason for him to leave as soon as the first opportunity presents itself. Long before that happens, another woman is dead, and Saint manages to link her death to a series of photographs that Ivy had taken. With Ivy in as much danger as any of the house’s working girls, Saint stays by her side. Whether it is love or lust is immaterial if one of them is dead.

Taken by the Night is well plotted and fast-paced; a perfect mystery read. The aggravating part was not immediately learning the year of the story’s setting. Also, Ms. Smith does not use a period voice, which is rather distracting and added to the confusion. The third in Ms. Smith’s The Brotherhood of Blood series, Taken by the Night is well worth the read.