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Sarah Tolerance #3
The Sleeping Partner
The Sleeping Partner heralds the return of the serene and self-reliant Miss Sarah Tolerance, Fallen Woman and Agent of Inquiry. This time, Miss Tolerance is seeking not a missing trinket or the solution to a crime, but a living person - a young gentlewoman who has vanished from under her wealthy family's roof, apparently bent on a scandalous elopement with a mysterious man whom nobody knows. Her elder sister is desperate to find and forgive her - and Sarah, haunted by the similarities between this girl's story and her own, is determined to assist - but with nothing to go on but a false name and a small sketched portrait, the case is proving her most difficult yet. As the search intensifies, Miss Tolerance must adversaries who will stop at nothing to keep her from finding the girl. And, more than she had ever expected, the mystery surrounding this young woman so like and yet so unlike herself forces Miss Tolerance to confront the voices of her own past, and to question what her future may hold. Reviews: At the outset of Robins's entertaining third mystery set in Regency London (after 2004's Petty Treason), an upper-class lady using the pseudonym "Mrs. Brown" calls on Sarah Tolerance, a freelance "agent of inquiry" whom society deems a fallen woman because she eloped at 16 with her brother's fencing tutor. Mrs. Brown wants Sarah's help in locating her 16-year-old sister, Evadne, who has eloped, unwilling to remain in their father's house under his "harsh rule." Sarah, struck by the similarities between Evadne's situation and her own at the same age, searches for the missing girl in London's underworld, where she discovers connections to her own family and to a wider war-profiteering scandal. Colorful characters like Sarah's brothel-keeping Aunt Thea, cameos by such real-life personages as Mary Wollstonecraft, and the slow-burning romance between the quick-witted Sarah and close friend Sir Walter Mandiff all add to the fun. - Publishers Weekly
322 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Madeleine E. Robins
45 books125 followersWriting gives Madeleine Robins the chance to focus on many of her ruling passions: cities, history, swordplay, the history of disease, and the future of mankind–with a side order of historical costuming and infrastructure (urban plumbing is far more interesting than you’d think).
Born in New York City, the Author has been, in no particular order, a nanny, a teacher, an actor and stage-combatant, an administrator, a comic book editor, a baker, typist-clerk for Thos. Cook’s Houses of Parliament office, a repairer-of-hurt-books, an editorial consultant, and a writer. She holds a degree in Theatre Studies from Connecticut College, and attended the Clarion Science Fiction Workshop in 1981. She is a founding member of Book View Cafe (http://bookviewcafe.com) where most of her short fiction is available for free!
Born in New York City, the Author has been, in no particular order, a nanny, a teacher, an actor and stage-combatant, an administrator, a comic book editor, a baker, typist-clerk for Thos. Cook’s Houses of Parliament office, a repairer-of-hurt-books, an editorial consultant, and a writer. She holds a degree in Theatre Studies from Connecticut College, and attended the Clarion Science Fiction Workshop in 1981. She is a founding member of Book View Cafe (http://bookviewcafe.com) where most of her short fiction is available for free!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 26, 2016
At the age of 16, the intelligent and spirited daughter of a country baronet, Sarah Brereton --the girl who would become the Sarah Tolerance that series fans know and admire-- fell deeply in love with her brother's fencing instructor, and he with her. (For modern readers, it's important to recognize that in that day, teens were expected to mature and become responsible early; 16-year-old girls might well be married. So this wasn't some sort of sick, pedophilic situation; Sarah was a young woman with the passion and impetuousness of youth, but in her society she was a woman, not a child, and Charles Connell was a normal, decent male.) Because of the class difference and paternal opposition, though, this relationship didn't lead to a happy engagement and marriage, but to a hasty flight to the Continent, with Sarah disgraced, disowned by her family, and consigned to permanent Fallen Woman status. (Fallen men in her culture didn't suffer any similar opprobrium. ) Like many people in that pre-antibiotic era, Connell died young, leaving her in effect a widow without ever having technically been a wife. Now, some 12 years later (we're up to April, 1811 in this volume), she's living in London under an assumed name, to spare her family from embarrassment. To support herself without resorting to the usual expedient of prostitution (friendless and helpless women in that environment being, pretty much invariably, sexually exploited women), she's created the profession of "agent of inquiry" --a private investigator, in our parlance-- for herself, putting her unique abilities to use. (She's smart, inquisitive, brave, able to move in a range of social circles and to pass for a man when she needs to, well trained by Connell in the use of a sword, and not afraid to pack and use a pistol.)
Her latest client is a young married woman, who desperately wants Sarah to find and rescue the lady's 16-year-old younger sister (daughter of a peer), who's disappeared, leaving behind a note indicating that she's eloped with an unnamed lover. Obviously, this case stirs some very deep-seated feelings for Sarah. It will get more personal and wrenching, rather than less, as she investigates. And series fans won't be surprised that there's more to the mystery than at first meets the eye.
Many of my general comments on the preceding two books of the series apply to this one as well. Robins' prose style and characterizations are as fine as ever; not just Sarah, but all of the characters (good and bad) are thoroughly real people whom we like, pity or detest. (Some are old friends from the earlier books, some are newly met.) The period flavor is as rich and rewarding as ever. (As usual, a concluding "Note on History, Faux and Real" explains the historical background, and where the author's slightly alternate world diverges from ours in a few details.) Considering the kind of case our heroine is investigating, and the fact that she lives in a cottage behind her (also Fallen --"the black ewe of her generation") aunt's high-class brothel and has a prostitute for a close friend, sexual content here is relatively minimal. We also get a glimpse here of Sarah in church, which helps to deepen her character. Like many people of that day --including Jane Austen herself, a writer whose influence Robins readily admits-- she doesn't wear her faith on her sleeve, but it's there, to a lot greater extent than some of the more ostentatiously pious might give her credit for. (Then and now, many of the latter tend to forget that a Christian society has to be, first and foremost, a community of forgiveness.) And the volume isn't simply treading water in terms of the development of the series; there's significant growth and change in relationships here.
Why, then, only four stars, when the two previous books got five? For only one reason. Here, in the resolution/explanation of the skullduggery at the heart of events, there's one major logical contradiction (which is impossible to explain without a spoiler). Robins papers it over without any real explanation (and it's possible she actually didn't recognize it herself!), but because it's central to the resolution of the book, I had to reluctantly deduct a star for it. But it's still a great read!
A couple of notes are relevant on the way words were used differently in 1811 than today. First, a clergyman here is said to be "Unitarian." Today's "Unitarians" are somewhat similar to the "Deists" of Sarah's day (except that most today would be even more skeptical, and less willing to accept a label of Christian, or even of theistic). "Unitarians" in Sarah's world, however (like the slightly later March family in Little Women) were what are sometimes called "Biblical Unitarians," holding orthodox views on the atonement and the authority of Scripture, and definitely not Deists --in other words, much more conservative than the term suggests today. Second, the word "whore" is used in these books simply as the normal word for what we would today call a prostitute. Obviously, it was an inherently insulting term to apply to a woman who was NOT in that trade, but for those who were, it didn't have any particularly insulting connotation; the girls themselves used it as a normal self-designation. No speaker today would use it, even to a woman who is a sex worker, without a deliberate intention to hurt and demean; but in 1811, there generally is no such intention (and usually no such effect).
This is the latest Sarah Tolerance book to date --published in 2011, seven years after the previous one. It isn't clear whether Robins intends to continue the series past this point. If not, there are features to this volume that could make it a satisfactory conclusion to what will then be a trilogy. But if the author does ever intend, in the future, to visit Sarah's London again, I and I'm sure a goodly number of other fans will eagerly come along for the ride!
Her latest client is a young married woman, who desperately wants Sarah to find and rescue the lady's 16-year-old younger sister (daughter of a peer), who's disappeared, leaving behind a note indicating that she's eloped with an unnamed lover. Obviously, this case stirs some very deep-seated feelings for Sarah. It will get more personal and wrenching, rather than less, as she investigates. And series fans won't be surprised that there's more to the mystery than at first meets the eye.
Many of my general comments on the preceding two books of the series apply to this one as well. Robins' prose style and characterizations are as fine as ever; not just Sarah, but all of the characters (good and bad) are thoroughly real people whom we like, pity or detest. (Some are old friends from the earlier books, some are newly met.) The period flavor is as rich and rewarding as ever. (As usual, a concluding "Note on History, Faux and Real" explains the historical background, and where the author's slightly alternate world diverges from ours in a few details.) Considering the kind of case our heroine is investigating, and the fact that she lives in a cottage behind her (also Fallen --"the black ewe of her generation") aunt's high-class brothel and has a prostitute for a close friend, sexual content here is relatively minimal. We also get a glimpse here of Sarah in church, which helps to deepen her character. Like many people of that day --including Jane Austen herself, a writer whose influence Robins readily admits-- she doesn't wear her faith on her sleeve, but it's there, to a lot greater extent than some of the more ostentatiously pious might give her credit for. (Then and now, many of the latter tend to forget that a Christian society has to be, first and foremost, a community of forgiveness.) And the volume isn't simply treading water in terms of the development of the series; there's significant growth and change in relationships here.
Why, then, only four stars, when the two previous books got five? For only one reason. Here, in the resolution/explanation of the skullduggery at the heart of events, there's one major logical contradiction (which is impossible to explain without a spoiler). Robins papers it over without any real explanation (and it's possible she actually didn't recognize it herself!), but because it's central to the resolution of the book, I had to reluctantly deduct a star for it. But it's still a great read!
A couple of notes are relevant on the way words were used differently in 1811 than today. First, a clergyman here is said to be "Unitarian." Today's "Unitarians" are somewhat similar to the "Deists" of Sarah's day (except that most today would be even more skeptical, and less willing to accept a label of Christian, or even of theistic). "Unitarians" in Sarah's world, however (like the slightly later March family in Little Women) were what are sometimes called "Biblical Unitarians," holding orthodox views on the atonement and the authority of Scripture, and definitely not Deists --in other words, much more conservative than the term suggests today. Second, the word "whore" is used in these books simply as the normal word for what we would today call a prostitute. Obviously, it was an inherently insulting term to apply to a woman who was NOT in that trade, but for those who were, it didn't have any particularly insulting connotation; the girls themselves used it as a normal self-designation. No speaker today would use it, even to a woman who is a sex worker, without a deliberate intention to hurt and demean; but in 1811, there generally is no such intention (and usually no such effect).
This is the latest Sarah Tolerance book to date --published in 2011, seven years after the previous one. It isn't clear whether Robins intends to continue the series past this point. If not, there are features to this volume that could make it a satisfactory conclusion to what will then be a trilogy. But if the author does ever intend, in the future, to visit Sarah's London again, I and I'm sure a goodly number of other fans will eagerly come along for the ride!
Read
November 27, 2015I tried my best to portion myself out a chapter a night, but that good resolve only lasted three days, and here I am, nothing accomplished, having read non-stop.
It is such a delight to see Miss Tolerance back! The deft world-building, the subtlety of the alternate universe that delights one familiar with the period, but ought to pass right by someone who just likes the 'feel' of the time. The mystery is as absorbing as the darker side of that elegant world, especially seen through Sarah Tolerance's sapient eye.
There was a special surprise toward the latter portion of the book that added extra pleasure. This one goes with Miss Tolerance's previous two volumes on my reread shelves.
It is such a delight to see Miss Tolerance back! The deft world-building, the subtlety of the alternate universe that delights one familiar with the period, but ought to pass right by someone who just likes the 'feel' of the time. The mystery is as absorbing as the darker side of that elegant world, especially seen through Sarah Tolerance's sapient eye.
There was a special surprise toward the latter portion of the book that added extra pleasure. This one goes with Miss Tolerance's previous two volumes on my reread shelves.
November 2, 2015
Another wonderful Sarah Tollerance book!
Sarah is the same wonderful character from the previous book!
Here we have a situation that involves her direct family (who rejected her) and a young woman who's in a similar situation.
What I enjoy in these books is the way Sarah fronts other people's view of women who lost their "virtue". They're viewed as damaged goods (and it irked me to no end that women were viewed as "goods"... like a sack of potatoes!!!) and rejected.
Here the situation is absolutely horrendous: I don't want to spoil anything so I'll say just that! But I'm sure if you read the book you'll be as horrified as I was!
Here also we have hint of romance: Sir Walter Mandiff is attracted by Sarah and doesn't hide it! Sarah, while at first surprised, starts to look at him with other eyes! I have high hopes for them!
Still this romantic aspect is very, very slight!
I'm looking forward to other books in the series!
Sarah is the same wonderful character from the previous book!
Here we have a situation that involves her direct family (who rejected her) and a young woman who's in a similar situation.
What I enjoy in these books is the way Sarah fronts other people's view of women who lost their "virtue". They're viewed as damaged goods (and it irked me to no end that women were viewed as "goods"... like a sack of potatoes!!!) and rejected.
Here the situation is absolutely horrendous: I don't want to spoil anything so I'll say just that! But I'm sure if you read the book you'll be as horrified as I was!
Here also we have hint of romance: Sir Walter Mandiff is attracted by Sarah and doesn't hide it! Sarah, while at first surprised, starts to look at him with other eyes! I have high hopes for them!
Still this romantic aspect is very, very slight!
I'm looking forward to other books in the series!
June 28, 2017
It's been a long wait for this book, but I was not disappointed. On the contrary, I think this might be the best in the series so far, and I certainly hope there will be more now that Robins has a new publisher for them.
I love that the slightly alternate history allows Robins to make Miss Tolerance's career as an agent of inquiry believable, and her feel for the period and the language is exquisite. This book gives us more of Miss Tolerance's family background, combined with a suspenseful story. Also, I was delighted by the appearance of certain historical characters near the end. I do hope there's to be a fourth adventure!
I love that the slightly alternate history allows Robins to make Miss Tolerance's career as an agent of inquiry believable, and her feel for the period and the language is exquisite. This book gives us more of Miss Tolerance's family background, combined with a suspenseful story. Also, I was delighted by the appearance of certain historical characters near the end. I do hope there's to be a fourth adventure!
January 20, 2018
The Sleeping Partner is the third, and the best so far, in Robins' Sarah Tolerance series. You could also jump in with this book if you felt like it, as it's a fairly self-contained story and past events are briefly recapped at the start.
It's a deliciously detailed and enthralling story of a 'fallen' woman who makes her living as a kind of private detective in a slightly alternate Regency period. The framing of the previous two books in the series sometimes seemed hesitant and like the world didn't entirely gel, but it feels like the author's hit her stride here.
I don't know if there are any plans for Sarah Tolerance #4, but I would very happily read it if there were.
It's a deliciously detailed and enthralling story of a 'fallen' woman who makes her living as a kind of private detective in a slightly alternate Regency period. The framing of the previous two books in the series sometimes seemed hesitant and like the world didn't entirely gel, but it feels like the author's hit her stride here.
I don't know if there are any plans for Sarah Tolerance #4, but I would very happily read it if there were.
March 20, 2021
The wrap-up to this trilogy of alternate history/Regency mysteries and my favorite so far. Beautifully written, gripping story and compelling characters. And I want more! I think this is definitely a character and a setting that would find a bigger audience now and I hope the author decides to return to it.
November 3, 2011
The Sleeping Partner is the third book in Madeleine Robins' Sarah Tolerance mystery series set in an alternate Regency England in which Queen Charlotte rules as Regent (currently). I am a huge fan of this series because I love the way Robins has played so subtly with the Regency to bring attention to gender roles and sexual power in this historical period. I also love the series because Sarah Tolerance is awesome. She is in the perfect position to straddle all levels of society, from the cream of the Ton that comprise her clients all the way to the young boys that work menial jobs sweeping the streets.
In this outing, Sarah Tolerance is hired by a lady whose sister Evadne has gone missing. She's terrified for her sister's well-being though she's also quite frank about the fact that, now that her sister has been missing for several days, her future even if found safe is pretty dire. Sarah, being a Fallen Woman herself, immediately feels for the missing girl and sets out to find her, embroiling herself deep in a sordid family history that involves war profiteering, re-encountering her own lost family and meeting both Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley along the way (hey, it's an alternate history, so it's possible!). And all the while, she's struggling with figuring out her complicated feelings for her good friend Sir Walter Mandiff and trying to determine if her brothel-keeper Aunt Thea is going insane or just being odd.
This book felt much grittier and sophisticated to me than the previous two books in the series. Sarah's London is not the same one inhabited by Georgette Heyer's characters, with glittering balls, lush silk gowns and fluttering fans. Instead, Sarah lives in a very polarized city, where she confronts people from all walks of life, and consequently the city of London is a vivid and fascinating character in this entire series. Add in the fabulous twist of alternate history, and the series really just satisfies on all accounts.
Sarah Tolerance is a strong, intelligent female sleuth. In a genre often populated either by flighty and flirtatious beauties or unrealistically modern-thinking spinsters, Sarah Tolerance stands out as a woman who is secure in who she is and is willing to use her skills within the boundaries that have been detailed for her. She's a great role model for young adult readers, and I am so looking forward to more in this series!
In this outing, Sarah Tolerance is hired by a lady whose sister Evadne has gone missing. She's terrified for her sister's well-being though she's also quite frank about the fact that, now that her sister has been missing for several days, her future even if found safe is pretty dire. Sarah, being a Fallen Woman herself, immediately feels for the missing girl and sets out to find her, embroiling herself deep in a sordid family history that involves war profiteering, re-encountering her own lost family and meeting both Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley along the way (hey, it's an alternate history, so it's possible!). And all the while, she's struggling with figuring out her complicated feelings for her good friend Sir Walter Mandiff and trying to determine if her brothel-keeper Aunt Thea is going insane or just being odd.
This book felt much grittier and sophisticated to me than the previous two books in the series. Sarah's London is not the same one inhabited by Georgette Heyer's characters, with glittering balls, lush silk gowns and fluttering fans. Instead, Sarah lives in a very polarized city, where she confronts people from all walks of life, and consequently the city of London is a vivid and fascinating character in this entire series. Add in the fabulous twist of alternate history, and the series really just satisfies on all accounts.
Sarah Tolerance is a strong, intelligent female sleuth. In a genre often populated either by flighty and flirtatious beauties or unrealistically modern-thinking spinsters, Sarah Tolerance stands out as a woman who is secure in who she is and is willing to use her skills within the boundaries that have been detailed for her. She's a great role model for young adult readers, and I am so looking forward to more in this series!
January 23, 2012
I loved the first two mysteries (set in an alternate Regency London) starring Sarah Tolerance, swordswoman, detective, and "fallen woman." It's been a long wait for the third one, but it was worth it.
At first, I fear I might be disappointed. The story gets off to a slow start, and the sword fights I enjoyed in the first two books are almost absent here.
However, The Sleeping Partner soon becomes unputdownable. What has happened to young, innocent Evadne, who seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth? Why does this case, which Miss Tolerance is investigating with delicacy and secrecy, bring so many attacks on her? Who among Evadne's family will stand up to her father, who writes her off as a disgrace not welcome again in his house?
Especially fascinating is that as Miss Tolerance investigates her most challenging case yet, we see the many terrible effects of the time's misogyny on women's lives and how these effects ripple through families and society as a whole. Several characters grow in response to Evadne's disappearance and her fate, and we see how even in times of hate and intolerance, there are good people willing to stand up for the downtrodden. I won't spoil the surprise of who one of these good people is, but I loved the cameo appearance of a great woman of history.
Meanwhile, Miss Tolerance''s aunt is still suffering effects of the stroke she had in book 2 and has become unpredictable, making life in her bawdy house a strain for all the servants and prostitutes and causing worry all around. Miss Tolerance herself grows as she questions many of her assumptions about the limitations of her life as a fallen woman when she is badly injured and must rely on her friend Sir Walter for help and when the brother she assumed never wanted to see her again is delighted to know she is alive.
I look forward to the next book in the series. I hope it will continue the interesting mysteries of the first three books while including the social commentary and character profiles that make the third book rise above the first two.
At first, I fear I might be disappointed. The story gets off to a slow start, and the sword fights I enjoyed in the first two books are almost absent here.
However, The Sleeping Partner soon becomes unputdownable. What has happened to young, innocent Evadne, who seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth? Why does this case, which Miss Tolerance is investigating with delicacy and secrecy, bring so many attacks on her? Who among Evadne's family will stand up to her father, who writes her off as a disgrace not welcome again in his house?
Especially fascinating is that as Miss Tolerance investigates her most challenging case yet, we see the many terrible effects of the time's misogyny on women's lives and how these effects ripple through families and society as a whole. Several characters grow in response to Evadne's disappearance and her fate, and we see how even in times of hate and intolerance, there are good people willing to stand up for the downtrodden. I won't spoil the surprise of who one of these good people is, but I loved the cameo appearance of a great woman of history.
Meanwhile, Miss Tolerance''s aunt is still suffering effects of the stroke she had in book 2 and has become unpredictable, making life in her bawdy house a strain for all the servants and prostitutes and causing worry all around. Miss Tolerance herself grows as she questions many of her assumptions about the limitations of her life as a fallen woman when she is badly injured and must rely on her friend Sir Walter for help and when the brother she assumed never wanted to see her again is delighted to know she is alive.
I look forward to the next book in the series. I hope it will continue the interesting mysteries of the first three books while including the social commentary and character profiles that make the third book rise above the first two.
May 12, 2013
I love Miss Tolerance, and I love the alternative Regency London in which she lives and works. This may be the best book yet in the series! It's full of derring-do, intelligent deductions, help- and lack thereof- from unexpected quarters, and excellent characterization and dialog in the service of a nicely twisty plot; even though I "called" some of the aspects fairly early on, I did not predict the whole of the schemes laid bare.
There's not much romance in these novels, so Regency fans who like romance may be disappointed. They contain excellent mysteries, though, and a wry and skewed eye to regency culture- one that broadens the scope of understanding beyond that of balls and "coming out".
While Miss Tolerance works to find the missing girl- the task for which she's been hired- various personal aspects of life pop up and need to be dealt with. And that's all I can say without spoilers!
Now, generally "Regency" means a pretty light read. This one isn't. It's maybe regency noir? The ugly underbelly of "polite society" is very much on display.
It is also a good, thick, meaty novel, and well worth the price.
I think one could step into the series here without much lack, although having read the previous 2 volumes will improve one's understanding of the personal aspects of this novel.
Highly recommended. I'll add a trigger warning for sexual violence, albeit not described in detail.
There's not much romance in these novels, so Regency fans who like romance may be disappointed. They contain excellent mysteries, though, and a wry and skewed eye to regency culture- one that broadens the scope of understanding beyond that of balls and "coming out".
While Miss Tolerance works to find the missing girl- the task for which she's been hired- various personal aspects of life pop up and need to be dealt with. And that's all I can say without spoilers!
Now, generally "Regency" means a pretty light read. This one isn't. It's maybe regency noir? The ugly underbelly of "polite society" is very much on display.
It is also a good, thick, meaty novel, and well worth the price.
I think one could step into the series here without much lack, although having read the previous 2 volumes will improve one's understanding of the personal aspects of this novel.
Highly recommended. I'll add a trigger warning for sexual violence, albeit not described in detail.
February 25, 2019
The stakes in The Sleeping Partner are quite a bit higher and more personal than in the previous two books, and the ending quite a bit grimmer. It all ends as well as it can - I very much enjoy Robins's sense of justice - but it's not a particularly happy ending.
I particularly enjoyed the treatment of Miss Tolerance's head injury. Unlike so many detectives, when she gets knocked out, the effects are rather more profound and lasting than if she just took a brief unexpected nap. It's something of a pet peeve of mine, and making it an actual, lasting plot point was so much more satisfying.
I also enjoyed seeing Miss Tolerance's brother, who is not quite the ogre we would have expected from his mention in Point of Honour. And the comparison between her family and her client's gives her a reason to, as they said on TWoP, Take! It! Personally! without it being over-the-top or driving her into out-of-character decisions. And the drama with her aunt's ill-chosen fiance provides another point of comparison - one that I really worried wouldn't end happily. I suspect that plotline, despite being sorted here, will rear its head again in the next book. Which, it appears, I will have to wait for. Dammit.
I particularly enjoyed the treatment of Miss Tolerance's head injury. Unlike so many detectives, when she gets knocked out, the effects are rather more profound and lasting than if she just took a brief unexpected nap. It's something of a pet peeve of mine, and making it an actual, lasting plot point was so much more satisfying.
I also enjoyed seeing Miss Tolerance's brother, who is not quite the ogre we would have expected from his mention in Point of Honour. And the comparison between her family and her client's gives her a reason to, as they said on TWoP, Take! It! Personally! without it being over-the-top or driving her into out-of-character decisions. And the drama with her aunt's ill-chosen fiance provides another point of comparison - one that I really worried wouldn't end happily. I suspect that plotline, despite being sorted here, will rear its head again in the next book. Which, it appears, I will have to wait for. Dammit.
April 15, 2025
Most of this review will be behind spoiler tags. Another interesting and well-plotted mystery, the last, so far, in this series. I am, again, sad not to have further adventures of Miss Tolerance to read, but I see just how much research Robins put into these stories, and I understand why she wouldn't continue them. I was jarred out of the story twice, once when I thought Miss T was a little too slow in putting together the puzzle pieces, but then revealed all suddenly, and another at the end where I had a distracting question about the worldbuilding. Alas, this volume was put out by a different publisher than the previous two. While the previous two books were beautifully designed and edited, this one had a much less appealing interior design, and was rife with annoying typos. There was also an unresolved plotline at the end, which ought to come into play in a sequel... if there were one. As should the street-sweepers (and Miss T is never shown actually dismissing them from their assignment.)
All in all, a very nicely realized, well-connected plot with themes fully integrated.
Content: , rape (discussed, not shown), including of victims who are minors, horrible diseases left untreated for reasons of injustice as well as insufficient technology, chronic disabling conditions caused by injury and disease, murder (of someone attempting to save another person), suicide, parental abuse, violence and life-threatening injuries to main character
All in all, a very nicely realized, well-connected plot with themes fully integrated.
Content: , rape (discussed, not shown), including of victims who are minors, horrible diseases left untreated for reasons of injustice as well as insufficient technology, chronic disabling conditions caused by injury and disease, murder (of someone attempting to save another person), suicide, parental abuse, violence and life-threatening injuries to main character
February 22, 2025
Sarah Tolerance, a Fallen Woman, lives in London under an assumed name to spare her family from embarrassment. Rather than resorting to the usual expediency of prostitution, she has forged a career as an “agent of inquiry” in Regency England—a time when women without the protection of family were almost invariably exploited. Set in the early 1810s (roughly 1810–1813), the series offers a richly atmospheric glimpse into an era where danger and debauchery lurk beneath society’s genteel surface.
Sarah resides in a modest cottage behind her equally fallen aunt’s high-class brothel, and her closest friend happens to be a prostitute. Rest assured, however, that the sexual content is minimal—the narrative’s focus is on mood and setting rather than salacious exploits. There is a brief mention of an incident involving one of the sex workers, and the men who frequent the brothel are depicted as rather forward (though not with Sarah), but these details are only touched upon in passing.
Now, don’t let the gritty depictions of society’s underbelly or the occasional bout of violence put you off—unless you have genuine triggers, of course. The author isn’t indulging in gratuitous shock value; these elements are clearly used to enhance the period atmosphere.
I do feel, however, a twinge of regret that there are so few books in the series—and that the ones available have been published far apart. Still, the three novels on offer are well worth a read. I like how the books have a plausible setting, a well-developed backstory for the main character, and a cast of realistically drawn figures. The writing style is solid (ranging from decent to good), and Sarah emerges as an intelligent, courageous heroine. Yet, I couldn’t help but wish that more of Sarah’s character shone through.
It puzzles me why this series hasn’t taken off. Is it we modern whodunit readers now prefer cute, mindless cosy mysteries to help deal with stressful daily life? Perhaps- I love my light reads but sometimes I want one that is also well written, as this novel undeniably is.
That being said, Sarah could benefit from a touch more femininity and a less relentless display of self-sufficiency. Despite her reliance on the support of her aunt’s brothel staff and her close connection with magistrate Sir Walter Mandiff, their relationship feels a little unbalanced. I was longing for a hint of romance between them, but received only the faintest suggestion—primarily from his side. Sarah’s approach is notably transactional; she is always paying for information and carving her way through society, which is admirable in its own right but leaves one with the feeling that she might afford to relax a little. I would have liked the author to delve deeper into her character, revealing more of her feminine traits and mystique—not merely through exposition, but through her behaviour, dialogue, and inner monologue. *(I know huh, the irony of saying the feminine mystique.)
There are moments when she seems to be trying too hard to assert her independence, to the detriment of a richer character portrayal. Despite these shortcomings, the story is well written, with period-appropriate reflections and a cast that feels genuinely real. Sarah’s internal struggle with her status as a Fallen Woman is a recurring theme; she acknowledges it repeatedly and seems to accept it, though perhaps a little less self-reproach might have been more satisfying. I particularly loved Sir Walter’s character—his tender demeanour offers a reassuring contrast to Sarah’s often solitary defences.
I became quite engaged with Sarah’s character, which made it all the more distressing to see her subjected to repeated attacks. A few more steadfast allies—or even a sidekick—might have alleviated that sense of vulnerability. There is one notable incident in which a young street urchin, enlisted to aid her investigation, appears just in the nick of time during an attack; however, it doesn’t quite compensate for the overall lean towards a darker, almost noir tone. I wasn��t looking for a full-blown cosy mystery, yet I also didn’t want the narrative to plunge too deeply into noir territory.
For a summary of these thoughts, and a better review, I highly recommend reading Sarah Stegall’s review of this book on Goodreads; it brilliantly encapsulates what I felt.
(* Apologies to feminist enthusiasts and admirers of Betty Friedan—I know that mentioning this book dates me! . For those unfamiliar with it, Friedan’s 1963 work, The Feminine Mystique, which I read in college during the 1980s, explored the societal expectation that women’s fulfilment derives from traditional gender roles such as finding a mate, reproducing, and being satisfied by marriage, housework, and child-rearing.)
Sarah resides in a modest cottage behind her equally fallen aunt’s high-class brothel, and her closest friend happens to be a prostitute. Rest assured, however, that the sexual content is minimal—the narrative’s focus is on mood and setting rather than salacious exploits. There is a brief mention of an incident involving one of the sex workers, and the men who frequent the brothel are depicted as rather forward (though not with Sarah), but these details are only touched upon in passing.
Now, don’t let the gritty depictions of society’s underbelly or the occasional bout of violence put you off—unless you have genuine triggers, of course. The author isn’t indulging in gratuitous shock value; these elements are clearly used to enhance the period atmosphere.
I do feel, however, a twinge of regret that there are so few books in the series—and that the ones available have been published far apart. Still, the three novels on offer are well worth a read. I like how the books have a plausible setting, a well-developed backstory for the main character, and a cast of realistically drawn figures. The writing style is solid (ranging from decent to good), and Sarah emerges as an intelligent, courageous heroine. Yet, I couldn’t help but wish that more of Sarah’s character shone through.
It puzzles me why this series hasn’t taken off. Is it we modern whodunit readers now prefer cute, mindless cosy mysteries to help deal with stressful daily life? Perhaps- I love my light reads but sometimes I want one that is also well written, as this novel undeniably is.
That being said, Sarah could benefit from a touch more femininity and a less relentless display of self-sufficiency. Despite her reliance on the support of her aunt’s brothel staff and her close connection with magistrate Sir Walter Mandiff, their relationship feels a little unbalanced. I was longing for a hint of romance between them, but received only the faintest suggestion—primarily from his side. Sarah’s approach is notably transactional; she is always paying for information and carving her way through society, which is admirable in its own right but leaves one with the feeling that she might afford to relax a little. I would have liked the author to delve deeper into her character, revealing more of her feminine traits and mystique—not merely through exposition, but through her behaviour, dialogue, and inner monologue. *(I know huh, the irony of saying the feminine mystique.)
There are moments when she seems to be trying too hard to assert her independence, to the detriment of a richer character portrayal. Despite these shortcomings, the story is well written, with period-appropriate reflections and a cast that feels genuinely real. Sarah’s internal struggle with her status as a Fallen Woman is a recurring theme; she acknowledges it repeatedly and seems to accept it, though perhaps a little less self-reproach might have been more satisfying. I particularly loved Sir Walter’s character—his tender demeanour offers a reassuring contrast to Sarah’s often solitary defences.
I became quite engaged with Sarah’s character, which made it all the more distressing to see her subjected to repeated attacks. A few more steadfast allies—or even a sidekick—might have alleviated that sense of vulnerability. There is one notable incident in which a young street urchin, enlisted to aid her investigation, appears just in the nick of time during an attack; however, it doesn’t quite compensate for the overall lean towards a darker, almost noir tone. I wasn��t looking for a full-blown cosy mystery, yet I also didn’t want the narrative to plunge too deeply into noir territory.
For a summary of these thoughts, and a better review, I highly recommend reading Sarah Stegall’s review of this book on Goodreads; it brilliantly encapsulates what I felt.
(* Apologies to feminist enthusiasts and admirers of Betty Friedan—I know that mentioning this book dates me! . For those unfamiliar with it, Friedan’s 1963 work, The Feminine Mystique, which I read in college during the 1980s, explored the societal expectation that women’s fulfilment derives from traditional gender roles such as finding a mate, reproducing, and being satisfied by marriage, housework, and child-rearing.)
April 12, 2018
I enjoyed this book as well as the two prior books in the series and I'm hoping that there will be a fourth book at some point! My only two complaints (and they are small ones) are that the author keeps referring to the main character as "Miss Tolerance" which gets annoying after a while. I'm not sure if that's because she's "fallen", but it would be nice if she referred to her as "Sarah" once in a while. My other complaint goes to the publisher (and the publishers of other books I have read) - PLEASE hire a proof reader or at the very least, run a spell checker on the text before printing! For example, on page 175 (paragraph 7) the sentence reads "... and her vanity was not immune to an such an appeal." There were numerous other typos and mistakes throughout this book. Many of these are obvious enough that even the Spell Checker in Word or Word Perfect would catch them and I would think that commercial publishers have even more robust Spelling and Grammar checkers.
September 24, 2023
Very good story. The thing that might have improved it would be more defined relationship between
The detective part of this story is very dark and sinister. But very entertaining. Miss Sarah gets into quite a few dangerous actions and saves herself by just a hair of luck but do not get unscratched from them. That makes it look real.
What I liked in this story is how author portraits women as strong characters. Maybe not all of them are independent. And Sarah most definitely says she is Fallen much too often to my liking. But where is counts they show strength of character and determination men are lacking.
The detective part of this story is very dark and sinister. But very entertaining. Miss Sarah gets into quite a few dangerous actions and saves herself by just a hair of luck but do not get unscratched from them. That makes it look real.
What I liked in this story is how author portraits women as strong characters. Maybe not all of them are independent. And Sarah most definitely says she is Fallen much too often to my liking. But where is counts they show strength of character and determination men are lacking.
May 22, 2013
STRONG WARNINGS for those who might be offended by kidnapping and possible rape... These books aren't for the faint-hearted. They portray a very realistic, gritty, dark, grimy, seedy underbelly picture of mankind, society, and especially Regency-age London.
===================
In this book, a Mrs. Brown seeks to engage Miss Tolerance's inquiry agent services to locate her missing 16 year old sister Evie (Evadne). Evie is thought to have eloped, which in this day and age means that she ran off with a man; not every eloped couple ends up in Gretna Greene to be married, so the stain of sexual impropriety from such a rash action always makes its way back to the family. Miss Tolerance should know - at the same age, she eloped with her brother's fencing master, several years her senior. Miss Tolerance and the fencing master never did marry, but they lived together as man and wife until he died. Rather than be forced into whoredom or try to take other employment, Miss Tolerance, as a Fallen Woman (or Fallen), took another last name (Tolerance) to avoid scandal for her family.
Mrs. Brown's story of Evie is confusing; no one has any hint of a man that Evie might have been partial to or who might have seduced her to run away. Because Mrs. B doesn't want to reveal her real name or family name, Sarah has little to go on, and she knows that time is of the essence. She checks all the inns where a couple or a young girl might go to run away, but she has little success.
When Sarah receives a note to meet Mrs. Brown at her family residence (which Sarah has already sussed out), she's surprised to find that the note was written by the Father, who demands that Miss Tolerance stop her search immediately. He tries to bring in Mrs. B's husband to enforce his claims, but both the husband and Sarah receive quite a shock when they recognize one another.
Suddenly, Sarah finds herself more embroiled than ever with this case. And the signs keep pointing her towards the Father, the Eldest Son, and something to do with the military campaign at Walcheren, where the swamp infested with mosquitoes caused many British fighting men to die of or become infected with malaria. Cinchonna bark was the only medicine for malaria in those days, but it was pricey and difficult to come by. Somehow, the bark is part of the puzzle of how and why Evie is missing. Sarah is attacked more than once in her attempt to put the pieces together.
THEN there's her aunt and her aunt's "business" to deal with. Her aunt, a Fallen, is now one of the leading madames in Town. But out of the blue, her aunt has a new suitor, an old beau, who seems to be insinuating himself into her aunt's business - something that no man has ever been allowed to do. The residents of the house, the "girls", the bouncer, the Cook - all want Sarah's help to set things straight. But her aunt won't hear a word against her fiancee; will she care that he's started sampling the wares?
Miss Tolerance's friend, Sir Mandif, a magistrate from the Bow Street Offices comes to her aid and rescue more than once. Sarah is uncomfortable, because she's concerned about his reputation if he's seen with her too much. When she's forced to stay at his home for several days due to a concussion, Sarah realizes that Sir Walter has feelings for her beyond friendship. Can she allow herself to love again? Being Fallen, it's a risky thing for both of them. Sarah's used to taking care of herself and playing by her own rules. Would Sir Walter demand a more usual domestic arrangement, meaning she'd have to give up her cozy home and her job?
====================
A couple of things I don't understand:
1. I don't understand the cover of this book at all. I've no idea who the figure is supposed to be or what he/she is holding in the left hand. I know, it's a small thing, but it's odd to me.
2. I don't quite understand the title of the book. It seems obvious, and I feel like a dunce for not getting it, but... what can I say? Is the "sleeping" meant to imply both the aunt's fiancee and the villain?
This book was very difficult in that it takes forever to get the pieces of the puzzle to start forming a picture. I know that's deliberate on the author's part, and I don't dislike it... exactly. I understand that in the real-world, unlike other books, TV, or movies, clues don't fall into your lap nor do they add up within the first 20 minutes. So I appreciate that the reader is in Sarah's shoes as she's struggling to figure out what and who is behind all of this.
But the reality is just... ghastly. Horrid. Horrible. I truly wanted to murder at least 3 people in this book, and I don't know if I've ever said that before about a book. And yet, there is true family, true familial love and acceptance, and discovery in the best of ways... The author carefully balances the harsh with grace, but in a realistic way. She doesn't overplay her hand. She keeps her characters true to their time, place, and who she's created them to be.
I've suspected a potential love interest in Sir Walter. And I really enjoyed how he and Sarah worked together a bit in this book. It's good for Sarah to see that she's attractive to men not just because she's Fallen and therefore easy prey. No, to see that a man of worth admires her and cares for her - enough to realize that she's simply not ready for anything more than friendship right now. But for that man to also make himself known in a way that doesn't offend or force too much awkwardness that could destroy their friendship now.
I so look forward to the next book... if there is another one. I always wish more more happy endings, but I'm content with the way that the author works this one out.
===================
In this book, a Mrs. Brown seeks to engage Miss Tolerance's inquiry agent services to locate her missing 16 year old sister Evie (Evadne). Evie is thought to have eloped, which in this day and age means that she ran off with a man; not every eloped couple ends up in Gretna Greene to be married, so the stain of sexual impropriety from such a rash action always makes its way back to the family. Miss Tolerance should know - at the same age, she eloped with her brother's fencing master, several years her senior. Miss Tolerance and the fencing master never did marry, but they lived together as man and wife until he died. Rather than be forced into whoredom or try to take other employment, Miss Tolerance, as a Fallen Woman (or Fallen), took another last name (Tolerance) to avoid scandal for her family.
Mrs. Brown's story of Evie is confusing; no one has any hint of a man that Evie might have been partial to or who might have seduced her to run away. Because Mrs. B doesn't want to reveal her real name or family name, Sarah has little to go on, and she knows that time is of the essence. She checks all the inns where a couple or a young girl might go to run away, but she has little success.
When Sarah receives a note to meet Mrs. Brown at her family residence (which Sarah has already sussed out), she's surprised to find that the note was written by the Father, who demands that Miss Tolerance stop her search immediately. He tries to bring in Mrs. B's husband to enforce his claims, but both the husband and Sarah receive quite a shock when they recognize one another.
Suddenly, Sarah finds herself more embroiled than ever with this case. And the signs keep pointing her towards the Father, the Eldest Son, and something to do with the military campaign at Walcheren, where the swamp infested with mosquitoes caused many British fighting men to die of or become infected with malaria. Cinchonna bark was the only medicine for malaria in those days, but it was pricey and difficult to come by. Somehow, the bark is part of the puzzle of how and why Evie is missing. Sarah is attacked more than once in her attempt to put the pieces together.
THEN there's her aunt and her aunt's "business" to deal with. Her aunt, a Fallen, is now one of the leading madames in Town. But out of the blue, her aunt has a new suitor, an old beau, who seems to be insinuating himself into her aunt's business - something that no man has ever been allowed to do. The residents of the house, the "girls", the bouncer, the Cook - all want Sarah's help to set things straight. But her aunt won't hear a word against her fiancee; will she care that he's started sampling the wares?
Miss Tolerance's friend, Sir Mandif, a magistrate from the Bow Street Offices comes to her aid and rescue more than once. Sarah is uncomfortable, because she's concerned about his reputation if he's seen with her too much. When she's forced to stay at his home for several days due to a concussion, Sarah realizes that Sir Walter has feelings for her beyond friendship. Can she allow herself to love again? Being Fallen, it's a risky thing for both of them. Sarah's used to taking care of herself and playing by her own rules. Would Sir Walter demand a more usual domestic arrangement, meaning she'd have to give up her cozy home and her job?
====================
A couple of things I don't understand:
1. I don't understand the cover of this book at all. I've no idea who the figure is supposed to be or what he/she is holding in the left hand. I know, it's a small thing, but it's odd to me.
2. I don't quite understand the title of the book. It seems obvious, and I feel like a dunce for not getting it, but... what can I say? Is the "sleeping" meant to imply both the aunt's fiancee and the villain?
This book was very difficult in that it takes forever to get the pieces of the puzzle to start forming a picture. I know that's deliberate on the author's part, and I don't dislike it... exactly. I understand that in the real-world, unlike other books, TV, or movies, clues don't fall into your lap nor do they add up within the first 20 minutes. So I appreciate that the reader is in Sarah's shoes as she's struggling to figure out what and who is behind all of this.
But the reality is just... ghastly. Horrid. Horrible. I truly wanted to murder at least 3 people in this book, and I don't know if I've ever said that before about a book. And yet, there is true family, true familial love and acceptance, and discovery in the best of ways... The author carefully balances the harsh with grace, but in a realistic way. She doesn't overplay her hand. She keeps her characters true to their time, place, and who she's created them to be.
I've suspected a potential love interest in Sir Walter. And I really enjoyed how he and Sarah worked together a bit in this book. It's good for Sarah to see that she's attractive to men not just because she's Fallen and therefore easy prey. No, to see that a man of worth admires her and cares for her - enough to realize that she's simply not ready for anything more than friendship right now. But for that man to also make himself known in a way that doesn't offend or force too much awkwardness that could destroy their friendship now.
I so look forward to the next book... if there is another one. I always wish more more happy endings, but I'm content with the way that the author works this one out.
April 18, 2020
Decided to go back to 1810 London with Miss Sarah Tolerance--it's far away enough from my present circumstances to hold my attention for more than 10 minutes.
Great plotting. Interesting set-up. And a lot to learn about the value of women in early 19th century, class-bound British society. Robins inserts a lot of her research, but does it rather smoothly (do you know what a spencer is? I didn't). And because I read the first book in the series, it was easy to jump into the story of the Fallen Woman who lives behind a whorehouse (but not just any whorehouse).
Quibbles: Still don't understand the title. And Sarah's Aunt (the madam) makes a sudden, unexplained lurch in character near the end of the book that is jarring. Enh--these are minor things, in an otherwise satisfying read.
Great plotting. Interesting set-up. And a lot to learn about the value of women in early 19th century, class-bound British society. Robins inserts a lot of her research, but does it rather smoothly (do you know what a spencer is? I didn't). And because I read the first book in the series, it was easy to jump into the story of the Fallen Woman who lives behind a whorehouse (but not just any whorehouse).
Quibbles: Still don't understand the title. And Sarah's Aunt (the madam) makes a sudden, unexplained lurch in character near the end of the book that is jarring. Enh--these are minor things, in an otherwise satisfying read.
May 28, 2020
This story is set in London in 1811 and features Sarah Tolerance as the main character. Sarah is a Fallen Woman who works as a private detective. The profession is unusual for a woman in this time period. She is hired to find a girl of 16 who has vanished. It is thought she ran away with her boyfriend except no one knew she had any type of romantic feelings for anyone. The book was a quick easy read.
September 26, 2025
Miss Sarah Tolerance, inquiry agent, is hired by a Mrs. Brown to find her sister. In the course of her investigation, she meets her brother, is attacked several times and almost killed and has to deal with problems at her aunt’s brothal. Then there is her friend, the magistrate, Sir Walter Mandif. Will she be able to find the miss8ng girl?
April 17, 2018
Outstanding!!
What a wonderful book. Well rounded characters, believe story. I would love to have been a part of Sarah Tolerance many wild adventures.
Does anyone know if this will be the last of this fascinating series?
Let me know, email me at
Kathyrandol@gmail.com
What a wonderful book. Well rounded characters, believe story. I would love to have been a part of Sarah Tolerance many wild adventures.
Does anyone know if this will be the last of this fascinating series?
Let me know, email me at
Kathyrandol@gmail.com
April 3, 2023
I loved this trilogy so, so much. It's like the detective stories from film noir meet a slightly alternate history of the Regency period, full of gritty realism and real character development. I was so invested in the characters that I purposefully held back on finishing the last book until I was emotionally ready for the series to be over. (In 2014, the author said she was working on book 4, so there's maybe some hope for another one!) Highly recommended!
May 20, 2017
Miss Tolerance continues to develop and we meet some important characters; this third book explores some social issues in an interesting way.
December 14, 2018
It was kind of interesting but parts were disturbing.
December 28, 2018
A wonderful historical romp with strong woman and great details. You feel you’re living in Regency London.
May 18, 2019
I was glad to read another book in the Miss Tolerance series! Hope Ms. Robin' writes more in the series. I'm hopeful that Sarah will be able to move beyond the fallen status and embrace happiness.
October 5, 2023
Ugh, I just want this series to keep going. I want to bask in the smart & reasonable actions of the MC in the same way the cat rolls around in the sun.
March 6, 2024
This book is a wonderful read. It was an asbolute delight to be back reading another Sarah Tolerance story. I am (not so patiently) waiting for the next book!
March 21, 2017
This book was not as well written as the previous two. Sarah is foolish and incompetent in this one. And if you were hoping for a little romance, forget it. That ship sank with the first book.
November 3, 2011
It's harder to write a Regency novel than some might think, especially if your audience comprises modern female readers. If, on the one hand, a writer sticks religiously to the historic modes and mores of the time she's writing about, she risks alienating the inheritors of two hundred years of feminist struggle. On the other hand, it is very difficult to insert "modern" sensibilities into a heroine from 1810 without making her an anachronism in her own story. Combine this with the tricky business of setting up an alternate history, and any writer might blanch at the challenge. Madeleine Robins triumphs at it, however, especially in this, her third novel set in a slightly different Regency London than that explored by the successors to Georgette Heyer.
Our heroine, Sarah Tolerance, is a Fallen Woman, having eloped in her youth with her fencing instructor. After his death, she resolved not to enter the world of prostitution which Regency society deemed the only fit occupation for a woman with no reputation. With courage and aplomb, she puts her sword and her wits at the service of those members of London society who need discreet inquiries made by someone who knows the world of the ton, a world she now stands outside of, with the outsider's ironic insight. In her third adventure, she is tasked to retrieve a runaway girl, a young lady who apparently ran off much as Sarah herself did, leaving a sputtering and indignant father to denounce her in absentia.
All is not as it seems, however, and this case turns out to be much darker than most Regency romps, even the earlier Sarah Tolerance novels. Sarah Tolerance shines a light into the roach-infested underbelly of London in the Napoleonic Age. Robins guides us through a world of extremes -- of poverty and wealth, corruption and compassion, honor and shame. Her supporting cast continues to round out this rich tapestry: Sarah's aunt, the madam of an upscale brothel, her friend Sir Walter of the Bow Street constabulary, and other characters whose depth lends authenticity and sparkle to the tale.
Robins does not hammer us with the differences between this Regency London and our own. The entire milieu is so richly described, so alive to the reader, that one can nearly smell the stink of the streets or the breeze off the Thames. Such detail draws us in so deeply that even when we spot something different from our own time, it feels natural to this world. Even when we are introduced to a famous feminist who died early in our world, or when we learn that the Regency is held not by the Prince but by another member of the Royal family, our belief in this world holds up.
A man from Sarah's past, trouble brewing with her Aunt Dorothea, and a growing intimacy with a handsome friend keep the focus of the story as much on Miss Tolerance as on the odd mystery she is unraveling; we care as much about what happens to her as we do about what she finds out. As befits a woman of action, there is plenty of fighting, chasing and kicking to be had, as well as demure scenes with gossip, tea and biscuits. Altogether, this third Sarah Tolerance is a return to a delightful world of scandal, intrigue, and mystery, seen through the eyes of a charmingly sardonic and spirited heroine. I hope Ms. Robins is hard at work on the next novel with Sarah Tolerance.
Our heroine, Sarah Tolerance, is a Fallen Woman, having eloped in her youth with her fencing instructor. After his death, she resolved not to enter the world of prostitution which Regency society deemed the only fit occupation for a woman with no reputation. With courage and aplomb, she puts her sword and her wits at the service of those members of London society who need discreet inquiries made by someone who knows the world of the ton, a world she now stands outside of, with the outsider's ironic insight. In her third adventure, she is tasked to retrieve a runaway girl, a young lady who apparently ran off much as Sarah herself did, leaving a sputtering and indignant father to denounce her in absentia.
All is not as it seems, however, and this case turns out to be much darker than most Regency romps, even the earlier Sarah Tolerance novels. Sarah Tolerance shines a light into the roach-infested underbelly of London in the Napoleonic Age. Robins guides us through a world of extremes -- of poverty and wealth, corruption and compassion, honor and shame. Her supporting cast continues to round out this rich tapestry: Sarah's aunt, the madam of an upscale brothel, her friend Sir Walter of the Bow Street constabulary, and other characters whose depth lends authenticity and sparkle to the tale.
Robins does not hammer us with the differences between this Regency London and our own. The entire milieu is so richly described, so alive to the reader, that one can nearly smell the stink of the streets or the breeze off the Thames. Such detail draws us in so deeply that even when we spot something different from our own time, it feels natural to this world. Even when we are introduced to a famous feminist who died early in our world, or when we learn that the Regency is held not by the Prince but by another member of the Royal family, our belief in this world holds up.
A man from Sarah's past, trouble brewing with her Aunt Dorothea, and a growing intimacy with a handsome friend keep the focus of the story as much on Miss Tolerance as on the odd mystery she is unraveling; we care as much about what happens to her as we do about what she finds out. As befits a woman of action, there is plenty of fighting, chasing and kicking to be had, as well as demure scenes with gossip, tea and biscuits. Altogether, this third Sarah Tolerance is a return to a delightful world of scandal, intrigue, and mystery, seen through the eyes of a charmingly sardonic and spirited heroine. I hope Ms. Robins is hard at work on the next novel with Sarah Tolerance.
February 22, 2017
Very well written, beautiful, elegant prose and a strong, honorable, sensible and very human heroine.
Even the descriptions of the foul stink, dark squalor and poverty of the slums of (alternative) Late Geaorgian London are beautifully made.
This installment may not be the best of this series, but is indeed a very good read.
I strongly recommend this series.
Enjoy!
Even the descriptions of the foul stink, dark squalor and poverty of the slums of (alternative) Late Geaorgian London are beautifully made.
This installment may not be the best of this series, but is indeed a very good read.
I strongly recommend this series.
Enjoy!
February 12, 2015
In my opinion, most series of books, particularly paperback series that can run well into double-digits, are made or broken on the strength of the supporting characters rather than the protagonist. The protagonist’s character is usually pretty well established by halfway through the first book; otherwise the reader loses interest because they have no investment. In the later books, it’s everyone else, and the protagonist’s relationship to them, that has to fill up the space that would have been used for describing the protagonist’s character.
There is quite a bit of interaction with secondary characters in this volume, almost to the point where it overwhelms the story of the case. Sarah Tolerance is called on by a wealthy woman to locate her sister, who appears to have eloped much as Ms. Tolerance herself did. The feelings of the family and herself start playing a bigger role, as do the family’s odd dealings with matters related to the war.
The main mystery here gets muddied pretty quickly. It’s difficult to describe without spoiling things, but Ms. Tolerance spends as much time investigating tangent issues as she seems to do investigating the girl’s disappearance. It’s not done badly, but I feel like eventual connections that are made were supposed to be more of a reveal, but so much time had been spent on them that it was hardly a surprise.
As I indicated, a lot more time is spent with secondary characters than was the case in the other books. Ms. Tolerance’s relationship with the magistrate gets a lot of attention, and there is upheaval in her aunt’s brothel that has her interacting with the people there quite a bit. She also employs the use of a number of street “urchins” to assist her, and there is a minor subplot with them for some of the time. The brothel subplot was interesting for much of the book, but I feel the resolution was rather abrupt given all of the lead-up that had taken place.
In all, another good entry in the series, but not one that was so different that there was a lot to remark upon.
There is quite a bit of interaction with secondary characters in this volume, almost to the point where it overwhelms the story of the case. Sarah Tolerance is called on by a wealthy woman to locate her sister, who appears to have eloped much as Ms. Tolerance herself did. The feelings of the family and herself start playing a bigger role, as do the family’s odd dealings with matters related to the war.
The main mystery here gets muddied pretty quickly. It’s difficult to describe without spoiling things, but Ms. Tolerance spends as much time investigating tangent issues as she seems to do investigating the girl’s disappearance. It’s not done badly, but I feel like eventual connections that are made were supposed to be more of a reveal, but so much time had been spent on them that it was hardly a surprise.
As I indicated, a lot more time is spent with secondary characters than was the case in the other books. Ms. Tolerance’s relationship with the magistrate gets a lot of attention, and there is upheaval in her aunt’s brothel that has her interacting with the people there quite a bit. She also employs the use of a number of street “urchins” to assist her, and there is a minor subplot with them for some of the time. The brothel subplot was interesting for much of the book, but I feel the resolution was rather abrupt given all of the lead-up that had taken place.
In all, another good entry in the series, but not one that was so different that there was a lot to remark upon.
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