The one thing that always puzzles me is people's tendency to compare Georgette Heyer to Jane Austen. As well compare Crime and Punishment to a John Grisham novel! I am not denying the literary merits of either genre; far from it, in fact. However, that doesn't change the fact that one is trying t...
Although this book is a bit slow, it’s mostly funny: a light enjoyable read. Before I talk about the plot, I’d like to sketch the family tree of the Darracotts, the family at the center of the novel. The old Lord Darracott is an octogenarian patriarch and a veritable tyrant of the family. His old...
The Reluctant Widow has a very gothic setting since the majority of the action is set in a house that makes our heroine think of phrases such as "decayed grandeur" and "depressing dilapidation" when she sets foot in it, which she never would have had to do had she not mistakenly gotten into the w...
Snowballing problems due to stupidity, fear, and dishonesty didn’t entertain me, but I enjoyed the dialogue and the narrator.REVIEWER’S OPINION:I did not enjoy reading about the heroine Nell. She did too many stupid things. She was not honest with Giles her husband which resulted in inaccurate as...
This is, I think, my favorite mystery of Georgette Heyer's. It is a quite charming story with her usual humor. The setting is an old house that was at one time part of a monastery and the ruins of the priory are near by. Celia and Margaret, along with their brother Peter inherit the house from ...
Three stars because I, personally, enjoyed it, but not a very good book, and certainly not Heyer's best. If I read the forward correctly, she even tried to have it banned. Simon the Coldheart is about Simon (shocker!), a knight known for his frigid ways. Part 1 begins with him as a page, and foll...
After their father's death, Miss Judith Taverner and her brother Peregrine travel to London to meet their guardian, Lord Worth, expecting an elderly gentleman. To their surprise and utter disgust, their guardian is not much older than they are, doesn't want the office of guardian any more than th...
Loved it plain and simple!Captain John (Jack) Staple has had enough of his dull cousin and insipid fiancée, so he skips out of the engagement party and trots off to his friend Mr. Babblecombe's hunt. Only, he doesn't quite make it that far. In the pouring rain and crackling thunder he comes upon ...
This review contains some spoilersI know from reading Jennifer Kloester’s excellent biography of Georgette Heyer* that A Civil Contract was not an easy novel for Heyer to write. Before starting work on it, Heyer wrote to a friend that she wanted to write a new kind of novel that would be “neithe...
It's a 3.5 or 3.75... I found it enjoyable, though (with a few exceptions) rather less amusing than some of Heyer's other mysteries. Still, it had me convinced through the whole book that I knew "whodunnit"-- until the very last moment, when I learned that I was wrong! (So shocking, as I never ...
For the fan of Heyer who reads this book because they are entranced with her Regency Romances it will probably be a let down. It is not a badly written book and while the plot is cliched it is not patently ridiculous as is the case with some books written contemporaneously, although it does lack ...
I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read, though it didn't start off so promising... The characters initially seem so horrible and unlikeable that it's clear Heyer doesn't even want us to like them-- yet. Gradually, they grow on you. (Or, well, at least they grew on me, and I've seen other rev...
This is a lovely selection of shorts comprising what is in effect of sampler of her work. Almost all the stories here are reminiscent of a full length story I've read.Pistols for Two is the story or two young men who have a falling out over a very pretty playmate of their childhood. This could ea...
I find that when I read Georgette Heyer novels, I keep on thinking; "Okay this one was better than the last one I read..." then I read this one and it's like: "Okay nevermind, this one was THE BEST one I've read so far!" I have a feeling that's going to keep happening whenever I read one of her m...
Not my favorite among Heyer’s romances, the book was nonetheless a pleasure to read: a light, slightly farcical story with a humorous flavor. Nothing outstanding, but I suspect that a few years from now, I’ll re-read it … again. The tale is charming and simple. Seventeen-year-old Arabella is a p...
3 ½ stars. Good regency mystery. Enjoyable collection of characters. A small amount of romance is secondary to the mystery.STORY BRIEF:Gervase (Ger) is the heir. His mother ran off with a lover which caused Ger’s father to hate Ger. The father remarried and had a second son Martin. Ger has ...
It is hard for me to make too many negative comments about a Heyer novel. And I knew what to expect when I started this book. As every reviewer stated, there was very little plot and the tension one would expect in a story about a fugitive attempting to escape from certain death, was definitely l...
Only wish to note a few things. Most of the time I seem to see this book listed among Heyer's romances, specifically her Regency Romances. After reading the book, I'm slightly confused by that. Since the book is based on real people, with lots and lots of research on them and on the war agains...
Reviewed for THC ReviewsUntil picking up The Black Moth, I had never read a “classical” romance, and I have to say that it was a rather different sort of reading experience that was more challenging than the typical modern romance. It is written in what I would call a literary style with vernacul...
On the high Seas no man is more feared and loathed then the notorious Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, a Englishman with a reputation for taking over Spanish ships for queen and country, but never did Nicholas think that the next vessel he over took would hold a treasure far beyond anything he could hav...
1941, #2 Inspector Hemingway, rural England at Christmastimeclassic set-up, basic plot, decent-to-good characters, well-crafted, entertaining overall. [classic cosy, three stars and a touch more] Can’t get more basic classic big-house cosy than this, with its Wicked Uncle holding the purse string...
This will be the one that ends up as my go to recommendation for people who are starting out with Heyer. It used to be The Grand Sophy, but there is that unpleasant anti-semitic streak that runs through it which has led me to be increasingly uncomfortable with recommending that as a first experie...
From my blog, http://www.ladydisdainnotes.blogpsot.comTo me, Georgette Heyer’s novels are like the occasional luxuries you allow yourself to indulge in once in awhile. It has almost everything an Austen fangirl like myself can ask for: cravats, Hessian boots, tea, balls, coiffures, engaging heroe...
So here's the setup. Uncle Matthew Penicuik has made his Will, leaving his fortune to his ward, Miss Katherine 'Kitty' Charing with the stipulation that she marry one of his great nephews. If she doesn't, she will be penniless, and his money will go to a charity. Which one will she choose?Captain...
Update: Just finished listening to the audiobook narrated by Eve Matheson and LOVED IT!! She read so well and the tone of voices she chose for all the characters were simply perfect. The characters sounded exactly how I imagined them!! :) Friendly warning: spoilers & lots of silly schoolgirl blab...
It was perhaps fortunate that right before I read Bath Tangle for the second time, a dear friend told me that I should write more reviews in which I abridge the plot of the novel, and in so doing attempt to be humorous; whether or not I succeed is up to others to decide. In any case, this seemed ...
Okay, I am officially a Georgette Heyer reader now. I can see why she is touted as the best of the best when it comes to historical romance. This book was thoroughly enjoyable. I tell you, Avon is a very singular hero. I have read few books with a hero whose dialogue was so expressive, yet iron...
This is one of Heyer’s earlier novels and it reflects the author’s limited experience and still developing skills. The writing is a bit stilted, the dialogs formal, without the verbal panache that defined her more mature works, but all the distinctive marks of Heyer’s later stories are already th...
Unlike most Heyer’s romances, which are light-hearted romps, this novel is sad, almost tragic, with a brooding atmosphere of Gothic horror and a cast of characters to match. The protagonist Kate is a penniless young woman of twenty-four. Her parents are dead, she doesn’t have any other relatives,...
The death of Adam Penhallow on the eve of his birthday seems, at first, to be by natural causes. He was elderly after all. But Penhallow wasn't well liked. He had ruled over his estate with an iron will and a sharp tongue. He had played one relative off against another. He was so bad tempered and...
All through his life men were to fear him and find it hard to meet the direct stare he bent upon them. Thus early the French were made aware of the ruthless strength of his will. The truth was he never swerved from his purpose, and would go to any lengths to achieve it.History tells us that Wil...
I'm in the home stretch of my Georgette Heyer Reading Challenge. Even thought it's a perpetual challenge, it feels good to know that I'll be finishing it up this year. Just finished Duplicate Death last night and have started They Found Him Dead (last one!). If I had paid attention to publicat...
3 ½ stars. Not my favorite Heyer but enjoyable, a little above average.STORY BRIEF:Parents are dead, leaving five siblings in the care of an aunt who is frequently absent. The oldest Harry handles the finances and is elsewhere during most of the book. The second oldest is Frederica, 24 years o...
Georgette Heyer sadly died before this novel was completed and what remains is less than half finished. The Lord John of the title was John, later Duke of Bedford, the son of Henry of Bolingbroke, who usurped the throne of his cousin Richard II, and the brother of Henry V, he of Agincourt fame...
Warning; there may be spoilers for Regency Buck & Devil's Cub in this review,as GH uses characters from both in this book.My good GR friend Hana has covered the historical side of reviewing the book, & I don't feel I can better her comments. This is her review (linked to with her permission) http...
I have previously heard Georgette Heyer described as the “Queen of Regency Romance”, and after having read The Corinthian, I am now fully convinced that this is indeed the case. This is the fourth novel of Georgette Heyer’s that I have encountered… and incidentally the first one I’ve encountered ...
This was the third novel of Georgette Heyer’s that I found, again under the guise of an audio-book narrated by Richard Armitage. I have extolled all of Richard Armitage’s many virtues as a narrator in previous reviews, and I shall continue to do so until someone gets sick of it and tells me to sh...
Very enjoyable time with interesting characters and a romance.STORY BRIEF:Annis is 29, single, and financially secure. She is beautiful and had many offers of marriage. She turned them all down because she was never in love. She wants to live on her own, away from her older brother who has a w...
Written November 9, 20144 1/2 Stars - Magnificently adventurous, fun and romantic in a still strong 1930's 'Pre-Regency'Devil's Cub is an quite old romance novel from 1932 by Georgette Heyer. Mrs Heyer is an British classic author that I completely missed in my earlier reading-life. I'm so glad i...
At five-and-twenty Venetia Lanyon has never been in love. All her experience with romance comes from between the covers of a book. All her experience of the world outside her Yorkshire village comes from the books she has read. Yet, she does not dream of romance and is content to run her family'...
This is a quiet book: no romping and no hilarity, although the premise might’ve supported such excesses. In this tale of two identical twins, all the preconceptions are turned on their heads. Kit, a diplomatic secretary in Vienna, is the rational younger twin to Evelyn, the impulsive and rakish E...
There are so many things I loved about The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer, but there are a few little hiccoughs that held this one back from being a sparkling gem like, say, Venetia. (Love, love, love Venetia!!). I'm not sure when I enjoyed reading a first meeting between two principals...
4.5 stars*Beware of spoilers if you don't already know who ends up with whom!* I have the unfortunate habit of reading book reviews before or at the beginning of the book I am reading. Usually with Regency romances that is not a big deal as the couples are always so predictable, but with Sprig Mu...
The UnexceptionableSir Waldo. Sportsman, gentleman, and philanthropist!? Wonderful character and really made the story a joy to read.The heroine! Ancilla Trent was in a word: elegance. Even if she’s in the horrid position of governess or “companion” to a total, complete, and in all ways conceivab...
Wally Carter is a jerk. He cheats on his wealthy wife Ermyntrude, squanders her money on shady schemes, and even asks her to pay off his pregnant girlfriend (and then moans about how much it sucks for him that he's so broke he has to ask for her help with said blackmail). He's ill-tempered, greed...
*slight spoilers*The Talisman Ring repeatedly brought to mind the last Heyer novel I read – The Unknown Ajax – except there were more of the fun parts and less of the parts I had found boring. Admittedly, I found the first quarter of Talisman to be dull and somewhat frustrating. The stage is set ...
In Georgette Heyer's Detection Unlimited we have more suspects and more detectives than we can shake a stick at. Sampson Warrenby is dead and just about everybody in Thornden has a motive and the opportunity to have done him in. He's found slumped on a seat under the oak tree in his garden....wit...
So he spent the second night at the King's Arms, in Leeds, leaving himself with only some twenty more miles to cover. He was an extremely healthy young man, and since he spent a great part of his time in all the more energetic forms of sport it was hard to tire him out, but two very long days in ...
said Jacques sadly. “Into your hands, your very hands, in this room here by the door! I swear it.” “Swear it? What is it to me, your swear? I say I have not seen the box! At Dover, what did I do? Nom d’un nom, did I not say to you, lose thy head sooner than that box?” His voice rose higher and hi...
‘Why, Charles, what ails you?’ she asked. It seemed to her that there was no one but herself had the right to look solemn.‘My dear fellow, it’s the devil of a business,’ Belfort said severely. ‘A most disgraceful affair, ’pon my soul!’Mr Devereux shook his head. ‘Very, very disgraceful,’ he echoe...
"No one in it but the one man, on the face of it.""True," agreed Hannasyde. "Still, there are points.""That's right, Superintendent," nodded Inspector True. "That's what I said myself. What about them footprints? They weren't made by the old lady: she doesn't wear that kind of shoe.""Housemaid, s...
The feather-bed upon which he twisted and turned seemed to be composed largely of lumps; and no one else in the inn appeared to go to bed at all. The noise in the tap-room went on until far into the night; doors banged; footsteps clumped down the passages; and an occasional clatter suggested that...
Antonia professed herself frankly disappointed, though she listened with interest to the news that the murdered man's hands had borne traces of having done some repair on a car. When it was disclosed that the spare wheel on Arnold Vereker's car was flat, and showed a bad puncture, she leaned towa...