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Escapade
Charlotte Comyn, the 17-year-old heir to a banking fortune, rejects the marriage proposal of childhood friend John Thornton and runs away to London. There, Charlotte meets Beth Prior, friend of her mother, actress, and member of the demi-monde. Beth sees Charlotte as the perfect cover for her role as a spy, and the two set off for Palermo, Sicily. In Sicily, the two become embroiled in political intrigue, and Beth begins to question her involvement in British politics.
Charlotte and Beth find adventure and romance in Palermo amid the glittering stage lights and hidden agendas of the aristocracy.
Charlotte and Beth find adventure and romance in Palermo amid the glittering stage lights and hidden agendas of the aristocracy.
Hardcover
First published June 17, 1993
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91 people want to read
About the author
Jane Aiken Hodge
55 books82 followersJane Aiken Hodge was born in the USA, brought up in the UK and read English at Oxford. She received a master's degree from Radcliffe College, Harvard University.
Before her books became her living she worked as a civil servant, journalist, publishers' reader and a reviewer.
She has written lives of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer as well as a book about women in the Regency period, PASSION AND PRINCIPLE. But her main output has been over twenty historical novels set in the eighteenth century, including POLONAISE, THE LOST GARDEN, and SAVANNAH PURCHASE, the beloved third volume of a trilogy set during and after the American War of Independence. More recently she has written novels for Severn House Publishers.
She enjoys the borderland between mystery and novel, is pleased to be classed as a feminist writer, and is glad that there is neither a glass ceiling nor a retiring age in the writers' world. She was the daughter of Conrad Aiken and sister of Joan Aiken.
Before her books became her living she worked as a civil servant, journalist, publishers' reader and a reviewer.
She has written lives of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer as well as a book about women in the Regency period, PASSION AND PRINCIPLE. But her main output has been over twenty historical novels set in the eighteenth century, including POLONAISE, THE LOST GARDEN, and SAVANNAH PURCHASE, the beloved third volume of a trilogy set during and after the American War of Independence. More recently she has written novels for Severn House Publishers.
She enjoys the borderland between mystery and novel, is pleased to be classed as a feminist writer, and is glad that there is neither a glass ceiling nor a retiring age in the writers' world. She was the daughter of Conrad Aiken and sister of Joan Aiken.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 3, 2016
This was the first book I read by this author, and I’m on the hedge. I might try her again, or I might not. The story in this book is a light-hearted regency suspense. There is a romantic line there too, but it’s so faint as to be almost invisible.
The plot follows two young women from England to Sicily during the year 1811. Napoleonic wars are raging in Europe. The island of Sicily is England’s uneasy ally on the Mediterranean. The tempers are explosive. The various political factions jokey for power, and the intrigues sweep everyone in their often-bloody tangles. Into this boiling cauldron come Beth and Charlotte.
Beth is a London actress. Her reputation is in shreds, and her financial situation not much better. When her on-and-off lover offers her a position of a lead singer at a theatre in Palermo, the Sicilian capital, with the codicil she would spy on the Sicilians for him, she agrees. She has no better offer.
Charlotte is a teenage girl, an heir to a British bank. Full of teenage angst, she runs away from home and begs Beth, her mother’s former friend, to take her in. Beth, seeing that Charlotte is in a bad way (in her emotional turmoil, the girl has stopped eating) agrees to take her to Sicily. Perhaps, a trip to a foreign land would help Charlotte recover her equilibrium. Neither of them knows what is really happening on Sicily, and both of them become pawns in the dangerous games played by several conflicting parties.
The story is engaging, and it reads like a thriller. The world of Sicily is exotic and mysterious. Unfortunately, the characters in this story fall flat. Even though I liked Beth, I couldn’t really envision her. Neither could I see Charlotte. They both were painted paper dolls the author moved around in her book. Furthermore, several pivotal events in the tale were not on the pages, just hinted at by the author.
Overall – I’m not much impressed, even though the writer’s imagination in crafting an original plot is considerable.
The plot follows two young women from England to Sicily during the year 1811. Napoleonic wars are raging in Europe. The island of Sicily is England’s uneasy ally on the Mediterranean. The tempers are explosive. The various political factions jokey for power, and the intrigues sweep everyone in their often-bloody tangles. Into this boiling cauldron come Beth and Charlotte.
Beth is a London actress. Her reputation is in shreds, and her financial situation not much better. When her on-and-off lover offers her a position of a lead singer at a theatre in Palermo, the Sicilian capital, with the codicil she would spy on the Sicilians for him, she agrees. She has no better offer.
Charlotte is a teenage girl, an heir to a British bank. Full of teenage angst, she runs away from home and begs Beth, her mother’s former friend, to take her in. Beth, seeing that Charlotte is in a bad way (in her emotional turmoil, the girl has stopped eating) agrees to take her to Sicily. Perhaps, a trip to a foreign land would help Charlotte recover her equilibrium. Neither of them knows what is really happening on Sicily, and both of them become pawns in the dangerous games played by several conflicting parties.
The story is engaging, and it reads like a thriller. The world of Sicily is exotic and mysterious. Unfortunately, the characters in this story fall flat. Even though I liked Beth, I couldn’t really envision her. Neither could I see Charlotte. They both were painted paper dolls the author moved around in her book. Furthermore, several pivotal events in the tale were not on the pages, just hinted at by the author.
Overall – I’m not much impressed, even though the writer’s imagination in crafting an original plot is considerable.
March 15, 2012
Years ago my friend Sarah and I read our way through the Fairfax County Library collection of the books by the Aiken girls, Joan Aiken and Jane Aiken Hodge. They are the daughters of Conrad Aiken and they inherited some of his way with words. These are not second-rate novles but Top of the Trees.
Jane Aiken Hodge writes mostly Regency Romances and after my delightful excursion with Georgette Heyer and spotting this slim volume in the library,I picked it up in hopes of maintaining the warm Regency feeling. And it does, but this story is more than dashing-lord-and-shy-girl-who-tames-him.
Our seventeen-year-old heroine, Charlotte Comyn is the daughter of her mother's first marriage and the heir of a bank of Hull. She is unhappy and has been sent to the family estate to recover from undiagnosed ailment that results in frequent vomiting. I mention that because it's an important plot point, believe it or not. Her childhood friend, John Thornton, arrives and proposes expecting to be accepted. His parents and hers have approved of the marriage. Charlotte says no and that night, borrowing her brother's clothes, runs off to London to a former friend of her mother, Beth Prior, an actress and singer.
It's about 1810 and the man Prior loves, Garreth Forde, has just asked her to go to Sicily to spy for the British government. At the moment Napoleon is ascendent and has replaced the king and queen of Naples with his brother, Murat. Maria Carolina, daughter of Maria Theresa, sister of Marie Antoinette, who does not take kindly to being deposed, is allied with the British and is living in Sicily and plotting to regain her throne. Sicily at the moment is a hotbed of alliances and treachery and spies. An exciting if dangerous place to be.
Beth takes Charlotte with her under another name, to Palermo and they join the ton. Charlotte finds herself courted by a German exile, an American purportedly interested only in antiquities, and Beth's friend, Forde. Then John Thornton arrives from England and things pick up as Beth and Charlotte plan to join two Sicilian friends on a trip to the interior of the island, a bandit-plagued area requiring an excursion to hire . . . bandits, to protect them from the other bandits. All of Charlotte's beaux decide to go along to protect her.
And on it goes. Delightful local color, many historical references, lots of Regency slang, amusing characters, and a whiz bang plot. Not Georgette Heyer, but first-rate nonetheless.
2012 No 44
Jane Aiken Hodge writes mostly Regency Romances and after my delightful excursion with Georgette Heyer and spotting this slim volume in the library,I picked it up in hopes of maintaining the warm Regency feeling. And it does, but this story is more than dashing-lord-and-shy-girl-who-tames-him.
Our seventeen-year-old heroine, Charlotte Comyn is the daughter of her mother's first marriage and the heir of a bank of Hull. She is unhappy and has been sent to the family estate to recover from undiagnosed ailment that results in frequent vomiting. I mention that because it's an important plot point, believe it or not. Her childhood friend, John Thornton, arrives and proposes expecting to be accepted. His parents and hers have approved of the marriage. Charlotte says no and that night, borrowing her brother's clothes, runs off to London to a former friend of her mother, Beth Prior, an actress and singer.
It's about 1810 and the man Prior loves, Garreth Forde, has just asked her to go to Sicily to spy for the British government. At the moment Napoleon is ascendent and has replaced the king and queen of Naples with his brother, Murat. Maria Carolina, daughter of Maria Theresa, sister of Marie Antoinette, who does not take kindly to being deposed, is allied with the British and is living in Sicily and plotting to regain her throne. Sicily at the moment is a hotbed of alliances and treachery and spies. An exciting if dangerous place to be.
Beth takes Charlotte with her under another name, to Palermo and they join the ton. Charlotte finds herself courted by a German exile, an American purportedly interested only in antiquities, and Beth's friend, Forde. Then John Thornton arrives from England and things pick up as Beth and Charlotte plan to join two Sicilian friends on a trip to the interior of the island, a bandit-plagued area requiring an excursion to hire . . . bandits, to protect them from the other bandits. All of Charlotte's beaux decide to go along to protect her.
And on it goes. Delightful local color, many historical references, lots of Regency slang, amusing characters, and a whiz bang plot. Not Georgette Heyer, but first-rate nonetheless.
2012 No 44
November 6, 2019
Beautifully written tale of young, misunderstood and troubled Charlotte Comlyn, who wants to escape her life for a while so disguises herself as a boy and runs away to her mothers estranged friend Beth Prior.
Charlotte is heir to a banking empire and large fortune, and she feels very misunderstood by her mother and stepfather. She refuses a proposal from her childhood friend John Thornton, as she believes he is proposing from expediency, and to ally their families. Beth Prior was her mother’s maid, and she has become a well known actress, with a slightly scandalous reputation. She is involved with an aristocrat, Gareth Forde, and it is 1811, and Europe is bang in the middle of the Napoleonic wars. Beth needs to earn her living, and so she agrees to travel to Sicily and act in the theatre there, in return for spying on the Sicilians for the British government. Queen Maria Carolina has been deposed from the throne of Naples by Napoleon, and is exiled to Palermo, where she exists in a very uneasy and fraught truce with the British. Beth and Charlotte are thrown into a city bulging with intrigue, danger and excitement, and a succession on men, including Nathan Peabody, and American businessman, Gareth Forde, a dashing and impoverished German tutor for 17 year old Charlotte, the rejected suitor John Thornton, and a host of other shady characters. Beth is trying to negotiate the dangerous social waters of the aristocracy in Palermo, and the politics of the deposed queen and the British Consul, as well as ensuring she works and gets paid. She is hoping to secure a commitment from Gareth, however things don’t go quite to plan.
Can Beth fulfil her obligations to the British government, hang on to her reputation, and stay solvent, can Charlotte avoid being entrapped into marriage for her fortune, and will both women find love and happiness.
The sense of menace and suspense in this book was really well done, I also really enjoyed the way that we were kept guessing until the very end as to who the heroes were going to be. Charlotte was a very independent and resourceful girl, who despite her vulnerabilities, and extreme youth, matured and developed well throughput the book. They way that she was written felt very believable, as a teen, she did have a tendency to be a bit self absorbed, and also to be a bit rash, which helped the plot along. Beth was a real revelation as a character, proactive, determined, kind and pragmatic, she negotiates her way through the minefield of Sicilian and British society with great delicacy and tact.
Recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book via Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
Charlotte is heir to a banking empire and large fortune, and she feels very misunderstood by her mother and stepfather. She refuses a proposal from her childhood friend John Thornton, as she believes he is proposing from expediency, and to ally their families. Beth Prior was her mother’s maid, and she has become a well known actress, with a slightly scandalous reputation. She is involved with an aristocrat, Gareth Forde, and it is 1811, and Europe is bang in the middle of the Napoleonic wars. Beth needs to earn her living, and so she agrees to travel to Sicily and act in the theatre there, in return for spying on the Sicilians for the British government. Queen Maria Carolina has been deposed from the throne of Naples by Napoleon, and is exiled to Palermo, where she exists in a very uneasy and fraught truce with the British. Beth and Charlotte are thrown into a city bulging with intrigue, danger and excitement, and a succession on men, including Nathan Peabody, and American businessman, Gareth Forde, a dashing and impoverished German tutor for 17 year old Charlotte, the rejected suitor John Thornton, and a host of other shady characters. Beth is trying to negotiate the dangerous social waters of the aristocracy in Palermo, and the politics of the deposed queen and the British Consul, as well as ensuring she works and gets paid. She is hoping to secure a commitment from Gareth, however things don’t go quite to plan.
Can Beth fulfil her obligations to the British government, hang on to her reputation, and stay solvent, can Charlotte avoid being entrapped into marriage for her fortune, and will both women find love and happiness.
The sense of menace and suspense in this book was really well done, I also really enjoyed the way that we were kept guessing until the very end as to who the heroes were going to be. Charlotte was a very independent and resourceful girl, who despite her vulnerabilities, and extreme youth, matured and developed well throughput the book. They way that she was written felt very believable, as a teen, she did have a tendency to be a bit self absorbed, and also to be a bit rash, which helped the plot along. Beth was a real revelation as a character, proactive, determined, kind and pragmatic, she negotiates her way through the minefield of Sicilian and British society with great delicacy and tact.
Recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book via Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
August 26, 2019
"Escapade" is an unusual romance that while technically Regency and featuring several British characters, takes place in Sicily.
Charlotte Comyn, a 17-year-old, sad and apparently anorexic, flees her family and her mother's former friend Beth Prior takes her in. They travel to Sicily, which surprised me that Charlotte's mother allowed it, as Beth is an actress and a demimondaine.
What follows is an interesting tale of multiple suitors, court intrigue, villains, and even kidnapping. The perspective of the native Sicilians in how they regard the English is interesting. Learning about actual historical characters is educational, and not in a boring way. I found myself reading more about the period online.
This is both a coming-of-age story for Charlotte and a character-improving one for Beth. There is, however, a particular idiotic action by Charlotte around the 70% mark. After all, she is 17, and she does acquit herself.
There are a few references to sex but the novel is clean. The prose is a delight. I've read just a few of this author's novels. This one, and "Runaway Bride", are my favorite ones so far. IMO, both characters end up with the right men.
Charlotte Comyn, a 17-year-old, sad and apparently anorexic, flees her family and her mother's former friend Beth Prior takes her in. They travel to Sicily, which surprised me that Charlotte's mother allowed it, as Beth is an actress and a demimondaine.
What follows is an interesting tale of multiple suitors, court intrigue, villains, and even kidnapping. The perspective of the native Sicilians in how they regard the English is interesting. Learning about actual historical characters is educational, and not in a boring way. I found myself reading more about the period online.
This is both a coming-of-age story for Charlotte and a character-improving one for Beth. There is, however, a particular idiotic action by Charlotte around the 70% mark. After all, she is 17, and she does acquit herself.
There are a few references to sex but the novel is clean. The prose is a delight. I've read just a few of this author's novels. This one, and "Runaway Bride", are my favorite ones so far. IMO, both characters end up with the right men.
September 15, 2019
Following a series of misunderstandings Charlotte Comlyn, heiress to one of the most successful banks runs away to her mother's friend in London. Beth doesn't have the best reputation as she is in theatre, not a respectful position for a lady at that time. But she realises Charlotte needs help.
Taking advantage of the situation and an opportunity to lift her career Beth makes the decision to take Charlotte to Sicily. At the time Sicily is facing the threat of Napoleon.
It isn't only the Queen and the sicilians that find themselves under threat as a man befriended by the pair discovers Charlotte is an heiress.
Although there are great characters I found myself getting a little bored towards the end. Having said that the final chapter is great! I will not give the ending away but I was a bit surprised by that ending!
This book throws together some history, romance and a bit of mystery with a good overall outcome.
Taking advantage of the situation and an opportunity to lift her career Beth makes the decision to take Charlotte to Sicily. At the time Sicily is facing the threat of Napoleon.
It isn't only the Queen and the sicilians that find themselves under threat as a man befriended by the pair discovers Charlotte is an heiress.
Although there are great characters I found myself getting a little bored towards the end. Having said that the final chapter is great! I will not give the ending away but I was a bit surprised by that ending!
This book throws together some history, romance and a bit of mystery with a good overall outcome.
January 17, 2021
Somehow, I had missed this particular Hodge when I read so many of her Regency-set novels years ago. This one is set largely in Sicily and features two heroines: the younger is the runaway heiress of a banking family and the other is an opera singer in her 30s who has come to Palermo both to perform and to spy for the British government. The two women become embroiled with Sicilian aristocrats, German refugees, British diplomats and even an American tourist. The history is fascinating and the figure of exiled Neapolitan Queen Maria Carolina ia tragic. I found myself looking up all sorts of information about the Kingdom of Naples, The Hapsburg children of Empress Maria Theresa, Sicily in the early nineteenth century and the British opposition to Bonaparte there. After many adventures, several near misses with scandal and an attempted coup, there is a satisfactory ending for each woman.
January 4, 2020
4 stars
Interesting read steeped in historical action. The story is set in sicily. Beth, actress and singer (fallen woman as defined in those days) agrees to help her lover in spying. She takes her friends teenage daughter, Charlotte with her as companion and chaperone. Charlotte has come to a crisis point and is trying to escape from what she perceives will be her life. Beth meets royalty and disappointments. Charlotte has romances and danger. Not much description of our heros but I liked the story and might seek out other novels. Just a few kisses though we understand how lively Beth's life has been. HEA all round!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Interesting read steeped in historical action. The story is set in sicily. Beth, actress and singer (fallen woman as defined in those days) agrees to help her lover in spying. She takes her friends teenage daughter, Charlotte with her as companion and chaperone. Charlotte has come to a crisis point and is trying to escape from what she perceives will be her life. Beth meets royalty and disappointments. Charlotte has romances and danger. Not much description of our heros but I liked the story and might seek out other novels. Just a few kisses though we understand how lively Beth's life has been. HEA all round!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 1, 2019
Originally published in 1993 and now available as an ebook, Escapade is solid historical fiction. There are a couple of slow-burn romances, but it doesn't have the shape of a romance novel.
Beth Prior agrees to journey with her long-time paramour to Sicily, where the king and queen of Naples are in exile during the Napoleonic War. She is accompanied by a young friend, an heiress who has fled her unhappy family situation. There they find welcome, a bit of romance, and danger.
Solid characterizations and well-written plot.
Beth Prior agrees to journey with her long-time paramour to Sicily, where the king and queen of Naples are in exile during the Napoleonic War. She is accompanied by a young friend, an heiress who has fled her unhappy family situation. There they find welcome, a bit of romance, and danger.
Solid characterizations and well-written plot.
September 19, 2021
A perfect respite from the travesties which abound.
I am in the midst of the beginning of the 4th week of the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. On generator power still, with black mold growing rampant in my home. The world is in chaos an the most I can bear is escaping in these fabulous novels of Jan Aiken Hodge.
I am in the midst of the beginning of the 4th week of the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. On generator power still, with black mold growing rampant in my home. The world is in chaos an the most I can bear is escaping in these fabulous novels of Jan Aiken Hodge.
July 15, 2020
i really enjoyed reading this, it was a fun read that had great characters and a solid plot. I overall enjoyed what I read.
January 13, 2022
The first half was a bit slow and predictable. I enjoyed the second part a lot more. I find the author's writing style very pleasant and the setting was interesting.
September 7, 2015
Entertaining would be the best way to describe this book.
It is not one of those novels that you just can't put down, but through most of it you do vaguely wonder what will happen and want to find out. The characters are likeable (or dislikeabke in the case of "villains") enough; the plot is amusing enough.
In my opinion the best aspect of the book, what really differentiate it from most of its kind is the setting. The south of Italy during the Napolean war. True, there are no depictions of the beautiful scenery one can find in Sicily, but there is a good account of what life in Palermo was like in those days. It is a good example of historical fiction, mixing real characters with made up ones.
As for the narrative, it is not trying at all -a fault many novels of this genre have-. Yet I can't say it was great. It is more of a light reading that you'll forget about in a couple of months. Still, like I said, entertaining enough.
It is not one of those novels that you just can't put down, but through most of it you do vaguely wonder what will happen and want to find out. The characters are likeable (or dislikeabke in the case of "villains") enough; the plot is amusing enough.
In my opinion the best aspect of the book, what really differentiate it from most of its kind is the setting. The south of Italy during the Napolean war. True, there are no depictions of the beautiful scenery one can find in Sicily, but there is a good account of what life in Palermo was like in those days. It is a good example of historical fiction, mixing real characters with made up ones.
As for the narrative, it is not trying at all -a fault many novels of this genre have-. Yet I can't say it was great. It is more of a light reading that you'll forget about in a couple of months. Still, like I said, entertaining enough.
September 22, 2019
Carolyn Comyn appears on the doorstep on her mother's estranged friend, actress Beth Prior. Once she hears the young lady's story, Beth decides to take Carolyn under her wing. Off they go to Sicily, where things are not as they seem, and danger could be just a day away.
This was a delightful read! I'm not sure who I loved more, fragile, young, and innocent Carolyn, or beautiful, talented and clever Beth. I enjoyed following them through their adventures in Sicily. They are surrounded by an entertaining cast, most of whom are not who they appear to be.
The plot moved at a good place. My only trouble was that it took a while for the story to really pull me in. The setting, Sicily during the Napoleonic war, sets it apart from other novels of the time.
I received a free copy through NetGalley for reviewing purposes. All opinions expressed are my own.
This was a delightful read! I'm not sure who I loved more, fragile, young, and innocent Carolyn, or beautiful, talented and clever Beth. I enjoyed following them through their adventures in Sicily. They are surrounded by an entertaining cast, most of whom are not who they appear to be.
The plot moved at a good place. My only trouble was that it took a while for the story to really pull me in. The setting, Sicily during the Napoleonic war, sets it apart from other novels of the time.
I received a free copy through NetGalley for reviewing purposes. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 22, 2015
A trip to Sicily
Very different Napoleonic Wars story set in Sicily and following the adventures of a very naive English Heiress and her older friend Beth who is a singer and actress. There is spying, abductions, opera, various attractive men and serious politics with the Queen of Naples who has fled to Sicily after Napoleon invaded Naples. Charlotte is 17 and although she has the makings of a strong heroine, this book is about her growing up. For Beth who has agreed to help the British government, this trip is about restoring her reputation. Of the men it becomes interesting to see who will actually become the hero. Altogether a excellent read.
Very different Napoleonic Wars story set in Sicily and following the adventures of a very naive English Heiress and her older friend Beth who is a singer and actress. There is spying, abductions, opera, various attractive men and serious politics with the Queen of Naples who has fled to Sicily after Napoleon invaded Naples. Charlotte is 17 and although she has the makings of a strong heroine, this book is about her growing up. For Beth who has agreed to help the British government, this trip is about restoring her reputation. Of the men it becomes interesting to see who will actually become the hero. Altogether a excellent read.
August 27, 2019
Charlotte is running away from her life as she sees it now. This story is different from most of this time period as it does have the political happenings of Sicily in it. Charlotte has run to Beth who is now a singer but in the past had been the maid to Charlotte's mother. They go to Sicily and have many adventures there. Beth gets close to the queen and Charlotte gets herself into some tight spots. An interesting and different story from the norm.
January 9, 2016
3.5 stars.
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