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panda_incognito's review against another edition
3.0
This book gets off to a very slow start, and the pace never truly picks up until the end. Even then, as Rosalind unravels the mystery, it seems to revolve more around lucky guesses than true deduction. I guessed who was guilty before I was halfway through the book, and even though I did not predict all of the plot twists, I still wasn't impressed with the ending, which seemed too convenient. Still, even though this didn't satisfy me as a mystery, I found it entertaining enough that I am still going to give it three stars. I already have the second book out from the library, so I will give it a chance, and then I will decide whether or not I want to continue with the series.
One thing I appreciate about this book is how completely clean it is. The story references infidelity and other unsavory issues, but the author does not dramatize these elements on the page or dwell on them at length, and just includes them as part of the real world. I would have been fine reading this at thirteen or fourteen, and the story doesn't even have much language. A few mild words appear from time to time, but no more than you would read in Agatha Christie, and the author simply describes someone's speech apart from that, such as saying that the heroine muttered words that would have gotten her expelled from school.
I can't vouch for the rest of the series, of course, since I haven't read it, but since this author also writes bodice-rippers, I wanted to make it clear that this book is very different in content and tone, and that teenagers and adults who prefer gentle reads will not find this too edgy for their tastes.
One thing I appreciate about this book is how completely clean it is. The story references infidelity and other unsavory issues, but the author does not dramatize these elements on the page or dwell on them at length, and just includes them as part of the real world. I would have been fine reading this at thirteen or fourteen, and the story doesn't even have much language. A few mild words appear from time to time, but no more than you would read in Agatha Christie, and the author simply describes someone's speech apart from that, such as saying that the heroine muttered words that would have gotten her expelled from school.
I can't vouch for the rest of the series, of course, since I haven't read it, but since this author also writes bodice-rippers, I wanted to make it clear that this book is very different in content and tone, and that teenagers and adults who prefer gentle reads will not find this too edgy for their tastes.
dodie_sullivan's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amandapayne's review against another edition
3.0
Very enjoyable! Good mystery, liked the characters.
robynrambles's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
slow-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? Yes
3.0
katelynamandabe's review against another edition
5.0
A mix of pride and prejudice and Sherlock Holmes
….. I can’t wait to read more of this series
….. I can’t wait to read more of this series
jbrooxd's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent mystery! I don't read much historical fiction but I loved this!!
tchien's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
alic59books's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rosemaryfay's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
fun regency mystery!
critterbee's review against another edition
4.0
This is billed as a 'Regency Mystery,' and it is that, but also features a touch of romance.
Rosalind Thorne is barely hanging on to the fringes of the ton, after being disgraced through no fault of her own. Her father's scandalous actions and cowardly escape from London left Rosalind with crippling debt, the care of her overwrought, unstable mother, the loss of being able to marry her love, and more than enough shame to overwhelm most people.
Rosalind decides to hang on to society, and contrives to make herself useful as a means of supporting herself. Having a patroness of Almacks as her godmother is a stroke of luck, and does much to help preserve her reputation and society's acceptance. She transforms herself into a 'Useful Woman,' skilled in helping others arrange events and navigate society's hurdles. She is smart, and at times questions whether society is worth caring about or not, however there are a lot of moving parts to her life which make everything more complicated.
In this series introduction, Rosalind stumbles into a situation featuring a suspicious death at Almacks. Loyalty pulls her in conflicting directions, but she realizes that the truth must be discovered.
The characters in the book are entertaining and diverse, including her former love, a frenemy from her school days, a captivating bow street runner, the patronesses of Almacks, haughty members of society and fallen former members of the ton.
The pacing of this book is steady, but never boring. I was hooked early on, and the mysterious plot was satisfying. The ending tied up the mystery, while leaving many things open for further development in future books. I want to know more about her relationships with her 'former' love Lord Casselmain, the Bow Street Runner, Honoria, her sister Charlotte, her godparents, and her other friends and acquaintances. Highly recommended.
**eARC Netgalley**
Rosalind Thorne is barely hanging on to the fringes of the ton, after being disgraced through no fault of her own. Her father's scandalous actions and cowardly escape from London left Rosalind with crippling debt, the care of her overwrought, unstable mother, the loss of being able to marry her love, and more than enough shame to overwhelm most people.
Rosalind decides to hang on to society, and contrives to make herself useful as a means of supporting herself. Having a patroness of Almacks as her godmother is a stroke of luck, and does much to help preserve her reputation and society's acceptance. She transforms herself into a 'Useful Woman,' skilled in helping others arrange events and navigate society's hurdles. She is smart, and at times questions whether society is worth caring about or not, however there are a lot of moving parts to her life which make everything more complicated.
In this series introduction, Rosalind stumbles into a situation featuring a suspicious death at Almacks. Loyalty pulls her in conflicting directions, but she realizes that the truth must be discovered.
The characters in the book are entertaining and diverse, including her former love, a frenemy from her school days, a captivating bow street runner, the patronesses of Almacks, haughty members of society and fallen former members of the ton.
The pacing of this book is steady, but never boring. I was hooked early on, and the mysterious plot was satisfying. The ending tied up the mystery, while leaving many things open for further development in future books. I want to know more about her relationships with her 'former' love Lord Casselmain, the Bow Street Runner, Honoria, her sister Charlotte, her godparents, and her other friends and acquaintances. Highly recommended.
**eARC Netgalley**