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Miss Sydney Regency Mystery #1
The Brighton Burglar
When it comes to unsolved crimes and unmatched hearts, Miss Roxanne Sydney is on the case!
When Miss Sydney's late father leaves her with a debt ridden estate and three younger sisters to marry off, the unsinkable Roxanne decides to keep her family afloat by taking in boarders. But opening her home to strangers becomes a dangerous enterprise indeed when Roxanne finds herself embroiled in the current Brighton mystery: Someone is stealing valuable painting from the wealthy country estates....
Should she suspect her handsome new boarder, Robert Lymond, whose rakish, devil-may-care demeanor is decidedly suspicious? Or perhaps her dashing, golden-haired neighbor, Justin Denver, whose charming smile could harbor dark secrets? Or is there another scoundrel in their midst, one who had heard of a hidden treasure at the Sydney estate?
When Miss Sydney's late father leaves her with a debt ridden estate and three younger sisters to marry off, the unsinkable Roxanne decides to keep her family afloat by taking in boarders. But opening her home to strangers becomes a dangerous enterprise indeed when Roxanne finds herself embroiled in the current Brighton mystery: Someone is stealing valuable painting from the wealthy country estates....
Should she suspect her handsome new boarder, Robert Lymond, whose rakish, devil-may-care demeanor is decidedly suspicious? Or perhaps her dashing, golden-haired neighbor, Justin Denver, whose charming smile could harbor dark secrets? Or is there another scoundrel in their midst, one who had heard of a hidden treasure at the Sydney estate?
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 17, 2021
Review added for Linda :)
You know how books that you read when younger stay with you and you have fonder memories of it than you would otherwise have if you read it as an adult?
This might be that book. I gave it four stars because of how refreshing it was at the time I read it two decades ago. This is an entire series, published by Zebra Historical Romance back when they existed and doled out traditional regencies that were like candy for the sugar-deprived. They don't make books like this anymore. Nowadays we have to make do with historical novels that are lengthy and somehow overly sexual when sometimes you just want something light (yet not inspirational) and above all, historically accurate.
I used to have this series in paperback except one book—I'd gotten each of the books from library sales over the years and it was like putting together a puzzle back before the days that Amazon existed. I still remember the first line from this book; it went something like this: "Papa died that winter, and by summer I knew something had to be done."
Back before the onslaught of first person historical cozy mystery series bearing the titled of ubiquitous ladies, I had never before read a traditional Regency novel that was in first person. It was novel and fast-placed, and above all, it had moments that made me laugh out loud. The first book featured two men, one for whom our heroine instantly is infatuated with, and the other that she instantly despises.
Now, of course, with age and cynicism, I'd recognize these for the tropes of slow burn enemies-to-lovers, and the clear start of a series. Back then, with no indication on the cover that this wasn't a standalone, I was surprised by every single twist, and yet the writing style was so engaging and peppy that I couldn't stop reading.
In all, I'd say that this book was the strongest of the series (although I'm still missing one). She and the hero get together in the very last book, of course, but by then, I still recall hope she started to make very dubious decisions as to seem very eccentric , as they called it back then, because ladies who end up inheriting wealth are never deemed too- stupid-to-live.
Still I'd have to give this book kudos just for taking place outside of London or Bath and without one mention of the Season. It takes place, of course, on a Brighton estate over the course of a summer, featuring lots of reconstruction and run around that had me laughing out loud at moments.
Four probably inaccurate stars for nostalgia's sake and the fun, beachy atmosphere of the book, as well as secondary characters who were charming.
You know how books that you read when younger stay with you and you have fonder memories of it than you would otherwise have if you read it as an adult?
This might be that book. I gave it four stars because of how refreshing it was at the time I read it two decades ago. This is an entire series, published by Zebra Historical Romance back when they existed and doled out traditional regencies that were like candy for the sugar-deprived. They don't make books like this anymore. Nowadays we have to make do with historical novels that are lengthy and somehow overly sexual when sometimes you just want something light (yet not inspirational) and above all, historically accurate.
I used to have this series in paperback except one book—I'd gotten each of the books from library sales over the years and it was like putting together a puzzle back before the days that Amazon existed. I still remember the first line from this book; it went something like this: "Papa died that winter, and by summer I knew something had to be done."
Back before the onslaught of first person historical cozy mystery series bearing the titled of ubiquitous ladies, I had never before read a traditional Regency novel that was in first person. It was novel and fast-placed, and above all, it had moments that made me laugh out loud. The first book featured two men, one for whom our heroine instantly is infatuated with, and the other that she instantly despises.
Now, of course, with age and cynicism, I'd recognize these for the tropes of slow burn enemies-to-lovers, and the clear start of a series. Back then, with no indication on the cover that this wasn't a standalone, I was surprised by every single twist, and yet the writing style was so engaging and peppy that I couldn't stop reading.
In all, I'd say that this book was the strongest of the series (although I'm still missing one). She and the hero get together in the very last book, of course, but by then, I still recall hope she started to make very dubious decisions as to seem very eccentric , as they called it back then, because ladies who end up inheriting wealth are never deemed too- stupid-to-live.
Still I'd have to give this book kudos just for taking place outside of London or Bath and without one mention of the Season. It takes place, of course, on a Brighton estate over the course of a summer, featuring lots of reconstruction and run around that had me laughing out loud at moments.
Four probably inaccurate stars for nostalgia's sake and the fun, beachy atmosphere of the book, as well as secondary characters who were charming.
March 14, 2022
3.4 stars. Entertaining fast fun read, a bit Austen, a bit Jamaica Inn…will definitely read next in series. Perfect “rainy day/beach read”.
February 17, 2025
After the supposedly accidental passing of her father a history enthusiast who built a rather unusual house in Brighton. Roxanne lives with her sisters Julia, Cassandra and Olivia. They also live with their aunt Henrietta. Though he left his house and land to his daughters he settled the remainder of his fortune on their half brother Edward. Needing to make some income to live Roxanne decides to let part of their large house for the summer. Though she has misgivings she decides to allow Robert Lymond and his wife Amelia and his close friend Owen Amherst. Roxanne finds herself distrusting Lymond and wishes she could have let part of the house to the dashing Justin Denver who is staying on the estate next door. Soon her suspicions worsen as expensive works of art start to go missing from the homes of the wealthy estate holders. Now she finds herself distrusting wondering if her boarders are hiding a secret and if her quiet summer has turned dangerous.
August 7, 2015
I read this a few years ago and really enjoyed it. There was only one thing I remember disliking and that was that the romance isn't wrapped up a bit more in this book. I bought this at a used bookstore, so I was only able to purchase this book, not the others that came after. And while I was aware that this book is part of a series when I bought it, and I knew there could be a cliffhanger or some things left unresolved, I still felt disappointed when it ended where it did. I've kept this book, and I'm looking forward to eventually finding and reading the next books.
October 18, 2014
Very cute good murder mystery! Enjoyed it- nice light reading
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews