A Starting Point for a New Heyer Fan

[[deleted user]]

Hi all,

I'm new around here and very new to Georgette Heyer. I'm a big Jane Austen fan, and quite a few people have suggested I try Georgette Heyer. I've bought a few of her books already, but I'm not sure where to start.

Can anyone recommend a good romance or mystery book of hers as a starting point for a newbie?

[Jamie]

Hi Bella,

The first one I read was The Grand Sophy, and it was a good start. Which of her books do you already have?

Jamie

[[deleted user]]

Oh I have that one! I have April Lady, Arabella, Cotillion, Detection Unlimited, The Black Moth and The Grand Sophy.

[MashJ]

Cotillion and April Lady are late period from memory, Try Arabella as a classic Heyer and then follow up with The Grand Sophy (both are "middle period I think). TGS is very funny but not quite typical. Detection Unlimited stands separately.

Sorry- I see April Lady is middle period as well- I misremembered- it is another classic.

[Jamie]

I liked Cotillion and Arabella, too.

[[deleted user]]

Mshj wrote: "Cotillion and April Lady are late period from memory, Try Arabella as a classic Heyer and then follow up with The Grand Sophy (both are "middle period I think). TGS is very funny but not quite typ..."

Thanks this helps a lot! I think I'm going to try Arabella first :)

[[deleted user]]

Jamie wrote: "I liked Cotillion and Arabella, too."

Jamie - thanks! It helps knowing other people have liked them, so I'm going to try Arabella and then The Grand Sophy, as I like humor in my romances too.

[Jemidar]

I've only read two of the ones you already have, The Grand Sophy and The Black Moth, and liked them both very much. The Black Moth is more of a fun romp than a comedy of manners though. I also love The Convenient Marriage and Beauvallet.

I've only read a couple of her mysteries but have enjoyed both. Think Agatha Christie but less exotic--upper class family in the big house type cosy mystery. I really think they are underrated on the whole.

The similarity between her and Austen for me, is their sense of humour and great observations about people.

[MashJ]

Jamie wrote: "I liked Cotillion and Arabella, too."

I didn't like Cotillion the first time round and loved it the second time. I wouldn't recommend it as a first Heyer read though.

[Jemidar]

I agree about Cotillion, not one of my favourites but I will give it another go at some stage.

[MashJ]

Jemidar wrote: "I agree about Cotillion, not one of my favourites but I will give it another go at some stage."

I needed to be a little older to appreciate it I think. Freddie isn't the ideal romantic hero but the whole tale definitely grew on me (JA's Emma was similar). The reason I didn't recommend TGS as a first read is it felt more comedy than romance to me (NOT a critisism) and so maybe isn't quite what you expect- like Freddie, Charles is more of a slow burn hero whereas Beaumaris/Arabella is a classic pairing with plenty of comedy around the edges.

[Elcee]

Bella wrote: "Hi all,

I'm new around here and very new to Georgette Heyer. I'm a big Jane Austen fan, and quite a few people have suggested I try Georgette Heyer. I've bought a few of her books already, but I..."

You should read These Old Shades and Devil's Cub. What others have suggested, especially Arabella and The Grand Sophy are very good and The Unknown Ajax, The Toll Gate, Bath Tangle and Faro's Daughter are among others I have enjoyed. Happy reading!

[Jemidar]

Yes, Devil's Cub is wonderful! I wasn't as keen on These Old Shades.

[Elcee]

Jemidar wrote: "Yes, Devil's Cub is wonderful! I wasn't as keen on These Old Shades."

I didn't really like Cotillion much or Friday's Child either. These Old Shades is longer and set in an earlier period so it's more flowery in the conversational style as well. GH really excels in conversations between her characters.

[chinami]

Elcee wrote: "Jemidar wrote: "Yes, Devil's Cub is wonderful! I wasn't as keen on These Old Shades."

I didn't really like Cotillion much or Friday's Child either. These Old Shades is longer and set in an earli..."

Even i didn't like cotillion. It was so boring and the heroine was too drab.

[MashJ]

Veronica wrote: "Elcee wrote: "Jemidar wrote: "Yes, Devil's Cub is wonderful! I wasn't as keen on These Old Shades."

I didn't really like Cotillion much or Friday's Child either. These Old Shades is longer and s..."

****SPOILERS****

There is a faint hint of "Mansfield Park" with all the cousins and the low key nature of the book but I think that Kitty is far less irritating than Fanny was. I liked the way that Heyer led us up the garden path a little- thinking that the hero might end up being Jack but instead she developed Freddy's character. I also found it hilarious that instead of the uncle being on his death bed and ready to pass all of his money to the cousins he ended up marrying Fish. Honestly- I think it improves on rereading!

[Margaret]

Cotillion is a favorite of mine because I love Freddy to pieces, but I wouldn't recommend it as a first Heyer. Let the new reader read a couple of Heyers where the hero is sufficently Jack-like that Cotillion can successfully fake her out on first reading, I say! ;)

[Elcee]

Margaret wrote: "Cotillion is a favorite of mine because I love Freddy to pieces, but I wouldn't recommend it as a first Heyer. Let the new reader read a couple of Heyers where the hero is sufficently Jack-like th..."

If you want one where the hero is not a "Beaumaris" type but still enjoyable, where the heroine is ordinary and there is a dastardly plot as well you might try "The Quiet Gentleman". It's a bit of a lesser known title. I liked it....and I loved "False Colours". It is a favourite of mine and one that never leaves my bookshelf.

[Claire]

Yes the Quiet Gentleman is very good slightly against type but a good reread.

[chinami]

Elcee wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Cotillion is a favorite of mine because I love Freddy to pieces, but I wouldn't recommend it as a first Heyer. Let the new reader read a couple of Heyers where the hero is suffice..."

I have read false colors and i like the characterization. Every time i take a Heyer, i come across new and amazing plots except that of cotillion's. That was my second try at Heyer's works and i never felt disappointment before. i don't remember whether it was kitty or Freddy who annoyed me more.

[Lianne]

I agree with Arabella being a good starting book into Heyer's works. Cotillion is also great because I thought the interaction between the cousins is just hilarious (then again I pretty much enjoy all of the books containing a good amount of family interaction).

I've been meaning to check out Heyer's mystery books; which book do you guys think is the best one to start with?

[BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...)]

The Black Moth was her first historical romance and as such might be worth reading first, even though her later novels are better.
The Grand Sophy is still my all time favourite.

I noticed that the person who started this thread (Bella?) is now a 'deleted member'. Let's hope others will benefit from our answers... Or maybe the group moderator can 'freeze' this thread?