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.