Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Rather more murderous and less charming than the average Heyer, but with a delightful cast of side characters, including a highwayman with a heart of gold.
//
Not perhaps my favorite Heyer, but still a fun read. Captain John Staple ("Crazy Jack" to his friends) is looking for something to fill his time now that Bonaparte is no longer on the loose, and he's not part of the army anymore. On the way to stay at a friend's lodge he stumbles across a mystery involving a missing gatekeeper and several suspicious characters. Partly out of pity for the scared gatekeeper's son, and partly out of interest in Nell Stornaway, granddaughter of the local squire, Captain Staple decides to stay and fill in as gatekeeper.
//
Not perhaps my favorite Heyer, but still a fun read. Captain John Staple ("Crazy Jack" to his friends) is looking for something to fill his time now that Bonaparte is no longer on the loose, and he's not part of the army anymore. On the way to stay at a friend's lodge he stumbles across a mystery involving a missing gatekeeper and several suspicious characters. Partly out of pity for the scared gatekeeper's son, and partly out of interest in Nell Stornaway, granddaughter of the local squire, Captain Staple decides to stay and fill in as gatekeeper.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fun adventure, a relaxing audiobook listen but not one of my favourite Heyer books
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Much as I love Georgette Heyer, the mystery is predictable and boring so please don't expect too much from that. The romance tho is as swoon-worthy as ever!
I don't think Georgette Heyer is capable of writing bad romance.
I don't know if it's just me or it's really getting easier to understand regency slang. 😂
I don't think Georgette Heyer is capable of writing bad romance.
I don't know if it's just me or it's really getting easier to understand regency slang. 😂
I went on a little Georgette Heyer kick this year - reading several of her novels in between others. Overall they are fun, but silly. Comparisons to Jane Austen are a stretch - there are superficial similarities in plot and setting, but Austen is way out of Heyer's league. I'm not going to bother reviewing them all as they tend to blur together.
Having said that, this was one of the standouts, largely because it includes a mystery along with the romance to fuel the plot. Nothing earth-shattering, but an enjoyable read with likable characters.
Having said that, this was one of the standouts, largely because it includes a mystery along with the romance to fuel the plot. Nothing earth-shattering, but an enjoyable read with likable characters.
3 stars because the book was decent, nothing more, nothing less. I first heard about Georgette Heyer in a write-up by Garth Nix, who was one of my favourite authors growing up. Apparently he grew up reading her books, which was quite the lovely surprise given the stereotypical Heyer reader. Not being a huge fan of the romance genre myself (or regency-era fiction, for that matter), I decided to try "The Toll-Gate" because it at least involved a mystery.
The mystery was fine, the romance was pretty charming (if a little... bland? but at least it wasn't based on a weird power imbalance and that's all I can ask for at this point), and the pacing was fine. I wish more had been done with some of the side characters and the antagonists. Frankly, it was all fine. That's the only word I have for it.
Recommended if you like regency fiction, not sure if the romance is present enough to be worth reading for a romance enthusiast, but I'm not well-versed in the genre so who knows?
The mystery was fine, the romance was pretty charming (if a little... bland? but at least it wasn't based on a weird power imbalance and that's all I can ask for at this point), and the pacing was fine. I wish more had been done with some of the side characters and the antagonists. Frankly, it was all fine. That's the only word I have for it.
Recommended if you like regency fiction, not sure if the romance is present enough to be worth reading for a romance enthusiast, but I'm not well-versed in the genre so who knows?
Not one of her best: way too much slang (of the highway man variety) and too much MURDER. Though once again, she manages to have wonderful side characters who almost – but not quite – redeem the effort.
I will probably end up parting with my copy, but given that this and A Convenient Marriage are the only two Heyers that I've truly disliked, she is still one of my go-to comfort reads.
I will probably end up parting with my copy, but given that this and A Convenient Marriage are the only two Heyers that I've truly disliked, she is still one of my go-to comfort reads.
Definitely one of the Georgette Heyer books I enjoyed, but not in the top tier of one of my favorites. Still an enjoyable Regency mystery.
While I enjoyed reading this book, I found it to be somewhat slow going. Captain John Staple was very entertaining, but I felt like I never got a particularly good feel for Miss Nell. Certainly their relationship came about rather faster than I really think is possible, but that's likely as not a reflection of the genre.
The mystery (or rather, mysteries) within the book was interesting, but I did get a bit frustrated when it seemed like certain facts were being withheld from the reader in order to increase the mystery. There was enough to piece things together at the end, but during the process of the story I felt as though I was being led about.
The mystery (or rather, mysteries) within the book was interesting, but I did get a bit frustrated when it seemed like certain facts were being withheld from the reader in order to increase the mystery. There was enough to piece things together at the end, but during the process of the story I felt as though I was being led about.