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Northpoint #1
Sweet Suspicions
Mystery, Marriage...and Murder
Though tainted with scandal, Colonel Richard Worth radiated a rough-hewn attractiveness that was hard to ignore. He had saved Caroline from ruin, and for that, she owed him her loyalty, but how could she build a life with a man who walked amidst whispers of murder -- past and present?
Caroline Hutton was a woman of contradictions: proper yet passionate; forthright yet full of secrets. Once the unlikeliest of debutantes, she was now the most likely of marriage candidates--and Richard's key to both titled society and untold desire. But what was her connection with the brutal murder that had taken place beneath their very noses?
Though tainted with scandal, Colonel Richard Worth radiated a rough-hewn attractiveness that was hard to ignore. He had saved Caroline from ruin, and for that, she owed him her loyalty, but how could she build a life with a man who walked amidst whispers of murder -- past and present?
Caroline Hutton was a woman of contradictions: proper yet passionate; forthright yet full of secrets. Once the unlikeliest of debutantes, she was now the most likely of marriage candidates--and Richard's key to both titled society and untold desire. But what was her connection with the brutal murder that had taken place beneath their very noses?
301 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 19, 2018
Since I love to comb the shelves at used bookstores and pick up older romances, I always love it when we have Old School month at TBR Challenge. This time around, I chose a 1992 Harlequin Historical that turned out to be something of a gem. The author got her rights back for the book, so the novel I know as Sweet Suspicions by Julie Tetel is available nowadays under the title Suspicious Hearts by Julie Tetel Andresen. Considering what goes on in this unusual story, I think that latter title may fit better.
The novel is a Georgian historical mystery/romance, and unlike most other Georgians I have read, this one is set in the very early days of King George I’s reign. The story takes place among the polished ranks of the aristocracy, but the leads are both outsiders of a sort and that lends the story a subtle edge I found attractive.
We meet our hero first. Colonel Richard Worth has sold his commission and being both gently born and in possession of a fortune, he intends to spend his days in society. We learn early on that re-entering society will not necessarily be easy for Richard. Even his status as a war hero who fought alongside Marlborough will not entirely smooth over the fact that he initially left England under a cloud as a young man. To help his cause, Richard appeals to his military friend Jonathan Wyndham, now Duke of Desford. He hopes that Jonathan can help him, among other things, find a bride who might help him become established. His strategy is to find a respectable, aristocratic woman in dire financial straits whose need for funds may help her overlook the gossip about his past.
This series of inquiries leads to Richard’s introduction to Caroline Hutton, an orphaned young woman of good family whose father’s gambling habit has now left her destitute upon his death. To Caroline’s surprise her aunt Esther has invited to visit and offered to take her out into society. Caroline isn’t terribly fond of Esther, but she’s a little short on options, so she agrees – and there the reader meets her at the London Assembly.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/april-tbr...
The novel is a Georgian historical mystery/romance, and unlike most other Georgians I have read, this one is set in the very early days of King George I’s reign. The story takes place among the polished ranks of the aristocracy, but the leads are both outsiders of a sort and that lends the story a subtle edge I found attractive.
We meet our hero first. Colonel Richard Worth has sold his commission and being both gently born and in possession of a fortune, he intends to spend his days in society. We learn early on that re-entering society will not necessarily be easy for Richard. Even his status as a war hero who fought alongside Marlborough will not entirely smooth over the fact that he initially left England under a cloud as a young man. To help his cause, Richard appeals to his military friend Jonathan Wyndham, now Duke of Desford. He hopes that Jonathan can help him, among other things, find a bride who might help him become established. His strategy is to find a respectable, aristocratic woman in dire financial straits whose need for funds may help her overlook the gossip about his past.
This series of inquiries leads to Richard’s introduction to Caroline Hutton, an orphaned young woman of good family whose father’s gambling habit has now left her destitute upon his death. To Caroline’s surprise her aunt Esther has invited to visit and offered to take her out into society. Caroline isn’t terribly fond of Esther, but she’s a little short on options, so she agrees – and there the reader meets her at the London Assembly.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/april-tbr...
June 14, 2021
This one was soooo close
I was enjoying this story of murder, suicide, damaged hearts and souls, redemption, almost the end of the story. That’s when the hero goes to confront the heroine’s evil aunt, decides to feel her up and contemplates that she’s held up well despite her years. He gropes her breast and hips and ponders that even at this late date he could have her right there on the floor. He’s seriously pondering screwing his wife’s aunt as a form of punishment. Later that same evening as he is wandering the city contemplating his navel, he remembers an old mistress with whom he had been involved - as in rented a house for them and lived together - for three years. He couldn’t initially remember her name only the distaste he felt when he found her in their bloody bed after slitting her wrists when he announced he was abandoning her to return to England. He considerately left her in the care of one of his military underlings. Uh, no. Not exactly hero material to me. At that point, I could only feel sorry for the heroine whose future was a lifetime of trying to fix this jerk.
I was enjoying this story of murder, suicide, damaged hearts and souls, redemption, almost the end of the story. That’s when the hero goes to confront the heroine’s evil aunt, decides to feel her up and contemplates that she’s held up well despite her years. He gropes her breast and hips and ponders that even at this late date he could have her right there on the floor. He’s seriously pondering screwing his wife’s aunt as a form of punishment. Later that same evening as he is wandering the city contemplating his navel, he remembers an old mistress with whom he had been involved - as in rented a house for them and lived together - for three years. He couldn’t initially remember her name only the distaste he felt when he found her in their bloody bed after slitting her wrists when he announced he was abandoning her to return to England. He considerately left her in the care of one of his military underlings. Uh, no. Not exactly hero material to me. At that point, I could only feel sorry for the heroine whose future was a lifetime of trying to fix this jerk.
May 31, 2020
2.5
Boring. Hero was good. His backstory was confusing for most part. Heroine and her behavior was very irritating. Mystery was ok. Heroine’s aunt was too irritating. The way heroine never saw anything beyond what she wanted to see was too much. Her character was too fickle. Hero deserved better. Had loved author’s the temporary bride.
Boring. Hero was good. His backstory was confusing for most part. Heroine and her behavior was very irritating. Mystery was ok. Heroine’s aunt was too irritating. The way heroine never saw anything beyond what she wanted to see was too much. Her character was too fickle. Hero deserved better. Had loved author’s the temporary bride.
February 6, 2018
Fun historical fiction, wonderfully written
September 23, 2013
Suspicious Hearts by Julie Tetel Andresen is such a great romantic thriller. Richard Worth wants to re-enter society and approaches his friend the Duke to find a suitable woman for marriage who will help make his debut flow smoother. With a list in hand Richard strikes out to meet the women and see which one he feels will be best for him.
Caroline had come back to town after leaving three years ago in disgrace. Her father was a gambler and had lost the majority of their fortune and so they had retreated to the country. She returns at the invitation of her aunt and so she can settle the affairs of her father after he passed several months before. After learning that her father had kept up his gambling ways and through the twists and turns of fate Caroline ends up accepting the proposal of Richard Worth.
The story sky rockets after that with fast paced conversation, murder, and double crossing! All set against a wonderful Victorian society background. I loved how this story just flowed together and how all the characters ended up where I wanted them to be! Such a good read I definitely recommend it to anyone!!
Caroline had come back to town after leaving three years ago in disgrace. Her father was a gambler and had lost the majority of their fortune and so they had retreated to the country. She returns at the invitation of her aunt and so she can settle the affairs of her father after he passed several months before. After learning that her father had kept up his gambling ways and through the twists and turns of fate Caroline ends up accepting the proposal of Richard Worth.
The story sky rockets after that with fast paced conversation, murder, and double crossing! All set against a wonderful Victorian society background. I loved how this story just flowed together and how all the characters ended up where I wanted them to be! Such a good read I definitely recommend it to anyone!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews