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The Gentleman Thief
BOTHERATION! — Why her family had elected to spend an entire season in boring Bath, Georgiana Bellewether couldn't fathom. Nothing to stimulate her inquisitive mind ever happened here--until the night Lady Culpepper's emeralds were stolen! Now, if only she could keep her mind on the case and her hands off the enigmatic man in black--the beguiling... more » Lord Ashdowne...!
As the newly made, ever-responsible Marquis of Ashdowne, Johnathon Saxton bemoaned the lack of excitement now marking his days. But when quixotic, exotic Georgiana Bellewether literally tumbled into his arms, he knew he'd caught himself an armful. The woman was a disaster in the making!
As the newly made, ever-responsible Marquis of Ashdowne, Johnathon Saxton bemoaned the lack of excitement now marking his days. But when quixotic, exotic Georgiana Bellewether literally tumbled into his arms, he knew he'd caught himself an armful. The woman was a disaster in the making!
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
55 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Simmons
157 books203 followersDeborah Simmons is the author of twenty-five historical romances and novellas, published by Avon, Berkley, and Harlequin.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 22, 2018
This one was blah! h/H were like cardboard characters, totally un-interesting. These two also shared zero chemistry & had a blah romance.
January 7, 2022
A cute, fun and an entertaining read! Exactly what I was looking for. This book does remind me of Ms. Quick’s books, but with a little more depth and the hero isn’t as autocratic.
You sort of able to guess the thief from the get-go but not the motives behind the robbery. I had a hard time warming up to Georgie at the beginning. As someone who prided herself on being smart, she came across as a bit…. clueless. As the story progresses, I found her to be endearing, which is how I think how Ashdowne saw her as well. He thought she was irritating initially, but saw her qualities that other people tend to overlook because of her looks and figure as they spend more time together. They’ve got into a lot of scrapes together in order to solve the robbery (Georgie mostly as she was a klutz and Ashdowne mostly tried to save her – he appointed himself as her keeper). Their scrapes put a grin on my face. When Ashdowne assumed the marquis mantle, he forgot how to have fun and he totally needed someone like Georgie in his life. I think they complement each other very well.
The only thing I found to be annoying would be the multiple references to Ashdowne’s flat stomach and Georgie’s curls and lush curves. A bit too much emphasis on the physicality, but other than that, this was a fine read.
Steam factor: Mid, not explicit.
You sort of able to guess the thief from the get-go but not the motives behind the robbery. I had a hard time warming up to Georgie at the beginning. As someone who prided herself on being smart, she came across as a bit…. clueless. As the story progresses, I found her to be endearing, which is how I think how Ashdowne saw her as well. He thought she was irritating initially, but saw her qualities that other people tend to overlook because of her looks and figure as they spend more time together. They’ve got into a lot of scrapes together in order to solve the robbery (Georgie mostly as she was a klutz and Ashdowne mostly tried to save her – he appointed himself as her keeper). Their scrapes put a grin on my face. When Ashdowne assumed the marquis mantle, he forgot how to have fun and he totally needed someone like Georgie in his life. I think they complement each other very well.
The only thing I found to be annoying would be the multiple references to Ashdowne’s flat stomach and Georgie’s curls and lush curves. A bit too much emphasis on the physicality, but other than that, this was a fine read.
Steam factor: Mid, not explicit.
January 1, 2018
A charming and delightfully easy read! This is probably the first book I actually "laughed out loud" at.
At first I was very frustrated by the heroine because she describes herself as unapproachably intelligent, but in reality she is rather ditsy. Once I got over my expectations for her to be intelligent I found her hilarious. I think we all have that friend that would describe themselves as an intellectual even though they would lose their head if it weren't attached to their neck. Georgiana is truly a breath of fresh air for the reader and for the hero of the story Johnathon. There is almost nothing she does or says that couldn't be described as "charmingly absurd."
I was intrigued by Johnathon and his history and motivations. I thought he was a strong character and loved his chemistry with Georgiana and how their relationship developed. The mystery isn't in who the thief is but in how Georgiana finds out and what she decides to do about it. There is some very light sex, nothing explicit, but enough to be sweetly steamy. I have read everything by Deborah Simmons, she is one of my all time favorite authors, and this is probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite. WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy & hot adult romance. Please do not read if that offends you.
Romance-5/5 Steaminess-3/5 Explicitness-2.5/5
https://bigcomfychair.wordpress.com/
At first I was very frustrated by the heroine because she describes herself as unapproachably intelligent, but in reality she is rather ditsy. Once I got over my expectations for her to be intelligent I found her hilarious. I think we all have that friend that would describe themselves as an intellectual even though they would lose their head if it weren't attached to their neck. Georgiana is truly a breath of fresh air for the reader and for the hero of the story Johnathon. There is almost nothing she does or says that couldn't be described as "charmingly absurd."
I was intrigued by Johnathon and his history and motivations. I thought he was a strong character and loved his chemistry with Georgiana and how their relationship developed. The mystery isn't in who the thief is but in how Georgiana finds out and what she decides to do about it. There is some very light sex, nothing explicit, but enough to be sweetly steamy. I have read everything by Deborah Simmons, she is one of my all time favorite authors, and this is probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite. WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy & hot adult romance. Please do not read if that offends you.
Romance-5/5 Steaminess-3/5 Explicitness-2.5/5
https://bigcomfychair.wordpress.com/
February 20, 2019
Uma história adorável, porém não é o meu livro favorito da autora. Adorável Marquês é bem diferente dos livros que eu li da Deborah, pois ela busca trazer uma pitada de humor com as trapalhadas da Georgiana, junto com o marquês, em busca da solução do caso do colar roubado. Confesso que não sou dada a romances de época com humor, pois o meu está mais para o sarcástico. Uma boa história, porém com um final sem tanta ação.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2012
First off I just have to say I'll be damned if I can figure out why I liked this story. So I guess I am saying be prepared for a confusing review.
Haha I like how Georgiana says Ashdowne might be the "healthiest man she had ever seen". Is this the regency equivalent of "sexy"?
New word alert "Botheration". Ooooh I'm so excited to use this word in conversation now!
At the beginning I saw Georgiana as very immature in her actions and thoughts. So naïve. A little bit of "is she really that stupid?" But towards the end of the book, I felt a shift towards my feelings for this character. Georgiana still acted "blonde" many times but she became likeable. Sweetly naive maybe? I don't know but when I started to accept Georgiana for how she was I began to enjoy the book more. I definitely felt like there were times that Ashdowne was in over his head! I liked how Ashdowne accepted Georgiana for who she was and just rolled with the punches and her wild antics.
I said at the beginning I liked this book and really didn't know why. It is completely different from the dark books and characters I usually lean towards. This was very fanciful with sugary story and characters. However the last 60pgs or so of the story was really good and intense. I feel like I was kind of captured by the characters. I mean how can anyone not fall in love with how Ashdowne allowed Georgiana to be herself and helped her follow her dreams.
So anyway meh to the whole storyline of Georgiana searching for who stole Lady Culpepper's emeralds and bravo to the chemistry and relationship between Georgiana and Ashdowne. Definitely saved the story for me. They were fun characters to read about and played off each other spectacularly. This book is definitely a fun romp read, some funny situations but don't expect much of an engaging storyline. I wish Georgiana and Ashdowne were put into a more supporting story. However, as a couple they were a blast to read about.
I guess my final word is this book is a curiously charming story about how it is ok to be yourself and being lucky enough to find the hero to accept you just the way you are.
I realize I didn't say much about the story but really it's just Georgiana thinking she can become a Bow Street Runner and Ashdowne doing his damnedest to keep her out of trouble. I would probably compare this book to the movie "The Princess Bride" (loved that movie). Silly but romantic.
B
Haha I like how Georgiana says Ashdowne might be the "healthiest man she had ever seen". Is this the regency equivalent of "sexy"?
New word alert "Botheration". Ooooh I'm so excited to use this word in conversation now!
At the beginning I saw Georgiana as very immature in her actions and thoughts. So naïve. A little bit of "is she really that stupid?" But towards the end of the book, I felt a shift towards my feelings for this character. Georgiana still acted "blonde" many times but she became likeable. Sweetly naive maybe? I don't know but when I started to accept Georgiana for how she was I began to enjoy the book more. I definitely felt like there were times that Ashdowne was in over his head! I liked how Ashdowne accepted Georgiana for who she was and just rolled with the punches and her wild antics.
I said at the beginning I liked this book and really didn't know why. It is completely different from the dark books and characters I usually lean towards. This was very fanciful with sugary story and characters. However the last 60pgs or so of the story was really good and intense. I feel like I was kind of captured by the characters. I mean how can anyone not fall in love with how Ashdowne allowed Georgiana to be herself and helped her follow her dreams.
So anyway meh to the whole storyline of Georgiana searching for who stole Lady Culpepper's emeralds and bravo to the chemistry and relationship between Georgiana and Ashdowne. Definitely saved the story for me. They were fun characters to read about and played off each other spectacularly. This book is definitely a fun romp read, some funny situations but don't expect much of an engaging storyline. I wish Georgiana and Ashdowne were put into a more supporting story. However, as a couple they were a blast to read about.
I guess my final word is this book is a curiously charming story about how it is ok to be yourself and being lucky enough to find the hero to accept you just the way you are.
I realize I didn't say much about the story but really it's just Georgiana thinking she can become a Bow Street Runner and Ashdowne doing his damnedest to keep her out of trouble. I would probably compare this book to the movie "The Princess Bride" (loved that movie). Silly but romantic.
B
February 4, 2013
I read this straight after The Devil Earl and I enjoyed it much more. I loved the hero and I loved the relationship that develops between him and the heroine as she attempts to solve the mystery of the missing necklace. In particular, several parts of the book made me laugh out loud.
But it wasn't perfect. In particular, the heroine at the beginning of the book says she is a devotee of Plato, giving the impression that her methods of deduction are all about logic. And then she goes on to try and solve the crime based solely on intuition, leg-work and things she was fortunate enough to overhear. She complains that no-one takes her seriously - I had trouble taking her seriously. I was also fairly ropable when at the end of the book In addition, it was frustrating how she completely ignores the obvious solution for about half the book.
But the problems weren't overwhelming and I enjoyed this for being sweet and for having the relationship develop because he found her unusual and started wanting to make her happy by helping her achieve her goals, not just because he wanted to see her with her clothes off. A nice romance.
But it wasn't perfect. In particular, the heroine at the beginning of the book says she is a devotee of Plato, giving the impression that her methods of deduction are all about logic. And then she goes on to try and solve the crime based solely on intuition, leg-work and things she was fortunate enough to overhear. She complains that no-one takes her seriously - I had trouble taking her seriously. I was also fairly ropable when at the end of the book In addition, it was frustrating how she completely ignores the obvious solution for about half the book.
But the problems weren't overwhelming and I enjoyed this for being sweet and for having the relationship develop because he found her unusual and started wanting to make her happy by helping her achieve her goals, not just because he wanted to see her with her clothes off. A nice romance.
December 20, 2015
BOTHERATION!
A predictable title.
SPECIAL NOTE: The book is also in graphic format.
London, Regency Era
Georgiana Bellewether has never been taken seriously. Because of her beauty and luscious curves, she is judged as a goosecap. Although, her mother is flighty and her father genial, she inherited the keen mind of a scholar with a special talent for solving mysteries. Cursed for her gender, she dreams of a life as a Bow Street Runner.
During a family holiday in Bath, London she gets the opportunity to solve the biggest crime of the season, prove her abilities and receive her just admiration. One particular suspect is the Marquis of Ashdown. A refine man of the Haut Ton who appear to be out of place among the sleepy town of dowagers and old men.
This is a cozy mystery. What make the book worth reading is Georgiana's characteristic nature and her skills matched against the talents of a thief. For me, the characters were partially boring, nor did I have any Lol moments. I did like one seduction scene: while at an eatery Ashdown sensually licked on a spoon. Steamy. The romance scenes are graphically watered down into short paragraphs.
There's not much dialogue while the introspection and narration slowed the paced.
I look forward to reading the two part graphic novel. IMO, I think this couple would make an interesting mystery series.
A predictable title.
SPECIAL NOTE: The book is also in graphic format.
London, Regency Era
Georgiana Bellewether has never been taken seriously. Because of her beauty and luscious curves, she is judged as a goosecap. Although, her mother is flighty and her father genial, she inherited the keen mind of a scholar with a special talent for solving mysteries. Cursed for her gender, she dreams of a life as a Bow Street Runner.
During a family holiday in Bath, London she gets the opportunity to solve the biggest crime of the season, prove her abilities and receive her just admiration. One particular suspect is the Marquis of Ashdown. A refine man of the Haut Ton who appear to be out of place among the sleepy town of dowagers and old men.
This is a cozy mystery. What make the book worth reading is Georgiana's characteristic nature and her skills matched against the talents of a thief. For me, the characters were partially boring, nor did I have any Lol moments. I did like one seduction scene: while at an eatery Ashdown sensually licked on a spoon. Steamy. The romance scenes are graphically watered down into short paragraphs.
There's not much dialogue while the introspection and narration slowed the paced.
I look forward to reading the two part graphic novel. IMO, I think this couple would make an interesting mystery series.
January 1, 2024
Deborah Simmons knows how to write a hook.
The moment she introduced her character I was already invested; I HAD to finish the story so I could find out what would happen to her in the end. I suppose I can say this about her other books as well. Georgiana Belleweather might not be the kind of heroine I prefer to root for (even Jane Austen knew how to write a heroine who knew how to live in her time period and not push the norm so much). Her instant attraction to Ashedowne's looks was an instant turn off tbh. But Miss Simmons made me interested enough to try and figure out wth was going on. The story had a clear direction and I didn't fall into unnecessary plot holes.
This was an easy read and I got what I came for.
The moment she introduced her character I was already invested; I HAD to finish the story so I could find out what would happen to her in the end. I suppose I can say this about her other books as well. Georgiana Belleweather might not be the kind of heroine I prefer to root for (even Jane Austen knew how to write a heroine who knew how to live in her time period and not push the norm so much). Her instant attraction to Ashedowne's looks was an instant turn off tbh. But Miss Simmons made me interested enough to try and figure out wth was going on. The story had a clear direction and I didn't fall into unnecessary plot holes.
This was an easy read and I got what I came for.
March 25, 2023
I loved this book.
Deborah Simmons reminds me of the great Mary Stewart mystery writer. Strong characters with a touch of humor. Loved the heroine and her hero. This a is definitely my favorite book she has written.
Deborah Simmons reminds me of the great Mary Stewart mystery writer. Strong characters with a touch of humor. Loved the heroine and her hero. This a is definitely my favorite book she has written.
December 4, 2023
A autora bem que tentou convencer a todos que Georgina era esperta... mas foram muitas bolas fora para que isso fosse crível.
Dispensável.
Dispensável.
January 11, 2017
O Panie! Daj mi cierpliwość do tak słabych książek, bo jak dasz mi siłę to je wszystkie spalę. Nie wiem, czym zasłużyłam sobie na całą serię fatalnych powieści, ale zdecydowanie to kara za jakieś grzechy z poprzedniego wcielenia. Pytanie tylko, za jakie?
Gdy książka zaczyna się od słów: „Georgiany Bellewether nikt nie traktował poważnie” to zaczynam mieć złe przeczucia, bo obawiam się, że główna bohaterka jak zwykle wtedy będzie próbowała udowodnić swoją inteligencję i sprawić, że w rodzinie ktoś ją zauważy. Główna bohaterka ma jasne włosy, duże niebieskie oczy. Jest piękna i mężczyźni zapominają przy niej języka w gębie – to jest tak standardowe i nudne, że nawet nie stłumiłam potężnego ziewnięcia, gdy autorka o tym tylko wspominała, a robiła to dość często! Średni gdzieś, co dwie lub trzy strony.
Georgiana jak już przeczytaliście w opisie zaczyna prowadzić śledztwo w Bath, gdy ktoś kradnie zabytkowy naszyjnik pewnej kobiecie. W sumie to nic więcej się nie dzieje. Bo Georgina nim zaczęła właściwe śledztwo rozpoczęła zbieranie wiadomości o markizie, Ashdownie i na to, co go sprowadziło do Bath. Oczywiście markiz jest przystojny i tajemniczy, co również jest standardem. Naprawdę, tu nie było nic odkrywczego.
Nic dziwnego, że Georgiana nie była traktowana przez nikogo poważnie, bo wszystkim chwaliła się, że umie rozwiązywać zagadki, ale nikt jej nie wierzy… Cóż sama też bym nie wierzyła komuś, kto wiecznie się przechwala i gra cierpiętnicę tylko z powodu, że jest kobietą! O litości!
Całość jest tak przewidywalna i nudna, że niedzielny kurczak w rosole z marchewką ma więcej ikry i życia. Ona dobra i nieporadna, on arogancki, tajemniczy i zły. Nie było nawet momentu, który by mnie zaskoczył. Opis zaspojlerował wszystko. Nie było szansy na coś „wow”. Nie wiem, czym kierowałam się przy zakupie tej książki, ale musiałam mieć chwilowe zaćmienie umysłu.
Chciałabym dać punkty za cokolwiek, bo okładka jest denna, treść jeszcze gorsza, więc dam za dużą czcionkę i interlinię. Spodziewałam się, że to będzie miło napisane czytadło, a dostałam kompletne dno bez racji bytu wśród książek.
„Urozmaicenie jest tym, co ubarwia monotonię życia.”~ Deborah Simmons, Książę złodziei, Warszawa 2012, s.295.
Gdy książka zaczyna się od słów: „Georgiany Bellewether nikt nie traktował poważnie” to zaczynam mieć złe przeczucia, bo obawiam się, że główna bohaterka jak zwykle wtedy będzie próbowała udowodnić swoją inteligencję i sprawić, że w rodzinie ktoś ją zauważy. Główna bohaterka ma jasne włosy, duże niebieskie oczy. Jest piękna i mężczyźni zapominają przy niej języka w gębie – to jest tak standardowe i nudne, że nawet nie stłumiłam potężnego ziewnięcia, gdy autorka o tym tylko wspominała, a robiła to dość często! Średni gdzieś, co dwie lub trzy strony.
Georgiana jak już przeczytaliście w opisie zaczyna prowadzić śledztwo w Bath, gdy ktoś kradnie zabytkowy naszyjnik pewnej kobiecie. W sumie to nic więcej się nie dzieje. Bo Georgina nim zaczęła właściwe śledztwo rozpoczęła zbieranie wiadomości o markizie, Ashdownie i na to, co go sprowadziło do Bath. Oczywiście markiz jest przystojny i tajemniczy, co również jest standardem. Naprawdę, tu nie było nic odkrywczego.
Nic dziwnego, że Georgiana nie była traktowana przez nikogo poważnie, bo wszystkim chwaliła się, że umie rozwiązywać zagadki, ale nikt jej nie wierzy… Cóż sama też bym nie wierzyła komuś, kto wiecznie się przechwala i gra cierpiętnicę tylko z powodu, że jest kobietą! O litości!
Całość jest tak przewidywalna i nudna, że niedzielny kurczak w rosole z marchewką ma więcej ikry i życia. Ona dobra i nieporadna, on arogancki, tajemniczy i zły. Nie było nawet momentu, który by mnie zaskoczył. Opis zaspojlerował wszystko. Nie było szansy na coś „wow”. Nie wiem, czym kierowałam się przy zakupie tej książki, ale musiałam mieć chwilowe zaćmienie umysłu.
Chciałabym dać punkty za cokolwiek, bo okładka jest denna, treść jeszcze gorsza, więc dam za dużą czcionkę i interlinię. Spodziewałam się, że to będzie miło napisane czytadło, a dostałam kompletne dno bez racji bytu wśród książek.
„Urozmaicenie jest tym, co ubarwia monotonię życia.”~ Deborah Simmons, Książę złodziei, Warszawa 2012, s.295.
February 18, 2014
This book is a delight. Several times, from chapter three onwards, I laughed out loud at the events and scenes, and for the most part I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. I guessed very easily who the culprit was, of course, but that wasn't really the point. Georgiana was a delightful heroine, full of fizz, and enthusiastic to a fault. In fact, a lot of the fun of the book came through her over enthusiastic approach to investigating the theft of a rather unpleasant lady's necklace. She found a worthy hero in Ashdowne and the roller coaster they took us on was wonderful.
I have just a couple of gripes. One is common to a lot of Mills and Boon books, and that's the cardboard cut out nature of many of the secondary characters. Lady Culpepper was ONLY unpleasant. Georgiana's family were ONLY stupid. I don't want to spend too much time with these characters when we can be getting on with the real story of the book, but I do like to feel they are there as more than just window dressing. I've read other books by Deborah Simmons and the minor characters in those were realistic and rounded, which made these all the more disappointing, and lost her one star.
The other gripe is a personal preference. We didn't enter the hero's head until Chapter Three, by which time I was beginning to fear the entire book would be told only from the heroine's point of view. I don't enjoy books that only give us her point of view without his, and I was on the verge of putting it down and finding something else to read when we finally got to him. The only reason I'd waited so long was because I was reading in the bath and couldn't just go and get another book. Leaving it so late to go to him lost the other star.
Once we got over that hump, though, I was thoroughly entertained, and I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a lighthearted and uplifting read.
I have just a couple of gripes. One is common to a lot of Mills and Boon books, and that's the cardboard cut out nature of many of the secondary characters. Lady Culpepper was ONLY unpleasant. Georgiana's family were ONLY stupid. I don't want to spend too much time with these characters when we can be getting on with the real story of the book, but I do like to feel they are there as more than just window dressing. I've read other books by Deborah Simmons and the minor characters in those were realistic and rounded, which made these all the more disappointing, and lost her one star.
The other gripe is a personal preference. We didn't enter the hero's head until Chapter Three, by which time I was beginning to fear the entire book would be told only from the heroine's point of view. I don't enjoy books that only give us her point of view without his, and I was on the verge of putting it down and finding something else to read when we finally got to him. The only reason I'd waited so long was because I was reading in the bath and couldn't just go and get another book. Leaving it so late to go to him lost the other star.
Once we got over that hump, though, I was thoroughly entertained, and I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a lighthearted and uplifting read.
September 13, 2015
Incredibly boring. The book is three times as long as it needs to be since there's no mystery and no suspense. If the characters had been more interesting or better-developed, they could've compensated for the plot--or the serious lack thereof. At the very least, I might've found Georgiana's pratfalls and Ashdowne's exasperation as amusing as the narrative claimed they were. Instead, I spent two thirds of the book convinced that Ashdowne would regret his imminent marriage to Georgiana because she isn't clever. (It's impossible that she could appear to be since the culprit is obvious to the audience and the plot requires her to miss clues from the outset.)
I never bought into Ashdowne's attraction and I didn't have much interest in him as an individual. The story became more engaging when Georgiana starts to solve the mystery and with something worthwhile to do, she improves as a character, but she bears too little resemblance to herself. Ashdowne would've been fine, except With the exception of Savonierre, the side characters weren't any better and I suspect Savonierre would lose his lustre if Deborah Simmons actually explored his story in a book.
I never bought into Ashdowne's attraction and I didn't have much interest in him as an individual. The story became more engaging when Georgiana starts to solve the mystery and with something worthwhile to do, she improves as a character, but she bears too little resemblance to herself. Ashdowne would've been fine, except With the exception of Savonierre, the side characters weren't any better and I suspect Savonierre would lose his lustre if Deborah Simmons actually explored his story in a book.
June 7, 2012
So, so charming! Georgiana was a fun character to read about - very naive & sheltered, from the country, and yet also imaginative and clever. She's always wished she was born a boy, so that she could grow up to be a real Bow Street Runner detective. Though she has had no training, and so her methods include wild goose-chases and clusmy calamities, beneath it all she has a quick mind . I enjoyed how everyone underestimates her, because of her beauty, her eccentric enthusiasm, and her youth .. including the hero at first (mostly humoring her for her attractive body & face). But eventually during the course of the story the hero begins to see that she really is clever underneath all the other trappings and she sincerely earns his respect.
September 28, 2010
Pretty good, but not worth buying.
Georgiana is a smart young lady who wants to gain respect and admiration for her detective abilities. Someone stole a necklace from the hostess's bedroom during a party. While Georgiana investigates, one of her suspects assists her. She jumps to conclusions too fast, but eventually succeeds in solving the mystery. I wasn't surprised or delighted. The heroine was a little too syrupy sweet for me. The story was half solving the mystery and half developing the romance. The ending was cute.
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: three. Setting: Bath, England, probably regency period. Copyright: 2000. Genre: mystery regency romance.
Georgiana is a smart young lady who wants to gain respect and admiration for her detective abilities. Someone stole a necklace from the hostess's bedroom during a party. While Georgiana investigates, one of her suspects assists her. She jumps to conclusions too fast, but eventually succeeds in solving the mystery. I wasn't surprised or delighted. The heroine was a little too syrupy sweet for me. The story was half solving the mystery and half developing the romance. The ending was cute.
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: three. Setting: Bath, England, probably regency period. Copyright: 2000. Genre: mystery regency romance.
January 29, 2012
Eh. Really predictable. Some parts were cute, but over all it was rather boring.
April 16, 2016
This was a fun read. What a clumsy heroine!
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