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rosannelortz's review
4.0
When a lowly cleric named Mr. Blackwell dies at a dinner party, the newly elevated Maruqess of Halsey (Alec) is convinced that murder, not heart attack, is the culprit. Through many twists and turns, he investiagates the vicar's connection to the Duke of Cheveley, one of the top flyers in Georgian England's political arena. A web of crimes and cover-ups seem to surround the duke's stepson, but can it be that the vicar was blackmailing the duke? Or is some other game afoot?
Frustrated by his relationship with Selina and her refusal to tie the knot, Alec throws all his energy into unraveling the mysteries surround the Duke of Cheveley. His apothecary-cum-valet Tam assists in diagnosing poisons while his uncle Plantagenet Halsey continues to be his loudly republican self. Another page-turner that solves the mystery, but leaves Alec on a cliff-hanger in his personal life. What will happen between Alec and Selina? And can he ever forgive her for the secret she's kept from him?
Frustrated by his relationship with Selina and her refusal to tie the knot, Alec throws all his energy into unraveling the mysteries surround the Duke of Cheveley. His apothecary-cum-valet Tam assists in diagnosing poisons while his uncle Plantagenet Halsey continues to be his loudly republican self. Another page-turner that solves the mystery, but leaves Alec on a cliff-hanger in his personal life. What will happen between Alec and Selina? And can he ever forgive her for the secret she's kept from him?
geleeregina's review
3.0
I enjoyed this entry into the series, but it wasn't as good as the first one for me. I really wanted more about Tam, Uncle Plant, The Dowager Duchess and Alex, but about 3/4's into the book, I was forcing myself to listen to all the repeated details. It was almost as if the author was trying to bang my brain into what was obvious by the end. I am looking forward the next entry in the hopes that it will answer some of my questions that were left unresolved with the "to be continued" part at the end....
writer595's review
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
vesper1931's review
4.0
1763 and now Alec is a Marquis but when a vicar dies, sitting next to him, at a dinner given by Sir Charles Weir decides to investiagte. But soon secrets start to be revealed.
Another well-written, enjoyable mystery in this series
Another well-written, enjoyable mystery in this series
krisrid's review
1.0
Darn. Another series where I really liked the first book but the second fell flat for me.
I liked the character of Alec and the obstacles he had to face in the first book. The stupidity of the "aristocracy" and the oppressive rules they impose on themselves, and how Alec was successful in bucking those rules and being successful as a decent human being in spite of them.
In this book, the focus was more on the male battles for supremacy and jockeying for position, and that was just not as interesting for me [maybe I'm sexist ;-)]
I was not engaged with what was happening in this, and with so many other books I'm dying to read, if something doesn't hold my attention, I'm going to move on to the next one. That's what I'm doing with this. It just wasn't for me.
I liked the character of Alec and the obstacles he had to face in the first book. The stupidity of the "aristocracy" and the oppressive rules they impose on themselves, and how Alec was successful in bucking those rules and being successful as a decent human being in spite of them.
In this book, the focus was more on the male battles for supremacy and jockeying for position, and that was just not as interesting for me [maybe I'm sexist ;-)]
I was not engaged with what was happening in this, and with so many other books I'm dying to read, if something doesn't hold my attention, I'm going to move on to the next one. That's what I'm doing with this. It just wasn't for me.
dulindiel's review
4.0
Hmm I really needed a pedigree to keep track of who was who in this. Very enjoyable mystery.
larisa2021's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
Have read this twice in the past three months. Life's been that way and this book is THAT good. Also you must be warned: I have a ridiculously large fan-girl crush on Alec Halsey. Gold Spectacles. When you read the book you'll understand, and probably flutter along with me. Best of all, he's the cherry on top of this layered, decadent treat, even if he does dress like sumptuous crow in his black velvets, un-powdered hair, and consistently exhibit his very inquisitive disposition.
Once again we're dropped into Georgian London, in all its layers and flavors - that of the rich & powerful, of the poor, and of the servants - in all its scented to stench filled glory. Plot threads deftly weave, warp, and dangle amidst all the emotions, prejudices, politics and mores of the moment. It is very easy to "be there" in the story, seeing the mind-bogglingly decadent interiors, coaches and clothes; feeling the silks, velvets, satins and leather. Also smelling the coffee in the houses, the dank, fetid alleys, the crush at the opera. Feeling the characters pain, uncertainties, understanding their hesitations. All the stuff of top-notch fiction.
Plus we get a mystery, lead by an smart yet still very human hero. This time I was certain I had figured out the villain, if not all the motives and history of the mystery. 90% into the book a completely wicked, and absolutely stunningly perfect plot twist rendered my certainty invalid, with an even better villain. A shudderingly creepy villain once the motives are revealed.
A villain who seems to be part of a trend in historical fiction written by non-American authors. To say more on this would be a spoiler...Also international authors like Ms Brant are very, very skilled at weaving behaviors we now consider unspeakably horrible into the stories with excellent nuance, making the issues very real and human, not caricatures.
I cannot wait for the third installment in the series. To know what becomes Alec, Plantagenet, Selina, Tam, Cosmo, each and everyone of the cast of characters.
Have read this twice in the past three months. Life's been that way and this book is THAT good. Also you must be warned: I have a ridiculously large fan-girl crush on Alec Halsey. Gold Spectacles. When you read the book you'll understand, and probably flutter along with me. Best of all, he's the cherry on top of this layered, decadent treat, even if he does dress like sumptuous crow in his black velvets, un-powdered hair, and consistently exhibit his very inquisitive disposition.
Once again we're dropped into Georgian London, in all its layers and flavors - that of the rich & powerful, of the poor, and of the servants - in all its scented to stench filled glory. Plot threads deftly weave, warp, and dangle amidst all the emotions, prejudices, politics and mores of the moment. It is very easy to "be there" in the story, seeing the mind-bogglingly decadent interiors, coaches and clothes; feeling the silks, velvets, satins and leather. Also smelling the coffee in the houses, the dank, fetid alleys, the crush at the opera. Feeling the characters pain, uncertainties, understanding their hesitations. All the stuff of top-notch fiction.
Plus we get a mystery, lead by an smart yet still very human hero. This time I was certain I had figured out the villain, if not all the motives and history of the mystery. 90% into the book a completely wicked, and absolutely stunningly perfect plot twist rendered my certainty invalid, with an even better villain. A shudderingly creepy villain once the motives are revealed.
A villain who seems to be part of a trend in historical fiction written by non-American authors. To say more on this would be a spoiler...Also international authors like Ms Brant are very, very skilled at weaving behaviors we now consider unspeakably horrible into the stories with excellent nuance, making the issues very real and human, not caricatures.
I cannot wait for the third installment in the series. To know what becomes Alec, Plantagenet, Selina, Tam, Cosmo, each and everyone of the cast of characters.
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