
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes
Cat Sebastian returns to Georgian London with a stunning tale of a reluctant criminal and the thief who cannot help but love her. Marian Hayes, the Duchess of Clare, just shot her husband. Of course, the evil, murderous man deserved what was coming to him, but now she must flee to the countryside. Unfortunately, the only person she can ask for help is the charismatic criminal who is blackmailing her--and who she may have left tied up a few hours before... A highwayman, con artist, and all-around cheerful villain, Rob Brooks is no stranger to the wrong side of the law or the right side of anybody's bed. He never meant to fall for the woman whose secrets he promised to keep for the low price of five hundred pounds, but how could he resist someone who led him on a merry chase all over London, left him tied up in a seedy inn, and then arrived covered in her husband's blood and in desperate need of his help? As they flee across the country--stopping to pick pockets, drink to excess, and rescue invalid cats--they discover more true joy and peace than either has felt in ages. But when the truth of Rob's past catches up to him, they must decide if they are willing to reshape their lives in order to forge a future together.
About This Book
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is a fiction romance novel by Cat Sebastian, first published in 2022 by Avon Books. It runs 352 pages. Readers can expect forced proximity, enemies to lovers; steamy heat; a emotional and comfort tone.
At a glance
- Genre
- Fiction
- Trope
- Forced Proximity
- Heat
- Steamy
- Ending
- HEA
- Mood
- Emotional
- Published
- 2022
Where to read or listen
Get The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A duchess who just shot her villainous husband goes on the run with the charming highwayman who was trying to blackmail her.
- Fans of queer-coded historical romance
- Readers who enjoy competent, dangerous heroines
- Adventurous
- Features Blackmailer to Lovers
This may not be ideal if…
- Readers who strictly want Sapphic/WLW content (this is M/F)
- Readers sensitive to depictions of spousal murder
- Those looking for high-society ballroom drama
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Historical Romance
Pairing: M/F
Power balance: Equalized through criminality (Duchess vs Highwayman)
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate comfort, moderate tension, high humor, and a strong emotional payoff.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
High
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Adult
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
When Marian Hayes finally rids herself of her murderous husband, she knows she can't stay in London. Her only hope for escape is Rob Brooks, a highwayman and con artist she once left tied up in an inn. Rob is fascinated by the woman who is both a duchess and a cold-blooded marksman. Together, they embark on a chaotic road trip across the countryside, picking pockets and rescuing cats, all while trying to stay one step ahead of the consequences of their actions.
Central Conflict
Marian must evade capture for the murder of her husband while Rob must confront a past that threatens to dismantle their new life together.
Setting
Georgian London and the English countryside.
Themes
Strengths
- Witty dialogue
- Unique character archetypes
- Strong subversion of the 'damsel in distress' trope
- Excellent chemistry
Consider before reading
- The fast pacing may breeze over the trauma of the opening murder
- Moral ambiguity of the protagonists may not suit all readers
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Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
Which theme — The Queer Principles of Kit Webb — resonated most strongly with you, and why?
- 3
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 4
Did the emotional payoff feel earned by the story's buildup?
- 5
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 6
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 7
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 8
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- August 30, 2026
- Confidence:
- High confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Avon Books
- Published
- 2022
- Length
- 352 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780063026254
- ISBN-10
- 0063026252
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes: quick answers
- Who wrote The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes?
- The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes was written by Cat Sebastian.
- When was The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes published?
- The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes was first published in 2022 by Avon Books.
- What genre is The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes?
- The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is a fiction romance novel, with forced proximity, enemies to lovers.
- How many pages is The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes?
- The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is 352 pages long.
- How spicy is The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes?
- EIKNA rates The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes as steamy heat.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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