BOTM 3 - August 2022 - Devil's Cub

[Susan]

Discussion thread for the third BOTM for August 2022. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)

Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer


Synopsis:


Duellist and gamester, the young Marquis of Vidal had fairly earned the sobriquet 'Devil's Cub' - a tribute to the wilder excesses of his father, the Duke of Avon.

When Mary Challoner discovered Dominic's plans to run away with her lovely sister, she donned cloak and mask in a daring impersonation and found herself bound for France with the most notorious rake in Georgian London.

The many admirers of These Old Shades will meet some familiar friends.

[Mariana]

I haven't read These Old Shades, but I think this will be the one BOTM I read for August.

[Susan]

It is not necessary to have read These Old Shades. While some of the characters are the same, they are in the background. I will also be re reading this one. From memory it starts off a bit slow, but speeds up towards the middle.

[Lauren]

Mariana, I would recommend reading These Old Shades, though not bc it's necessary but bc it's soo good.

[Mariana]

Thanks Susan and Lauren. I do have These Old Shades on my To Read shelf. Maybe I'll just read out of order.

[Caterina]

Hi 👋 a little late, but I am joining this discussion. Just got the book from my library.

[Susan in Perthshire]

I think it would definitely add to the experience to read TOS first. It’s not essential - but it would be nice.

Devil’s Cub was the first Georgette Heyer book that I read. I was 11 at the time and I became an instant fan of DC and of Georgette Heyer.

I swiftly devoured These Old Shades and worked my way steadily through her entire works. As she published new books, they were listed on the kitchen notice board, so that I’d get them as Birthday and Christmas presents.

I have read DC innumerable times since then, and I always enjoy it. I’ll be really interested to see how the discussion goes.

[Caterina]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "I think it would definitely add to the experience to read TOS first. It’s not essential - but it would be nice.

Devil’s Cub was the first Georgette Heyer book that I read. I was 11 at the time an..."

Thanks for sharing! I'll have to add These Old Shades to my reading list.

[Susan]

Just finished this one. The ending makes me smile every time!! The novel starts off slow but about half way it steams ahead and ends with a crescendo. Duels, abductions, shooting, driniking and witty dialogue. It is my favourite Georgette Heyer and never disaapoints. Fives stars again

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

I just reread this one last Dec so I am just following the discussion.

[Caterina]

I struggle with books that introduce a lot of characters without making it clear where they fit into the plot, so the beginning of this book has been tough to get through.

Meanwhile, I ended up picking up These Old Shades from the library. So far, I'm enjoying this book a lot more.

Hopefully, I can finish both books by the end of the month.

[Caterina]

I didn't finish the book 🥺

[Lauren]

@ Catherina, Did you not enjoy it or did you just ran out of time? Just curious

[Susan in Perthshire]

Lauren wrote: "@ Catherina, Did you not enjoy it or did you just ran out of time? Just curious"
I’m puzzled too. I love both books and despite having read them dozens of times, I never have a problem finishing them!

[Susan]

Caterina wrote: "I didn't finish the book 🥺"

Caterina wrote: "I struggle with books that introduce a lot of characters without making it clear where they fit into the plot, so the beginning of this book has been tough to get through.

Meanwhile, I ended up p..."

Caterina wrote: "I struggle with books that introduce a lot of characters without making it clear where they fit into the plot, so the beginning of this book has been tough to get through.

Meanwhile, I ended up p..."

That is a shame Caterina. We don't always like the same books and at least you gave it a go. Georgette Heye'rs style can be a bit heavy and old fashioned. I do think that it takes quite a while before Devil's Cub warms up - there is a lot of scene setting at the beginning