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The Traveling Matchmaker #3
Penelope Goes to Portsmouth
The third book in M.C. Beaton's charming Travelling Matchmaker series. Kind-hearted Miss Hannah Pym is off to Portsmouth in the company of the beautiful but practical Miss Penelope Wilkins. Miss Pym quickly realises that Penelope needs someone to enliven her sheltered life, someone perhaps like their handsome travelling companion, Lord Augustus Railton. Penelope, however, thinks Lord Augustus is a ne'er-do-well...Hannah's hopes for adventure, on the other hand, are fulfilled when the coach happens upon a footman who faces hanging for a crime he didn't commit. 'Romance fans are in for a treat' - Booklist '[M. C. Beaton] is the best of the Regency writers' - Kirkus Reviews
185 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
110 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books751 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
July 17, 2024
A Pleasure!
What a pleasurable read. Another delightful regency romance by Marion Chesney aka M.C. Beaton.
On this traveling trip, Miss Pym meets a young lady named Penelope Wilkins and a young gentleman named Lord Augustus.
At first the matchmaking Miss Pym doesn’t believe that Lord Augustus is suitable for a relationship and marriage to Penelope. After getting to know him she feels that she may be wrong in her opinion of him.
Being young, frivolous and penniless is the aura that Lord Augustus has shown to Miss Pym and everyone else, but he lets slip a side of himself that shows that he is more than just a frop.
Heavy bantering goes back and forth between all the other characters as well as between Miss Pym, Penelope and Lord Augustus.
This book is full of thrills and a lot of fun. You will enjoy reading it.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
What a pleasurable read. Another delightful regency romance by Marion Chesney aka M.C. Beaton.
On this traveling trip, Miss Pym meets a young lady named Penelope Wilkins and a young gentleman named Lord Augustus.
At first the matchmaking Miss Pym doesn’t believe that Lord Augustus is suitable for a relationship and marriage to Penelope. After getting to know him she feels that she may be wrong in her opinion of him.
Being young, frivolous and penniless is the aura that Lord Augustus has shown to Miss Pym and everyone else, but he lets slip a side of himself that shows that he is more than just a frop.
Heavy bantering goes back and forth between all the other characters as well as between Miss Pym, Penelope and Lord Augustus.
This book is full of thrills and a lot of fun. You will enjoy reading it.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
January 8, 2019
Rating: 4 stars
Hilarious antidotes, witty dialogue, a reoccurring but not bland plot and well-mapped characters is keeping me captivated. The latest installment of The Travelling Matchmaker did not disappoint. Miss Pym has made new friends and acquired a loyal protector but this go around, she has also made enemies. My hope is that I will continue to be thrilled and that my interest in this series will not wane. The audio keeps it all flawing and fun. Onward!
Hilarious antidotes, witty dialogue, a reoccurring but not bland plot and well-mapped characters is keeping me captivated. The latest installment of The Travelling Matchmaker did not disappoint. Miss Pym has made new friends and acquired a loyal protector but this go around, she has also made enemies. My hope is that I will continue to be thrilled and that my interest in this series will not wane. The audio keeps it all flawing and fun. Onward!
January 3, 2021
Traditional romance w/ mystery. This is the 4th book
of this series that I've read. And this had a darker
tone than the others.
Hannah, the glue of this series, and the traveling
matchmaker, and her fellow stagecoach passengers
helped save innocent Benjamin the footman from
a hanging. The female antagonist, out for revenge,
felt overdone, a cartoon, yet evil.
Lord Augustus, low on funds, former Army man +
younger son of an earl met wealthy merchant's dtr
Penelope. He was aimless until Pen and Han inspired
him. He reunited w/ his uncle and Gus considered
re-enlisting in the army.
Two mean-spirited passengers took up too much
space in the story, then eased up somewhat. I liked
that Hannah got feisty with and asserted herself
w/ a few aristos.
of this series that I've read. And this had a darker
tone than the others.
Hannah, the glue of this series, and the traveling
matchmaker, and her fellow stagecoach passengers
helped save innocent Benjamin the footman from
a hanging. The female antagonist, out for revenge,
felt overdone, a cartoon, yet evil.
Lord Augustus, low on funds, former Army man +
younger son of an earl met wealthy merchant's dtr
Penelope. He was aimless until Pen and Han inspired
him. He reunited w/ his uncle and Gus considered
re-enlisting in the army.
Two mean-spirited passengers took up too much
space in the story, then eased up somewhat. I liked
that Hannah got feisty with and asserted herself
w/ a few aristos.
December 1, 2011
M.C. Beaton is a brilliant writer. Whether it is her Agatha Raisin books or her Hamish Macbeths, or even her Edwardian Murder Mysteries, she is fabulous. And that's not talking about her lovely, lovely romances. I adored this book. I love Miss Pym and she is in fine fettle here. Penelope and Lord Augustus are so different and thus, made for each other. I loved Penelope's practicality, the way she kept shooting him down for his aristocratic ways. Lord Augustus meanwhile was just trying to do what was expected of him, he wasn't really dissipated and useless. The addition of Benjamin the footman to the mix was marvellous. Not only does he prove motive for the plot and their adventures, but he also does so much for Miss Pym at the end of the book. I can't wait to read about the romance that's budding, I hope, between Miss Pym and Sir George. That would be a perfect end to the series.
May 8, 2022
Less enjoyable than the previous ones. I think this time the pace and shortness too much spoiled the story. Although, I admit there were precious parts, like Benjamin and some action scenes.
[2-2.5 stars]
[2-2.5 stars]
May 4, 2018
My Musings
What a delightful romance. Miss Pyn is an enchanting character. I can’t wait to read the next one in this series. Happy reading!
What a delightful romance. Miss Pyn is an enchanting character. I can’t wait to read the next one in this series. Happy reading!
December 10, 2018
This is such a charming series! I'm rooting hard for Miss Pym and Sir George, and while I was more lukewarm on the other romance in this particular novel (Penelope and Lord Augustus) there's still such a warm, sly, sharp pleasure to be had in how Marion Chesney presents her flawed characters. I'm not super keen on the idea that Miss Pym made an enemy in this book that might come back to haunt her in the future (it's not what I read this series for) but we shall see on that front.
Three solidly delightful stars, as always for this series.
Three solidly delightful stars, as always for this series.
October 6, 2025
This is so silly and pure drivel and my god I love it. Penelope is a diamond of the first water with a fortune and Lord Augustus a first-class rake and Hannah sees straight away they’d be perfect for each other. The first half of the book is insane and darker as they rescue a dumb and deaf footman from the clutches of what I think will be the only villain in the series (why the need for her I don’t know hence the four stars) but the second half is the nonsense we expect from this series with a scene that made me laugh so much I couldn’t breathe. How does she come up with these plots I swear.
November 20, 2021
2021 bk 353. Another one of a series of books tied together by the traveling heiress Miss Pym. In this one, she is headed to Portsmith with a carriage of other single folks. A broken carriage results in an encounter with a deaf mute prisoner awaiting execution. Convinced of his innocence, Miss Pym and several others ban together to free him/Benjamin. This results in multiple adventures and eventually love matches for all but Miss Pym and Benjamin. Another fun read.
March 12, 2021
This is the third book in the Traveling Matchmaker series. Slightly darker themes than the previous two books but still manages to retain the same charm so it doesn't get too harsh. Miss Pym finds herself getting involved with an footman accused of theft by a Lady of the aristocracy...will she finally get to see the sea or will adventure prevent her.
Read
July 4, 2024these books are truly not very good but i can’t stop reading them lol
October 12, 2024
MY RATING GUIDE: A low 3 Stars for me. I thought this one was marginally okay but I didn’t find the characters as likable as in the previous books.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS OKAY; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
England (early 1800’s) ~
Miss Hannah Pym, at 45, is the former housekeeper of a wealthy but reclusive man in Kenningston. When her employer dies, Hannah is bequeathed with a generous gift of 5000 pounds in appreciation for her 33yrs of service. Considering her sudden financial gain, Hannah decides to indulge a little. For a time, she will travel throughout England by stagecoach and experience life through the sights and the people she meets.
Hannah is on her third stagecoach adventure in PENELOPE GOES TO PORTSMOUTH where she meets a new group of people - a much disappointed spinster, the sheltered daughter of a wealthy merchant, an irascible and penniless lord, an American involved with shipping and then there is Miss Hannah Pym. Excited with her matchmaker success on her previous journeys, Miss Pym has meddling on her mind again.
Comments ~
1) PENELOPE GOES TO PORTSMOUTH is bk3 in MC Beaton/Marion Chesney’s “The Traveling Matchmaker series.” PGTP could be read as a Standalone tile but an arc runs throughout the series loosely connecting the books. (I actually preferred the early 2 books over PENELOPE and would recommend those first).
2) I purchased and listened to the audiobook of PGTP. Helen Lisanti’s performance pulled me into the story quickly and she did a nice job.
3) Nevertheless, I wasn’t as engaged in PGTP as previous books (it marginally kept my attention). I thought the passengers seemed quite miserable and self-absorbed with the exception of Mr Cato, the shipping man, and perhaps the young, idealist Miss Penelope Wilkins. IMO, matching any of them off would simply make others more miserable by association. I found myself not caring whether or not Miss Pym’s matchmaking efforts would be successful, idly considering others better suited not even riding the coach. I thought Miss Pym, herself, seemed less content and more waspish and temperamental in this book.
4) Overall, I find this series a mild palate cleanser which I am drawn to after completing books particularly dark, graphic and/or simply depressing. The Matchmaker series is like a simple tonic, not particularly memorable or pleasing but easy going down.
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on a few occasion.
VIOLENCE - PG. Yes, but not dark or violent.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None. Sweet kisses.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS OKAY; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
England (early 1800’s) ~
Miss Hannah Pym, at 45, is the former housekeeper of a wealthy but reclusive man in Kenningston. When her employer dies, Hannah is bequeathed with a generous gift of 5000 pounds in appreciation for her 33yrs of service. Considering her sudden financial gain, Hannah decides to indulge a little. For a time, she will travel throughout England by stagecoach and experience life through the sights and the people she meets.
Hannah is on her third stagecoach adventure in PENELOPE GOES TO PORTSMOUTH where she meets a new group of people - a much disappointed spinster, the sheltered daughter of a wealthy merchant, an irascible and penniless lord, an American involved with shipping and then there is Miss Hannah Pym. Excited with her matchmaker success on her previous journeys, Miss Pym has meddling on her mind again.
Comments ~
1) PENELOPE GOES TO PORTSMOUTH is bk3 in MC Beaton/Marion Chesney’s “The Traveling Matchmaker series.” PGTP could be read as a Standalone tile but an arc runs throughout the series loosely connecting the books. (I actually preferred the early 2 books over PENELOPE and would recommend those first).
2) I purchased and listened to the audiobook of PGTP. Helen Lisanti’s performance pulled me into the story quickly and she did a nice job.
3) Nevertheless, I wasn’t as engaged in PGTP as previous books (it marginally kept my attention). I thought the passengers seemed quite miserable and self-absorbed with the exception of Mr Cato, the shipping man, and perhaps the young, idealist Miss Penelope Wilkins. IMO, matching any of them off would simply make others more miserable by association. I found myself not caring whether or not Miss Pym’s matchmaking efforts would be successful, idly considering others better suited not even riding the coach. I thought Miss Pym, herself, seemed less content and more waspish and temperamental in this book.
4) Overall, I find this series a mild palate cleanser which I am drawn to after completing books particularly dark, graphic and/or simply depressing. The Matchmaker series is like a simple tonic, not particularly memorable or pleasing but easy going down.
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on a few occasion.
VIOLENCE - PG. Yes, but not dark or violent.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None. Sweet kisses.
Read
April 12, 2013I remember reading a slew of Marion Chesney novels when my children were very young. They were just the right kind of light, mindless entertainment that I needed at the time. I had to read things that were very put-downable … books that would not consume me. My free time to read was very limited.
Basically, all of the books in any given Marion Chesney series were the same book. She had a formula, and stuck to it. She changed names, places and circumstances, but the basic plots remained identical. They were all set during the Regency (a period in history that I still adore to this day), and they were all usually under 200 pages each. The writing was simplistic, and really gave you nothing to ponder. These books fit the bill for me perfectly at the time.
Considering the number of books she has cranked out (Wikipedia lists 106 books under her own name and her pseudonyms), I’m not surprised that she does not write “great works of fiction”.
So I figured that since they were really all the same book, the same review would suffice!
Basically, all of the books in any given Marion Chesney series were the same book. She had a formula, and stuck to it. She changed names, places and circumstances, but the basic plots remained identical. They were all set during the Regency (a period in history that I still adore to this day), and they were all usually under 200 pages each. The writing was simplistic, and really gave you nothing to ponder. These books fit the bill for me perfectly at the time.
Considering the number of books she has cranked out (Wikipedia lists 106 books under her own name and her pseudonyms), I’m not surprised that she does not write “great works of fiction”.
So I figured that since they were really all the same book, the same review would suffice!
February 7, 2014
Miss Hannah Pym is off on another adventure on a "flying machine," this time to Portsmouth, where her traveling companions include a prim spinster, an American, a beautiful young merchant's daughter named Penelope and Lord Augustus, a dissipated young rake. Hannah dreams of making a match between Penelope and Lord Augustus as well as rescuing a footman in trouble. She embroils herself and her companions in a series of adventures that none of them will ever forget - especially Hannah's enemy. I did not like this book as much as the first volume. The adventures were too risky and Hannah made a deadly enemy who will undoubtedly return in later books. Penelope was too young and innocent for me to like and Lord Augustus was a ne'er do well and not appealing. I hope the next volume is better!
August 9, 2023
Lots of exciting adventure for Miss Hannah Pym in this installment of the Travelling Matchmaker series.
Hannah is the star of the show in this action-filled novel. I like Benjamin, too, her deaf, mute footman, whom she bravely rescues twice at tremendous personal risk. He's a great character. In addition, a truly evil female villain, a common trope in most MC novels, as well as a resentful, arrogant aristocrat, both of whom thirst for revenge against Hannah for foiling them from harming people she cares about, are foreshadowed to appear again in the next novel, or some later novel, in this Regency series.
I experienced this novel as an audiobook. The narrator does a fairly good job.
Hannah is the star of the show in this action-filled novel. I like Benjamin, too, her deaf, mute footman, whom she bravely rescues twice at tremendous personal risk. He's a great character. In addition, a truly evil female villain, a common trope in most MC novels, as well as a resentful, arrogant aristocrat, both of whom thirst for revenge against Hannah for foiling them from harming people she cares about, are foreshadowed to appear again in the next novel, or some later novel, in this Regency series.
I experienced this novel as an audiobook. The narrator does a fairly good job.
April 7, 2011
This is one of the few books/series I would read again. These stories of Marion Chesney started me on my adventure...reading Regency Romance/Novels/History! There is not a set of books that will teach you more about the basics about life in Regency England. There are six series with six books each. I love them all. It must be a "past life" thing:)
October 1, 2013
Still enjoyed, but not crazy that Miss Pym is in peril, now. In this third book in the Traveling Matchmaker series, Miss Pym meets a new ragtag bunch on the stage, including a broke Lord, a wealthy American, a naive beauty and a deaf/dumb servant/gambler/? who becomes Miss Pym's footman and who puts the whole group, in particular Miss Pym in jeopardy.
December 18, 2015
Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton)'s novels are like "cozy" romance novels. Romantic couples are usually boring, but other characters are so much fun. Great books for cleaning house and washing dishes ( I usually listen Kindle Unlimited Audible version).
May 3, 2020
Not as much Fun as a previous outing.
I still adore Hannah Pym. She is the kind of character that sticks with you. Augustus, Mr. Cato, Miss Trenton, and of course the titular Penelope are also very well written characters.
Augustus is a dilettante. A down on his luck wastrel Lord who’s journey and to Portsmith to weedle money out of an elderly relative. Mr. Cato is a tobacco plantation owner from Virginia who is traveling from London to Portsmouth to sail home; he’s grumpy and how many people would suspect Americans are. Miss Trenton is a spinster like Hannah however unlike Hannah she’s fairly uncharitable she spends much of the journey pretending that she is a lady of quality when she’s got her own secrets. As for Penelope she’s got her head in the clouds, is annoyingly naïve, and honestly kind of a twit. I didn’t like her. Even at the end of the story I didn’t like her. I mean I didn’t like Miss Trenton either but at least her dislike was earned through her characterization not because she was a twit. There’s also the addition of three new characters who I suspect will be playing a larger role in future books or if they aren’t the set up that’s been made for them is a giant dropped thread.
But this is definitely an odd sort of romance. Romance itself was sort of secondary and I found myself agreeing with one of the antagonists. I had a hard time buying the romance between Augustus and Penelope. Oh I like the primary story but the romance wasn’t it.
So because of that I have to drop this book to
Four stars.
I still adore Hannah Pym. She is the kind of character that sticks with you. Augustus, Mr. Cato, Miss Trenton, and of course the titular Penelope are also very well written characters.
Augustus is a dilettante. A down on his luck wastrel Lord who’s journey and to Portsmith to weedle money out of an elderly relative. Mr. Cato is a tobacco plantation owner from Virginia who is traveling from London to Portsmouth to sail home; he’s grumpy and how many people would suspect Americans are. Miss Trenton is a spinster like Hannah however unlike Hannah she’s fairly uncharitable she spends much of the journey pretending that she is a lady of quality when she’s got her own secrets. As for Penelope she’s got her head in the clouds, is annoyingly naïve, and honestly kind of a twit. I didn’t like her. Even at the end of the story I didn’t like her. I mean I didn’t like Miss Trenton either but at least her dislike was earned through her characterization not because she was a twit. There’s also the addition of three new characters who I suspect will be playing a larger role in future books or if they aren’t the set up that’s been made for them is a giant dropped thread.
But this is definitely an odd sort of romance. Romance itself was sort of secondary and I found myself agreeing with one of the antagonists. I had a hard time buying the romance between Augustus and Penelope. Oh I like the primary story but the romance wasn’t it.
So because of that I have to drop this book to
Four stars.
March 2, 2024
2.5 stars. I didn’t enjoy this third book in the series as much asthe other two. Perhaps it’s that the novelty of the formula is starting to wear off—for both me and the author. The story frlt like it dragged in the second half or so. I think that some middle book syndrome is at play here—Chesney focusing on setting up elements for the resolution of the series (like getting Miss Pimm a loyal servant) to the detriment of this book.
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
In this one, there’s an almost cartoonish villain in the form of an aristocratic woman who frames her deaf and dumb footman for theft because he won’t have sex with her. Miss Pimm and her fellow passengers, who are different in each book, set out to help him and when they succeed the aristocrat wants vengeance. The aristocrat doesn’t seem to have much motive beyond being evil. As usual, Miss Pimm plays matchmaker, but this time the heroine is rather insipid and the hero, an impoverished noble, sleeps with the evil lady as part of their ploy which undermines the romance factor. I was actually more engaged by the subplot romance with a teacher who unjustly lost her position and shows her bitterness and an American business man who has trouble talking to women and came to England to find a wife. Their imperfections made their relationship more interesting.
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
In this one, there’s an almost cartoonish villain in the form of an aristocratic woman who frames her deaf and dumb footman for theft because he won’t have sex with her. Miss Pimm and her fellow passengers, who are different in each book, set out to help him and when they succeed the aristocrat wants vengeance. The aristocrat doesn’t seem to have much motive beyond being evil. As usual, Miss Pimm plays matchmaker, but this time the heroine is rather insipid and the hero, an impoverished noble, sleeps with the evil lady as part of their ploy which undermines the romance factor. I was actually more engaged by the subplot romance with a teacher who unjustly lost her position and shows her bitterness and an American business man who has trouble talking to women and came to England to find a wife. Their imperfections made their relationship more interesting.
November 1, 2023
This book is absolutely crazy. We still get Miss Pym but she is sort of not interested in matchmaking anyone on the coach to Portsmouth since none seem like they would suit. Yes, there is the painfully naive merchant's daughter, Penelope, and the aristocrat's son who she might normally try to pair but Lord Augustus really is just too dissipated. At least, he seems that way until Penelope begs him to try and save Benjamin, a man who cannot hear or speak but is accused of thievery and is due to be hanged. Augustus steps up and... distracts... the evil Lady Kasey (sp?) to find the broach. Benjamin is freed! But there is more than half the book left.
Still to be read are kidnappings, fires, near drownings, murder for hire, a marriage that Miss Pym doesn't believe in, one she does, and a night at the opera for Miss Pym.
I don't know how all of this fit in such a small book and I really can't believe that this book was published but, outside of the parts I was aghast at, I did enjoyed the end of the ride.
Still to be read are kidnappings, fires, near drownings, murder for hire, a marriage that Miss Pym doesn't believe in, one she does, and a night at the opera for Miss Pym.
I don't know how all of this fit in such a small book and I really can't believe that this book was published but, outside of the parts I was aghast at, I did enjoyed the end of the ride.
February 20, 2023
Miss Pym's 3rd time on a Flying Machine. Of course the carriage broke down on the way, as what happened previously. But this time, it wasn't an accident. This story is the most deviated from the drawing room setting, it has lots of intrigues and actions with multiple murder and rescue plots. The characters are the most vulgar (meaning of lower social status), all were from the very edge of the Upper Class. Even the hero was a penniless younger son of some Earl, the heroine was low-born but gently bred, her world view was super naive and half Radical. They were as less compatible a pair as the book advertised, which made a difference as required in this instalment of the series. While their chemistry is questionable, the suspense keeps the book going. And Miss Pym acquired a very strange butler plus 2 enemies. So this feels like a paver for future developments in Miss Pym's own story where maybe everything will come back in a push for her own happy ending with Sir George?
July 7, 2018
Tetszett, hogy a könyv nemcsak az utazásról mesélt, hanem a sztori folytatódott a megérkezés után is. Az utasok is érdekesebbek voltak, és a szerző sem kínzott agyon minket a backstory bemutatásával, elég volt az első három oldalt átlapozni. Az is jó volt, hogy Sir George-ra nem gondolt annyit a vénkisasszony, mint a 2. kötetben.
Ami viszont nem tetszett, az a megoldás hiánya – egyáltalán nem lett megoldva a konfliktus, hogy a kereskedőleány és az arisztokrata fiú miért házasodhatna össze: egy hihetetlen pálfordulást láttunk a leány anyja részéről, amivel a magyarázat az orrunk alá lett dugva, de ennek hiteltelensége kifejezetten zavaró volt, és nem is lett volna elég indok.
Az viszont jó ötlet volt, hogy itt nem történt baleset a postakocsival, más módon oldotta meg a szerző az út meghosszabbítását!
Ami viszont nem tetszett, az a megoldás hiánya – egyáltalán nem lett megoldva a konfliktus, hogy a kereskedőleány és az arisztokrata fiú miért házasodhatna össze: egy hihetetlen pálfordulást láttunk a leány anyja részéről, amivel a magyarázat az orrunk alá lett dugva, de ennek hiteltelensége kifejezetten zavaró volt, és nem is lett volna elég indok.
Az viszont jó ötlet volt, hogy itt nem történt baleset a postakocsival, más módon oldotta meg a szerző az út meghosszabbítását!
May 24, 2021
Originally published under Beaton's Marion Chesney pseudonym, Penelope Goes to Portsmouth is the third entry in the Travelling Matchmaker series. Miss Hannah Pym is one of my favorite characters in the genre of Regency series. She sees everything so clearly except for her own life. Now she has acquired a devoted footman.
Of course, there is no question about the outcome of the featured romance; the story is in how the two end up together. This book sets up some rough water for Miss Pym to have to sail through in the future as her kind actions don't sit well with more villainous characters.
While this can be read out of order, I think you lose some of the nuances if you do so. And if you like Regencies, you will like all the books, so best to start at the beginning and follow Miss Pym in her travels.
Of course, there is no question about the outcome of the featured romance; the story is in how the two end up together. This book sets up some rough water for Miss Pym to have to sail through in the future as her kind actions don't sit well with more villainous characters.
While this can be read out of order, I think you lose some of the nuances if you do so. And if you like Regencies, you will like all the books, so best to start at the beginning and follow Miss Pym in her travels.
April 8, 2024
This whole series so far--the first pages introducing Hannah, seem slow (since I've read it in all the before this one novels in this series) but let me tell you--when you get into that stage coach you better put your seat belt on to secure you tightly!!!
WHOA---so many adventures on one trip makes for a fantastic "mental vacation" (my phrase) and when you have to put your book (Kindle) down--you can hardly wait to pick it up again.
But my husband insists on me making meals for us. (Lol 1!)
This whole series is one wild ride after another, and I can't imagine this character ever giving up on these coach trips!!
IT reminds me of a famous very old novel by a famous author we had to study in 7th grade but I can not bring the name up or the author in my mind!!! (Getting old is not for cowards!)
WHOA---so many adventures on one trip makes for a fantastic "mental vacation" (my phrase) and when you have to put your book (Kindle) down--you can hardly wait to pick it up again.
But my husband insists on me making meals for us. (Lol 1!)
This whole series is one wild ride after another, and I can't imagine this character ever giving up on these coach trips!!
IT reminds me of a famous very old novel by a famous author we had to study in 7th grade but I can not bring the name up or the author in my mind!!! (Getting old is not for cowards!)
May 3, 2021
I am in love with this whole series, it’s such a fun read brimming with excitement and adventure. How I wish I would be a fellow traveler on a stage coach with miss pym. She is such a pot of positivity always enthusiastic and full of her seas and never hesitant to help anyone or take any chances.
This is one of the best series that I have read with each book having its own set of characters revolving around miss pym and how she sorta out their problems and using her matchmaking tactics .
This book had lot of adventures right from kidnap, attack, flight, burning a house to trying to wink a boat.
I find this series thoroughly entertaining and much needed amusement when the world is down in the pandemic
Kudos to this writer for writing the character of Miss Hannah Pym
This is one of the best series that I have read with each book having its own set of characters revolving around miss pym and how she sorta out their problems and using her matchmaking tactics .
This book had lot of adventures right from kidnap, attack, flight, burning a house to trying to wink a boat.
I find this series thoroughly entertaining and much needed amusement when the world is down in the pandemic
Kudos to this writer for writing the character of Miss Hannah Pym
June 25, 2023
Another fun adventure for Hannah Pym the travelling matchmaker - In this one Hannah takes the flying machine to Portsmouth - where she chapions a match between a penniless wastrel Lord and a beautiful tradesman's daughter on the run from her seminary where one of her teachers fell in love with her.... There's smugglers, a vindictive high class Lady, a couple of near drownings and Hannah acquires footman Benjamin, a deaf footman who was to hang for a crime he didn't commit....
Witty and fun, these are the perfect summer read. like Hannah, I thought it a bit disappointing shrewish Miss Trenton makes a match, but then that's a good example of comedy of manners with multiple happily ever afters.
Witty and fun, these are the perfect summer read. like Hannah, I thought it a bit disappointing shrewish Miss Trenton makes a match, but then that's a good example of comedy of manners with multiple happily ever afters.
May 3, 2023
Note that this is a four star for THIS kind of book as opposed to like literature generally
But I honestly really enjoyed this one? The romantic subplot was a lot more fleshed out and I felt like the characters actually learned how to communicate, plus all the stakes with Benjamin felt a lot higher / I really enjoyed his character as well as Hannah’s progress shown at the end… plus I always enjoy the seemingly indolent but actually capable hero in this genre of book
But I honestly really enjoyed this one? The romantic subplot was a lot more fleshed out and I felt like the characters actually learned how to communicate, plus all the stakes with Benjamin felt a lot higher / I really enjoyed his character as well as Hannah’s progress shown at the end… plus I always enjoy the seemingly indolent but actually capable hero in this genre of book
June 10, 2024
Loved the Agatha Raisin series, the Edwardian murder mystery series and the poor relation series so no surprise I enjoyed this book as well. The first I had read of the travelling matchmaker series. Believable characters, a quick read and tangled mystery that untangles in the end, even with a few loose ends that are left to the readers imagination. I have no idea if it was historically acurate and do not care, it was a great story. Will look for some more in this series to read.
June 5, 2018
Hannah Pym is back to her adventures again. This time she traveled to Portsmouth. She met her new companions on the stagecoach along the way, including a rich merchant’s beautiful daughter, Miss Penelope Wilkins and a very irresponsible, but devilishly handsome, Lord Augustus Railton. Of course Hannah can’t help herself in her matchmaking ways. The book had me laughing out loud quite a few times!
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