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The Painted Veil
"My intentions toward you are quite dishonorable. The only promise I make is that there will be a great deal of pleasure for both of us...."
It was a dangerous time in London, as a murderous scoundrel called the Hook terrified rich and poor alike with his dastardly conquests. It was certainly not safe for Anne Fairhaven to walk darkened streets, even with a loaded pistol in her purse.
But desperation made one do reckless things. Anne's young daughter had been stolen from her in a vicious act of vengeance. And with a mother's unyielding love, she vowed to reclaim her child.
Such dire need forced her back into the glittering society she hated. She was willing to risk her life and even dance with the devil himself--the Marquis Mandell, a callous, cynical libertine with night-dark eyes and full warm lips that could tempt an angel to sin.
Though playing the hero was rare for a man cast in a villain's role, Anne stirred something in him that he believed lost long ago. As intrigue and peril lay devious traps, two lost souls discover that somewhere between heaven and hell, there is love....
It was a dangerous time in London, as a murderous scoundrel called the Hook terrified rich and poor alike with his dastardly conquests. It was certainly not safe for Anne Fairhaven to walk darkened streets, even with a loaded pistol in her purse.
But desperation made one do reckless things. Anne's young daughter had been stolen from her in a vicious act of vengeance. And with a mother's unyielding love, she vowed to reclaim her child.
Such dire need forced her back into the glittering society she hated. She was willing to risk her life and even dance with the devil himself--the Marquis Mandell, a callous, cynical libertine with night-dark eyes and full warm lips that could tempt an angel to sin.
Though playing the hero was rare for a man cast in a villain's role, Anne stirred something in him that he believed lost long ago. As intrigue and peril lay devious traps, two lost souls discover that somewhere between heaven and hell, there is love....
362 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 30, 1995
About the author
Susan Carroll
65 books379 followersBorn Susan Carol Cute in 1952, Susan Coppula obtained a Degree in English with complementary studies in History in the University of Indiana. Since 1986, Susan has published books under three different pseudonyms: Susan Carroll, Susan Coppula, and Serena Richards
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 1, 2019
I enjoy historical mysteries that includes a romance. And if it contains a dark, brooding anti-hero, that doesn’t bother me except the character needs to be fleshed out. I need to feel the main protagonists are three-dimensional. I also want a deep connection between the man and the woman once they realize their importance to each other.
A mistress at the start of a HR is acceptable as long as she fades into the background once the heroine enters the picture. Children are fine as long as their action and speech match their age. I don’t want a six-year-old talking like a teenager or a two-year-old.
Secondary characters are important as long as they serve a purpose. Individuals with their own stories are okay as long as they don’t detract from the main plot. And the suspense? I need it to build at a decent pace. A twist here and there is welcome.
What does all of this have to do with The Painted Veil? Ms. Carroll wrote about two vulnerable characters except the main topic wandered at times. Until almost the end, I never felt that all-important connection between Mandell and ‘Sorrow’. There was an acceptable amount of tension within the mystery but it was not fluid. I *believe* with a really good editor this story had the potential to rate five stars but in all fairness, I can only give it three.
A mistress at the start of a HR is acceptable as long as she fades into the background once the heroine enters the picture. Children are fine as long as their action and speech match their age. I don’t want a six-year-old talking like a teenager or a two-year-old.
Secondary characters are important as long as they serve a purpose. Individuals with their own stories are okay as long as they don’t detract from the main plot. And the suspense? I need it to build at a decent pace. A twist here and there is welcome.
What does all of this have to do with The Painted Veil? Ms. Carroll wrote about two vulnerable characters except the main topic wandered at times. Until almost the end, I never felt that all-important connection between Mandell and ‘Sorrow’. There was an acceptable amount of tension within the mystery but it was not fluid. I *believe* with a really good editor this story had the potential to rate five stars but in all fairness, I can only give it three.
maybe-read
June 17, 2016read partially. too much of the H's mistress. i'm guessing she ends up with his cousin? which would've been sweet, if that couple was the focus. and the H was a 'Hero'.
the H and h are sort of one-dimensional. i'd love to read about them, but in a book that's just them. ugh. dnf for me. (2 stars... which i cleared out because i think it's a good book, it just doesn't appeal to me right now)
the H and h are sort of one-dimensional. i'd love to read about them, but in a book that's just them. ugh. dnf for me. (2 stars... which i cleared out because i think it's a good book, it just doesn't appeal to me right now)
June 4, 2023
4.5 stars
February 10, 2009
A very good Regency from Susan Carroll's earlier work. This book is a regency that has romantic suspense with a mystery as well.
April 25, 2019
I think it's good to note that this book was written in the nineties because it has some absolute nonsense in that regard, but it was good for what it was.
I don't think it was historically accurate for the time period but this allows Carroll to keep a small cast of characters that are all very connected with one another. For example, the Marquis of Mandell's mistress dreams of marrying an aristocrat and joining the social caste. It's not completely out of the realm of belief, I suppose, but it's also not as easy as it appears in the book. She ends up part of the second sub-romance that isn't mentioned in the back blurb.
There's also a deranged killer/thief called 'the hook' that spices up a fairly dull romance plot but there's no grand investigation by the hero into this subplot. In fact, The Hook was probably the most interesting character in general because the hero was a bored rake whilst the heroine was known as 'Sorrow' and had the droopy personality to match.
That all being said, this was a decent, run of the mill 90s type regency romance and I think it excelled in that regard. It's just fine to read and everything is tied neatly at the end with the villains getting their just desserts and a happy ending for the two romance plots.
I have read other books by Susan Carroll and I enjoyed them much more than this book. I did enjoy this book for what it was.
I don't think it was historically accurate for the time period but this allows Carroll to keep a small cast of characters that are all very connected with one another. For example, the Marquis of Mandell's mistress dreams of marrying an aristocrat and joining the social caste. It's not completely out of the realm of belief, I suppose, but it's also not as easy as it appears in the book. She ends up part of the second sub-romance that isn't mentioned in the back blurb.
There's also a deranged killer/thief called 'the hook' that spices up a fairly dull romance plot but there's no grand investigation by the hero into this subplot. In fact, The Hook was probably the most interesting character in general because the hero was a bored rake whilst the heroine was known as 'Sorrow' and had the droopy personality to match.
That all being said, this was a decent, run of the mill 90s type regency romance and I think it excelled in that regard. It's just fine to read and everything is tied neatly at the end with the villains getting their just desserts and a happy ending for the two romance plots.
I have read other books by Susan Carroll and I enjoyed them much more than this book. I did enjoy this book for what it was.
July 9, 2020
There was a lot to like about this book, but unfortunately several problems as well - mainly way too much happening in the last few pages that should have been addressed earlier (not to mention a largely irrelevant title). I'll probably try another book by this author, in hopes that this was a learning experience.
March 15, 2015
Entertaining with a little bit of everything, including a few unexpected twists. Liked it!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews