Reviews

Fine, but a bit slow.

I liked the heroine immensely- she was nicely drafted with uncommon qualities. However, she wasn't a major player for much of the book and the hero didn't enthrall me. He had lots of stated qualities that I would ordinarily like very much but they didn't come across so well in the dialogue and he was mostly a bit meh. I did like the subtle way he gained regard for the heroine, which was nicely done and enjoyable reading.

As for the plot, I didn't find it wildly satisfying- the motives didn't convince me and the climax wasn't one of my favourites. It did maintain the mystery for the majority of the book (but I only arrived at the correct conclusion by a process of elimination and not motives, which isn't the most satisfying way).

There were lots of little funny wordplay moments (blink and you'd miss it type things) but no big funny scenes.

Spoiler

Also yet a n o t h e r story where hero gets wounded and needs heroine to tend to him. I love the trope, but it's feeling a lil same-y.

debralewi's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

eb00kie's review against another edition

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4.0

This is one of Heyer’s darker ones, which I love. Because of that, it’s more serious and slower. Maybe I misremember, but compared to the pacing of Talisman Ring, it’s slower, compared to The Unknown Ajax it’s less funny and the Dowager Lady St Erth can’t match Aunt Aurelia.

But I do like that it’s darker. The Heyer banter with a darker, more complex plot like this is just what the doctor ordered.

maplessence's review against another edition

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4.0

I was all set to read my Arrow copy - until I took a good look at the picture. [bc:The Quiet Gentleman|937786|The Quiet Gentleman|Georgette Heyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1475834287l/937786._SY75_.jpg|2530485]

Apparently St Erth returned from the Napoleonic Wars in 1816 & decided to dress in his late father's clothes. As Lady Caroline Bingley would say, I was all astonishment!

So I pulled out my old Pan instead.
[bc:The Quiet Gentleman|26216073|The Quiet Gentleman|Georgette Heyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441244455l/26216073._SY75_.jpg|2530485] Pretty decent shot of Gervase & Marianne, I thought.

This book is a little too Austenesque & not Heyerish enough for me. Don't get me wrong I love Austen - when Jane herself writes it! For example, (& as a few members at the Georgette Heyer Fans group have commented) the Dowager's characterisation is very close to Austen's Lady Catherine de Bourgh, so much so that I kept picturing the actress from the Colin Firth version when reading about her!

& the pace at the start was rather slow, so I didn't do my usual bolt through my read.

Still much to like though, especially some wonderfully witty lines.

Mr Warboys, without putting himself to the trouble of deciding which of the more ferocious animals his friend resembled, stated the matter in simple, and courageously frank terms. "You know, old fellow," he once told Martin,"if you had a tail, damme if you wouldn't lash it!

& both romantic couples were very appealing & I liked that both Gervase & Marianne, extremely attractive themselves

Spoiler

chose mates on their character rather than appearance!

Lots of wonderful secondary characters, especially the above quoted Barny Warboys & Marianne & Drusilla's parents.

But the book has (for me) two major flaws.

Spoiler

Gervase's interest in Marianne clearly wasn't serious. But this reader was nearly as surprised as Drusilla is when Gervase declares himself! Even a very gentle clue would have been appreciated.

I didn't like the resolution of the story & the outcome for the villain. Even with spoiler tags I can't say more than that!

Enjoyable enough for 4 weak stars though.

Review written Dec 2015, edited May 2016

Review from my reread, September 2018.

I was way too hard on this delightful novel when I last read it in 2015.

Although my second objection (behind spoiler tags) still stands, I do freely withdraw my first one. This is a delightful romance which really picks up in the last fifth of the book.

Spoiler

The signs of Gervase's growing regard for Drusilla are subtle but they are there

Gervase is one of GH's most lovable heroes - I really fell for him this time around.

Just shows you can (& I have!) read a book over 30 times & still not pick up all the subtle nuances. Great secondary characters too - I just love Drusilla's parents! The final chapter is one of the most enjoyable endings GH ever created.

So from 4 weak stars, this book is now 4.5★. I can't raise it to 5 because

Spoiler

of the soft ending for the villain.

Review from my reread July 2021
I nominated this title for a group read in the Georgette Heyer Fans Group because I felt like a bit of romantic escapism where both the hero & heroine are genuinely nice people - &, as always with this title this is what I got!

lectriza's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5 stars.

Possibly my favourite GH Regency yet???

That dash of mystery was just what I needed. And the romantic leads were a refreshing break from the traditional tropes-- a soft-spoken, well-mannered ex-military pretty boy earl falling for a plain-looking, plain-speaking practical-minded daughter of republican-leaning social critics??? Sign me up!! The two of them would make a delightful crime-solving duo.

greenldydragon's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

siria's review against another edition

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3.0

This is definitely one of my favourite Heyers. The hero and heroine are both Heyer staples - he wealthy, titled, handsome, talented and confident; she plain, sensible, genteel but not overly wealthy, intelligent but not academic. She still managed to make both of them quite likeable, though. St Erth is quiet and reserved, which makes his confidence and assurance bearable, while Drusilla does not really occupy enough space in the novel to make her presence irksome. For as with most of the best of Heyer's work, she focuses as much on the cast of supporting characters as she does on the romantic leads. The Dowager Countess was a delightful horror, and Lucy was a pet. I was rather amused at how Heyer didn't even trouble to hide her opinion of people with republican principles; she really was an unreconstructed monarchist. Racist too, of course; though thankfully that doesn't crop up in this volume.

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