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A Suspicious Affair
First time in ebook!
After the cold-blooded murder of her odious husband, Marisol Pendenning, a lovely but pregnant young widow, and Lord Kimbrough, the handsome aristocrat who had been the last to see the victim alive, are drawn into the search for a killer.
After the cold-blooded murder of her odious husband, Marisol Pendenning, a lovely but pregnant young widow, and Lord Kimbrough, the handsome aristocrat who had been the last to see the victim alive, are drawn into the search for a killer.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1994
19 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Metzger
103 books200 followersBarbara Metzger is the author of over three dozen books and a dozen novellas. She has also been an editor, a proof-reader, a greeting card verse-writer, and an artist. When not painting, writing romances or reading them, she volunteers at the local library, gardens and goes beach-combing and yard-saling.
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 24, 2016
3.5 stars
This was the most peculiar story I have read by Barbara Metzger. First and foremost, it was a mystery. Marisol Pendenning witnessed her despicable husband in his coach doing the deed with the wife of a neighbor. Shortly thereafter, His Grace was found shot to death.
Their marriage wasn't a love match and though she didn't want to see him dead, she was happy he was gone. Oh, did I mention she was 7 months pregnant? Ms. Metzger's description of Marisol was on par with what happens with a woman in this condition; the rollercoaster emotions, eating habits and physical characteristics felt real.
Dimm, a Bowstreet runner, was sent over to solve the case and bring the murderer to justice. Initially, he trusted no one and got on everyone's last nerve. Including a country gentleman and one of Marisol's other neighbors, Carlinn Kimberly, Earl Kimbrough. 'The Elusive Earl'. Before this, the earl and duchess had not met but they had their own biased opinions of each other.
Kimbrough soon made his grievances known to Her Grace and he muddles it. In fact, every time these two meet, they have words. He yells, she slams the door in his face. He acts bossy, she leaves the room. And on and on for three fourths of the story. In the meantime, both of them played detective and developed an unusual friendship with Dimm.
There was a romance but it didn't take off until later in the book. The flippant language that was spoken by Marisol and Kimbrough was very modern. There were some humorous moments; Dimm's extensive family members earned well-paid jobs with either Marisol or Kimbrough. The mystery was actually pretty good; I guessed who did it but it took me awhile to figure it out. The best way to describe this story: it was a light romance and a quirky who-done-it.
This was the most peculiar story I have read by Barbara Metzger. First and foremost, it was a mystery. Marisol Pendenning witnessed her despicable husband in his coach doing the deed with the wife of a neighbor. Shortly thereafter, His Grace was found shot to death.
Their marriage wasn't a love match and though she didn't want to see him dead, she was happy he was gone. Oh, did I mention she was 7 months pregnant? Ms. Metzger's description of Marisol was on par with what happens with a woman in this condition; the rollercoaster emotions, eating habits and physical characteristics felt real.
Dimm, a Bowstreet runner, was sent over to solve the case and bring the murderer to justice. Initially, he trusted no one and got on everyone's last nerve. Including a country gentleman and one of Marisol's other neighbors, Carlinn Kimberly, Earl Kimbrough. 'The Elusive Earl'. Before this, the earl and duchess had not met but they had their own biased opinions of each other.
Kimbrough soon made his grievances known to Her Grace and he muddles it. In fact, every time these two meet, they have words. He yells, she slams the door in his face. He acts bossy, she leaves the room. And on and on for three fourths of the story. In the meantime, both of them played detective and developed an unusual friendship with Dimm.
There was a romance but it didn't take off until later in the book. The flippant language that was spoken by Marisol and Kimbrough was very modern. There were some humorous moments; Dimm's extensive family members earned well-paid jobs with either Marisol or Kimbrough. The mystery was actually pretty good; I guessed who did it but it took me awhile to figure it out. The best way to describe this story: it was a light romance and a quirky who-done-it.
January 2, 2020
I had great fun with this murder mystery and the very antagonistic pair falling in love with each other while denying it every step of the way.
The narrator was very good with all the voices.
The narrator was very good with all the voices.
June 30, 2017
4.5 Stars
More mystery than romance. Very pregnant duchess heroine finds her husband with his lover only to have him turn up dead right after. Worse and worse, the neighbor (the hero) she’s just met and can’t stand becomes the guardian of her unborn child…should it be a boy. This was hilarious and having the Bowstreet investigator’s POV was awesome…especially since he was trying to empty his house of relatives by finding them positions all along the way. And all of the weird things the heroine did late in her pregnancy and to protect her child were awesome. The only thing I didn’t like was that you didn’t really see a change in the hero’s thinking as much as you should have. The book should have been twenty pages longer fleshing out his inner dialogue to show the romance versus the mystery. Really well written though. And I loved his thoughts at the first glimpse of the baby…and then a few months later.
More mystery than romance. Very pregnant duchess heroine finds her husband with his lover only to have him turn up dead right after. Worse and worse, the neighbor (the hero) she’s just met and can’t stand becomes the guardian of her unborn child…should it be a boy. This was hilarious and having the Bowstreet investigator’s POV was awesome…especially since he was trying to empty his house of relatives by finding them positions all along the way. And all of the weird things the heroine did late in her pregnancy and to protect her child were awesome. The only thing I didn’t like was that you didn’t really see a change in the hero’s thinking as much as you should have. The book should have been twenty pages longer fleshing out his inner dialogue to show the romance versus the mystery. Really well written though. And I loved his thoughts at the first glimpse of the baby…and then a few months later.
August 4, 2017
Chaotic and fun, just the kind of Ms. Metzger's book that I adore 😁😁.
February 17, 2023
I had no idea a Regency romance could be so much fun!
June 9, 2015
Another favourite author for me after Candice Hern and Susan Carroll. A very humorous and light Regency romance with a murder mystery solved by Jeremiah Dimm, a very special detective.
November 8, 2018
She's a bit shrewish, he's terminally rude. The suspicious affair is a bit desultory and disorganized, but in general, a decent read.
November 28, 2018
I liked it. I thought it could be better though. I think the beginning set up the story well, the middle was great, but the concluding story was just alright.
My favourite part was Marisol crying after Kimbrough confronted her. Kimbrough came in all puffed up and outraged, demanding Marisol issue a retraction to the paper. He was worried over scandal because he had a young sister who needed to have a good standing reputation for her debut to society. Meanwhile, Marisol had been dealing with all the stress over her husband's death, specifically, being accused of being the murderer. She is also pregnant and Kimbrough in a high dudgeon was the last straw. She started sobbing and Kimbrough realized he was way over his head, which took the wind out of his angry sails.
Speaking of sails, I think my enjoyment really took a dip at the revelation that the maid was raped. It was all good fun to have Marisol's husband writing very specific situations for his will. The story at that point was lighthearted regency farce. I mean it is apparent that the husband was a bastard but it could be more or less be comedic. However, it took a dark turn real fast when the maid revealed she was raped. I didn't like that at all. I especially didn't like that they were all judging the fate of the two servants as if they had a right to it. Marisol really disappointed me at this point. She was very naive in even suggesting they come forward with the self defence story. I also think she lacked compassion when she was judging the maid for not wanting the baby. Other than this part of the story, Marisol had been great. The last part of the story was really a downer. Prior to that, it was slightly comedic, filled with running gags about the inspector slowly setting up his relatives to better lives, by giving out referrals whenever there was a need for a hand.
The story revolves around Marisol and Kimbrough. They get brought together by her dead husband's will. The husband assigned Kimbrough guardianship over his heir, which Kimbrough would have happily declined if not for the land the husband dangled over his head. The land was Kimbrough's to begin with but the husband rerouted the stream and took it over. Kimbrough had been after the land for a while to save his tenants so he was willing to be the guardian, even if it meant further association with the husband's affairs.
Marisol was heavily pregnant amidst all the turmoil over her husband's death. He was caught in bed with the neighbour, which the rags played up. The angle was Marisol killed her husband after catching him cheating on her. Marisol couldn't have cared less but the people speculated that she was the murderer.
The murderer was no one. He died by accident. The servant was wrestling the gun away from him. The servant was demanding he do right by the maid he raped. The servant, prior to this, had been asking the husband for permission to marry the maid. The husband declined every time. What's more, he decided to rape the maid. Only then did he give permission for the servant to marry the maid, because she was pregnant. When the servant spat in the husband's face, the husband drew a gun. The servant was wrestling the husband to point the gun in another direction when it fired and killed the husband.
The story was a story about the cast of characters all with sufficient motive to murder the husband. The inspector was investigating everybody from the foppish brother, the disgruntled neighbour, and the wronged wife. Each of the characters were introduced well and the story beyond their affiliation with the husband blossomed from there.
Marisol's story was being a protective mother and being vigilant about possible harms. She was paranoid over the murderer being at large and the possibility of her baby being attacked.
Kimbrough's story was taking his duty very seriously. He took over the guardian role and was very hands on. It helped that he was falling for Marisol and she him but it isn't explicitly stated until near the end.
Marisol's brother was a discontented youth who finds his way after Kimbrough gives guidance in the right direction. He turned into a heroic soldier and Kimbrough's sister takes notice.
The inspector solves the murder and does a satisfactory job, enough to get a promotion.
My favourite part was Marisol crying after Kimbrough confronted her. Kimbrough came in all puffed up and outraged, demanding Marisol issue a retraction to the paper. He was worried over scandal because he had a young sister who needed to have a good standing reputation for her debut to society. Meanwhile, Marisol had been dealing with all the stress over her husband's death, specifically, being accused of being the murderer. She is also pregnant and Kimbrough in a high dudgeon was the last straw. She started sobbing and Kimbrough realized he was way over his head, which took the wind out of his angry sails.
Speaking of sails, I think my enjoyment really took a dip at the revelation that the maid was raped. It was all good fun to have Marisol's husband writing very specific situations for his will. The story at that point was lighthearted regency farce. I mean it is apparent that the husband was a bastard but it could be more or less be comedic. However, it took a dark turn real fast when the maid revealed she was raped. I didn't like that at all. I especially didn't like that they were all judging the fate of the two servants as if they had a right to it. Marisol really disappointed me at this point. She was very naive in even suggesting they come forward with the self defence story. I also think she lacked compassion when she was judging the maid for not wanting the baby. Other than this part of the story, Marisol had been great. The last part of the story was really a downer. Prior to that, it was slightly comedic, filled with running gags about the inspector slowly setting up his relatives to better lives, by giving out referrals whenever there was a need for a hand.
The story revolves around Marisol and Kimbrough. They get brought together by her dead husband's will. The husband assigned Kimbrough guardianship over his heir, which Kimbrough would have happily declined if not for the land the husband dangled over his head. The land was Kimbrough's to begin with but the husband rerouted the stream and took it over. Kimbrough had been after the land for a while to save his tenants so he was willing to be the guardian, even if it meant further association with the husband's affairs.
Marisol was heavily pregnant amidst all the turmoil over her husband's death. He was caught in bed with the neighbour, which the rags played up. The angle was Marisol killed her husband after catching him cheating on her. Marisol couldn't have cared less but the people speculated that she was the murderer.
The murderer was no one. He died by accident. The servant was wrestling the gun away from him. The servant was demanding he do right by the maid he raped. The servant, prior to this, had been asking the husband for permission to marry the maid. The husband declined every time. What's more, he decided to rape the maid. Only then did he give permission for the servant to marry the maid, because she was pregnant. When the servant spat in the husband's face, the husband drew a gun. The servant was wrestling the husband to point the gun in another direction when it fired and killed the husband.
The story was a story about the cast of characters all with sufficient motive to murder the husband. The inspector was investigating everybody from the foppish brother, the disgruntled neighbour, and the wronged wife. Each of the characters were introduced well and the story beyond their affiliation with the husband blossomed from there.
Marisol's story was being a protective mother and being vigilant about possible harms. She was paranoid over the murderer being at large and the possibility of her baby being attacked.
Kimbrough's story was taking his duty very seriously. He took over the guardian role and was very hands on. It helped that he was falling for Marisol and she him but it isn't explicitly stated until near the end.
Marisol's brother was a discontented youth who finds his way after Kimbrough gives guidance in the right direction. He turned into a heroic soldier and Kimbrough's sister takes notice.
The inspector solves the murder and does a satisfactory job, enough to get a promotion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2014
Marisol is a new and pregnant widow. Her husband the Duke was murdered right outside their house. He had been in their carriage having intimate relations with the next door neighbor.
Carlinn is an earl who had a loud public argument with the late Duke over land the Duke had stolen from him.
Marisol and Carlinn are two of the prime suspects, but anyone could have done it. In fact, it appears that the man was such a terrible person, most of London would have gladly murdered him. But no one is coming forward to admit their guilt.
Barbara Metzger books are always fun to read and generally they are filled with humor. This one is no exception.
Marisol and Carlinn argue at the top of their lungs. They are both witty and quick to express their disagreement. And underneath it all, there is a strong attraction. She has vowed that once the baby is born, she will never again allow a man to run her life. He wants a wife and she will be a nice well behaved young woman who follows instructions and knows her place.
The secondary characters are each treasures. Jeremiah Dimm is the Bow Street Runner in charge of investigating the murder. He is a wise and down to earth man who is out of his element dealing with the nobility. But, his common sense and sense of humor are just what the suspects find very interesting.
There are family members under suspicion, there are servants who knew what a brute the late Duke was to his wife, but were helpless to do anything to protect her.
The scandal and the publicity and the rumors have made nearly everyone associated with the late Duke a suspect and Marisol is the candidate voted most likely to hang for the murder.
This is a well developed plot and the characterizations are entertaining and help move the plot to conclusion.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance. This one has romance, humor and mystery.
I received this book from the publishers, Untreed Reads with the only request that if I write a review, it be fair and honest. The opinions are my own.
Carlinn is an earl who had a loud public argument with the late Duke over land the Duke had stolen from him.
Marisol and Carlinn are two of the prime suspects, but anyone could have done it. In fact, it appears that the man was such a terrible person, most of London would have gladly murdered him. But no one is coming forward to admit their guilt.
Barbara Metzger books are always fun to read and generally they are filled with humor. This one is no exception.
Marisol and Carlinn argue at the top of their lungs. They are both witty and quick to express their disagreement. And underneath it all, there is a strong attraction. She has vowed that once the baby is born, she will never again allow a man to run her life. He wants a wife and she will be a nice well behaved young woman who follows instructions and knows her place.
The secondary characters are each treasures. Jeremiah Dimm is the Bow Street Runner in charge of investigating the murder. He is a wise and down to earth man who is out of his element dealing with the nobility. But, his common sense and sense of humor are just what the suspects find very interesting.
There are family members under suspicion, there are servants who knew what a brute the late Duke was to his wife, but were helpless to do anything to protect her.
The scandal and the publicity and the rumors have made nearly everyone associated with the late Duke a suspect and Marisol is the candidate voted most likely to hang for the murder.
This is a well developed plot and the characterizations are entertaining and help move the plot to conclusion.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance. This one has romance, humor and mystery.
I received this book from the publishers, Untreed Reads with the only request that if I write a review, it be fair and honest. The opinions are my own.
June 28, 2010
This was a slight change from Metzger's usual (successful) regency romance formula, with the addition of a murder mystery that continued throughout the book with no clear villain, and the marvellous extended Dimm family helping their Bow Street Runner patriarch solve various mysteries, and being found jobs in the Kimberley and Pendenning households along the way. Great fun.
July 7, 2014
Delightful!!! Love finds a way despite the many obstacles along the way.
March 11, 2021
As the distance between me and my teen years grows, my love affair with romance novels seems to be fading. Or maybe I've just starting to notice the problematic elements in romance novels and the entrenched misogyny that's soured me on the genre. I've fallen out of love with some of the authors I used to adore once upon a time. Barbara Metzger, however, is not one of them. I still love her books as much as I did when I discovered them first. Perhaps it's something to do with how she writes her heroines. They can all be described in one word: Classy. I love how every single one of Metzger's heroines is a level-headed, reasonable creature with a thinking head on her shoulders. Of course, they do suffer a momentary lapse of judgement when they go bonkers and do something entirely out of character, but then that's how romance novels work. Stupid, silly decisions are the grist to the mill of romance novels. So I can forgive Metzger for that.
Coming to this book, I think this is unlike any of Metzger's earlier books. Unlike her usual romances, this is a light-weight mystery with a slow-burn romance thrown in, and now I'm eager to find out if she's written any more romantic mysteries.
The story begins with the death of Lord What's his face, a despicable guy hated by all, who gets killed right outside his house. Since his wife, Marison, had caught him cheating on her just moments before and they had a huge argument, the suspicion lands on Marisol. In spite of the town gossip and the investigation zeroing in on her as the culprit, Marison is fearless and keeps her head high. I like that about her. Lord Kimbrough, the male protagonist, though high-handed and overbearing, was also tolerable. The romance was slow burn and was a long time in the coming, but I'm not complaining. I am a sucker for slow-burn romances.
Overall, a great, enjoyable read. I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking for a light book with a subtle humor and zesty dialogues.
Coming to this book, I think this is unlike any of Metzger's earlier books. Unlike her usual romances, this is a light-weight mystery with a slow-burn romance thrown in, and now I'm eager to find out if she's written any more romantic mysteries.
The story begins with the death of Lord What's his face, a despicable guy hated by all, who gets killed right outside his house. Since his wife, Marison, had caught him cheating on her just moments before and they had a huge argument, the suspicion lands on Marisol. In spite of the town gossip and the investigation zeroing in on her as the culprit, Marison is fearless and keeps her head high. I like that about her. Lord Kimbrough, the male protagonist, though high-handed and overbearing, was also tolerable. The romance was slow burn and was a long time in the coming, but I'm not complaining. I am a sucker for slow-burn romances.
Overall, a great, enjoyable read. I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking for a light book with a subtle humor and zesty dialogues.
August 27, 2021
Fun to see Mr. Comm again
It might not be "again" for some who read this before Snowdrops and Scandalbroth, as I have no idea which book came out first. (I suspect this one, as in Snowdrops he seems to be coming out of retirement.) I was confused that in this book his dead wife was Cherry, and his sister Cora, and in the other Cora was his wife. I suppose it's not important. I have often hoped that there would be some crossing over of characters, (it was fun in the True Love trilogy). But if all Metzger characters shared the same world, how could a Season work with so many Diamonds and Originals at Almacks at the same time? The House of Lords would be made up entirely of gorgeous young men, and that would strain credibility.
It might not be "again" for some who read this before Snowdrops and Scandalbroth, as I have no idea which book came out first. (I suspect this one, as in Snowdrops he seems to be coming out of retirement.) I was confused that in this book his dead wife was Cherry, and his sister Cora, and in the other Cora was his wife. I suppose it's not important. I have often hoped that there would be some crossing over of characters, (it was fun in the True Love trilogy). But if all Metzger characters shared the same world, how could a Season work with so many Diamonds and Originals at Almacks at the same time? The House of Lords would be made up entirely of gorgeous young men, and that would strain credibility.
September 19, 2020
A solid story and with a different slant. I enjoyed how the Bow Street Runner, Dim, had a point of view. He was like a fairy godmother and was setting up people all around. The romance was a slow burn and well done. I really enjoyed the book and will definitely be trying some of her other books.
November 13, 2025
I can find Ms Metzger's books hit or miss but this one was a genuine hit for me. I could see some fleshing out of a couple things, like the detective and the epilogue, but overall, the mystery was well done. The romance was a bit weaker and could have been strengthened, but the prose and humor made up for it.
December 31, 2018
Great Book
I just discovered again this author. Excellent characters, great mystery plot and sweet romance with a two strong minded main characters. Fix yourself a cup of tea, put up your feet and enjoy!
I just discovered again this author. Excellent characters, great mystery plot and sweet romance with a two strong minded main characters. Fix yourself a cup of tea, put up your feet and enjoy!
May 28, 2020
Who was that Girl?
Another book cover which bears no resemblance to the story where the heroine is described about 20 times as a blue eyed blonde.
That aside this isn't a typical Metzger. More mystery. Less humor. Still good. A little different style.
Another book cover which bears no resemblance to the story where the heroine is described about 20 times as a blue eyed blonde.
That aside this isn't a typical Metzger. More mystery. Less humor. Still good. A little different style.
April 6, 2021
A bit of comedy, a bit of murder mystery and a bit of romance, with a large dose of Metzger's humor and funny characters.
Not bad, but I don't particularly like very small children and everyone in vicinity fussing over them, so that was a bit of a turn-off in otherwise nice story.
Strong 3 stars.
Not bad, but I don't particularly like very small children and everyone in vicinity fussing over them, so that was a bit of a turn-off in otherwise nice story.
Strong 3 stars.
February 20, 2023
This was adorable. Our two protagonists are hot-headed and proud and it was amusing to see them both argue with each other over each new struggle and conflict until they came together at the end. Classic Metzger at her best.
October 25, 2018
A.........
A darling story with great characters and amusing dialogue. Of course, I have read only Metzger for the past two months and my mind is mush.
A darling story with great characters and amusing dialogue. Of course, I have read only Metzger for the past two months and my mind is mush.
July 16, 2020
Different from bm's other books. This story lacked the humor from her other books. Still it was nice read.
February 27, 2022
Nothing extraordinary about this book. It's just well written, credible, and a lot of fun. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
May 4, 2022
Great Mystery
This book was a fantastic read! This book is so good! I have read this book several times. The mystery and love interests were great!
This book was a fantastic read! This book is so good! I have read this book several times. The mystery and love interests were great!
September 24, 2022
Fun mystery and romance
Loved this story! The characters are interesting, the dialogue is witty and the mystery is such fun. Great romance too.
Loved this story! The characters are interesting, the dialogue is witty and the mystery is such fun. Great romance too.
August 10, 2016
DNF. It was good... and then it wasn't. At first I was totally hooked. A bow street runner narrator. Cool! Unheard of! And he's actually funny! The great thing is he's not just an introductory material; he actually sets things in motion and appears throughout the story. How he planted his various relatives at Berkshire was hilarious. And that Boynton guy was interesting, all the flowery talks that got me laughing. There were some other good points but I forgot because..
the story moves onto Marisol and Carlinn. Carlinn is okay. He's the ex-soldier-gentleman-farmer type. You know what that means in the genre. He's the rough gem of the countryside, a down to earth sort of a man and an honest worker. Of course he's well muscled and ruggedly handsome. Well not exactly an original as Dimm had claimed(in regency england there must have been hundreds of titles all vacant for handsome war heroes), but he's a nice sort of guy. So I kind of liked him.
Then came Marisol. And that's where I began feeling a little unsatisfactory. So we get an abuse survivor. Great. And she's also a diamond of the first water. huh. And she's also haughty and friendly at the same time, regal but down to earth. Dignified but might binge a little due to pregnancy, how cute. got a great self esteem and doesn't give a damn about gossipers but is real devoted to everyone around her. Real sophisticated but loves countryside. she wants to build schools for village kids (seriously what's it with Metzger heroines and the compulsory school buildings?) yawn. YEAH I GET THAT SHE'S PERFECT AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GOOD AND HOLY AND WHATEVER.
And to make her even more perfect, the other girl has to be ruthlessly slammed and shamed. She is of course, a snob. She's heartless(she doesn't like animals and babies! collective gasps!), she's petty and narrow minded, she's.. everything bad.
By the time the other girl by the name of Evelina was chatting with the dowager, I hated Marisol. I was slightly annoyed when she was being hysteric about her son. But she's a mother. That can't be helped. She grew up watching dissolute gentlmen, so if she wants to accuse everyone of being a potential murderer and awakes everyone at night for bloody nothing, we can understand that.
However what I can't take is that she's to be grossly idolized. There're only so many ewww and ugh faces I can make before I'll rip Marisol out of the page and destroy the book... so I didn't finish. Damn. The murder mystery was actually decent (no obvious villain here so you don't have to endure transparent mystery devised only to get H/h together) so I was curious how it ends..
the story moves onto Marisol and Carlinn. Carlinn is okay. He's the ex-soldier-gentleman-farmer type. You know what that means in the genre. He's the rough gem of the countryside, a down to earth sort of a man and an honest worker. Of course he's well muscled and ruggedly handsome. Well not exactly an original as Dimm had claimed(in regency england there must have been hundreds of titles all vacant for handsome war heroes), but he's a nice sort of guy. So I kind of liked him.
Then came Marisol. And that's where I began feeling a little unsatisfactory. So we get an abuse survivor. Great. And she's also a diamond of the first water. huh. And she's also haughty and friendly at the same time, regal but down to earth. Dignified but might binge a little due to pregnancy, how cute. got a great self esteem and doesn't give a damn about gossipers but is real devoted to everyone around her. Real sophisticated but loves countryside. she wants to build schools for village kids (seriously what's it with Metzger heroines and the compulsory school buildings?) yawn. YEAH I GET THAT SHE'S PERFECT AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GOOD AND HOLY AND WHATEVER.
And to make her even more perfect, the other girl has to be ruthlessly slammed and shamed. She is of course, a snob. She's heartless(she doesn't like animals and babies! collective gasps!), she's petty and narrow minded, she's.. everything bad.
By the time the other girl by the name of Evelina was chatting with the dowager, I hated Marisol. I was slightly annoyed when she was being hysteric about her son. But she's a mother. That can't be helped. She grew up watching dissolute gentlmen, so if she wants to accuse everyone of being a potential murderer and awakes everyone at night for bloody nothing, we can understand that.
However what I can't take is that she's to be grossly idolized. There're only so many ewww and ugh faces I can make before I'll rip Marisol out of the page and destroy the book... so I didn't finish. Damn. The murder mystery was actually decent (no obvious villain here so you don't have to endure transparent mystery devised only to get H/h together) so I was curious how it ends..
September 25, 2009
Regency
May 1, 2012
I really enjoyed this one. :)
July 31, 2012
Dimm was my favorite character.
December 11, 2013
Humor, clean romance, mystery, even a three-legged dog...all in one delightful package!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews