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Sarah Tolerance #2
Petty Treason
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Fallen Womanof good family must, soon or late, descend to whoredom.Miss Sarah Tolerance refuses to follow the path of the Fallen Women who have gone before her. She's a straight shooter, with her pistol as well as her wit, and her mind is as sharp as the blade of her sword.Miss Tolerance is an Agent of Inquiry, a private investigator of sorts--the sole one of her kind in London, in this year of 1810 with mad King George III on the throne and Queen Charlotte acting as his Regent. Her aim was to trace lost trinkets, send wastrel husbands back to their wives, and occasionally provide protection to persons with more money than sense--but she is continually drawn into the plots of others. Her newest case poses a puzzle unlike any she has faced before: who killed the Chevalier d'Aubigny? The French emigre was beaten to death in his own bed, found by his retainers the next morning, all the doors and windows of the house sealed tight. The murder is a classic locked-room mystery, but Miss Tolerance knows she can find the key.As Miss Tolerance examines the situation and interviews witnesses and suspects, she realizes things are far more complicated than she originally suspected--for the Chevalier had more enemies than he had friends, and Miss Tolerance is hard pressed to find someone who didn't wish him dead. Her search for his killer takes her from the lowest brothels of the seedy London underworld, where men go to indulge their more aggressive desires, to the Royal Family and a Duke who must hide his perversions or risk the Throne.Welcome to Miss Tolerance's Regency London, where nothing is what it seems and the only way to serve justice is to follow conscience rather than law.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
12 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Madeleine E. Robins
44 books124 followersWriting gives Madeleine Robins the chance to focus on many of her ruling passions: cities, history, swordplay, the history of disease, and the future of mankind–with a side order of historical costuming and infrastructure (urban plumbing is far more interesting than you’d think).
Born in New York City, the Author has been, in no particular order, a nanny, a teacher, an actor and stage-combatant, an administrator, a comic book editor, a baker, typist-clerk for Thos. Cook’s Houses of Parliament office, a repairer-of-hurt-books, an editorial consultant, and a writer. She holds a degree in Theatre Studies from Connecticut College, and attended the Clarion Science Fiction Workshop in 1981. She is a founding member of Book View Cafe (http://bookviewcafe.com) where most of her short fiction is available for free!
Born in New York City, the Author has been, in no particular order, a nanny, a teacher, an actor and stage-combatant, an administrator, a comic book editor, a baker, typist-clerk for Thos. Cook’s Houses of Parliament office, a repairer-of-hurt-books, an editorial consultant, and a writer. She holds a degree in Theatre Studies from Connecticut College, and attended the Clarion Science Fiction Workshop in 1981. She is a founding member of Book View Cafe (http://bookviewcafe.com) where most of her short fiction is available for free!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 21, 2015
This second volume of Robins' high-quality Sarah Tolerance series has much in common with the first book in style and literary strong points; and of course it shares a protagonist and other continuing characters (and an ethos) with its predecessor, and builds on the premise and events laid out there. While it could be read first and still be enjoyed, IMO the series should be read in order to fully understand the characters and relationships (and Sarah's unique situation), and appreciate their development here. (Here's the link to my review of the first book, which is relevant here: www.goodreads.com/review/show/73549574 .)
Six months have passed since the events of Point of Honour; we're now in November, 1810. In the background, the Napoleonic Wars still drag on, with widespread dissatisfaction on the home front with the sacrifices the government demands to support and provision the troops abroad; and Queen Charlotte's poor health fuels the poisonous infighting of Whig and Tory factions as they jockey for the possible appointment of a new regent. The Goodreads book description (taken from the cover copy) gives a basically accurate explanation of the case confronting Sarah here --except that this is actually NOT a locked room mystery, classic or otherwise; whoever wrote the description didn't read the book carefully. It's not her usual type of investigation, and she undertakes it reluctantly; she's accustomed to inquire after lost articles, errant spouses, social skeletons in the closet, etc --not to track down murderers. But the events of the previous book have demonstrated that she can do the latter; and since the investigating authorities are inclined to pin this crime on the widow, her brother believes that hiring Sarah might be his desperate last chance to find the real culprit and clear his sister.
Robins has crafted a challenging mystery that will satisfy genre fans, and keep them guessing down to the wire; the deceased had secrets that don't immediately meet the eye, and he wasn't the only one with things to hide. The pace of the storytelling and investigating is slow, in keeping with transportation by foot or by horse and communication by written messages; we see investigation conducted as it actually would be in this cultural context and with this kind of technology (or lack of technology). We're also immersed very much in the daily life of a young woman in the Regency world; the way the author brings the milieu to life is a great strength of the series. That said, the action component here is significantly greater than it was in the first book. There's also much less in the way of actual sexual situations, though Sarah still lives out back of her aunt's high-society brothel and is close friends with a prostitute, and though her inquiries here will expose her to the ugly world of sexual sadism, where some brothels called "birching houses" cater to the tastes of males who get sexual satisfaction from beating and brutalizing women. As in the first book, there's not much bad language here; low-life characters use the f-word three times, but in a context where it's actually the Anglo-Saxon verb these people would use (rather than as an all-purpose expletive, as we hear it nowadays).
Sound historical research underlies the story here, as Robins makes clear in her appended "History and Appreciation." The details of English criminal law of that day, as given in the book, are accurate; and the attempt to kill one of the king's sons, the Duke of Cumberland, by his valet Sallis (who committed suicide when it failed) really did take place in May 1810. (In her alternate world here, Robins took the liberty of moving it to August.) And Cumberland actually was, as here, a scandal-ridden High Tory who wasn't much loved by the populace. An equalitarian feminist subtext set against the backdrop of a very chauvinistic society (and ours really isn't much less so, though we're more hypocritical about it) is another strong point here.
Sarah's a great heroine, who readily earns this reader's respect and admiration. The snobbier members of Regency High Society don't consider her a "lady" (and she doesn't claim to be), and think an unwise choice made in the passion of teenage love should forever brand her as a moral pariah. But most readers will recognize her as a lady, and a classy one, with a very solid moral compass and integrity. And as the best literature always does, this novel focuses on very real moral choices, that will further temper the precious metal of her integrity in a crucible.
There's no second-in-the-series slump here; if anything, I actually liked this novel even better than the first one! Next year, I'm hoping to read the third installment of the series, The Sleeping Partner.
Six months have passed since the events of Point of Honour; we're now in November, 1810. In the background, the Napoleonic Wars still drag on, with widespread dissatisfaction on the home front with the sacrifices the government demands to support and provision the troops abroad; and Queen Charlotte's poor health fuels the poisonous infighting of Whig and Tory factions as they jockey for the possible appointment of a new regent. The Goodreads book description (taken from the cover copy) gives a basically accurate explanation of the case confronting Sarah here --except that this is actually NOT a locked room mystery, classic or otherwise; whoever wrote the description didn't read the book carefully. It's not her usual type of investigation, and she undertakes it reluctantly; she's accustomed to inquire after lost articles, errant spouses, social skeletons in the closet, etc --not to track down murderers. But the events of the previous book have demonstrated that she can do the latter; and since the investigating authorities are inclined to pin this crime on the widow, her brother believes that hiring Sarah might be his desperate last chance to find the real culprit and clear his sister.
Robins has crafted a challenging mystery that will satisfy genre fans, and keep them guessing down to the wire; the deceased had secrets that don't immediately meet the eye, and he wasn't the only one with things to hide. The pace of the storytelling and investigating is slow, in keeping with transportation by foot or by horse and communication by written messages; we see investigation conducted as it actually would be in this cultural context and with this kind of technology (or lack of technology). We're also immersed very much in the daily life of a young woman in the Regency world; the way the author brings the milieu to life is a great strength of the series. That said, the action component here is significantly greater than it was in the first book. There's also much less in the way of actual sexual situations, though Sarah still lives out back of her aunt's high-society brothel and is close friends with a prostitute, and though her inquiries here will expose her to the ugly world of sexual sadism, where some brothels called "birching houses" cater to the tastes of males who get sexual satisfaction from beating and brutalizing women. As in the first book, there's not much bad language here; low-life characters use the f-word three times, but in a context where it's actually the Anglo-Saxon verb these people would use (rather than as an all-purpose expletive, as we hear it nowadays).
Sound historical research underlies the story here, as Robins makes clear in her appended "History and Appreciation." The details of English criminal law of that day, as given in the book, are accurate; and the attempt to kill one of the king's sons, the Duke of Cumberland, by his valet Sallis (who committed suicide when it failed) really did take place in May 1810. (In her alternate world here, Robins took the liberty of moving it to August.) And Cumberland actually was, as here, a scandal-ridden High Tory who wasn't much loved by the populace. An equalitarian feminist subtext set against the backdrop of a very chauvinistic society (and ours really isn't much less so, though we're more hypocritical about it) is another strong point here.
Sarah's a great heroine, who readily earns this reader's respect and admiration. The snobbier members of Regency High Society don't consider her a "lady" (and she doesn't claim to be), and think an unwise choice made in the passion of teenage love should forever brand her as a moral pariah. But most readers will recognize her as a lady, and a classy one, with a very solid moral compass and integrity. And as the best literature always does, this novel focuses on very real moral choices, that will further temper the precious metal of her integrity in a crucible.
There's no second-in-the-series slump here; if anything, I actually liked this novel even better than the first one! Next year, I'm hoping to read the third installment of the series, The Sleeping Partner.
May 25, 2018
This is second in a series and the first is very present, here. I highly recommend reading them in order. Which has the added benefit that you'll know what to expect with this one.
I liked this mystery about as much as the first. It's a little actiony and Sarah finds more from sheer dogged determination than Holmesian genius, but that's not really a bad thing. I felt like it bogged down a bit in the middle with lots of meandering and distasteful people and an undercurrent of BDSM wasn't helping, either. As well, this book deals a lot with Regency-era "justice" and that hits kind of hard on the outrage-meter. This story might almost be a tract on the corruption built into the system of law and that made for two heavy elements in the through line.
So I'm painting this with three stars but want to note that there's a good deal of personal taste in that rating. The writing is vivid, the worldbuilding unique and interesting and Sarah is a very engaging main character and I kind of hate that there is only one other book in this series.
I liked this mystery about as much as the first. It's a little actiony and Sarah finds more from sheer dogged determination than Holmesian genius, but that's not really a bad thing. I felt like it bogged down a bit in the middle with lots of meandering and distasteful people and an undercurrent of BDSM wasn't helping, either. As well, this book deals a lot with Regency-era "justice" and that hits kind of hard on the outrage-meter. This story might almost be a tract on the corruption built into the system of law and that made for two heavy elements in the through line.
So I'm painting this with three stars but want to note that there's a good deal of personal taste in that rating. The writing is vivid, the worldbuilding unique and interesting and Sarah is a very engaging main character and I kind of hate that there is only one other book in this series.
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April 24, 2017My theory is that this novel about a fallen woman of the Regency era becoming a detective came out too early. The time for it is now, and I hope it will soon appear in ebook form.
Robins opens with a little discursion into manners: the fact that a lady is bound by so many invisible, but quite binding, rules. That a gentleman is not bound by the same rules, and that a gentleman may become a Rake, the implication being that any man but a gentleman, by indulging in the same vices, is nothing short of a criminal.
I strongly suspect that these ponderings are going to underlie the unfolding story--and of course this is Mannered writing at its best. We moderns might enjoy playing at the rules both visible and invisible, but we really want to test the limits--we don't need any reinforcement of the status quo, which does quite well on its own, merci beaucoup. Especially these days, when quite ordinary people who don't otherwise think much about the privileges of rank are wondering why actions committed by Rich and Powerful net nothing but more money and power, but those same actions committed by us would land us in the slammer for the rest of our lives?
Well. Anyway. I admire the deft way that Robins shifted England of 1810 one universe over, giving her a little more freedom of possibility. Not so much with the rules (though she bends them a tad, for example, there is a club for ladies, the Tarsio) but because the famous historical figures are not in exactly the same place as in our own history, treading the minutely familiar ground. There can therefore be some surprises.
Fantasy of manners I call it, though there is no magic--in this novel, the fantasy element is just that: the shifting of the universe one over.
Robins opens with a little discursion into manners: the fact that a lady is bound by so many invisible, but quite binding, rules. That a gentleman is not bound by the same rules, and that a gentleman may become a Rake, the implication being that any man but a gentleman, by indulging in the same vices, is nothing short of a criminal.
I strongly suspect that these ponderings are going to underlie the unfolding story--and of course this is Mannered writing at its best. We moderns might enjoy playing at the rules both visible and invisible, but we really want to test the limits--we don't need any reinforcement of the status quo, which does quite well on its own, merci beaucoup. Especially these days, when quite ordinary people who don't otherwise think much about the privileges of rank are wondering why actions committed by Rich and Powerful net nothing but more money and power, but those same actions committed by us would land us in the slammer for the rest of our lives?
Well. Anyway. I admire the deft way that Robins shifted England of 1810 one universe over, giving her a little more freedom of possibility. Not so much with the rules (though she bends them a tad, for example, there is a club for ladies, the Tarsio) but because the famous historical figures are not in exactly the same place as in our own history, treading the minutely familiar ground. There can therefore be some surprises.
Fantasy of manners I call it, though there is no magic--in this novel, the fantasy element is just that: the shifting of the universe one over.
November 2, 2015
It's been ages since I read a book without even a hint of romance! *blush*
This is one such book. But it was excellent even without any romance!
The heroine, Sarah, is a Fallen woman. We all know what "Fallen" means. But, she choose her path differently: instead of becaming a courtesan, or prostituite, a common "profession" of the fallen, she choose to became an investigator, or, Agent of Inquiry.
She's good at her profession. She's intelligent and observant and she knows what questions to ask to get to the truth!
Sarah is also skilled in disguises. She's perfectly at ease in gowns and petticoats and in trousers and greatcoat. She's also a master swordsman (or is it swordswoman???) and is great with gun!
She's a great heroine: she's sarcastic when needed, but she's also compassionate where the situation requires it.
Her view of the world is different than those of other women of this period and she's very straitforward in expressing her views!
The story is intricated and told very well and I enjoyed it really very much!
This is one such book. But it was excellent even without any romance!
The heroine, Sarah, is a Fallen woman. We all know what "Fallen" means. But, she choose her path differently: instead of becaming a courtesan, or prostituite, a common "profession" of the fallen, she choose to became an investigator, or, Agent of Inquiry.
She's good at her profession. She's intelligent and observant and she knows what questions to ask to get to the truth!
Sarah is also skilled in disguises. She's perfectly at ease in gowns and petticoats and in trousers and greatcoat. She's also a master swordsman (or is it swordswoman???) and is great with gun!
She's a great heroine: she's sarcastic when needed, but she's also compassionate where the situation requires it.
Her view of the world is different than those of other women of this period and she's very straitforward in expressing her views!
The story is intricated and told very well and I enjoyed it really very much!
May 19, 2012
4/5; 4 stars; A-
I really enjoyed this book. I've been dragging my feet on finishing it and reviewing for the lamest reason....I have had to get the next one through inter library loan and I don't want to have to wait too long from one to the next. I really enjoy looking at the world through the eyes of Sarah Tolerance. Madeleine Robins has taken a few liberties with history so the world for the purposes of the story but it still feels like Regency era England.
My admiration for the character, Sarah, has grown by leaps and bounds over the course of the two books I've read in this series. The mystery and solving of it is only one aspect of the books. What I find almost as riveting is the social commentary embedded in the story. Robins does a fine job of highlighting the enormous gender inequality of the era. Her female characters are rich and varied!
I really enjoyed this book. I've been dragging my feet on finishing it and reviewing for the lamest reason....I have had to get the next one through inter library loan and I don't want to have to wait too long from one to the next. I really enjoy looking at the world through the eyes of Sarah Tolerance. Madeleine Robins has taken a few liberties with history so the world for the purposes of the story but it still feels like Regency era England.
My admiration for the character, Sarah, has grown by leaps and bounds over the course of the two books I've read in this series. The mystery and solving of it is only one aspect of the books. What I find almost as riveting is the social commentary embedded in the story. Robins does a fine job of highlighting the enormous gender inequality of the era. Her female characters are rich and varied!
January 7, 2009
PETTY TREASON (Hist. Mys-Sarah Tolerance-England-1810/Georgian) - VG
Robins, Madeleine E. – 2nd in series
Forge, 2004, US Hardcover – ISBN: 0765304007
First Sentence: It is one thing, and a quite considerable thing, to be a lady.
Private Inquiry Agency Ms, Sarah Tolerance, has been hired by a man to prove his sister innocent of murdering her husband. The victim, Chevalier D’Aubigny, was a man of unpleasant appetites but, in spite of Bow Street’s claims, she does not believe the young widow capable of hiring someone to commit murder.
Sarah’s investigation takes her from the salons of the social elite to back alley slums, twice nearly costing her life and, in her resolve to find the truth, causing harm to her friendship the Magistrate Sir Walter Mandif.
Sarah Tolerance is a wonderful addition to the list of strong, smart, independent female protagonists. What makes it even more delightful is the period in which she is set. A fallen woman and niece of the owner of a brothel, she has chosen to go her own way and, have learned to fence and occasional dressing in man’s clothing, become an inquiry agent.
I do take a bit of exception to Ms. Robins creativity with some rather important points of history, but the story is so good, I am prepared to view the book as fiction in past times rather than strict historical fiction—a fine distinction, I realize. With that, however, the author does a wonderful job of conveying the period and life of the people within all classes. The style of writing and dialogue enhance the setting. While not strictly of the period, there is enough sense of it to contribute to the illusion.
The story is well plotted. It goes from a murder to overtones of espionage, but without losing the focus of the crime. It was, for me, a one-sitting read, mainly because I needed to know the outcome, which came from a well-done twist at the end.
Although I enjoyed Ms. Robin’s first book, I found this to be a much better and more satisfying read. I look forward to Sarah’s next case.
Robins, Madeleine E. – 2nd in series
Forge, 2004, US Hardcover – ISBN: 0765304007
First Sentence: It is one thing, and a quite considerable thing, to be a lady.
Private Inquiry Agency Ms, Sarah Tolerance, has been hired by a man to prove his sister innocent of murdering her husband. The victim, Chevalier D’Aubigny, was a man of unpleasant appetites but, in spite of Bow Street’s claims, she does not believe the young widow capable of hiring someone to commit murder.
Sarah’s investigation takes her from the salons of the social elite to back alley slums, twice nearly costing her life and, in her resolve to find the truth, causing harm to her friendship the Magistrate Sir Walter Mandif.
Sarah Tolerance is a wonderful addition to the list of strong, smart, independent female protagonists. What makes it even more delightful is the period in which she is set. A fallen woman and niece of the owner of a brothel, she has chosen to go her own way and, have learned to fence and occasional dressing in man’s clothing, become an inquiry agent.
I do take a bit of exception to Ms. Robins creativity with some rather important points of history, but the story is so good, I am prepared to view the book as fiction in past times rather than strict historical fiction—a fine distinction, I realize. With that, however, the author does a wonderful job of conveying the period and life of the people within all classes. The style of writing and dialogue enhance the setting. While not strictly of the period, there is enough sense of it to contribute to the illusion.
The story is well plotted. It goes from a murder to overtones of espionage, but without losing the focus of the crime. It was, for me, a one-sitting read, mainly because I needed to know the outcome, which came from a well-done twist at the end.
Although I enjoyed Ms. Robin’s first book, I found this to be a much better and more satisfying read. I look forward to Sarah’s next case.
April 27, 2011
This is also an alternative world fantasy, for although it’s during the Regency period of England, it’s Queen Charlotte who is the Regent, not her eldest son – and her poor health leads to a lot of scheming, back stabbing and in-fighting amongst the princes for the role of the next regent.
Officially, our heroine, Sarah Tolerance, deals little with royals. She is a Fallen Woman (and in this history, that’s all most people care about her. She should go be a whore and get out of the sight of decent folk.) What would Elizabeth Barrett have done if she’d fallen in love with a man, left with him – and he’d died before they could be married? Sarah has no desire to be a whore (even with an aunt who runs a high-class bordello) and seeks another path. She is an agent of inquiry, the only one in London. Lost trinkets, misplaced spouses, adult children needing shepherding? Miss Tolerance can oblige. She is shrewd, intelligent, and quite good with a blade (her paramour was a fencing instructor.) In a strange no-man’s land, Miss Tolerance has carved out a tiny world for herself, and hangs onto her rung with vigor.
I have not read the first novel about this character, but this one is truly a mystery, a Regency Noir, if you will. The book is written in a lovely, formal manner that reflects the thought processes of its heroine. The details and depth of this London intrigue give us a much seamier side than Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen ever shared with us. There is a touch of potential romance suggested, although historically I do not see any way it could happen, short of elevation to the peerage, which could at least make it possible for a married Tolerance to remain in London.
The murderer seemed obvious to me (because all the tiny clues added up properly, not because of thin plotting) but the number of bodies turning up to cover many crimes will keep you watching up to the last page. I found this very readable, and finished it in one day (my poor eyes!) Recommended.
Officially, our heroine, Sarah Tolerance, deals little with royals. She is a Fallen Woman (and in this history, that’s all most people care about her. She should go be a whore and get out of the sight of decent folk.) What would Elizabeth Barrett have done if she’d fallen in love with a man, left with him – and he’d died before they could be married? Sarah has no desire to be a whore (even with an aunt who runs a high-class bordello) and seeks another path. She is an agent of inquiry, the only one in London. Lost trinkets, misplaced spouses, adult children needing shepherding? Miss Tolerance can oblige. She is shrewd, intelligent, and quite good with a blade (her paramour was a fencing instructor.) In a strange no-man’s land, Miss Tolerance has carved out a tiny world for herself, and hangs onto her rung with vigor.
I have not read the first novel about this character, but this one is truly a mystery, a Regency Noir, if you will. The book is written in a lovely, formal manner that reflects the thought processes of its heroine. The details and depth of this London intrigue give us a much seamier side than Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen ever shared with us. There is a touch of potential romance suggested, although historically I do not see any way it could happen, short of elevation to the peerage, which could at least make it possible for a married Tolerance to remain in London.
The murderer seemed obvious to me (because all the tiny clues added up properly, not because of thin plotting) but the number of bodies turning up to cover many crimes will keep you watching up to the last page. I found this very readable, and finished it in one day (my poor eyes!) Recommended.
November 7, 2011
Petty Treason is the second book (following Point of Honour) in Madeleine E. Robins's delightful series of alternate history Regency detective novels featuring Miss Sarah Tolerance, a Fallen Woman who has become an agent of inquiry (read: private investigator) rather than follow the usual path to prostitution. In Petty Treason, she's hired to look into the death of the Chevalier d'Aubigny, a French émigré beaten to death in bed; along the way, the mystery develops implications that touch the Royal Family itself.
Miss Tolerance is a very intriguing character: resourceful, determined, intelligent, and good with a sword (there's an excellent duel near the end of the book). She's a pleasure to read about, and so is the slightly tweaked version of Regency London Robins has created, where Queen Charlotte rules as regent for mad King George III (rather than the Prince of Wales). I also like the book's style, because Robins hasn't chosen to try to recreate the style of an author of the period; she simply uses an elegant, formal language which matches her protagonist's style precisely.
Miss Tolerance is a very intriguing character: resourceful, determined, intelligent, and good with a sword (there's an excellent duel near the end of the book). She's a pleasure to read about, and so is the slightly tweaked version of Regency London Robins has created, where Queen Charlotte rules as regent for mad King George III (rather than the Prince of Wales). I also like the book's style, because Robins hasn't chosen to try to recreate the style of an author of the period; she simply uses an elegant, formal language which matches her protagonist's style precisely.
January 8, 2014
OMG, this is such a great series. The perfect confluence of Regency and detective fiction -- as if Georgette Heyer's secret identity were Agatha Christie. There's also a steady undertone of feminism in there, inherent in the setup. Our heroine Sarah Tolerance is a single woman with a career, in a era when such things are almost totally unheard of. Her adventures are marvelous, and the tone of these books is exact and perfect.
July 11, 2009
This was really great - liked it even more than the first.
Want the unpublished Sarah Tolerance books!
Want the unpublished Sarah Tolerance books!
January 18, 2009
The second (sadly, of only two) book in the Sarah Tolerance mystery series set in an alternate Regency period of British history. Miss Sarah Tolerance is a Fallen Woman living in Regency London, making her living by doing private and discreet investigations for the well-to-do. She is approached by a Mr. Colcannon to investigate the violent death of his brother-in-law, the Chevalier d'Aubigny, who was found bludgeoned to death in his own bed. As Miss Tolerance soon discovers, there are more people that wished the Chevalier dead than alive, as he was a cruel husband, a lakcluster employee and all around, a bad apple. As Sarah delves deeper into the mystery, she comes into contact with London's darker, seedy side and a plot that may involve treason and royalty as well as murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed Madeleine Robins' first book in the Sarah Tolerance series, and as I wanted a shorter story to read before picking up Hilary Mantel's large Wolf Hall, I thought this would be the perfect book for me to read at this time. It does not disappoint. Regency London in Robins' world is one in which women are given just a bit more freedom than they were during the actual English Regency- just enough to make for some compelling adventures on the part of Sarah Tolerance. I also had a lot of fun trying to pinpoint the changes Robins made to history, particularly the history involving the Royal family, and why she chose to make those changes. It was amusing for me and says a lot about Robins as a writer, I think. Alternate histories can be difficult, depending on the initial point at which the author chooses to break with history. The main basis of this series is that, rather than the Prince of Wales becoming the Regent, George III's wife took on the role. However, she is very sick in the books, and so there is a huge power struggle between all the king's sons as to who may become the next Regent. It's fascinating and I'm quite depressed we don't have any further books in the series to read. But maybe Robins will find a small press publisher for Sarah Tolerance and my world will be righted once more.
If you are not a Regency aficionado like me, but just enjoy historical mysteries, I thin you'd find the Tolerance books up your alley as well. The story moves quickly, the mystery has many nuances and levels, and the characters are engaging. It's also interesting to learn about judicial history and how it used to work. Or did not work, as the case may be. Also, Sarah Tolerance is a very interesting character, and I would really enjoy getting to know her better through more books. She does not indulge in self-pity, she refuses to let the world dictate how she should act, and she is handy with a sword. Good stuff all around, I think.
I thoroughly enjoyed Madeleine Robins' first book in the Sarah Tolerance series, and as I wanted a shorter story to read before picking up Hilary Mantel's large Wolf Hall, I thought this would be the perfect book for me to read at this time. It does not disappoint. Regency London in Robins' world is one in which women are given just a bit more freedom than they were during the actual English Regency- just enough to make for some compelling adventures on the part of Sarah Tolerance. I also had a lot of fun trying to pinpoint the changes Robins made to history, particularly the history involving the Royal family, and why she chose to make those changes. It was amusing for me and says a lot about Robins as a writer, I think. Alternate histories can be difficult, depending on the initial point at which the author chooses to break with history. The main basis of this series is that, rather than the Prince of Wales becoming the Regent, George III's wife took on the role. However, she is very sick in the books, and so there is a huge power struggle between all the king's sons as to who may become the next Regent. It's fascinating and I'm quite depressed we don't have any further books in the series to read. But maybe Robins will find a small press publisher for Sarah Tolerance and my world will be righted once more.
If you are not a Regency aficionado like me, but just enjoy historical mysteries, I thin you'd find the Tolerance books up your alley as well. The story moves quickly, the mystery has many nuances and levels, and the characters are engaging. It's also interesting to learn about judicial history and how it used to work. Or did not work, as the case may be. Also, Sarah Tolerance is a very interesting character, and I would really enjoy getting to know her better through more books. She does not indulge in self-pity, she refuses to let the world dictate how she should act, and she is handy with a sword. Good stuff all around, I think.
March 23, 2012
3 1/4 stars
Not as good as the first book in this series.
Some seriously cool action adventure and fencing/ combat sequences - very well described.
Not to get all girlie, but this book desperately needed more of the schmultzy, gooey, emotional stuff - and well characterization - which is not necessarily a girlie thing. This is a book marketed toward women right? Women - well this woman at least - want to know all of these character, emotional life, back story kinds of things. I wanted to know more about the characters, especially the main character. I was really excited and hoping to learn more about her first husband in this book - just more background info. in general - and was sadly disappointed. What makes Sarah Tolerance tick? Besides his expert fencing abilities, what was so alluring about her first husband that made her leave her birth country in ruin and live her life disguised as a man so that she could be with him? After he died and she found herself alone in a war zone, how exactly did she get herself back to Britain? And not nearly enough book time with Sarah and the magistrate, Sir Walter.
The murder mystery that was the central story to this novel was only so/so. It was pretty easy to determine who the murderer was within the first 20 pages. Quite frankly, I think I would have more enjoyed a book about Sarah Tolerance's early escapades, running around the continent with the man that ruined her than this paltry and tame (despite all of that whipping and bondage subplot) murder mystery.
Even still, the main character is intriguing, and intelligent, and seriously kick-ass (without being portrayed as some sort of male fantasy, dominatrix, angel with a sword), so of course I'll be keeping on with the series.
Not as good as the first book in this series.
Some seriously cool action adventure and fencing/ combat sequences - very well described.
Not to get all girlie, but this book desperately needed more of the schmultzy, gooey, emotional stuff - and well characterization - which is not necessarily a girlie thing. This is a book marketed toward women right? Women - well this woman at least - want to know all of these character, emotional life, back story kinds of things. I wanted to know more about the characters, especially the main character. I was really excited and hoping to learn more about her first husband in this book - just more background info. in general - and was sadly disappointed. What makes Sarah Tolerance tick? Besides his expert fencing abilities, what was so alluring about her first husband that made her leave her birth country in ruin and live her life disguised as a man so that she could be with him? After he died and she found herself alone in a war zone, how exactly did she get herself back to Britain? And not nearly enough book time with Sarah and the magistrate, Sir Walter.
The murder mystery that was the central story to this novel was only so/so. It was pretty easy to determine who the murderer was within the first 20 pages. Quite frankly, I think I would have more enjoyed a book about Sarah Tolerance's early escapades, running around the continent with the man that ruined her than this paltry and tame (despite all of that whipping and bondage subplot) murder mystery.
Even still, the main character is intriguing, and intelligent, and seriously kick-ass (without being portrayed as some sort of male fantasy, dominatrix, angel with a sword), so of course I'll be keeping on with the series.
January 19, 2014
Madeleine E. Robbins' book Petty Treason is the second book in a mystery series set in Regency England, but about as far from a "Regency novel" as you could imagine. The protagonist is a "fallen woman" -- and, I might note, takes every opportunity to make sure people know of her status and to agonize about it to the reader -- who has turned herself into a sort of private investigator, with the assistance of a handful of very conveniently placed powerful friends (who, of course, couldn't invite her for dinner, but can meet her in a low dive to get her out of scrapes). The social aspects could be intriguing, but don't really seem to get resolved in a believable manner, especially given that her investigations require her to move about in all levels of society. (Oh, and just to improve her toolkit, she's skilled with a sword, a pistol, and at successful cross-dressing.) It could be quite a delightful romp of a mystery with a heroine after my own heart, but instead she ends up being tediously dreary and unbelievable (and I have extremely elastic believability standards for my historic heroines!). And on top of that, the writing is merely tolerable. Maybe it's unfair to judge a series on the basis of reading book #2 in isolation, but I look at my pile of to-be-read and just can't work up the enthusiasm for tracking down book #1. So the bookmark is going to come out from its nest somewhere in the middle and the book heads back to the shelf. I will never know who killed the Chevalier d'Aubigny and I simply don't care.
November 14, 2009
I liked this. The mystery was a little too intricate for my taste, but Robins did a good job of describing the English criminal justice system of the Regency period. I was intrigued by the status of a wife (Offences of Petty Treason included the killing of a husband by a wife.), how crimes were investigated by magistrates, how witnesses and suspects were treated etc. And all this information was conveyed by strongly drawn characters, from the highest to the lowest ranks of Regency society. Miss Tolerance parries with them all.
I've got these books on my fantasy shelf, because they're alternate history, but the story is really a detective/crime story.
I've got these books on my fantasy shelf, because they're alternate history, but the story is really a detective/crime story.
July 15, 2007
i found out about this book after attending a 'writers with drinks' event up in san francisco, where the author read from the first chapter. i was laughing so hard, enjoying the play with gender roles, history and language that i bought the book immediately after -- from ms. robins!
the book as a whole: more of the same. =) a good mystery, kept my attention, and witty along the way. a fun, fast read.
the book as a whole: more of the same. =) a good mystery, kept my attention, and witty along the way. a fun, fast read.
September 20, 2008
I love this series and yearn for more. Georgette Heyer has always been my favorite author, and Robins' mysteries bring back memories of those favorites.
January 27, 2012
3.5-4+ stars
These books are difficult for me to rate, because while they're well-written, they're gritty and harsh - not at all what one might expect from a Regency novel. They remind me a bit of Jennifer Ashley's Captain Lacey mysteries - they expose the underbelly of London Society. What happens to gently bred ladies who are compromised or otherwise ruin their reputation? Regency romance novels would have us believe that the Rake always ends up on love with the Lady and marries her. But that's not so.
For the Fallen (as they're termed), there are few options. Generally, they're family throws them out and disowns them, leaving them to become mistresses or whores; seamstress work or other possible non-sex work simply doesn't pay the bills. And these women are subject to whatever rough treatment men - or women - chose to deal out to them. They have no money, no family, no position, and no reputation.
Sarah Brereston fell in love with her brother's fencing master, Connor, and ran away (the original meaning of the word 'elope') with him to France. Because he was Catholic and she Protestant, they could never agree on how to marry. Their age difference was also a factor - she was barely 17 when she eloped with the 30+ man. When Connor died, Sarah had nowhere to go; at the time, they were living near Belgium, and the Pennisular Wars (or some such) threatened the small village in which she lived. Sarah returned to England, but penniless and alone.
Sarah took on a new last name, as most Fallen did; the last name suggested something about the woman and her "profession". Sarah took the last name of Tolerance, which presumably is not about her profession, but more about her philosophy. As Sarah Tolerance, she's an "inquiry agent": basically a private investigator. She's done everything from locate lost trinkets to following errant husbands and documenting their unfaithfulness to checking out prospective suitors. In the first book, Sarah was hired to locate a fan given to a Fallen woman by an errant lord. The fan was supposed to be the Key to a Great Scandal that could bring down the Folles house, specifically the Earl of Versillion - an up-and-coming politician in the House of Lords. But as she pursued the fan, bodies began to pile up, and Sarah uncovered a lot more than she ever knew, including the guilt of the Earl, who murdered a Fallen woman - a whore - who had once been his father's mistress and was, in fact, his own mother.
As we learn at the beginning of this book, as painful as it was for her, Sarah not only arrested the Earl, but she testified against him in court. It was her own testimony and evidence that convicted him; being an Earl, however, he didn't hang, but rather he was transported to Australia.
The main puzzle in this book is the murder of a French noble man, Etienne d'Aubigny; the Chevalier was murdered in his bed, his skull crushed and his brains dashed out. His brother-in-law is anxious for his sister's security: if someone could enter her house and kill her husband, might they not come back for Mrs. d'Aubigny?
As usual, nothing is as it seems. I believe from an early episode in the book, Sarah is supposed to have encountered the Chevalier as the "woman" he was in congress with in the street ran away from him, because he was beating her. The "woman" ran into Sarah, who sheltered her from the brute. The Chevalier insisted that he'd already paid his coin, and he could do as he liked. It took quite a bit of "persuading" and the return of his money to make him walk off.
While this man was never given a name, Sarah learns early in her investigations that d'Aubigny was into beatings, which apparently, got him off. He even had his own "tool box" full of implements. But the local bircheries (or flagelleries) wouldn't even take him in - he was too violent for them. He had his own mistress, a "Mrs." Josette Vose, who even came to his house and his bedroom to service him; except they'd been on the outs over money he owed her, and she supposedly was nowhere near his house the night he was murdered.
Who murdered the Chevalier d'Aubigny? As Sarah investigates, she finds herself deeper and deeper into this deviant, shadowy world. What role does Camille Touvois play in all of this? Her salon hosts a bevy of poets and artists, but is also a political hot-bed. And Camille is best known for "matching" like with like - knowing who would suit whom and making the introduction. Camille introduced d'Aubigny to Mrs. Vose; later in the story, Sarah witnesses Camille introduce Mrs. Vose to the Duke of Cumberland, who has similar tastes in women as d'Aubigny. Who is the mysterious Mr. Beauville, the only "bosom buddy" of d'Aubigny that Sarah can find; everyone else intensely dislikes the man, even if they do business with him. Did Beauville set the fire in her cottage, intended to kill her? Did Beauville set the footpad on her who gave her a fierce beating and likely meant to kill her? Was Beauville the one who pointed the Watch and Bow Street to the Widow d'Aubigny - the widow that is so sheltered by her staff and seems so helpless and beaten down, Sarah can't possibly believe she murdered her husband.
-------------
The book is intriguing in that it further delves into the world of the Fallen, and into women's lives for much of Britain's history. The punishment for a man who beat his wife to death might be hanging - might, because it was within a man's right to beat his wife, and unless it could be proved he did it on purpose, the man likely went free. But for a woman to murder her husband was one of the worst possible crimes; the woman was BURNED to death, like a witch.
Sarah has to carefully skirt both the world of the Fallen and the world of polite Society, or what passes for it. She has to constantly be on her guard against men who would just as soon rape her or beat her to death as look at her. When she travels about in men's clothing (because it's more conducive to some of her investigations and doesn't hamper her like her skirts do - and she can wear her sword), men and women alike call her an abomination and seriously doubt her character. Her virtue is always in doubt; she's usually taken for a mistress or a whore. While Sarah realizes that her virtue has been compromised, she isn't free with her favors; she might have taken the Earl as a lover, but she wasn't his mistress. And he was only the second man she'd ever been with.
It seems as if the author is trying to develop a potential romantic interest for Sarah in Sir Walter Mandiff, one of the magistrates who oversees Bow Street Runners - what passes for law enforcement in this time. Sir Walter and Sarah met in the first book, because the first murder took place in his jurisdiction, and he questioned Sarah and kept a close eye on her. Sir Walter came to regard Sarah as the unique woman that she is, and they seem to have formed a sort of friendship. Where it can go, I don't know. I thought in the previous book that Sir Walter was quite a bit older than Sarah, but I suppose that she doesn't care for that - Connor was several years her senior, as well. It seems an unlikely pairing, but perhaps not. We'll have to see.
The "Miss Tolerance" bit I still don't understand... the author insists upon calling her Miss Tolerance most of the time, rather than referring to her as simply "Sarah". I don't understand the distinction or the impression that the author intends by doing this, and it's a bit irritating. We, the readers, KNOW who she is; we (or I) think of her as Sarah.
The mystery is good, full of the usual twists, turns, red herrings, witty banter, sword fights, and surprises. Sarah finds her own thinking challenged, especially by Sir Walter, and she ignores his advice, almost to her peril. Sarah also learns that there's more than one intrigue happening in this affair...
Supposed to be a third book out, but it's availability is sketchy. But when I can lay hands on it, I'll definitely read it. These books aren't the usual mystery fare, so I wouldn't recommend them across the board; but for those readers who aren't put off by the seedy underworld, including deviant sex, the books are a good read. I should note that there is no "steam" in these books, and the sex acts aren't defined, simply mentioned or implied. It's up to the reader to put the visuals behind the words. So the stories aren't "offensive" in their blatant blow-by-blow accounts of this world; but some might find the ideas and the potential visuals behind the words a bit much for their palettes. Definitely NOT recommended for under 18, IMO.
These books are difficult for me to rate, because while they're well-written, they're gritty and harsh - not at all what one might expect from a Regency novel. They remind me a bit of Jennifer Ashley's Captain Lacey mysteries - they expose the underbelly of London Society. What happens to gently bred ladies who are compromised or otherwise ruin their reputation? Regency romance novels would have us believe that the Rake always ends up on love with the Lady and marries her. But that's not so.
For the Fallen (as they're termed), there are few options. Generally, they're family throws them out and disowns them, leaving them to become mistresses or whores; seamstress work or other possible non-sex work simply doesn't pay the bills. And these women are subject to whatever rough treatment men - or women - chose to deal out to them. They have no money, no family, no position, and no reputation.
Sarah Brereston fell in love with her brother's fencing master, Connor, and ran away (the original meaning of the word 'elope') with him to France. Because he was Catholic and she Protestant, they could never agree on how to marry. Their age difference was also a factor - she was barely 17 when she eloped with the 30+ man. When Connor died, Sarah had nowhere to go; at the time, they were living near Belgium, and the Pennisular Wars (or some such) threatened the small village in which she lived. Sarah returned to England, but penniless and alone.
Sarah took on a new last name, as most Fallen did; the last name suggested something about the woman and her "profession". Sarah took the last name of Tolerance, which presumably is not about her profession, but more about her philosophy. As Sarah Tolerance, she's an "inquiry agent": basically a private investigator. She's done everything from locate lost trinkets to following errant husbands and documenting their unfaithfulness to checking out prospective suitors. In the first book, Sarah was hired to locate a fan given to a Fallen woman by an errant lord. The fan was supposed to be the Key to a Great Scandal that could bring down the Folles house, specifically the Earl of Versillion - an up-and-coming politician in the House of Lords. But as she pursued the fan, bodies began to pile up, and Sarah uncovered a lot more than she ever knew, including the guilt of the Earl, who murdered a Fallen woman - a whore - who had once been his father's mistress and was, in fact, his own mother.
As we learn at the beginning of this book, as painful as it was for her, Sarah not only arrested the Earl, but she testified against him in court. It was her own testimony and evidence that convicted him; being an Earl, however, he didn't hang, but rather he was transported to Australia.
The main puzzle in this book is the murder of a French noble man, Etienne d'Aubigny; the Chevalier was murdered in his bed, his skull crushed and his brains dashed out. His brother-in-law is anxious for his sister's security: if someone could enter her house and kill her husband, might they not come back for Mrs. d'Aubigny?
As usual, nothing is as it seems. I believe from an early episode in the book, Sarah is supposed to have encountered the Chevalier as the "woman" he was in congress with in the street ran away from him, because he was beating her. The "woman" ran into Sarah, who sheltered her from the brute. The Chevalier insisted that he'd already paid his coin, and he could do as he liked. It took quite a bit of "persuading" and the return of his money to make him walk off.
While this man was never given a name, Sarah learns early in her investigations that d'Aubigny was into beatings, which apparently, got him off. He even had his own "tool box" full of implements. But the local bircheries (or flagelleries) wouldn't even take him in - he was too violent for them. He had his own mistress, a "Mrs." Josette Vose, who even came to his house and his bedroom to service him; except they'd been on the outs over money he owed her, and she supposedly was nowhere near his house the night he was murdered.
Who murdered the Chevalier d'Aubigny? As Sarah investigates, she finds herself deeper and deeper into this deviant, shadowy world. What role does Camille Touvois play in all of this? Her salon hosts a bevy of poets and artists, but is also a political hot-bed. And Camille is best known for "matching" like with like - knowing who would suit whom and making the introduction. Camille introduced d'Aubigny to Mrs. Vose; later in the story, Sarah witnesses Camille introduce Mrs. Vose to the Duke of Cumberland, who has similar tastes in women as d'Aubigny. Who is the mysterious Mr. Beauville, the only "bosom buddy" of d'Aubigny that Sarah can find; everyone else intensely dislikes the man, even if they do business with him. Did Beauville set the fire in her cottage, intended to kill her? Did Beauville set the footpad on her who gave her a fierce beating and likely meant to kill her? Was Beauville the one who pointed the Watch and Bow Street to the Widow d'Aubigny - the widow that is so sheltered by her staff and seems so helpless and beaten down, Sarah can't possibly believe she murdered her husband.
-------------
The book is intriguing in that it further delves into the world of the Fallen, and into women's lives for much of Britain's history. The punishment for a man who beat his wife to death might be hanging - might, because it was within a man's right to beat his wife, and unless it could be proved he did it on purpose, the man likely went free. But for a woman to murder her husband was one of the worst possible crimes; the woman was BURNED to death, like a witch.
Sarah has to carefully skirt both the world of the Fallen and the world of polite Society, or what passes for it. She has to constantly be on her guard against men who would just as soon rape her or beat her to death as look at her. When she travels about in men's clothing (because it's more conducive to some of her investigations and doesn't hamper her like her skirts do - and she can wear her sword), men and women alike call her an abomination and seriously doubt her character. Her virtue is always in doubt; she's usually taken for a mistress or a whore. While Sarah realizes that her virtue has been compromised, she isn't free with her favors; she might have taken the Earl as a lover, but she wasn't his mistress. And he was only the second man she'd ever been with.
It seems as if the author is trying to develop a potential romantic interest for Sarah in Sir Walter Mandiff, one of the magistrates who oversees Bow Street Runners - what passes for law enforcement in this time. Sir Walter and Sarah met in the first book, because the first murder took place in his jurisdiction, and he questioned Sarah and kept a close eye on her. Sir Walter came to regard Sarah as the unique woman that she is, and they seem to have formed a sort of friendship. Where it can go, I don't know. I thought in the previous book that Sir Walter was quite a bit older than Sarah, but I suppose that she doesn't care for that - Connor was several years her senior, as well. It seems an unlikely pairing, but perhaps not. We'll have to see.
The "Miss Tolerance" bit I still don't understand... the author insists upon calling her Miss Tolerance most of the time, rather than referring to her as simply "Sarah". I don't understand the distinction or the impression that the author intends by doing this, and it's a bit irritating. We, the readers, KNOW who she is; we (or I) think of her as Sarah.
The mystery is good, full of the usual twists, turns, red herrings, witty banter, sword fights, and surprises. Sarah finds her own thinking challenged, especially by Sir Walter, and she ignores his advice, almost to her peril. Sarah also learns that there's more than one intrigue happening in this affair...
Supposed to be a third book out, but it's availability is sketchy. But when I can lay hands on it, I'll definitely read it. These books aren't the usual mystery fare, so I wouldn't recommend them across the board; but for those readers who aren't put off by the seedy underworld, including deviant sex, the books are a good read. I should note that there is no "steam" in these books, and the sex acts aren't defined, simply mentioned or implied. It's up to the reader to put the visuals behind the words. So the stories aren't "offensive" in their blatant blow-by-blow accounts of this world; but some might find the ideas and the potential visuals behind the words a bit much for their palettes. Definitely NOT recommended for under 18, IMO.
April 12, 2025
I found this one slower to reread than Point of Honour, due primarily to the topic of legal injustice, especially in the second half. There was one glaring continuity error later in the book, and one brief fatphobic bit in the very beginning, but otherwise, it was every bit as good as I remembered, with a delightfully convoluted mystery and far-reaching consequences.
I love the way Robins ties her mystery into broader related themes, in this case treason and betrayal, large and small. She plays up the (suspected) foreign spies with lots of casual xenophobia from minor characters, which, far from being heavy-handed, I found delightful and ironic on multiple levels, given that . Robins is truly excellent at getting the feel for the period and making her characters seem (mostly) in line with the zeitgeist and mores of the era.
Difficult as the abuse by the law was to read, it did actually end up making me feel rather patriotic. Fully half of the Bill of Rights outlines the treatment of accused and convicted criminals, and prisoners. Yes, in practice, things weren't always so great (and of course none of these rights applied to enslaved people and many didn't apply to "free" women for well over a hundred years of U.S. history), but it was still amazingly important and innovative to have a democratic nation enumerate these principles in its founding code of law.
Ironically, French law at the time was in some ways more liberal than English law, as codified (except for wives), though in practice English law could be more compassionate, though that was almost entirely at the discretion of the magistrates and judges.
I enjoy these mysteries, but ultimately this is why I rarely read historical fiction: the past always feels so dystopian to me. As regressive as world politics have been in the past decade, I am still very grateful to live in a time and place where most people take these basic human rights for granted, where we have modern standards of medicine and hygiene, and where slavery is at least officially abolished. I don't know precisely what about this English Regency period is so very appealing to American audiences, except that it feels enough alien to us to be totally escapist (and we all love Jane Austen), but it's generally a surface-level perception. When you start to delve into the more nitty-gritty aspects of real history, no amount of empire-waisted, Grecian-knot-haired debutantes, bedight with feathers, can limewash over the deep horrors of the past. It is my most fervent wish that humanity survives long enough to look back at our own time with equal horror, just as Star Trek promised us.
Favorite quote, from the very end: "I know but little Shakespeare, Sir Walter. Romeo loved Juliet, I believe, and Hamlet was a melancholy prince. Further than that I dare not venture."
Content: Spousal/Intimate Partner Abuse, violence, murder, innocent victim, sexually transmitted disease, poverty, prostitution, nonconsensual sadism, treason, spies, legal injustice, wrongful imprisonment, bribery. , though actually, that one didn't bother me, and I was glad
I love the way Robins ties her mystery into broader related themes, in this case treason and betrayal, large and small. She plays up the (suspected) foreign spies with lots of casual xenophobia from minor characters, which, far from being heavy-handed, I found delightful and ironic on multiple levels, given that . Robins is truly excellent at getting the feel for the period and making her characters seem (mostly) in line with the zeitgeist and mores of the era.
Difficult as the abuse by the law was to read, it did actually end up making me feel rather patriotic. Fully half of the Bill of Rights outlines the treatment of accused and convicted criminals, and prisoners. Yes, in practice, things weren't always so great (and of course none of these rights applied to enslaved people and many didn't apply to "free" women for well over a hundred years of U.S. history), but it was still amazingly important and innovative to have a democratic nation enumerate these principles in its founding code of law.
Ironically, French law at the time was in some ways more liberal than English law, as codified (except for wives), though in practice English law could be more compassionate, though that was almost entirely at the discretion of the magistrates and judges.
I enjoy these mysteries, but ultimately this is why I rarely read historical fiction: the past always feels so dystopian to me. As regressive as world politics have been in the past decade, I am still very grateful to live in a time and place where most people take these basic human rights for granted, where we have modern standards of medicine and hygiene, and where slavery is at least officially abolished. I don't know precisely what about this English Regency period is so very appealing to American audiences, except that it feels enough alien to us to be totally escapist (and we all love Jane Austen), but it's generally a surface-level perception. When you start to delve into the more nitty-gritty aspects of real history, no amount of empire-waisted, Grecian-knot-haired debutantes, bedight with feathers, can limewash over the deep horrors of the past. It is my most fervent wish that humanity survives long enough to look back at our own time with equal horror, just as Star Trek promised us.
Favorite quote, from the very end: "I know but little Shakespeare, Sir Walter. Romeo loved Juliet, I believe, and Hamlet was a melancholy prince. Further than that I dare not venture."
Content: Spousal/Intimate Partner Abuse, violence, murder, innocent victim, sexually transmitted disease, poverty, prostitution, nonconsensual sadism, treason, spies, legal injustice, wrongful imprisonment, bribery. , though actually, that one didn't bother me, and I was glad
August 1, 2017
Most of all I liked the finale as I was shipping Sarah with Mandiff from the first book and was glad to see their relationship developed here.
As in first part there is a lot of time spent in one brothel or the other. Most of the inquiries are made in them or pubs but those are few and in between. It looks like author is fascinated with that world for some reason which is not wrong of course but it would be nice to see some variety. Even Salon of that French woman is used to form attachments and related business transactions.
It was an interesting story with not too many dead bodies in it's course there were also so many treasons that I got confused which one was petty. :)
As in first part there is a lot of time spent in one brothel or the other. Most of the inquiries are made in them or pubs but those are few and in between. It looks like author is fascinated with that world for some reason which is not wrong of course but it would be nice to see some variety. Even Salon of that French woman is used to form attachments and related business transactions.
It was an interesting story with not too many dead bodies in it's course there were also so many treasons that I got confused which one was petty. :)
Read
July 7, 2022Second book in a series. You really don't need to read the first one (although I recommend it).
The protagonist is a "fallen woman" in 1810 London who lives in a house in her aunt's lot. The big house there is a whorehouse. There aren't many options for widows and other women of any class to survive on their own.
But the protagonist, who goes by the name Sarah Tolerance is a detective. She sometimes wears men's clothing and can use a sword.
After the book ends there's an essay comparing her world with the real 1810 London, and where the author takes some liberties with people such as the Duke of Cumberland.
The protagonist is a "fallen woman" in 1810 London who lives in a house in her aunt's lot. The big house there is a whorehouse. There aren't many options for widows and other women of any class to survive on their own.
But the protagonist, who goes by the name Sarah Tolerance is a detective. She sometimes wears men's clothing and can use a sword.
After the book ends there's an essay comparing her world with the real 1810 London, and where the author takes some liberties with people such as the Duke of Cumberland.
February 7, 2020
It's disappointing that I won't be able to borrow the next book in this series (the library doesn't have it), as I enjoyed the first 2 very much.
Good pacing & characters - Miss T & her men's clothes and sword-fighting may be improbable, but it's very fun. The structure of the historical setting (England after King George's sanity was long left behind.) & the storytelling on the outside of propriety is excellent.
This is a pretty dry review. Everything I might say to remind myself how I felt about the book is too close to a spoiler.
Good pacing & characters - Miss T & her men's clothes and sword-fighting may be improbable, but it's very fun. The structure of the historical setting (England after King George's sanity was long left behind.) & the storytelling on the outside of propriety is excellent.
This is a pretty dry review. Everything I might say to remind myself how I felt about the book is too close to a spoiler.
June 18, 2024
(3.5 stars) This is the second book in the series. Miss Sarah Tolerance continues her role as an inquiry agent, but her latest case is quite challenging. She is investigating the murder of the Chevalier d'Aubigny, who was found dead in a locked room. As she digs into his life, she finds that he had many enemies and several unsavory habits, including sadism. His wife is a primary suspect, and Sarah is out to prove her innocence. Political intrigue and high society may play a role in finding out the truth, and Sarah’s life may be at risk before she can find the answers.
June 9, 2018
What a great read! A page turner. I couldn’t get enough! Does anyone know if this series will continue? It would be a shame if it didn’t.
Is there a way I could find out? Would I write the author?
If anyone knows the answers to my questions I would appreciate it if you would contact me.
kathyrandol@gmail.com or via Goodreads.
My advice is to read the 5 Star reviews. You’ll not be disappointed with this series!
Is there a way I could find out? Would I write the author?
If anyone knows the answers to my questions I would appreciate it if you would contact me.
kathyrandol@gmail.com or via Goodreads.
My advice is to read the 5 Star reviews. You’ll not be disappointed with this series!
March 27, 2022
A fun if unsurprising mystery.
The concept here is a good one, though it does get to the point where it feels a bit belaboured as Miss Tolerance thinks of herself often as 'one of the Fallen' as if she is a demon running around London with horns to give her away - certain details revealed about her situation raise the question of why she doesn't just fib, it's not like people could know her status on sight if she didn't keep dramatically introducing herself that way.
The concept here is a good one, though it does get to the point where it feels a bit belaboured as Miss Tolerance thinks of herself often as 'one of the Fallen' as if she is a demon running around London with horns to give her away - certain details revealed about her situation raise the question of why she doesn't just fib, it's not like people could know her status on sight if she didn't keep dramatically introducing herself that way.
August 16, 2019
This book is set in London in 1810 and features Sarah Tolerance as the main character. Sarah is a fallen woman but works as inquiry agent or in today's terms a PI. Sarah has been hired to find a murderer and protect the widow of the victim. It is not proving to be an easy task. The book was an easy read.
February 5, 2024
Maybe 2.75, I thought the first third was a ripping yarn. The outlook is Heyer crossed with Harlots, and I appreciated the underworld insights. But the resolution was more conventional than I expected. And then there was a class line transgression so flagrant that I'm still trying to decide whether it was dumb or inspired. I am up for trying another one...
March 16, 2018
I didn't like this book as much as the first book in the series. The first half dragged and then the story picked up in the second half. As in the first book, I found the author's constant reference to the main character as "Miss Tolerance" (rather than "Sarah") to be very annoying.
May 20, 2017
Another enjoyable book in this series.
July 11, 2017
These are pretty great. I am sad that #3 is not available as an ebook as I will need to acquire it at some point.
September 27, 2018
1810.
A well written mystery with Miss Sarah. Only problem, a little slow and wordy and I had the dang thing figured out early ....
A well written mystery with Miss Sarah. Only problem, a little slow and wordy and I had the dang thing figured out early ....
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