I ended the year 2016 with this little gem.

It's not a romance, no, but man is a fun little romp/comedy. Which is just what I needed.

There is not a lot to say about this book, except the reason that I rated it a star less is because the romance between two characters came out of nowhere. You see, early on in the book, you are introduced to Tristian and he isn't really in the mood for romance and or flirting. After meeting Sarah, apparently he becomes romantically interested in her by the end of the book - though their romantic moments are few and far between.

Anyway, it is a funny/fun little book and sometimes you need those in your reading life.

I have not laughed this much with a book in ages. Love the whole 'making fun of each other as a love language'. Simply delightful.

One of the better Heyer mysteries in that it's less mystery and more hijinks with familiar character types. Fun in parts but I wish there was a bit more meat to it

Another excellent offering by Heyer. This was a bit different from her other Regency books (that I had read at the time) because of the whole murder mystery aspect of it. I loved the intrigue and bemoaned the fact that more of her books weren't like this. Imagine my joy when I later discovered she had written a whole host of cozy mysteries.

Audiobook re-read. Phyllida Nash's narration is fantastic!

I adored this charming little tome, a romance that takes place mostly in an inn/tavern could easily have been a mess, but the characters are likable and funny. The added benefit of a mystery makes the book all the more enjoyable. On his death bed, Lord Sylvester demands his favorite nephew marry his granddaughter though neither of them is happy with the prospect.

After a small disagreement, young Eustacie runs away only to land in the arms of a smuggler who turns out to be her long lost cousin, Ludovic, on the run after being accused of murder. Now the real fun begins: who is the real murderer and how will they keep Ludovic a secret? Read it to find out!

'Kay, I really liked this one. Again, possessiveness people, Ludovic is great in that regard. And it was hilarious, that's pretty much all I ask for.

"I may have said that I wanted to have an adventure," replied Miss Thane. "But I never said that I wanted to be murdered in my bed."

Historical romantic comedy meets murder mystery in my latest read penned by Heyer. Two years ago, Baron Lavenham's heir, Ludovic, was accused of murdering Sir Matthew Plunkett over the loss of the titular talisman ring in a rigged game of chance. His cousin, Sir Tristram Shield, helped him escape the law and Ludovic has been a fugitive heir ever since. As the story opens, Baron Lavenham is on is deathbed. It is his dying wish that Tristram shall marry his half-French cousin Eustacie before the baron expires. After meeting for the first time, neither are very enthused at the idea. Eustacie, for her part, does not believe her cousin to be romantic and adventurous enough. When the baron dies before the wedding can take place, Eustacie decides to run away and become a governess rather than marry Tristram whom she declares to be not sympathique. All she wants in life is adventure. [why she believes a governess to be the route to go for adventures is beyond me...]

Eustacie soon finds herself embroiled with smugglers...er...that is free traders. One of whom turns out to be her missing cousin Ludovic. They have to run away from Excise Men, Ludovic is wounded, and they wind up taking refuge at the Red Lion inn where a Miss Sarah Thane (who also longs for adventure) takes them under her wing. Ludovic swears that he did not kill Sir Matthew and after hearing that the baron has died is determined to find out who committed the murder and stole his precious ring. The rest of the story sees them teaming up with Tristram (after briefly flirting with the idea that he is the villain of the piece), avoiding Excise Men, searching for hidden panels, nearly being murdered in their beds...and, of course, finding the ring and the murderer. Eustacie falls in love with Ludovic--and after witty bantering throughout the second half of the novel Sarah winds up with Tristram. All's well that ends well.

This was a fun read. Heyer does period romantic comedy very well and she's one of my very favorite historical romance authors. The mystery portion is a little weak--after ruling out Sir Tristram, one really doesn't have to look very hard for the murderer, but the fun is watching the characters work their way towards capturing him rather than having an intricate puzzle to solve. I did think the hiding place for the ring was a nice touch. ★★★ and 1/2.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

I’m afraid that most of what I have to say about this excellent Heyer entry is no different than a thousand other reviews. Apparently this is many people’s first introduction to Heyer and many go into it with a skeptical or ironical view of Romances, and Regency Romances in particular, and this is a perfect novel for those readers. It starts out so straightforwardly, setting up an unfavorable arranged marriage between two sympathetic people with nothing in common, and one of them is addicted to romance and is strongly attracted by a young reckless rogue who “rescues” her in the woods. We are all set to cringe and laugh and roll our eyes at the awkward encounters and romantical swoonings that are sure to ensue as we follow these young idiots on their search for adventure, romance, and revenge.
However, just as you are feeling like the novel is shaping up to be exactly what you expect it to be, you find Georgette Heyer right next to your shoulder nodding along with all of your criticisms, saying, “I know, right? They are ridiculous. It’ll work out for them, I guess, but they are awfully stupid.” Slowly you realize that they are merely bombastic foils to the actual romance that happens much more slowly, realistically, and enjoyably between the older couple. All of it is so self-aware and tongue-in-cheek that you have to laugh.
Heyer has a greater tolerance for the feckless youth in many of her novels than I have, and it is slightly annoying here, but at least she is willing to laugh at Ludovic in this novel and acknowledge his rash decisions. Eustacie is adorable, though often as annoying as Ludovic. It is Sarah who carries this novel single-handedly, with her deft handling of all parties, including her brother, Tristram, Ludovic, the innkeeper, and Eustacie. She enters into all of their difficulties with such zest, but also with humor. It is clear that she enjoys her life and the people around her even if they do not much understand her. Her subtle dialogue with its many layers is the best thing about this novel.
The plot itself is surprisingly one of Heyer’s more straightforward mysteries, being more plot-driven than misunderstanding-driven as most of her other Romances are. The villain is ludicrously easy to spot, and he seems to me to suffer from MPD. He is sometimes cool as ice, willing to murder and able to maintain his calm, but at other times he breaks down under Tristram’s interrogations and steely gaze and is obviously perturbed, sweaty, or panicked. I never knew whether he was supposed to be a clever, dangerous rogue, or a nervous imbecilic upstart who simply got lucky. I think Heyer has difficulty making interesting villains; all of her most villainous characters in her other novels are eventually redeemed in the fashion of the Byronic hero. This villain, though unredeemed, is weak.
I always love a good Heyer romance, and this one is no exception. It has some marked differences from some of her other novels, but is no less funny or engaging for that.