T IS HIGH TIME FOR BELLE TO FACE FACTS — HER FIANCE IS DEAD AND HER LIFE MUST GO ON.
When Belle Haley finally arrives to inspect the London house that her dead Graham bequeathed to her, she can scarcely wait to sell it and return home to Bath.
But when wealthy insurance tycoon Desmond Maitland shows an uncommon interest in her unimpressive abode, Belle makes some inquiries. It seems Graham was murdered after retrieving L10,000 of Maitland’s insurance money–a fortune that is still at large!
Is the money still in the house? As Belle, Maitland, and Graham’s relations search for clues, Belle learns she has been mourning a man she never really knew….
Immediately, I was disappointed. Regency romances told in first person narrative feel…just wrong. It can be done, and done well, and Smith is a gifted writer who definitely has the chops to pull it off. Nonetheless, can I just state unequivocally that I am a Reg Rom 1st Person Narrative hater.
Needless to say, this was not my usual Joan Smith fan girl read. The heroine definitely has a strong voice that is entertaining to read, and despite personal tragedy is able to be self-assured, brave and a good caretaker of her mother and sister. Its this last quality that gives her the strength to visit her murdered fiance’s house and prepare to sell it.
This action launches Belle headlong into a mystery…who murdered Graham and why was his house ransacked. Enter the mysterious, dark and handsome Desmond Maitland who is a bit of a shark…or is he? Without the omnipotent eye, I was never quite sure. The mystery definitely kept me guessing (although my guesses towards the halfway point proved to be accurate).
This is not a traditional traditional Reg Rom, not only because of the first person narrative and focus on murder mystery, but also because the H/h are more of the Cit variety and definitely outside the upper orders. That part I found refreshing, and readers looking for something a bit different will enjoy.
Overall, not my favorite JS and probably won’t read again, but thats not to say I wouldn’t recommend for Red Readers looking for something outside of the norm to change it up.
3 out of 6 More mystery than romance, readers looking for a first person who dunnit set in Regency will enjoy
| Content Rating/Heat Index | |
|---|---|
| Mature Content |   |
| Some adult themes, including mistresses | |
| Intimacy | |
| A kiss or two | |
| Violence | |
| Murders, coshing, other dangerous contretemps | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Clean, but adult themes and violence make this better for more mature readers. | |
