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sophiarose1816's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I read this many years ago, but couldn't remember a thing about it. In fact, I never realized the first time that this was a prequel of sorts to the Vicky Bliss series featuring an origin story of sorts for Vicky's charming favorite gentleman thief, Sir John Smythe- who, let's just say was up to his tricks and schemes even in this story.
The Camelot Caper starts off strong with a young American woman coming over to England at the request of her grandfather in Cornwall. There was an estrangement in the family when her dad was younger. The story hits the ground running when she no sooner lands at the airport than a man tries to take her her luggage and then she ends up on the run from him and his friend fearing what she doesn't know. It's all so inexplicable and she can't figure out what they could possibly want with her and the weird old metal ring that was in her dad's things. A literal stranger comes to her aid and helps her figure out what is going on. Meanwhile, the pair of them start to feel a slow burn attraction as they duck and run and investigate together.
Sadly, the latter half of the book gets too far-fetched in plot and Jess and everyone else including the villains do some very stupid actions that heighten the danger and excitement, but in a frustrating way.
Grace Conlin did a wonderful job narrating and I enjoyed her voices for the characters and her storytelling ability.
All in all, not a favorite Elizabeth Peters story, but I did enjoy seeing the Vicky Bliss series connection finally.
The Camelot Caper starts off strong with a young American woman coming over to England at the request of her grandfather in Cornwall. There was an estrangement in the family when her dad was younger. The story hits the ground running when she no sooner lands at the airport than a man tries to take her her luggage and then she ends up on the run from him and his friend fearing what she doesn't know. It's all so inexplicable and she can't figure out what they could possibly want with her and the weird old metal ring that was in her dad's things. A literal stranger comes to her aid and helps her figure out what is going on. Meanwhile, the pair of them start to feel a slow burn attraction as they duck and run and investigate together.
Sadly, the latter half of the book gets too far-fetched in plot and Jess and everyone else including the villains do some very stupid actions that heighten the danger and excitement, but in a frustrating way.
Grace Conlin did a wonderful job narrating and I enjoyed her voices for the characters and her storytelling ability.
All in all, not a favorite Elizabeth Peters story, but I did enjoy seeing the Vicky Bliss series connection finally.
marybeth494's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
cimorene1558's review against another edition
5.0
If I laughed any harder when reading this, I'd probably collapse. It's a toss-up whether this or Devil-May-Care (also by Elizabeth Peters) is more hysterically funny. Either way, both are wonderful!
But I do not think I'd say it was Vicky Bliss 0.5. Although this John is supposedly the same John as Vicky's, I don't really think I would find it helpful to read this one first, since John doesn't even appear till book 2, and is obviously meant to be the same but (IMO) is really kind of different.
But I do not think I'd say it was Vicky Bliss 0.5. Although this John is supposedly the same John as Vicky's, I don't really think I would find it helpful to read this one first, since John doesn't even appear till book 2, and is obviously meant to be the same but (IMO) is really kind of different.
catrink's review against another edition
1.0
I've no idea why I completed it but I did. I've read many of her other works and it was like someone else wrote this book.
tracey_stewart's review against another edition
4.0
"Caper" was an excellent choice for the title: that's exactly what this is: an adventure with a romantic edge, danger around every corner but handled with a light touch, a tale of an unsuspecting female dropped into the midst of intrigue that would have served Alfred Hitchcock well. The writing is quick and clear, smart and fun and funny; the characters are fun and different, with enough depth to make this very enjoyable; the story is fun and improbable and attention-grabbing, and deals intelligently with the Arthurian elements. As always, the author's deep knowledge of archaeology and its surrounds forms a solid base for a frothy story. The short version: the book is great lightweight fun.
tsenko2's review against another edition
3.0
As delighted as I was to have a prequel about John Tregarth, I don’t feel that it’s up to the usual standard of a Peters book. I actually found the female lead unlikable and her behavior inexplicable. The love interest didn’t give me the slightest buzz. I believe this book was written early in her career before Peters hit her stride as an incredible author.
chelle493's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I don't know if it's because I listened to the audio version instead of reading, but I could not keep up with this book. The scenes cut so jarringly without any hint that you were now in a different scene. The main character's romance was completely flat and I didn't care about it at all. The plot made no sense.