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The Talisman Ring: Gossip, scandal and an unforgettable Regency romance
If you love Bridgerton, you'll love Georgette Heyer!'The greatest writer who ever lived' Antonia Fraser'As incisively witty and quietly subversive as any of Jane Austen's novels' Joanne Harris'Triumphantly good' India Knight_____________Neither Sir Tristram Shield nor his beautiful young cousin, Eustacie, share the slightest inclination to marry one another.Yet it is Eustacie's grandfather's dying wish, made on his deathbed.For there is no one else to look after and provide for Eustacie while his heir, Ludovic, remains a fugitive from justice after allegedly murdering a man in a dispute over a priceless family heirloom.And so the hunt is on - to find Ludovic and bring him home as well as the Talisman Ring ...Romance, a murder mystery, a proposed marriage of convenience, and the hunt for a golden ring lie at the heart of one of Georgette Heyer's funniest and fastest-paced romantic comedies to date._____________Readers love The Talisman Ring . . .***** 'Fantastic rip roaring comedy- mystery- farce, with not one romance, but two!'***** 'I love this book. I love the characters; I love the plot.'***** 'I know I'll be rereading it whenever I need a good laugh.'***** 'I could not put this book down.'***** 'It's hilarious and made me laugh out loud. Definitely one of Heyer's best.'
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1936
789 people are currently reading
4513 people want to read
About the author
Georgette Heyer
253 books5,524 followersGeorgette Heyer was a prolific historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,002 reviews
January 26, 2021
This Georgian period novel by Heyer, set in 1793, is a fun mixture of a romantic comedy and a mystery/suspense novel. Our main characters:
• Ludovic Lavenham, the impetuous young heir to a baronetcy, accused of murder and on the run for the last couple of years, doing a little smuggling on the side, and whilst doing so bumping into ...
• Eustacie, an equally impetuous young French girl with wildly romantic ideas, who is running away from an unwanted arranged marriage with ...
• Sir Tristram Shield, the heir's cynical, exasperated older cousin, a gifted boxer and wrestler (so you know Georgette thinks he's actually a stand-up guy), who finally meets his match in ...
• Sarah Thane, a clear-eyed lady in her late 20s, with a kind heart, a lively sense of humor, a sarcastic tongue and a thirst for adventure in her life, who decides to help Eustacie and Ludovic out of their respective fixes.
This group decides to prove who the real murderer is so that Ludovic can take his rightful place again in society. This devolves into a rather farcical search for a priceless antique "talisman ring," stolen from the murdered man but the rightful property of Ludovic.
The mystery is very slight and the plot stretches belief almost to the snapping point, but the characters are funny and enjoyable and the dialogue is witty, especially some of the sarcastic exchanges between Tristram and Sarah, which is reminiscent of Benedick and Beatrice's sparring in Much Ado About Nothing, though without the initial anger. It's intriguing that they each have warrior-like last names, Shield and Thane. But they've each met their intellectual and quick-witted match here:
Heyer has a lot of fun with classic mystery tropes like hidden smuggler's cellars, secret panels, murderers with knives , midnight house break-ins, and other wildly improbable goings-on, but she subverts several of the tropes along the way and puts a fun spin on them. The Talisman Ring is a bit frothy but goes down easily!
Group read with the Georgette Heyer Fans group.
• Ludovic Lavenham, the impetuous young heir to a baronetcy, accused of murder and on the run for the last couple of years, doing a little smuggling on the side, and whilst doing so bumping into ...
• Eustacie, an equally impetuous young French girl with wildly romantic ideas, who is running away from an unwanted arranged marriage with ...
• Sir Tristram Shield, the heir's cynical, exasperated older cousin, a gifted boxer and wrestler (so you know Georgette thinks he's actually a stand-up guy), who finally meets his match in ...
• Sarah Thane, a clear-eyed lady in her late 20s, with a kind heart, a lively sense of humor, a sarcastic tongue and a thirst for adventure in her life, who decides to help Eustacie and Ludovic out of their respective fixes.
This group decides to prove who the real murderer is so that Ludovic can take his rightful place again in society. This devolves into a rather farcical search for a priceless antique "talisman ring," stolen from the murdered man but the rightful property of Ludovic.
The mystery is very slight and the plot stretches belief almost to the snapping point, but the characters are funny and enjoyable and the dialogue is witty, especially some of the sarcastic exchanges between Tristram and Sarah, which is reminiscent of Benedick and Beatrice's sparring in Much Ado About Nothing, though without the initial anger. It's intriguing that they each have warrior-like last names, Shield and Thane. But they've each met their intellectual and quick-witted match here:
'What would the lady go out walking for when it was almost dark?’Ludovic and Eustacie are cute but too silly and thoughtless for me to really love, but Tristram and Sarah both won my heart with their hilarious banter.
Sir Hugh turned to look at his sister, his judicial instincts roused. ‘I must say, it seems demmed odd to me,’ he conceded. ‘What were you doing, Sally?’
Miss Thane, prompted partly by a spirit of pure mischief, and partly by a desire to be revenged on Sir Tristram for his inhuman suggestion of throwing cold water over her, turned her face away and implored her brother not to ask her that question.
‘That’s all very well,’ objected Thane, ‘but did you go out by the back door?’
‘Yes,’ said Miss Thane, covering her face with her hands.
‘Why?’ asked Sir Hugh, faintly puzzled.
‘Oh,’ said Miss Thane, the very picture of maidenly confusion, ‘must I tell you, indeed? I went to meet Sir Tristram.’
‘Eh?’ said Thane, taken aback.
Miss Thane found that she had underestimated her opponent. Not a muscle quivered in Shield’s face. He said immediately: ‘This news should have been broken to you at a more suitable time, Thane. Spare your sister’s blushes, I beg of you!’
Heyer has a lot of fun with classic mystery tropes like hidden smuggler's cellars, secret panels, murderers with knives , midnight house break-ins, and other wildly improbable goings-on, but she subverts several of the tropes along the way and puts a fun spin on them. The Talisman Ring is a bit frothy but goes down easily!
Group read with the Georgette Heyer Fans group.
March 11, 2016
On the menu tonight:
THE TALISMAN RING
Amuse Bouche
Pour la table, we present a pair of charming Georgian romantics. They are très amusant! These light little treats will tantalize your taste buds and have two simple(-minded) components: a delightful if melodramatic young miss served "à la française" alongside a feckless and overwrought young heir. Other - lesser - restaurants have served such dishes as a main course - how droll! Here they find their proper place: as a lure to engage you in more, shall we say, substantial fare. They exist merely to whet your appetite. Enjoy these trifles as they were meant to be enjoyed: in one quick bite! And then on to more interesting dishes.
Hors d'Ouevres
Hand-cut maccheroni alla chitarra served with an appealing selection of supporting characters and condiments for you to pick and choose from as you wish! Feel free to pick one or to sample all - we consider each to be a special favorite and each will delight you in a different fashion. Whether it be a self-absorbed Justice whose appetites reign supreme, an indomitable smuggler, two spirited but perhaps less than valiant Bow Street Runners, a stouthearted innkeeper, an overly starched butler, a perspicacious and hard-punching young groom, or a sinister valet up to no good... no matter your personal predilection, we guarantee you will find a supporting player to your liking!
Entrée
Banger and mash. For those with more rarefied tastes, be assured that these are no simple country offerings! Both our banger and our mash are of the highest, most dignified quality: a bonafide Sir and a sister to a Justice. Despite being gentlefolk, our banger Sir Tristram Shields and our mash Miss Sarah Thane have hearty "down to earth" flavors guaranteed to please. Indeed, they have been aged to perfection: respectively 31 and 29 years. To more shallow diners, our central dish may appear uninspiring. But to such as those, we can only respond thusly: make haste to a more shallow establishment, more suitable to your inane interests! We are quite proud of our doughty and dauntless duo, their intelligence and resourcefulness, their quick-witted ability to say what needs to be said and their clear-thinking capability to do what needs to be done, with no unseemly dilly-dallying or tedious mooning over nothing. Sir Tristram and Miss Thane are the genuine article and witnessing them come together on your plate should more than satisfy any appetite. Well, any adult appetite. If you request a substitution of more airier fare, we shall promptly direct you back to our Amuse Bouche. Or perhaps to our children's menu. Or perhaps to the door!
Dessert
We present to you the sweetest of sweets, the tastiest of treats, the very model of fabulous villainy... an ornately dressed, coiffed, perfumed, powdered, and beribboned Beau parfait! Served with knife and quizzing-glass (hidden talisman ring at no extra charge). Enjoy him while you can; his time in the open air will be fleeting.
Wine Pairing
We are pleased to provide the vintage Georgette Heyer, well-known to discerning purveyors of vintage romance. A glass of our Georgette Heyer is simultaneously bubbly and tart, sardonic and warm-hearted, with a range of exquisite notes to be savored: amusing dialogue, lovable characters, elegant prose, a brisk narrative, and an accomplished expertise at providing perfect historical detail without drowning her audience in, shall we say, "too much" history. She has the lightest of touches. One glass will surely not be enough!
Amuse Bouche
Pour la table, we present a pair of charming Georgian romantics. They are très amusant! These light little treats will tantalize your taste buds and have two simple(-minded) components: a delightful if melodramatic young miss served "à la française" alongside a feckless and overwrought young heir. Other - lesser - restaurants have served such dishes as a main course - how droll! Here they find their proper place: as a lure to engage you in more, shall we say, substantial fare. They exist merely to whet your appetite. Enjoy these trifles as they were meant to be enjoyed: in one quick bite! And then on to more interesting dishes.
Hors d'Ouevres
Hand-cut maccheroni alla chitarra served with an appealing selection of supporting characters and condiments for you to pick and choose from as you wish! Feel free to pick one or to sample all - we consider each to be a special favorite and each will delight you in a different fashion. Whether it be a self-absorbed Justice whose appetites reign supreme, an indomitable smuggler, two spirited but perhaps less than valiant Bow Street Runners, a stouthearted innkeeper, an overly starched butler, a perspicacious and hard-punching young groom, or a sinister valet up to no good... no matter your personal predilection, we guarantee you will find a supporting player to your liking!
Entrée
Banger and mash. For those with more rarefied tastes, be assured that these are no simple country offerings! Both our banger and our mash are of the highest, most dignified quality: a bonafide Sir and a sister to a Justice. Despite being gentlefolk, our banger Sir Tristram Shields and our mash Miss Sarah Thane have hearty "down to earth" flavors guaranteed to please. Indeed, they have been aged to perfection: respectively 31 and 29 years. To more shallow diners, our central dish may appear uninspiring. But to such as those, we can only respond thusly: make haste to a more shallow establishment, more suitable to your inane interests! We are quite proud of our doughty and dauntless duo, their intelligence and resourcefulness, their quick-witted ability to say what needs to be said and their clear-thinking capability to do what needs to be done, with no unseemly dilly-dallying or tedious mooning over nothing. Sir Tristram and Miss Thane are the genuine article and witnessing them come together on your plate should more than satisfy any appetite. Well, any adult appetite. If you request a substitution of more airier fare, we shall promptly direct you back to our Amuse Bouche. Or perhaps to our children's menu. Or perhaps to the door!
Dessert
We present to you the sweetest of sweets, the tastiest of treats, the very model of fabulous villainy... an ornately dressed, coiffed, perfumed, powdered, and beribboned Beau parfait! Served with knife and quizzing-glass (hidden talisman ring at no extra charge). Enjoy him while you can; his time in the open air will be fleeting.
Wine Pairing
We are pleased to provide the vintage Georgette Heyer, well-known to discerning purveyors of vintage romance. A glass of our Georgette Heyer is simultaneously bubbly and tart, sardonic and warm-hearted, with a range of exquisite notes to be savored: amusing dialogue, lovable characters, elegant prose, a brisk narrative, and an accomplished expertise at providing perfect historical detail without drowning her audience in, shall we say, "too much" history. She has the lightest of touches. One glass will surely not be enough!
March 1, 2023
2016 Review
I'm struggling ever so slightly with the review on this book as I read it at the start of my holiday. If I feel I have more to add I may edit this later.
In spite of a slow start, the always inventive GH excelled herself with this one.
Her variations this time were;
I think this is her only book this late in the Georgian period.
Edit: I stand corrected! Faro's Daughter was also set in the 1790's. (see comments below)
& just for once the villain actually
Fast paced & funny, I'm not surprised this this title was successfully adapted as a play & would actually love to see it performed some time.
I always wondered what a talisman ring would look like.
If anyone else is curious...
And great to start 2021 with one of GH's finest Georgian Romances! I don't think I have anything to add to my 2016 review, other than Sarah and Eustacie are two of GH's best heroines. Both are very brave and Sarah is also very funny!
Read with The Georgette Heyer Fans Group.
This is my third reread of this book since being on GR, so I just tossed off a quick review - only to have it eaten by the unexpected error glitch.
I'd recommend everyone do their reviews off site , as GR is so unstable at the moment. Then at least you have a copy of your review.
What struck me this time is that Ludovic isn't
& that even the most minor character is so well drawn.
Georgette Heyer really was the most gifted writer.
I'm struggling ever so slightly with the review on this book as I read it at the start of my holiday. If I feel I have more to add I may edit this later.
In spite of a slow start, the always inventive GH excelled herself with this one.
Her variations this time were;
I think this is her only book this late in the Georgian period.
Edit: I stand corrected! Faro's Daughter was also set in the 1790's. (see comments below)
& just for once the villain actually
Fast paced & funny, I'm not surprised this this title was successfully adapted as a play & would actually love to see it performed some time.
I always wondered what a talisman ring would look like.
If anyone else is curious...
And great to start 2021 with one of GH's finest Georgian Romances! I don't think I have anything to add to my 2016 review, other than Sarah and Eustacie are two of GH's best heroines. Both are very brave and Sarah is also very funny!
Read with The Georgette Heyer Fans Group.
This is my third reread of this book since being on GR, so I just tossed off a quick review - only to have it eaten by the unexpected error glitch.
I'd recommend everyone do their reviews off site , as GR is so unstable at the moment. Then at least you have a copy of your review.
What struck me this time is that Ludovic isn't
& that even the most minor character is so well drawn.
Georgette Heyer really was the most gifted writer.
September 25, 2025
I found this vintage Georgette Heyer's The Talisman Ring, simply exquisite with its humor and wit, smooth and agile prose, with amusing and intelligent dialogues. The mysterious plot is hilarious and full of wild adventures with smugglers, stupid Bow Street runners, an evil cousin and a malevolent valet. Attempted murder, midnight house break-in, and mayhem make for a fast and pleasurable read.
Lovable and piquant characters and romance gives The Talisman Ring a special flavor that doesn’t overshadow the overall plot. The pair Sir Tristram Shields and Miss Sarah Thane despite their maturity, 31 and 29 years old, are still adventurous and simply delightful. But we cannot forget Ludovic Lavenham, the accused of murder impetuous heir, and Eustacie, the wildly romantic young French girl who runs away to avoid an arranged marriage.
I found The Talisman Ring a great entertainment. Try it, you will love it!
Lovable and piquant characters and romance gives The Talisman Ring a special flavor that doesn’t overshadow the overall plot. The pair Sir Tristram Shields and Miss Sarah Thane despite their maturity, 31 and 29 years old, are still adventurous and simply delightful. But we cannot forget Ludovic Lavenham, the accused of murder impetuous heir, and Eustacie, the wildly romantic young French girl who runs away to avoid an arranged marriage.
I found The Talisman Ring a great entertainment. Try it, you will love it!
February 13, 2019
I'm bumping this up to five stars on the most recent reread. The banter between Tristram and Sarah is just way, way too good and bonus points for the subtlety of the romance. And I admit that much of my attachment is to Sarah. I love how she throws in with Eustacie so eagerly and yet still develops an appreciation for the polar opposite in Tristram. And I particularly love that they complement each other so well with Sarah mitigating some of Tristram's reserve and him supporting her fully and eagerly at every turn and against expectations.
January 2, 2021
Quite different to anything else I've read by Heyer. Fantastic rip roaring comedy- mystery- farce, with not one romance, but two!
Recommended.
Recommended.
February 9, 2017
I don't have a shelf for Romance, but I'm thinking perhaps I ought to make one. I'm such a bad boy for ignoring such a huge genre.
Yes. That's right. I just read Romance. I'm challenging myself.
But, to be honest and fair, this is really more of an offshoot of the old Regency Romances and full of the whole comedy of errors that we all know and love. Too good to be true? Rich grandfathers, viciously maligned cousins, onerous duties, mystery, theft, and yes, of course, Marriage.
Marriage is what brings us here today. :)
No, no I certainly cannot, she says, I must have more in my life. I must have ADVENTURE!
Oh goodness. Goodness, goodness, goodness... she has adventure, all right, and in true heavy-handed domino fashion, the most outrageous of fortunes follow her around, and to today's sensibilities, I'm almost over-willing to say that she's TSTL, but no! This is Romance, and it slowly dawns on me that Georgette Heyer is Playing With Us.
I admit, I should have seen it earlier. That this is a comedy and it's light-hearted and most especially, it's very, very aware of itself, the conventions of all Regency Romance, and all the popular fiction of the day. The 30's obviously needed a some humor, and this definitely fit the bill, never going over the top and always holding true to the sense of mystery, miscommunication, happy outcomes, and, of course, Romance.
If all Romance is like this or Pride and Prejudice, then I'm almost certain that I'm grossly misjudged the entire genre, and it looks like I'm going to have to ask for more goodies like this. :)
Yes. That's right. I just read Romance. I'm challenging myself.
But, to be honest and fair, this is really more of an offshoot of the old Regency Romances and full of the whole comedy of errors that we all know and love. Too good to be true? Rich grandfathers, viciously maligned cousins, onerous duties, mystery, theft, and yes, of course, Marriage.
Marriage is what brings us here today. :)
No, no I certainly cannot, she says, I must have more in my life. I must have ADVENTURE!
Oh goodness. Goodness, goodness, goodness... she has adventure, all right, and in true heavy-handed domino fashion, the most outrageous of fortunes follow her around, and to today's sensibilities, I'm almost over-willing to say that she's TSTL, but no! This is Romance, and it slowly dawns on me that Georgette Heyer is Playing With Us.
I admit, I should have seen it earlier. That this is a comedy and it's light-hearted and most especially, it's very, very aware of itself, the conventions of all Regency Romance, and all the popular fiction of the day. The 30's obviously needed a some humor, and this definitely fit the bill, never going over the top and always holding true to the sense of mystery, miscommunication, happy outcomes, and, of course, Romance.
If all Romance is like this or Pride and Prejudice, then I'm almost certain that I'm grossly misjudged the entire genre, and it looks like I'm going to have to ask for more goodies like this. :)
March 26, 2010
If the rating system here allowed it, I would take off a half star for how annoying Eustacie and Ludovic were, and how little I cared about their fate. I know they are a parody of young romantics and serve as a foil for the older and more sensible couple, but I really wanted Ludovic to get slapped at certain points where he insists on recklessly endangering everyone else for no better reason than his own boredom and fecklessness.
Fortunately for me, Heyer, though more tolerant of young bucks than myself, couldn't take an entire novel of Ludovic and Eustacie, either. The real romance here is between Tristram and Sarah, two intelligent and somewhat older individuals who thought they were too sensible for romance. And thankfully, Heyer didn't choose to illustrate their growing affection by having them behave like a pair of irrational idiots (something most romance writers seem to think is evidence of strength of feeling) but by making them more clever and amusing as they grow closer and learn to play off one another's strengths. You can almost see Sarah and Tristram blooming with happiness as they shed boredom and loneliness that they hardly even noticed themselves suffering.
Come to think of it, it is probably that elevating happiness that allows them to be so tolerant of their annoying young foils for the length of the story...
Fortunately for me, Heyer, though more tolerant of young bucks than myself, couldn't take an entire novel of Ludovic and Eustacie, either. The real romance here is between Tristram and Sarah, two intelligent and somewhat older individuals who thought they were too sensible for romance. And thankfully, Heyer didn't choose to illustrate their growing affection by having them behave like a pair of irrational idiots (something most romance writers seem to think is evidence of strength of feeling) but by making them more clever and amusing as they grow closer and learn to play off one another's strengths. You can almost see Sarah and Tristram blooming with happiness as they shed boredom and loneliness that they hardly even noticed themselves suffering.
Come to think of it, it is probably that elevating happiness that allows them to be so tolerant of their annoying young foils for the length of the story...
February 19, 2023
2023 Review
Wainscoting, Lydia. Wainscoting.
2020 Review
Well, I'm now older than Arabella, Sophy, and Frederica so I guess I shall have to take Miss Thane as my role model.
Original Review
I love this book. I love the characters; I love the plot. I love Sir Tristram, with his lack of sensibility and sweet heart. I love Sarah Thane, with her wry sense of humor and blend of practicality and romanticism. I want to be her. I love Eustacie...and this third or fourth reading, I finally even loved Ludovic.
But you know who the real unsung hero of this novel is? Sir Hugh Thane. I always viewed him as a clueless character but he really isn't. He is just as subtle and brilliant as any of them! I'd marry him.
Charming. Delightful. A favorite!
Wainscoting, Lydia. Wainscoting.
2020 Review
Well, I'm now older than Arabella, Sophy, and Frederica so I guess I shall have to take Miss Thane as my role model.
Original Review
I love this book. I love the characters; I love the plot. I love Sir Tristram, with his lack of sensibility and sweet heart. I love Sarah Thane, with her wry sense of humor and blend of practicality and romanticism. I want to be her. I love Eustacie...and this third or fourth reading, I finally even loved Ludovic.
But you know who the real unsung hero of this novel is? Sir Hugh Thane. I always viewed him as a clueless character but he really isn't. He is just as subtle and brilliant as any of them! I'd marry him.
Charming. Delightful. A favorite!
September 3, 2025
This was a re-read for me and I enjoyed it just as much the second time round. It all more or less took place in an inn but that just added to the story. I didn't much care for Ludovic. I thought he was a selfish brat who went his own way regardless of advice and without caring what the consequences would be.
Sarah and Tristram were made for each other. She would probably have been called a bluestocking in her day.
I loved Sir Hugh. He was a man who had simple needs and wants and made random observations which nearly always hit the mark. His character didn't change throughout the book. He neither improved or got any worse, he was exactly the same at the end as the start. A great character.
It wasn't really a mystery as you could kinda guess shortly into the book who the villain was but you didn't know how he was going to be unveiled.
As usual I love the writing. 'He had discarded his fur-lined cloak in the coffee room so that all the glory of his primrose pantaloons and lilac-stripped coat burst upon Miss Thane without warning'.
I can see her now, sitting there with her mouth agape and astonishment in her eyes before trying to stiffle a laugh.
When they were wondering if Sir Tristram would visit that day or would have to be sent for, Hugh in his dry wit observes, 'Send for him? why he practically lives here' while probably pouring himself a brandy, which was much more important!
I'm glad I got to read it again.
Another re read for me and I enjoyed it more than ever! It's hilarious and made me laugh out loud. Definitely one of Heyer's best.
3/9/2025
I've needed something to lift my spirits at the moment and this certainly did the job. It's just so funny. I was laughing out loud today while reading. I still love Sir Hugh, he didn't really have a clue what was going on yet always seemed to hit the nail on the head with his observations. Great fun!
Sarah and Tristram were made for each other. She would probably have been called a bluestocking in her day.
I loved Sir Hugh. He was a man who had simple needs and wants and made random observations which nearly always hit the mark. His character didn't change throughout the book. He neither improved or got any worse, he was exactly the same at the end as the start. A great character.
It wasn't really a mystery as you could kinda guess shortly into the book who the villain was but you didn't know how he was going to be unveiled.
As usual I love the writing. 'He had discarded his fur-lined cloak in the coffee room so that all the glory of his primrose pantaloons and lilac-stripped coat burst upon Miss Thane without warning'.
I can see her now, sitting there with her mouth agape and astonishment in her eyes before trying to stiffle a laugh.
When they were wondering if Sir Tristram would visit that day or would have to be sent for, Hugh in his dry wit observes, 'Send for him? why he practically lives here' while probably pouring himself a brandy, which was much more important!
I'm glad I got to read it again.
Another re read for me and I enjoyed it more than ever! It's hilarious and made me laugh out loud. Definitely one of Heyer's best.
3/9/2025
I've needed something to lift my spirits at the moment and this certainly did the job. It's just so funny. I was laughing out loud today while reading. I still love Sir Hugh, he didn't really have a clue what was going on yet always seemed to hit the nail on the head with his observations. Great fun!
May 4, 2012
First published in 1936, this is one of Heyer’s last Georgian romances. Set in the south of England at some undefined time shortly after the French Revolution, it includes romance, adventure, random French words and phrases, Bow Street Runners, a missing heirloom and an heir who must be cleared of murder before he can resume his rightful place in society.
A parody of the romantic adventure genre, the novel is an inspired piece of fluff. The ingénue, Eustacie, is lovely, smart, and a lot less annoying than many similar characters. Her love interest Ludovic (yes, Ludovic – Heyer had a sense of humour where names are concerned) is suitably swashbuckling. While their romance is sweet, the more interesting love story involves Sir Tristram Shield and Sarah Thane: both of them a little older, a lot more sensible and much less stereotypically romantic than their younger counterparts. The supporting characters – particularly Sarah’s brother Hugh – are also lots of fun.
There is nothing deep or meaningful about this novel. Indeed, as Eustacie might have said: “It is a history of a silliness the most profound”. Sometimes, though, that’s exactly what I need. When I’m feeling a little down, reading one of Georgette Heyer’s novels will bring a smile to my face. This is one to re-read when I need more than just a smile, as it has the power to make me laugh out loud.
I enjoyed re-reading this novel after a long break; even more so because I shared the experience with my friend Jemidar.
September 17, 2008
This book manages to be both a Regency comedy of manners and a swashbuckling romance in the vein of Heyer's earlier set Georgian books. This is one of those books where the hero manages to be perfect but not irritate me, the dumb Beauty character inspires an affection in me, the lesser hero makes me smile, and I wish I could have a cup of tea and laugh over the world with the heroine. Very well drawn, very well remembered. (Also has one of my favorite proposal scenes!)
March 20, 2015
I do believe this was almost funnier than Faro's Daughter!
Miss Sarah Thane and her brother have stopped at a little inn for a brief respite when she is awoken in the middle of the night by smugglers. Sumugglers who have barely escaped the Law. After that Sarah is determined to keep her brother tied to this spot so she can do some investigating and maybe clear an innocent man's name, but she can only do that with help, help that comes from an unlikely source.
Eustacie has, after knowing her cousin Tristram Shield for one day, decided she would rather have been sent to Madam Guillotine than be required to marry her cousin. Not even her uncle can make her in this case. Eustacie plans a flight from her cousin, she will do any scatter-brained thing to be her own mistress, even down to running away in the dead of night. He comes to much the same conclusion, and both are in desperate need of rescue, which comes to them from two sources, a lawless smuggler and Miss Sarah Thane.
Sarah is undoubtedly my favorite character on the whole book, she isn't nearly as silly as Eustacie, she doesn't fall in love with a school boy and she knows just when to banter and when it will most annoy Sir Tristram. (She delights in tormenting him) Sir Tristram Shield is serious and we never fully get to know his past, but we know enough to look forward to his every utterance. (He and Sarah can spare back and forth more that Eustacie ever could have dreamed)
Because I liked the characters and the setting and found myself ready to screech at several spooky moments this book has to get five, I know I'll be rereading it whenever I need a good laugh. I positively loved it. Except, Ludovic deserved to be soundly smacked a few times, he evidently never grew up.
On a side note, this book is at the end of the French Revolution, (sort of) it's some point around/before 1804ish (whivh is the end of the revelution "feel"), which means technically it's not regency, but it feels like a regency and not the Georgian novel it is. Eustacie escaped before the Queen was beheaded, now it's not too long after she has lost her head. There is talk of Beau wearing, "a silly, floppy pink hat" that Eustacie doesn't like one bit. But there is no mention of wigs. So I'm putting it on both my Regency and my Georgian shelf as it's a bit in between.
A G rating, there were maybe two swears and nothing else whatsoever, not even mistresses or superstitions, and unless you count a few people being knocked over the head as violent, it wasn't even close to a PG, I thought it was rather hilarious…
Similar in style to Faro's Daughter, The Nonesuch, Strangers on the Moor and Black Sheep mainly because of the banter and characters, though thankfully Eustacie is nothing like Tiffany Wield in The Nonesuch…
Miss Sarah Thane and her brother have stopped at a little inn for a brief respite when she is awoken in the middle of the night by smugglers. Sumugglers who have barely escaped the Law. After that Sarah is determined to keep her brother tied to this spot so she can do some investigating and maybe clear an innocent man's name, but she can only do that with help, help that comes from an unlikely source.
Eustacie has, after knowing her cousin Tristram Shield for one day, decided she would rather have been sent to Madam Guillotine than be required to marry her cousin. Not even her uncle can make her in this case. Eustacie plans a flight from her cousin, she will do any scatter-brained thing to be her own mistress, even down to running away in the dead of night. He comes to much the same conclusion, and both are in desperate need of rescue, which comes to them from two sources, a lawless smuggler and Miss Sarah Thane.
Sarah is undoubtedly my favorite character on the whole book, she isn't nearly as silly as Eustacie, she doesn't fall in love with a school boy and she knows just when to banter and when it will most annoy Sir Tristram. (She delights in tormenting him) Sir Tristram Shield is serious and we never fully get to know his past, but we know enough to look forward to his every utterance. (He and Sarah can spare back and forth more that Eustacie ever could have dreamed)
Because I liked the characters and the setting and found myself ready to screech at several spooky moments this book has to get five, I know I'll be rereading it whenever I need a good laugh. I positively loved it. Except, Ludovic deserved to be soundly smacked a few times, he evidently never grew up.
On a side note, this book is at the end of the French Revolution, (sort of) it's some point around/before 1804ish (whivh is the end of the revelution "feel"), which means technically it's not regency, but it feels like a regency and not the Georgian novel it is. Eustacie escaped before the Queen was beheaded, now it's not too long after she has lost her head. There is talk of Beau wearing, "a silly, floppy pink hat" that Eustacie doesn't like one bit. But there is no mention of wigs. So I'm putting it on both my Regency and my Georgian shelf as it's a bit in between.
A G rating, there were maybe two swears and nothing else whatsoever, not even mistresses or superstitions, and unless you count a few people being knocked over the head as violent, it wasn't even close to a PG, I thought it was rather hilarious…
Similar in style to Faro's Daughter, The Nonesuch, Strangers on the Moor and Black Sheep mainly because of the banter and characters, though thankfully Eustacie is nothing like Tiffany Wield in The Nonesuch…
September 3, 2025
Another example of a Heyer novel that has it all, but I still don't consider it one of my favorites by the author.
There was wit, wonderful language, atmosphere, adventure, Heyer-esque characters, and romance.
Just something was missing to make it a favorite.
--- Previous reviews ---
A splendid comedy, fast-paced, with a bit of mystery and adventure, with delightful characters. Perfectly written. I loved Tristram's practicality and Sarah's mix of sensibility and romantical need. Ludovic and Eustacie were wonderfully funny and annoying. Others, like Hugh, Clem, Nye, the Beau - were like icing on the cake.
But, it lacked something that made some other Heyer's books 5-stars to me. I can't tell what. Perhaps my rating will change after the third reading. [Remember, it is the rating through comparing Heyer's novels. Comparing with the whole genre - Heyer deserves always 5 stars]
-------------
My review after first reading:
I have a good time with this piece of Heyer.
It is funny and witty, like I was expecting. There are characters who make you laugh. I burst into laugh a few times. I like interaction between Sarah and Tristram, this kind of banter (like in Faro's Daughter). Eustacie and Ludovic gave lightness and youthful folly. A mystery (smugglers, murder) adds an excitement. And sir Hugh is priceless ;-)
I put this book between e.g. The Nonesuch, Sylvester or The Convenient Marriage. That means it was really good but not so much to put it between the best books of Heyer. I don't know exactly why but (for me) there is missing something what would make that the book would have been one of the best (like e.g. The Black Moth, Faro's Daughter or The Grand Sophy). Still, I really like it.
There was wit, wonderful language, atmosphere, adventure, Heyer-esque characters, and romance.
Just something was missing to make it a favorite.
--- Previous reviews ---
A splendid comedy, fast-paced, with a bit of mystery and adventure, with delightful characters. Perfectly written. I loved Tristram's practicality and Sarah's mix of sensibility and romantical need. Ludovic and Eustacie were wonderfully funny and annoying. Others, like Hugh, Clem, Nye, the Beau - were like icing on the cake.
But, it lacked something that made some other Heyer's books 5-stars to me. I can't tell what. Perhaps my rating will change after the third reading. [Remember, it is the rating through comparing Heyer's novels. Comparing with the whole genre - Heyer deserves always 5 stars]
-------------
My review after first reading:
I have a good time with this piece of Heyer.
It is funny and witty, like I was expecting. There are characters who make you laugh. I burst into laugh a few times. I like interaction between Sarah and Tristram, this kind of banter (like in Faro's Daughter). Eustacie and Ludovic gave lightness and youthful folly. A mystery (smugglers, murder) adds an excitement. And sir Hugh is priceless ;-)
I put this book between e.g. The Nonesuch, Sylvester or The Convenient Marriage. That means it was really good but not so much to put it between the best books of Heyer. I don't know exactly why but (for me) there is missing something what would make that the book would have been one of the best (like e.g. The Black Moth, Faro's Daughter or The Grand Sophy). Still, I really like it.
December 4, 2024
12/04/24
Nothing more to add really upon my re-read. Also read on audible but this time read by Joe Jameson. It was very good and he made Ludovic sound less like a silly boy. I think I liked Phylida Nash's reading of Eustacie better though.
**********
When I first read The Talisman Ring, I was a teenager. I didn't fully appreciate it as I didn't really relate to the older couple, and found both Eustacie and Ludovic tiresome. Of course, the older I got the more I loved Tristram and Sarah and their dry wit and mature romance. I still find the younger couple uninteresting. Ludovic is a dunderhead: Loaded with Brawn and Bravery but stiffed in the common sense department. Eustacie was a bit easier to take this time because I listened to this book on audible, rather than reading it. Phylida Nash, the reader, made her sound exactly like Leslie Caron, whom I adore. It's still not my favorite, because of the lack of a London or Bath setting and thus, no glittering society for our couple to observe and interact with, but I certainly understand why it is many people's favorite and considered one of her most accessible works.
Nothing more to add really upon my re-read. Also read on audible but this time read by Joe Jameson. It was very good and he made Ludovic sound less like a silly boy. I think I liked Phylida Nash's reading of Eustacie better though.
**********
When I first read The Talisman Ring, I was a teenager. I didn't fully appreciate it as I didn't really relate to the older couple, and found both Eustacie and Ludovic tiresome. Of course, the older I got the more I loved Tristram and Sarah and their dry wit and mature romance. I still find the younger couple uninteresting. Ludovic is a dunderhead: Loaded with Brawn and Bravery but stiffed in the common sense department. Eustacie was a bit easier to take this time because I listened to this book on audible, rather than reading it. Phylida Nash, the reader, made her sound exactly like Leslie Caron, whom I adore. It's still not my favorite, because of the lack of a London or Bath setting and thus, no glittering society for our couple to observe and interact with, but I certainly understand why it is many people's favorite and considered one of her most accessible works.
July 23, 2023
Another funny, witty Heyer. Ludovic the apparent murderer with Eustacie looking for romantic adventure. This story has that in spades at The Red Lion Inn. Sir Tristian reluctantly betrothed to young, the legend of the headless horseman, a golden talisman ring and the young headstrong french cousin Eustacie.
The Jeeves like character Sir Hugo is wonderful oblivious to all what is happening. His dependable and mischievous sister Sarah Thane become involved in the clearing the accused Ludovic of murder and a crash course on the beauty of wood paneling. The wicked Beau, incompetent bow street runners and you have hilarity.
I laughed out a few times reading this farce. The burglary, the bow street runners mistaking Sarah for Ludovic. Well worth a read.
The Jeeves like character Sir Hugo is wonderful oblivious to all what is happening. His dependable and mischievous sister Sarah Thane become involved in the clearing the accused Ludovic of murder and a crash course on the beauty of wood paneling. The wicked Beau, incompetent bow street runners and you have hilarity.
I laughed out a few times reading this farce. The burglary, the bow street runners mistaking Sarah for Ludovic. Well worth a read.
September 25, 2025
9/24/25: so much fun, I blew through this reread in two days - once again, the audiobook narrated by Phyllida Nash was a delight, bringing the many hilarious ensemble scenes to life!
3/5/23: Still a 5-star read (listen, Phyllida Nash’s narration is hilarious)
12/20-January 2021: Delightful! The perfect choice for the Heyer group’s first read of 2021. I knew I loved this one, but forgot the wit and charm and brisk pacing. I adore Sarah Thane, for her humor, humanity and the sheer cheek of her interactions with Sir Tristram Shield. Truly one of my favorite Heyer creations. I love her interactions with his two younger cousins as well - Ludovic, (that name!), the brash but decent young hothead, and Eustacie, the melodramatic French emigre (whom I suspect has read too many novels).
Such a delight at the end of a rather dismal year, you can’t beat this fun, funny Heyer romantic adventure with a dash of mystery - who murdered a man and stole the ring of the title? - I’m grinning and chuckling as I knit and listen to the Audible audiobook beautifully narrated by Phyllida Nash. Back to five stars for me!
2016: This was my second time reading this Heyer, this time as a group read with the Heyer Fan group on GR, and it's still four stars for me.
I didn't remember much about the book when I started it, indeed it seemed rather slow - some in the group found Eustacie's constant romantic imaginings annoying, and Sarah Thane too arch. I found myself swept into the fun and silliness of what I can only call a romp - kind of a fusion of adventure, mystery, romance and drawing room comedy - and enjoyed myself thoroughly! The younger pair of lovers, Eustacie and Ludovic (oy, what a name!), meet cute as she is running away from an arranged marriage with her older cousin Sir Tristram Shield - Ludovic, another cousin, was accused of murder and forced to flee the country, but has been surviving by smuggling along the Sussex coast. Eustacie stumbles across him and his cohorts in the dark woods and gets drawn into his adventures, thrilling her to the bottom of her romantic soul as she is called upon to get Ludovic to safety after he is shot. They seek shelter in a nearby inn and are discovered by Sarah Thane, a guest; she and her brother Sir Hugh, one of the funniest characters I've run across in a Heyer (and she's given us some doozies!) are breaking up their trip to London.
In typical Heyer fashion, our characters join forces to clear Ludovic's name, bring the real killer to justice, and fall in love; silly, farcical and great fun all round! A quick read with delightful characters, witty dialogue and adventure abounding, it made me smile often and chuckle out loud in several spots - delicious!
3/5/23: Still a 5-star read (listen, Phyllida Nash’s narration is hilarious)
12/20-January 2021: Delightful! The perfect choice for the Heyer group’s first read of 2021. I knew I loved this one, but forgot the wit and charm and brisk pacing. I adore Sarah Thane, for her humor, humanity and the sheer cheek of her interactions with Sir Tristram Shield. Truly one of my favorite Heyer creations. I love her interactions with his two younger cousins as well - Ludovic, (that name!), the brash but decent young hothead, and Eustacie, the melodramatic French emigre (whom I suspect has read too many novels).
Such a delight at the end of a rather dismal year, you can’t beat this fun, funny Heyer romantic adventure with a dash of mystery - who murdered a man and stole the ring of the title? - I’m grinning and chuckling as I knit and listen to the Audible audiobook beautifully narrated by Phyllida Nash. Back to five stars for me!
2016: This was my second time reading this Heyer, this time as a group read with the Heyer Fan group on GR, and it's still four stars for me.
I didn't remember much about the book when I started it, indeed it seemed rather slow - some in the group found Eustacie's constant romantic imaginings annoying, and Sarah Thane too arch. I found myself swept into the fun and silliness of what I can only call a romp - kind of a fusion of adventure, mystery, romance and drawing room comedy - and enjoyed myself thoroughly! The younger pair of lovers, Eustacie and Ludovic (oy, what a name!), meet cute as she is running away from an arranged marriage with her older cousin Sir Tristram Shield - Ludovic, another cousin, was accused of murder and forced to flee the country, but has been surviving by smuggling along the Sussex coast. Eustacie stumbles across him and his cohorts in the dark woods and gets drawn into his adventures, thrilling her to the bottom of her romantic soul as she is called upon to get Ludovic to safety after he is shot. They seek shelter in a nearby inn and are discovered by Sarah Thane, a guest; she and her brother Sir Hugh, one of the funniest characters I've run across in a Heyer (and she's given us some doozies!) are breaking up their trip to London.
In typical Heyer fashion, our characters join forces to clear Ludovic's name, bring the real killer to justice, and fall in love; silly, farcical and great fun all round! A quick read with delightful characters, witty dialogue and adventure abounding, it made me smile often and chuckle out loud in several spots - delicious!
March 23, 2020
The Talisman Ring is a MUST READ for any Georgette Heyer fan. You don't want to miss this wonderful romantic adventure! This story is well crafted and has everything you could ever want in a Georgian Romance. NO, REALLY! Go get this book and read it, right now! The dialogue is brilliant and the story is well paced. There is suspense, romance, humor, adventure, mystery, charm, and wit. In turn, I laughed out loud and sat on the edge of my seat. I read into the night because I could not put this book down. I had to know what would happen next. And, now I'm a trifle done up by all this romance. I can't believe I left this book on my shelf for months, sitting there, unread!! I must be a pea-goose!!!
March 7, 2010
Rbrs#1
A few goodreaders got together to read romances for funsies so I joined to giggle along. Romance! - where chests are deeply muscled or deeply cleavaged but always sweaty (and pressed together). Fantasy wish fulfillments with silly "love" scenes. I’ve read a handful of romances (as in, I could hold them in one hand) and figured they were like soap operas, where you can jump in the middle of an episode or read any romance and be up-to-speed. There was a scene in the show 3rd Rock From the Sun, where the alien family moved into an HOA neighborhood and started wearing khakis, assembling particleboard entertainment center shelving, arguing with the board about a neighbor's wind chimes, becoming the most generic family possible; at one point, when they're all seated on the couch reading Grisham novels, they realize they could all switch books and still keep reading.* To my mind, Romances = Grishams.
So despite this book having the appearance of respectability and the enthusiastic recommendation of a couple others with excellent reading taste and critical analyzing faculty, I was still all ready to giggle myself onto the floor, still having an expectation of a cloned Romance where the breeches would drop and petticoats would be raised at the first excuse. It took me a hundred pages to snap out of it and enjoy the book for what it was instead of what I was expecting. This is a light romping farce with mentions of issues that Elizabeth articulated very well. There are slappably silly characters, an inheritance, and a little non-hankypanky romance.
The first hundred pages setting up the crime and background for the bumbling to follow were hard to get through. Eustacie? Slap! Ludovic? Slap! Even the hero, Sir Tristram, flick. I did like Miss Thane's teasing of Tristram about age and romantic notions. One of Tristram's counter-banter remarks, about how lovers find February breezes balmy, had me laughing aloud.
New endearment: cream-pot love. New insult: cribbage-faced tooth drawer (dentists were always hated). Unintentionally funny lines (because I'm immature): "I’m going to take a look in that priest’s hole if I die for it!" "Joe’s not one of them as has more hair than wit: there’s a deal of sense in his cockloft."
*I just tried searching for that clip and found that a number of gr reviewers have tried finding it for their Grisham reviews, hah. Here's a very nice one spilling out all of Grisham's secrets, in outline form for those who want to try it out. There are plenty of 3rd Rock From the Sun clips floating around so it’s likely that the Grisham powerhouse had that particular one removed...he seems to have his brand name very tightly controlled.
A few goodreaders got together to read romances for funsies so I joined to giggle along. Romance! - where chests are deeply muscled or deeply cleavaged but always sweaty (and pressed together). Fantasy wish fulfillments with silly "love" scenes. I’ve read a handful of romances (as in, I could hold them in one hand) and figured they were like soap operas, where you can jump in the middle of an episode or read any romance and be up-to-speed. There was a scene in the show 3rd Rock From the Sun, where the alien family moved into an HOA neighborhood and started wearing khakis, assembling particleboard entertainment center shelving, arguing with the board about a neighbor's wind chimes, becoming the most generic family possible; at one point, when they're all seated on the couch reading Grisham novels, they realize they could all switch books and still keep reading.* To my mind, Romances = Grishams.
So despite this book having the appearance of respectability and the enthusiastic recommendation of a couple others with excellent reading taste and critical analyzing faculty, I was still all ready to giggle myself onto the floor, still having an expectation of a cloned Romance where the breeches would drop and petticoats would be raised at the first excuse. It took me a hundred pages to snap out of it and enjoy the book for what it was instead of what I was expecting. This is a light romping farce with mentions of issues that Elizabeth articulated very well. There are slappably silly characters, an inheritance, and a little non-hankypanky romance.
The first hundred pages setting up the crime and background for the bumbling to follow were hard to get through. Eustacie? Slap! Ludovic? Slap! Even the hero, Sir Tristram, flick. I did like Miss Thane's teasing of Tristram about age and romantic notions. One of Tristram's counter-banter remarks, about how lovers find February breezes balmy, had me laughing aloud.
New endearment: cream-pot love. New insult: cribbage-faced tooth drawer (dentists were always hated). Unintentionally funny lines (because I'm immature): "I’m going to take a look in that priest’s hole if I die for it!" "Joe’s not one of them as has more hair than wit: there’s a deal of sense in his cockloft."
*I just tried searching for that clip and found that a number of gr reviewers have tried finding it for their Grisham reviews, hah. Here's a very nice one spilling out all of Grisham's secrets, in outline form for those who want to try it out. There are plenty of 3rd Rock From the Sun clips floating around so it’s likely that the Grisham powerhouse had that particular one removed...he seems to have his brand name very tightly controlled.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2008
This is one of the least substantial Heyer romances I have read, with little insight into the psyche of our hero, but it was still a fun read.
Eustacie is 18 years old, French, and romantic. The kind of girl who almost regrets having been rescued from The Terror when she thinks of the tragic, pitiable figure she should have made when led to the guillotine, dressed in a white gown, of course.
Sir Tristram is older, practical and sober, and Heyer spends a few pages making you think that the two of them are going to pair up, but if you're a Heyer fan you should know better. The book infinitely improves when Sarah Thane makes an appearance. Sarah is also a romantic, but she is old enough and wise enough to be amused by herself, and Eustacie ceases to be annoying when seen through her eyes.
The dialog between Sir Tristram and Sarah is very funny and makes the book a good read despite a very silly plot. This works better as a madcap comedy than a romance.
Eustacie is 18 years old, French, and romantic. The kind of girl who almost regrets having been rescued from The Terror when she thinks of the tragic, pitiable figure she should have made when led to the guillotine, dressed in a white gown, of course.
Sir Tristram is older, practical and sober, and Heyer spends a few pages making you think that the two of them are going to pair up, but if you're a Heyer fan you should know better. The book infinitely improves when Sarah Thane makes an appearance. Sarah is also a romantic, but she is old enough and wise enough to be amused by herself, and Eustacie ceases to be annoying when seen through her eyes.
The dialog between Sir Tristram and Sarah is very funny and makes the book a good read despite a very silly plot. This works better as a madcap comedy than a romance.
October 8, 2021
Meandering madcap adventure. Filled with an assortment of flighty and grounded characters, more mystery than romance and a slow leisurely exploration of a small inn, the local folk and the smuggling trade. Enjoyable.
Thanks to my Appreciative Valentine for this treat.
Thanks to my Appreciative Valentine for this treat.
February 9, 2023
I love this novel so much. It is such a madcap comedy, with a fast-paced plot - definitely one of the funniest Heyers. There is also a romance, of course, even two, but they are not the main focus. All the characters are great, even the secondary ones (which is typical of this author). This time around, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Phyllida Nash - definitely recommended.
MTA: Still loving this book and Phyllida Nash's narration so very much. This is probably my fifth or sixth read - but definitely not the last one. This time around, in addition to all the adventure and romance, I enjoyed Sir Hugh's character very much.
MTA: I have just finished listening to the audiobook again. You know, this book is incredible. No matter how many times I have read it before, I always enjoy it as much as the first time around. There are always new details to discover; it's that good.
MTA 09/02/2023: A new - and excellent! - audiobook version, narrated by Joe Jameson.
MTA: Still loving this book and Phyllida Nash's narration so very much. This is probably my fifth or sixth read - but definitely not the last one. This time around, in addition to all the adventure and romance, I enjoyed Sir Hugh's character very much.
MTA: I have just finished listening to the audiobook again. You know, this book is incredible. No matter how many times I have read it before, I always enjoy it as much as the first time around. There are always new details to discover; it's that good.
MTA 09/02/2023: A new - and excellent! - audiobook version, narrated by Joe Jameson.
July 5, 2023
Another re-read for the reading slump! I had fond memories of reading this at a time when I badly needed a pick-me-up, and this time around I'm even more impressed by what an absolutely grand time this book is: an affectionately tongue-in-cheek parody of seventeenth-century romance from start to finish. Ostensibly it's the story of a romantic pair of young lovers (she's a French aristocratic refugee escaping an arranged marriage, and he's an English lord now moonlighting as a smuggler after having been falsely accused of murder) but seeing as the young lovers barely share a braincell between them, it's in fact about the efforts of the lord's unromantic cousin and the young lady's self-approinted chaperon to set things right for the two young duffers. Amazingly witty, with never a dull moment, and absolutely one of the best Heyers.
January 17, 2021
Sir Tristram Shield, attending his dying great-uncle Sylvester, learns of his uncle's rescue of Tristram's young French cousin, Eustacie, and Sylvester's plans for Tristram to marry the girl. It should be Tristram's cousin Ludovic Lavenham who marries the girl, but Ludiovic is a fugitive from the law and no one has seen or heard from him in years. He could be married or dead for all the family knows. Eustacie accepts the idea of a marriage of convenience until she learns that Tristram is not at all romantic and plans to keep her in dull Berkshire. She decides this is unacceptable and makes plans to run away. She gets no farther than the woods when she encounters a band of smugglers being chased by excise men. When one is shot, Eustacie finally gets the adventure she's been waiting for. With help from Sarah Thane, an independent spinster; Sarah's brother Sir Hugh, a justice of the peace; an innkeeper with a cellar full of fine French wine (duty free, of course), Eustacie endeavors to help the young man, who happens to be her cousin, and discover the mystery of the missing Talisman ring which will clear Ludovic's name.
I read this book once before. It was my second ever Heyer novel and I enjoyed it enough to keep reading her novels, but not enough to count it among my favorites. I feel the same way upon a second read. I think I would have liked this book more when I was younger and more silly and romantic like Eustacie. I figured out who the villain was pretty much from his introduction but that doesn't really matter because the characters figure it out pretty quickly too. What matters is the adventure of the plot. I found myself engaged enough to want to keep reading but not enough to feel breathless at the adventure and stay up all night reading. The plot moves along quickly enough and ends predictably. There are two romances in the making throughout the story. One I believed, but not sure it will last and the other I didn't quite buy. Near the end are some very funny scenes that nearly made me laugh out loud. I'm also not enamored with the Georgian setting. I just don't care for the fashions. This one is a little less descriptive than her Regencies. The story is typical of a Heyer mystery/romance which she wrote before she found Regency romances to be her big money maker.
I liked Tristram, for all he is unromantic. He's a sensible, mature man but he's also a sporting gentleman and can be heroic when the situation calls for it. He does have a sense of humor, but it's more ironic and subtle than Eustacie would like in a hero. Ludovic, on the other hand, is immature, rash and headstrong. He does something really stupid after he was told not to and walked right into a trap. He's so hot headed that he's eager to shoot off his pistol and enjoys showing off his prowess with a pistol. I do not think he is husband material just yet. He does want to clear his name, now his uncle is dead, and he has enough sense to know his days of adventure are probably over. He needs to grow up a bit or marry someone less silly than he is. I didn't like Basil very much. I'm not enamored with dandies and he doesn't even care enough about the architecture of his house to know anything about it. He is a very good actor though and I kind of admire him for his cool demeanor for most of the novel. Sir Hugh provides the comic relief. He's absent-minded and focused mainly on enjoying the excellent contents of the inn's cellar. Nye, the innkeeper and Clem, the groom also provide some lightness to the story, along with some bumbling Bow Street Runners.
The ladies are the stars of this novel. Eustacie is very young, volatile and silly. She's very much like Leonie in These Old Shades but a little more silly. She wants romance and adventure in her life and would have preferred to go to the guillotine and become a martyr or flee to Holland with her uncle than be in safe, boring England married to Tristram. Her biggest dream is to have a man ride "ventre a terre" to her deathbed. She's a quick thinker, I'll give her that, and she doesn't bat an eyelash when faced with danger or mayhem, but her schemes are rather silly. She needs parents to keep her from doing something stupid like running away to become a governess. She doesn't need a husband and especially not one as silly as she is. I liked Sarah Thane but I found her to be almost as silly as Eustacie. Sarah is romantic too and longs for adventure but she is more practical and thinks things through a little better than Eustacie. Her sense of humor is a little more fine tuned than Eustacie's and Sarah is mature enough to know the difference between romance in real life and romance in novels. Near the end of the book she does something stupid that could have led to serious injury or even death. I stopped admiring her after that but I liked the way she kept her cool and didn't lose her head, despite numerous adventures.
While I still prefer her Regencies, this one ranks as my top favorite of the Georgian novels.
January 2021 reread with the Georgette Heyer Fans 3.55 stars
his is my third time reading this book. I'm sure I knew whodunit right away but I certainly remembered this time around. It was pretty obvious. This read I found the first half a little slow. They were too quick to realize the identity of the true villain. The second half was a lot funnier. It's very Wodehousian! P.G. Wodehouse was the master of screwball comedy and writing at the same time as Heyer. I believe that sort of thing was popular to lift people's spirits during the Depression just as we are reading it now to lift our spirits after the awful year and first month of the new year.
I loved the break-in at the Dower House and every scene Sarah was in, especially her scenes with Tristram. Eustacie is too silly for me. I think a stay in Bath would have been good for her. Even if Tristram's Mama doesn't go out, there are finishing schools in Bath. Enroll Eustacie in one. She needs it. She needs to meet other young girls although I fear she will lead the younger ones astray with her youthful romantic ideals. Surely Lady Shield has friends with children Eustacie's age to socialize with? I thought Ludovic was just as bad. He's rash, headstrong and stupid. They'll make a terrible couple because neither has any sense. Perhaps after this adventure he'll mature a bit and Eustacie will too.
As others have said, the real standout is the more mature relationship between Tristram and Sarah. They balance each other out. She's a bit romantic but she's quick thinking and practical. She accepts his plans with good humor and adjusts when she thinks is necessary. Their banter is so funny! Sarah will make a great mother because she'll be sympathetic to their scrapes, even helping the children get into and out of them while Tristram will roll his eyes and smile then proceed to tell them all what to do. I wouldn't have given him a past heartbreak and just made him sober because he's older and the head of his family.
The villain comes across as rather weak and stupid. I was surprised the villain had the courage to do some of the things they did. I would have expected them to have minions to do it for them.
This was a fun adventure and a good distraction from the awful news. I'm bumping my rating up a bit. I don't think this is a favorite or least favorite. It IS my favorite of the Georgians! I would have to really be in the right mood for a reread and it would have to be several more years.
I read this book once before. It was my second ever Heyer novel and I enjoyed it enough to keep reading her novels, but not enough to count it among my favorites. I feel the same way upon a second read. I think I would have liked this book more when I was younger and more silly and romantic like Eustacie. I figured out who the villain was pretty much from his introduction but that doesn't really matter because the characters figure it out pretty quickly too. What matters is the adventure of the plot. I found myself engaged enough to want to keep reading but not enough to feel breathless at the adventure and stay up all night reading. The plot moves along quickly enough and ends predictably. There are two romances in the making throughout the story. One I believed, but not sure it will last and the other I didn't quite buy. Near the end are some very funny scenes that nearly made me laugh out loud. I'm also not enamored with the Georgian setting. I just don't care for the fashions. This one is a little less descriptive than her Regencies. The story is typical of a Heyer mystery/romance which she wrote before she found Regency romances to be her big money maker.
I liked Tristram, for all he is unromantic. He's a sensible, mature man but he's also a sporting gentleman and can be heroic when the situation calls for it. He does have a sense of humor, but it's more ironic and subtle than Eustacie would like in a hero. Ludovic, on the other hand, is immature, rash and headstrong. He does something really stupid after he was told not to and walked right into a trap. He's so hot headed that he's eager to shoot off his pistol and enjoys showing off his prowess with a pistol. I do not think he is husband material just yet. He does want to clear his name, now his uncle is dead, and he has enough sense to know his days of adventure are probably over. He needs to grow up a bit or marry someone less silly than he is. I didn't like Basil very much. I'm not enamored with dandies and he doesn't even care enough about the architecture of his house to know anything about it. He is a very good actor though and I kind of admire him for his cool demeanor for most of the novel. Sir Hugh provides the comic relief. He's absent-minded and focused mainly on enjoying the excellent contents of the inn's cellar. Nye, the innkeeper and Clem, the groom also provide some lightness to the story, along with some bumbling Bow Street Runners.
The ladies are the stars of this novel. Eustacie is very young, volatile and silly. She's very much like Leonie in These Old Shades but a little more silly. She wants romance and adventure in her life and would have preferred to go to the guillotine and become a martyr or flee to Holland with her uncle than be in safe, boring England married to Tristram. Her biggest dream is to have a man ride "ventre a terre" to her deathbed. She's a quick thinker, I'll give her that, and she doesn't bat an eyelash when faced with danger or mayhem, but her schemes are rather silly. She needs parents to keep her from doing something stupid like running away to become a governess. She doesn't need a husband and especially not one as silly as she is. I liked Sarah Thane but I found her to be almost as silly as Eustacie. Sarah is romantic too and longs for adventure but she is more practical and thinks things through a little better than Eustacie. Her sense of humor is a little more fine tuned than Eustacie's and Sarah is mature enough to know the difference between romance in real life and romance in novels. Near the end of the book she does something stupid that could have led to serious injury or even death. I stopped admiring her after that but I liked the way she kept her cool and didn't lose her head, despite numerous adventures.
While I still prefer her Regencies, this one ranks as my top favorite of the Georgian novels.
January 2021 reread with the Georgette Heyer Fans 3.55 stars
his is my third time reading this book. I'm sure I knew whodunit right away but I certainly remembered this time around. It was pretty obvious. This read I found the first half a little slow. They were too quick to realize the identity of the true villain. The second half was a lot funnier. It's very Wodehousian! P.G. Wodehouse was the master of screwball comedy and writing at the same time as Heyer. I believe that sort of thing was popular to lift people's spirits during the Depression just as we are reading it now to lift our spirits after the awful year and first month of the new year.
I loved the break-in at the Dower House and every scene Sarah was in, especially her scenes with Tristram. Eustacie is too silly for me. I think a stay in Bath would have been good for her. Even if Tristram's Mama doesn't go out, there are finishing schools in Bath. Enroll Eustacie in one. She needs it. She needs to meet other young girls although I fear she will lead the younger ones astray with her youthful romantic ideals. Surely Lady Shield has friends with children Eustacie's age to socialize with? I thought Ludovic was just as bad. He's rash, headstrong and stupid. They'll make a terrible couple because neither has any sense. Perhaps after this adventure he'll mature a bit and Eustacie will too.
As others have said, the real standout is the more mature relationship between Tristram and Sarah. They balance each other out. She's a bit romantic but she's quick thinking and practical. She accepts his plans with good humor and adjusts when she thinks is necessary. Their banter is so funny! Sarah will make a great mother because she'll be sympathetic to their scrapes, even helping the children get into and out of them while Tristram will roll his eyes and smile then proceed to tell them all what to do. I wouldn't have given him a past heartbreak and just made him sober because he's older and the head of his family.
The villain comes across as rather weak and stupid. I was surprised the villain had the courage to do some of the things they did. I would have expected them to have minions to do it for them.
This was a fun adventure and a good distraction from the awful news. I'm bumping my rating up a bit. I don't think this is a favorite or least favorite. It IS my favorite of the Georgians! I would have to really be in the right mood for a reread and it would have to be several more years.
July 27, 2020
This was an entertaining read, with a hairbrained plot and engaging characters.
"Unfortunately, you, Sir Tristram, knowing nothing of me, and being possessed of a tyrannical disposition—I beg your pardon?”
“I did not speak,” replied Sir Tristram, eyeing her frostily.
Miss Thane met his look with one of limpid innocence. “Oh, I quite thought you did!”
“I choked,” explained Sir Tristram. “Pray continue! You had reached my tyrannical disposition.”
"Unfortunately, you, Sir Tristram, knowing nothing of me, and being possessed of a tyrannical disposition—I beg your pardon?”
“I did not speak,” replied Sir Tristram, eyeing her frostily.
Miss Thane met his look with one of limpid innocence. “Oh, I quite thought you did!”
“I choked,” explained Sir Tristram. “Pray continue! You had reached my tyrannical disposition.”
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May 22, 2019
This was not, by any stretch of the imagination, a murder mystery. Yes, someone is murdered, but it's apparent from about the tenth page who committed it. The actual plot is taken up with proving it.
It's the delightful characters and dialogue which, as usual, bump the rating up for me. I could wish that the romances of both couples were a little more in the foreground, and a little more satisfying, but there's an extremely funny interlude with a couple of Bow Street Runners which persuaded me to give this book 4 stars. I'm not sorry I read it.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
It's the delightful characters and dialogue which, as usual, bump the rating up for me. I could wish that the romances of both couples were a little more in the foreground, and a little more satisfying, but there's an extremely funny interlude with a couple of Bow Street Runners which persuaded me to give this book 4 stars. I'm not sorry I read it.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
May 23, 2018
We listened to this on a long road trip from the Oregon coast back to Utah and it was every bit as charming and humorous as I remembered. What I did not remember is that the romance between Sir Tristram and Sarah is practically nonexistent right up until the proposal at the end. This is more an adventure novel than a romance, which isn't a criticism, just a note of interest.
I don't remember who the narrator was--Phyllida Nash, maybe?--but she did a great job with Eustacie's character. Really very enjoyable.
I don't remember who the narrator was--Phyllida Nash, maybe?--but she did a great job with Eustacie's character. Really very enjoyable.
February 6, 2017
I was feeling a bit stressed, so it felt like the perfect time to revisit The Talisman Ring (and maybe also The Grand Sophy, if I get the chance). Heyer’s books are the perfect light reading to my mind: relatable characters, witty dialogue, entertaining set-ups… In this one, two cousins are supposed to get married, despite being completely unsuited; hijinks (and a few more cousins joining in) ensue.
The joy is really in the exuberance of the two ‘heroic’ characters, as I think of them, Eustacie and Ludovic, coming up against the two ‘sensible’ (ish) characters, Tristram and Sarah. They all end up in absurdly dramatic situations, of course, and it quickly becomes obvious that Eustacie is much more suited to Ludovic than to Tristram. And in the background, unnoticed by Eustacie, Tristram and Sarah begin to have a greater regard for each other — while sniping at each other, of course. (Though less so than in, say, Faro’s Daughter, where the relationship was so adversarial and the male lead so supercilious, it was hard to enjoy.)
I make no claims for this book’s depth; I just enjoy the characterisations, the dialogue, the wit. It’s vastly fun. Though, Heyer being the person she was, the historical details and such are probably very much in the right places.
Originally posted on my blog.
The joy is really in the exuberance of the two ‘heroic’ characters, as I think of them, Eustacie and Ludovic, coming up against the two ‘sensible’ (ish) characters, Tristram and Sarah. They all end up in absurdly dramatic situations, of course, and it quickly becomes obvious that Eustacie is much more suited to Ludovic than to Tristram. And in the background, unnoticed by Eustacie, Tristram and Sarah begin to have a greater regard for each other — while sniping at each other, of course. (Though less so than in, say, Faro’s Daughter, where the relationship was so adversarial and the male lead so supercilious, it was hard to enjoy.)
I make no claims for this book’s depth; I just enjoy the characterisations, the dialogue, the wit. It’s vastly fun. Though, Heyer being the person she was, the historical details and such are probably very much in the right places.
Originally posted on my blog.
September 16, 2025
This very amusing book has become one of my all-time favorite Georgette Heyers! It's a lighthearted romp that smacks of French farce and leaves me giggling throughout. The excellent audio version is narrated by the wonderful actress Phyllida Nash; she's definitely my favorite Heyer narrator.
The Talisman Ring isn't a traditional romance, but a silly confection that forces likable people into extremes as they hide an aristocratic fugitive from bumbling Bow Street Runners and try to prove his innocence. Of course, since this is a Heyer, several characters end up falling in love, too, and they do it quite nicely. Eustacie and Ludovic are a young spirited couple who drive the comedy with their thirst for adventure and willingness to lie with impunity, but Sir Tristram and Miss Thane became one of my favorite Heyer couples with their quick wits and good natures.
If you enjoy clever dialogue, amusing situations and engaging characters you should appreciate this book. Add a fast moving plot and it goes on my list of the best of Heyer.
“After all, when one approaches Middle Age…"
"Middle Age? Has anyone ever boxed your ears Miss Thane?"
"No, never," said Miss Thane, looking blandly up at him.
"You have been undeservedly fortunate," said Sir Tristram grimly.”
The Talisman Ring isn't a traditional romance, but a silly confection that forces likable people into extremes as they hide an aristocratic fugitive from bumbling Bow Street Runners and try to prove his innocence. Of course, since this is a Heyer, several characters end up falling in love, too, and they do it quite nicely. Eustacie and Ludovic are a young spirited couple who drive the comedy with their thirst for adventure and willingness to lie with impunity, but Sir Tristram and Miss Thane became one of my favorite Heyer couples with their quick wits and good natures.
If you enjoy clever dialogue, amusing situations and engaging characters you should appreciate this book. Add a fast moving plot and it goes on my list of the best of Heyer.
“After all, when one approaches Middle Age…"
"Middle Age? Has anyone ever boxed your ears Miss Thane?"
"No, never," said Miss Thane, looking blandly up at him.
"You have been undeservedly fortunate," said Sir Tristram grimly.”
May 24, 2013
Ah, now here is a worthy successor to Mary Stewart for my bathtime reading. For god's sake, tell me which other Heyer books are like this so I can besiege the library for them. It's funny, it laughs at itself, the characters are ridiculous, the hero initially seems forbidding and then turns out to be a good sport after all, in a rather severe and cautious way. I fell for him totally. Eustacie and Ludovico weren't my interest at all: Miss Thane and Sir Tristram were much more my speed -- and I did enjoy background characters too, like Sylvester and Nye and Clem and Sir Hugo.
I used to sneer at reading romances. More fool me. This is immense fun. It's not precisely intellectual, but it's well written and self-aware, and deeply involving. I'm honestly tempted to give it a five star rating, even though it doesn't hold up against other books I've rated five stars, because I smiled so much reading it, and giggled a fair amount too.
Heyer's detective type novels are okay, but shockingly, I think I might find myself preferring her other work, if they're all like this.
I used to sneer at reading romances. More fool me. This is immense fun. It's not precisely intellectual, but it's well written and self-aware, and deeply involving. I'm honestly tempted to give it a five star rating, even though it doesn't hold up against other books I've rated five stars, because I smiled so much reading it, and giggled a fair amount too.
Heyer's detective type novels are okay, but shockingly, I think I might find myself preferring her other work, if they're all like this.
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