Lessons In Discovery is the third in the Cambridge Fellows series, and the one that cemented my love for Jonty and Orlando. With the first book, the characters felt very removed and dispassionate. I loved the historical feel of the book, but the men? Not so much. The second book, Lessons in Seduction, started to draw me in, as the characters fleshed out and become real. Then the angst and layers of Lessons in Discovery pulled me completely into the world of St. Bride's and the pairing of Drs. Coppersmith and Stewart.Previously, Orlando had finally gotten over his fear and made love to Jonty as he had long wished. Now, an enthusiastic partner in their love making, Orlando runs up the staircase to the bedroom ahead of Jonty, slips, and hits his head. The result is a catastrophic head injury that causes partial amnesia. Gone is the year in which he met and fell in love with Jonty. Gone is all memories of first friendship as well as first love. The pain that Jonty feels upon learning that Orlando doesn't remember him is palpable. But the worst is to come when Jonty decides to tell Orlando that they weren't just friends but lovers. Trust me when I tell you to have the tissues handy for this one.Lessons in Discovery take the reader on a journey with Orlando, as he uncovers the layers to his past with Jonty and starts to fall in love with him all over again. Charlie Cochrane does a splendid job with the setting and dialog. I actually felt as though I were walking the frozen fields and paths with Jonty and Orlando during their visit to Jonty's family at Christmas time. The descriptions of the Hogmanay Ball filled me with delight. And as usual, there is a mystery for the fellows to solve. This time is the mystery of the Woodfield Ward, whose skeletal remains have been found in a well. Both the resolutions of the mystery and Orlando's missing memories are interwoven beautifully, creating a tapestry of love, mystery, and murder that leaves the reader so very satisfied and content.So it's merrily on to the rest of the series. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Jonty and Orlando. I am sure that there will be love, angst and a good mystery as the sun shines over the Cambridge landscape. I think I will go find a supply of bulleyes in preparation for our next visit. Join me. Again, I do think that Cochrane left some delightful possiblities on the table in this third book of the Cambridge Fellows series, and even so I give the novel five stars. I was hoping for a more drawn out period of re-discovery between Jonty and Orlando: it all went a bit too smoothly for me, even with Orlando throwing up at the news that he'd been lovers with Jonty! The best part for me was the visit to Jonty's family's home. All secondary characters very well drawn.It was only after I'd finished the novel that I began to see the entire plot line with Orlando's amnesia as a sort of cheat. I mean, this way the author gets to give her characters *two* first times! I might have expected that for the fifth or the seventh or the tenth book, but it seems way to soon for her to feel the need for it in the third. But I will confess that *during* the reading, I had no such thoughts.
What do You think about Lessons In Discovery (2009)?
Still love these characters. The secondary characters are also well-drawn and eminently likeable!
—vini56
I love this series. Very well balanced between romance and mystery, very emotional.
—angelD`Andrea
There is no satisfaction this time in the solution to the mystery.
—caitsingslead
