The Duke's Agent

Raif Jarrett Regency Mysteries #1

by Rebecca Jenkins

Frederick Raif Jarrett has returned from battle and is seeking a quiet life as agent to the Duke of Penrith.

So when he is sent to the Durham town of Woolbridge to settle the affairs of one of the Duke's tenants following his sudden death, the dangers of the Yorkshire countryside could not be more unexpected.

Jarrett begins to uncover a network of crime and corruption but is thwarted at every turn by the town's powerful and much-feared magistrate, Mr. Justice Raistrick.

When a young woman dies in tragic and mysterious circumstances, Jarrett is accused of her murder and has to fight for his life as he desperately seeks to uncover the truth.

Is there a serial killer on the loose? Can Jarrett solve the case in time to clear his name?

And what about the whispering rumours of the sinister figure calling himself The Tallyman…?

THE DUKE’S AGENT is the first book in the Raif Jarrett Regency Mystery series: historical murder mysteries with a traditional British detective embarking on a private investigation in nineteenth-century England.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 1997

About the author

Aka Martha Ockley

Rebecca Jenkins is a novelist, biographer and social historian based in Teesdale, UK. She likes to write about anything that interests her - from 19th century theatre to Edwardian Olympics, through crime and theology in between. An early affection for the Scarlet Pimpernel led to her F R Jarrett mystery series, set in the early 1800s in the north east of England. A fascination with the origins of celebrity culture evolved into her biographical portrait of nineteenth-century actress, Fanny Kemble: The Reluctant Celebrity, which was short-listed for the 2005 Theatre Book Prize. Her book The First London Olympics, 1908 has been acclaimed as the definitive social and sporting history of the event illustrating the moment when American sporting science transformed the amateurism of the early modern Olympic movement. The First London Olympics, 1908 was long-listed for the William Hill 'Sport Book of the Year' Award in 2008. Rebecca has been known to blog and is a regular contributor to radio and TV.

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this historical mystery by Rebecca Jenkins, though it was on the light side for my tastes. The protagonist, Mr. Raiff Frederick Jarrett, has returned to England after serving King George III, most recently in Portugal and Spain. He arrives in Woolbridge acting as the Duke of Penrith's agent. The Duke's previous steward recently died and it seems there may be some irregularities with the Duke's accounts. After a little investigating it's obvious to Jarrett that something underhanded is going on around him and it doesn't take long before he's being framed as the prime suspect in the murder of a local girl.

The story was not as interesting or exciting as I had hoped it would be, it plodded along and did keep my interest. But there were times when I had a difficultly imagining the setting where events were taking place and I felt it took quite a while for the author to lay the ground work for the story. About a third of the way through the book it started to get a little more interesting and two thirds of the way through the story did gain momentum.

I liked the characters Jenkins created but would have liked them even more, had they been better developed and more realistic. A lot of Jarrett's personal history was eluded to but never elaborated on which piqued my curiosity as a reader. But finishing the book and not knowing any more about his past at the end of the story didn't give me any sense of satisfaction. I did enjoy his relationships with Lord Earewith, the Duke's eldest son and the clever Miss Henrietta Lonsdale.

I have to mention how much I love the cover image chosen for this book. I believe the painting is by Marcus Stone. From wiki: `Marcus Stone (1840 - 1921) English painter, son of Frank Stone, ARA, was trained by his father and began to exhibit at the Royal Academy before he was eighteen; and a few years later he illustrated with much success books by Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, and other writers, friends of his family.' His painting titled `In Love' was chosen as the cover art for The Rules of Gentility by Janet Mullany which I enjoyed very much.

This story wasn't rich enough with detail to leave me with a feeling of satisfaction, overall it felt like a bit of a teaser for the book that follows `Death of a Radical'. However, I do think fans of Regencies would enjoy it.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This is an unbelievable book, I was intrigued by this book on sight and couldn’t wait to have a read at it and I can honestly say that the back blurb does it no justice, it is far better then I expected. This is a thrilling, edge of your seat, historical who done it which I can guarantee will keep you glued to every page, you will be following the story while sitting at the very edge of your seat wondering what’s going to happen next.

Frederick Raif Jarrett has returned home after being wounded in the war, he was wanting a life of peace and quiet after the horrors of the war, but alas that isn’t meant to be. Instead he becomes an agent for the Duke of Penrith, who sends him to Yorkshire to settle the affairs of the Duke’s tenant’s. What starts out as a simple task turns into something far more sinister, as not only has Raif found himself in the centre of a village full of deadly dealings, corruption, crime and the mysterious Tallyman who is lurking around spreading fear. On top of that a young woman dies in mysterious circumstances Raif, as the outsider he is immediately under suspicion. Raif literally has his head on the line, if he can’t find the person who is behind this crime he male well hang for murder, but that is easier said than done as his investigation is dogged and thwarted at every turn by the towns feared magistrate Mr. Justice Raistrick.

The only thing that I will say against this book is that is was a slow starter, no less engaging but I would have liked the first couple of chapters to move along with a little bit more speed then it doe’s. But once Raif is in the investigation the story picks up pace. I loved the character’s, the mysterious and fearsome Tallyman is like a ghost on the edges of the story which does genuinely make you get goosebumps which is a tantamount of the authors writing skill. Raif is a brilliant character, there is so much more to this man that what we learn about from this and we do need more books in the series just to really delve into what kind of man Raif is. My absolute favourite has to be Duffin who is a poacher with his dog; Bob, he is a realistic, monosyllabic Yorkshireman who I instantly liked and I do hope that he will feature in books in the future.

A brilliant book, highly engaging, atmospheric and compelling it has a real edge to it that you don’t see in regencies and I loved it. From this first book, I can say without a doubt that the Raif Jarrett Regency Mystery Series is going to be a brilliant series to follow and I will be reading more from it. This is a refreshingly new story, it’s not a romance I did have hopes that Raif would have a romance with Henrietta the woman who tries to help him in the investigation, but no. This is all about the case, all about the history which I thoroughly loved it and it really is highly recommended!!

[Caitlyn Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in a new series of Regency-era mysteries, The Duke’s Agent is a fascinating whodunnit set in the northern county of Durham, featuring Frederick “Raif” Jarrett, a distant relative of the Duke of Penrith (the nature of their relationship isn’t precisely defined, but there are definite hints Raif was born illegitimate) and now acting as an agent for said Duke. Sent to investigate the duke’s affairs following the death of a steward, Raif soon discovers something foul simmering beneath the quiet surface of Woolbridge, something certain people would do anything to conceal. Including attempting to pin the death of a young woman on Raif to stop his investigation.

What struck me about the story, and Raif’s investigation, was just how impossible it was to gather any sort of evidence in those days. A bootprint was about the only piece of tangible evidence found which could possibly be used as any sort of identification, and even then a powerful and determined opponent could override justice if the defendant has no one to stand up for them.

As an Australian, living in a country settled by convicts many of whom had the misfortune to be transported merely for offending the wrong person, it was something which really hit home, and I was relieved Raif had powerful allies on his side who were able to clear his name.

Though this isn’t a romance, I found myself hoping for one between Raif and Henrietta, a lady who offers some assistance in the case. This is the kind of series which could run on over any number of books, and I definitely hope Raif and Henrietta get together in the end. Duffin the poacher and his dog Bob were my other favourite characters, and I really hope we get a lot more of them as the series continues.

This was such an intriguing read and I found myself really invested in the outcome of the story. Five stars, and I hope to read more of Raif’s adventures soon!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

1811, England
Frederick Raif Jarrett has recently recovered from a battle injury and is seeking a quiet life as agent to the Duke of Penrith. So when he is sent to the northern town of Woolbridge to settle the affairs of one of the Duke's tenants following his sudden death, the dangers of the Yorkshire countryside could not be more unexpected. Jarrett begins to uncover a network of crime and corruption but is thwarted at every turn by the town's powerful and much-feared magistrate, Mr. Justice Raistrick.
When a young woman dies in tragic and mysterious circumstances, Jarrett is accused of her murder and has to fight for his life as he desperately seeks to uncover the truth.
I found the descriptions at the beginning of the book very detailed & really drew a picture of the people & town of Woolbridge but I found the pace very pedestrian & wondered if I’d finish it. However I persevered & I'm glad that I did. The pace did increase after Raif was attacked on the moors & increased when there was a murder. After that I was hooked & read the rest of the book in two sittings. The characters were well fleshed, Raif was very likeable & as the book progressed his backstory became more apparent even though not everything was revealed. I look forward to more of his adventures

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little confused at the beginning of the book and it started a bit slow. It gradually got more interesting and I was rushing to the end. It had some interesting characters and I’m interested in seeing what develops between Henrietta and Jarrett

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into the book but I couldn't put it down by the end!

[Jennifer Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, long train journeys! What else could you want or need but a good book?

And The Duke’s Agent, by Rebecca Jenkins, is a good book. It isn’t perfect, but it kept me reading all the way to London and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s set somewhere in the north/north east of England during the Napoleonic Wars, among towns and villages that hint at reality — it’s a landscape of deep dales and woods and towns and villages with rushing rivers and the rough and unforgiving lead mining industry behind it.

Into this scene comes a veteran of Wellington’s Peninsular Army, Raif Jarret, land agent to the Duke of Penrith, come to oversee the running of the Duke’s estate. Raif stumbles on an abandoned house where a man has recently died and there are signs of theft. In his attempt to pursue justice, and the interests of his employer, Raif soon finds himself on the wrong side of the local crooked magistrate and when someone else dies — an apparent murder — his life is at stake.

There’s a lot to like about this book. The characterisation is excellent throughout, with Raif a strong and fascinating protagonist; the dialogue is almost flawless; the setting is tremendous; and the historical detail sets a fascinating background. Writing-wise I thought it was a bit overwritten and there was a bit of head-hopping that kept taking me out of the characters, but these aren’t serious issues.

The problem for me was that, though it started off so well, the second half of the book felt weaker than the first. I can’t really say too much without giving away spoilers, so you’ll have to bear with me, but the stakes build early until, at about half way, they can’t get any higher. It’s far too soon. And after that, the pace slows, the tension slips off a bit and the whole thing feels as if it’s dragging on. This is the point at which the writing held it back a bit, too, as if the balance between writing and action wasn’t quite right in the second half.

I also felt that the conclusion of the mystery was a little bit tame, though again I can’t tell you why without giving away the plot. Let’s just say that I thought Jarrett should have had more of a hand in it than he did.

There are one or two things left unresolved — we learn early that Raif is some kind of relative to the Duke, and we don’t find out the story behind the bracelet of plaited blonde hair that he wears around his wrist — but these don’t matter. They’re stories for another day, and I’ll be reading on to find out.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jarrett has long been a soldier and intelligence-collector, but was injured and had to come back to England to recover. Following the death of the duke's agent for the Duke of Penrith, Jarrett heads north to investigate the death and to take over as the new agent. But soon after his arrival a girl is found dead near his front door, and he finds himself in the lockup under suspicion of having murdered her - carefully arranged by the local magistrate, Mr. Justice Raistrick. But what is Raistrick's agenda in all this? And who is really responsible for the girl's death?

I enjoyed the book overall, with the writing being good, the setting done well, the mystery enjoyable, and the characters and their relationships well drawn. However, a couple of things stopped this from being a five-star book in my mind: (1) I found the number of characters introduced a bit overwhelming, so that at times with the more background characters I was confused who was who. The main characters were fine, but some of the background characters lost me a bit. (2) The ending was somewhat unsatisfying in that the Raistrick thread in particular (as well as the hint of possible romance) felt like a loose end. This will hopefully be something that is tidied up in future books in the series, but it did detract from my enjoyment of the ending. However, the book still rated 4 stars in my opinion, and I hope to read more by the author in future.

Characters: Main characters well drawn, though many of the background characters not particularly.
Storyline: Not too convoluted, but not particularly predictable either.
Content and language: Clean overall, occasional language I could have done without, but rare.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

[Tom Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Duke of Penrith’s agent suddenly dies, the extent of his peculation is revealed. Raif Jarrett agrees to use his leave from the Army to sort out the mess, but things are worse than they seem. Soon there is murder and riot and the agent himself finds his life at risk.

That’s not much of a plot summary, but it’s all you’re getting from me. The plot is both ridiculously complicated and, at its heart, very simple, and definitely worth reading for yourself. It’s not the plot that kept me going, though, but the excellent characterisation. I warmed to the wounded soldier, Raif, and the man who looks set to become his side-kick (this is clearly the first book in a series), the poacher, Duffin. The love interest, Henrietta Lonsdale, is, as seems the way with this sort of book, rather forward for a woman of her time (it’s 1811), but not excessively so and she has the decency to be occasionally embarrassed by it. Minor characters are rounded people in their own right, especially the valet, Tiplady, “a Character, a family retainer of the old school”. I particularly enjoyed the corrupt magistrate, Raistrick, an excellent example of how much a really good villain can improve a book.

I can’t swear to every detail of the historical background, but it seemed sound and I didn’t find obvious errors pulling me out of the plot. I’m guessing Ms Jenkins rides (the way that horses are dealt with rings very true) but that she does not mix with the kind of company where she has to fake drinking from a bottle. (You stop the bottle with your tongue: her hero uses his teeth, which would have been messy.)

The writing is pacey and easy to read without ever being rushed and I found myself putting off other things to read on. It’s not a book that will change your life or give you brilliant insights into the human condition, but it will entertain splendidly. I recommend it.

[Carly Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The Duke’s Agent’ is the first novel I have read by author Rebecca Jenkins, and it was given to me in exchange for an honest review. First of all, I am an avid reader of romance and have a particular soft spot for historical romances, so this book was right up my street. It was descriptive, humorous and had me captivated on the onset over the mystery that is ‘Raif Jarrett’. It was a book that was destined to be a hit for me.

You are initially introduced to Raif as he embarks upon a journey through Yorkshire, making his way to Woolbridge at the request of the Duke of Penrith. One of the Duke’s tenants has unexpectedly died and Raif has been summoned to look into his state of affairs. He is met with suspicion and intrigue and people conjure their own assumptions over his visit purpose and his connections to the Duke, but what Raif does not expect is to be caught up in a new mystery, a one where he is very much a prime suspect.

The book is incredibly well researched, and I felt like I had been catapulted back to the 1800’s. The plot is captivating; with many unexpected twists and turns to keep you hooked. I have to admit I have become quite taken with Raif as a character; he is rugged, mysterious and I can’t wait to unravel more about him as this series progresses.

I love a good murder mystery and this book has it all, mystery, intrigue, suspense with a touch of humor and romance. I would recommend to all historical romance lovers, someone who is wanting to get their hands on a new author to embrace and readers who would like to be catapulted back in time to embark on their own historical romance journey.

[Rosanne Lortz · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Duke of Penrith’s provincial steward dies, Raif Jarrett comes north as the duke’s agent to sort out the tangle of mismanagement and malfeasance on the duke’s estate. Raif’s own military background is some preparation for the assortment of bullies and blackguards that he meets, but when he crosses a powerful man in town, he finds himself thrown in gaol for murder. With the help of the enigmatic Miss Henrietta, Raif manages to extricate himself from accusations and begins his own investigation into the dastardly deeds occurring in the town of Woolbridge.

This book was a slow starter. The prose was dense and there were lots of mysteries surrounding the main character that felt overdone. With that said, the main character himself was a memorable one–a gentleman (possibly the illegitimate son of the duke?), a soldier, an artist, and a fisherman. I also enjoyed several of the minor characters–the friendly poacher, the hunchbacked dowager, the benevolent innkeeper’s wife. The ending did not wrap up cleanly enough for my tastes, but I suppose that one positive of that is that I’m very interested in reading the next book in the series.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opnions expressed in this review are my own.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly a wonderful book, very descriptive and immersive and one of the most immersive books I have read for a long time.

The story follows Raif Jarrett, an agent for the local duke following up on inconsistencies found on the death of the Duke’s agent in Yorkshire. Whilst Raif is there 2 murders take place and Raif becomes the main suspect on trial, for the heinous crime of being a foreigner to the area.

Though there is a wonderful line in the “court” scene where a caring gentlemen takes the alibi into evidence, to stop anyone else stealing them, of course!

I always love a novel that states with a historical note and especially one which states that everything is historically accurate apart from the villain being mostly from the preceding era. Although, as the villain, it really doesn’t count, and they still would have existed in Yorkshire at this time (in some shape or form).

I can’t say how refreshing it was for a novel not to contain a romantic story line! No maidens swooning at the sight of our hero, or busty wenches trying to seduce him. All they do here is rescue Raif from his dungeon.

Next please!!

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1811 in the town of Woolbridge Jarrett is looking for some peace and quiet and to act as the Agent for the Duke of Penrith. He has returned from a turbulent period of service and expects the countryside to be peaceful and kind to him. Anything but. Uncovering a network of crimes and being made to be the scapegoat for a murder on a property nearby, kept in jail by the local Magistrate is not what was expected in this very countryside area.

One death follows another and this time around the people want blood. It is upto him to clear his name and also sort out the mess that is apparent alive and kicking in this sleepy town.

A Regency era mystery this was not lacking in gore and violence! A very nice change from modern mystery murders though.

[Anne Szlachcic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in England in 1811 - Frederick Raif Jarrett has returned from battle and is looking for a quieter life .

The Duke of Penrith , a relative of sorts , asks him to act as his Agent in the northern town of Woolbridge ,
after the death of his Steward .
He discovers that all is not as it seems in this town , secrets are simmering beneath the quiet surface.
Secrets that some do not want aired , who will do anything to keep them quiet ...... even try to pin the
death of a young woman at Raif's door .
It is only by using his wits and with the help of his new disparate friends that Raif might escape the hangman's noose and resolve the case to the Duke's satisfaction .

A highly entertaining book showing the power that is held by the few at the expense of the many

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Frederick Raif Jarrett has returned from war and while recuperating from an injury he has taken the task of an agent to the Duke of Penrith. He is on his way to Woolbridge to investigate the death of the Duke's steward and possible pilfering of funds. But he becomes intangled in the death of a young female.
I really enjoyed this mystery, a well-written one, slowly starting but which increased its pace as the story continued. With a good selection of characters portrayed.
Overall a good solid start to what I presume is to be a series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Sapere. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it quite difficult to get into this book and for the first 30% I found it slow and difficult to follow. There were so many side characters I couldn't figure out who the main ones were except for Raif, the Duke's Agent. The narrative jumped from person to person but the story didn't really go anywhere.
However, the more I read and as the story developed half way through I found it much more enjoyable. I liked Raif and Miss Lonsdale.
It feels like much of the groundwork has been laid in book one so hopefully the second book won't be such hard work to get through. I liked this one just enough to give it a try.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, I start reading a historical novel and the writing draws me in quite unawares. This was one such book. I felt confident that the research was accurate without being rammed down my throat and the characters (though there were a few too many for my comfort) were fleshed out and came to life on the page.
This is a fairly complex novel with plenty going on, and there were time when I was confused, but I really liked Raif and the writing was rich in detail.

Four stars. And I am reading the second one tonight.

[John Sokolowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE DUKE'S AGENT
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and honor it 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Learning new words used historically is fun. I still don't know what "A Claudian sky" is. The agents job for the Duke is well worth the read. You’ll learn things like in 1811 they made shoes for common people that fit both left and right.

[Helen Firor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start of a series!

I enjoyed the start of an interesting series. Rafe is an interesting man, a former soldier, that still has some morals. I enjoyed the mystery of Sal's death and the surprising conclusion. I see some romance in the future for Rafe. Look forward to the next book.

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unsatisfying ending. I have since read that this is a series, and if there were 10 or more books to the series then I might have labeled this a slow start to a series. I mean I liked Raif, and Henrietta had so much promise if she would have been fleshed out more. However, with only one other book available, I’m not willing to spend time on a second book with no more conclusion than the first.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A soldier fallen as if by accident into a new life in a small community, and immediately at the centre of a murder mystery. Very enjoyable, although I couldn't fully reconcile the press review descriptions with the book I had read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.5, with room for improvement down the series.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE DUKE’S AGENT (Hist. Mys-Raif Jarrett-England-1811/Georgian/Regency) – VG+
Jenkins, Rebecca – 1st in series
Quercus, 1997, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 1847242782

First Sentence: It was an early evening in late July.”

Raif Jarrett has been sent by the Duke of Penrith to the town of Durham. The Duke’s agent has died and Raif has been asked to look over the records and the state of the Duke’s what should be, lucrative holding.

Raif arrives to find the Agent’s house in terrible condition, his dog killed and the ledger books missing. Raif meets a poacher, Duffin, a sharp-minded old lady, Miss Catherine, and sees a lovely local girl, Sal.

When Sal is found dead near the Folly where Raif has been staying, Justice Raistrick, the powerful and hitherto uncooperative magistrate, has Raif arrested for murder.

I love finding new authors of great, new historical mysteries, and Ms. Jenkins is definitely one. Her extensive research and attention to detail of the period is wonderful. The sense of place is so strong, it’s visual. Her characters are fully developed and people you want to know; or avoid.

We learn much about Raif, but there is more for us to know. He is a man accustomed to the ballroom and the drawing, as well as living rough and being on a battlefield. It is a very good plot with plenty of action and suspense. The inquiry scene, where Raif is accused for murder, is as good as any legal thriller.

There is humor, swordfights, friendships, old and new, murder and a hint of romance. All the elements needed for a wonderful story are here. I can only hope there will be more to come. [Note: I’ve learned Quercus will be releasing the second Jerrett in 2010]

[Simon Mcleish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog here in September 2000.

Like Anne Perry's Victorian novels, but not to the same exaggerated extent, The Duke's Agent presents something of the disreputable side of a historical period, in this case Georgian England. Here we have absentee landlords, dishonest magistrates, and the unpleasant tallyman, who was basically an unscrupulous debt collector who preyed on the poor.

When his steward there dies, the Duke of Penrith orders an audit into the estates he owns in the North East of England. He sends his remote kinsman Raif Jarrett, who soon discovers that something dishonest has been going on, though he cannot work out what as the account books have been stolen. A young woman is killed, and a fairly clumsy attempt is made to frame him for murder (though it is nearly good enough to make Jarrett the victim of a lynch mob). Thus he ends up trying to discover what happened to Sal Grundy as well as sorting out the Duke's affairs.

Basically a competent if not particularly complex detective story, The Duke's Agent has interesting characters and a well realised background. It is a pity that the publisher seems to feel that Rebecca Jenkins needs to be sold by mentioning her famous relatives - she is the daughter of that Bishop of Durham who notoriously denied the virgin birth of Christ - as The Duke's Agent is a strong enough novel to be allowed to stand on its own merits.

[Jeffrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

The promise of this book was a Telegraph review and Historical Fiction Soc review on the cover...shows you should never go by those.

This is a beautifully written book, indeed lyrical in the description of the period...and the promise of a Duke's Agent who isn't an all out toff investigating...well, I never found out what as it was dull.

This writer drives the 18th century coach and all the horses through the rules of creative writing and keeping a reader's interesrt... the points of view jump around...it isn't clear who the protagonist is or who you root for...and the story hadn't unfurled within the first 30 pages.

Cheated...sadly.

[Becky Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite enjoyable, but not as good as I hoped it was going to be. There was Point of View confusion a couple of times. It's in third person omniscient, which is fine, except when it's a bit confusing. Also, too much felt unresolved at the end.

Some of the supporting characters were kind of cliche, but the main characters are interesting and the hero Jarrett is generally likeable. There's a good sense of place and I didn't spot any obvious historical innacuracies to pull me out of the story.

So it gets an okay, but didn't exactly set me on fire.

[Diana Sandberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is described as "an early fan" of Georgette Heyer's Regency novels. I suspect that may be intended to mean that she was a fan from a young age, rather than one of Heyer's first fans.

The book is quite enjoyable, and shows the Heyer lineage. I enjoyed the characters and the setting; the story was unremarkable but in no way bad. It's clearly the first in a series, and I will happily read the next one.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this, but it was a tad confusing at times. No idea what I was expecting; it came across as something of a modern imitation of Thomas Hardy (lots of atmosphere and detail about everything, including people who wouldn't ultimately matter), but in the end, the story was pretty good and had lots of nice twists. Got the main sub-plot pretty early on (no spoilers), but that's OK. Will try her next!

[Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd quite like to give this 3.5 stars because I didn't really expect to like it that much but I did. I saw the author at a 'meet the author' event and found her interesting but the Georgian period isn't usually my thing. However, I enjoyed her style of writing, found the characters interesting (if not particularly deep) and the plot unfolded satisfactorily. A nice, light read.

[Margaret Pagnotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the writing style of this book was somewhat too ornate for my taste, it left me wondering if there were any more books about these characters, maybe a series... Found a second book, but not at my library, so I have to buy it :( Hope it's as good as the first, both rated 4 1/2 stars, so it should be!