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The Lord Julian Mysteries #1
A Gentleman Fallen on Hard Times
A man dwelling in darkness...
Lord Julian Caldicott has come home from the war in ragged health and with a reputation in tatters. All he wants is to recuperate in private without bringing any further scandal on the family’s good name. His godmother inveigles him into serving as her escort to a rural house party, whereupon circumstances conspire to prevent Julian from resuming his reclusive existence.
Must shine the light of truth on a dangerous deception.
Julian becomes the subject of rumors, lies, and whispers, and soon he’s faced with a choice: Wage one more battle for honor’s sake, or be branded a traitor to all that he holds dear. He will enlist unlikely allies, face old demons, and vex every other guest on the premises, but he will not stop until he’s brought a criminal to justice–or died trying.
Lord Julian Caldicott has come home from the war in ragged health and with a reputation in tatters. All he wants is to recuperate in private without bringing any further scandal on the family’s good name. His godmother inveigles him into serving as her escort to a rural house party, whereupon circumstances conspire to prevent Julian from resuming his reclusive existence.
Must shine the light of truth on a dangerous deception.
Julian becomes the subject of rumors, lies, and whispers, and soon he’s faced with a choice: Wage one more battle for honor’s sake, or be branded a traitor to all that he holds dear. He will enlist unlikely allies, face old demons, and vex every other guest on the premises, but he will not stop until he’s brought a criminal to justice–or died trying.
244 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2023
568 people are currently reading
1116 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
189 books2,913 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
September 11, 2023
What a delightful book that I recommend and thank you Izzie for the suggestion. I am wavering between a 4* and 5* so will just go with 4.5. The plot is interesting and different as it's a mystery with touch of romance. The twists and turns are well played, and I did NOT see that ending coming. Great character development and the pace moved along well and held my attention.
The few flaws that I saw were a lot of characters to keep track of (I find this in a lot of mysteries so this maybe a thing) and the romance was tepid (there is an explanation) but I would have been more invested in it if I knew why sooner.
The few flaws that I saw were a lot of characters to keep track of (I find this in a lot of mysteries so this maybe a thing) and the romance was tepid (there is an explanation) but I would have been more invested in it if I knew why sooner.
August 17, 2024
Actually it must to be read as 4.5
I liked it very much !
This has been an enjoyable read, not exactly a mystery as indicated in the tags, not in the murder-to-investigate sense at least, but I really enjoyed the main character's personal story.
The events of the present story and the events of our protagonist's past, both during the war against Napoleon and before the war, are narrated in the first person by the character himself and this is perhaps the thing that created a certain empathy in me, making me fond of to him.
____ THE PLOT ___ Regency era,
Lord Julian Caldicott has come home from the war in ragged health. He, an English Army reconnaissance officer, Lord Julian Caldicott has come home from the war in ragged health. He, an English Army scout, was captured and tortured by the French, who then massacred hundreds of English soldiers in battle.
Considered a traitor by many people, although exonerated by the army, he desires nothing more than solitude and quiet.
Luckily his affectionate godmother sees the only healing solution as that of reacting, being among people and starting to live again.
Despite Julian's reluctance, he accompanies her to a party where he will find many enemies, but also new allies and the girl who was supposed to marry him, whose heart is still full of affection for Lord Julian.
Among many hostile attitudes, inexplicable events and thefts occur.
Julian, provoked to the extreme, will do anything to solve the puzzle and will find a new drive to appreciate life again.
________________________________
I think the cover of this book, while delightful, doesn't do it enough justice.
From the cover (as well as from the tags) we are led to think that it is just one of the numerous cozy mystery series set in the past, with some bizarre characters, a puzzle to solve and a tepid love story that takes place in parallel and which, as in all cozies, it will develop very slowly and in a barely noticeable way.
There's much more here!
___ 3 IMPORTANT THEMES ADDRESSED IN THE BOOK and the MAIN CHARACTER ____
The plot is light, but at the same time touching, deeper and more important than what one would imagine by taking a quick look at the back cover.
In fact, in the midst of a light and cheerful plot, in which there is no shortage of ironic jokes and witty dialogues that make the reader smile, 3 important and always current themes are also addressed:
1) _ the TRAUMAS that afflict WAR VETERANS from all over the world and from all times, i.e. the pain (not only physical but also emotional) and discomfort in society experienced by many men after experiencing the horrors of battle and seeing death and destruction in its most unspeakable forms.
--------------> As Julian tells us about his present, in which he struggles to return to the superficial and flirtatious life of the peacetime aristocracy, he also tells us about his ghosts.
He tells us about the horror of the battles with the acrid smell of gunpowder that burns the throat and eyes, of the aftermath of the battle with the wounded asking for water, the flies buzzing around the lifeless bodies, of the pain for the loss of friends and especially of beloved brother.
He tells us about his imprisonment and the psychological torture that made him return home in a catatonic state.
Despite the sadness of the past, we can observe Julian's first steps towards a new beginning and it is precisely this part that manages to keep the reader glued to the text.
I rejoiced in his every improvement and couldn't wait for his redemption to arrive compared to those who labeled him as a traitor and liar.
The author managed to move me while remaining within the confines of the light novel and while through Julian's words she summarized the pain and bitterness of war, she also managed to add a touch of adventure.
In fact, Julian tells us about his role in battle: being a reconnaissance officer, how he scouted ahead, how he infiltrated enemy areas with the most varied disguises and how he traced the enemy's plans by studying clues and traces of all kinds.
In fact, Julian has not stopped being a reconnaissance officer, even now that the war is over he uses his skills to reveal the subtle deception of one of the characters and bring the truth to light.
2) _ DISCONFORT due to a CLINICAL PATHOLOGY which at times is disabling for those who suffer from it.
----------> We will discover over the course of the plot that Julian has more than one demon to fight: the physical consequences of imprisonment, the psychological trauma but also another pathology (I won't reveal what because otherwise it would be a spoiler) of which the author knows very well the symptoms and the resulting discomforts, because her father himself suffered from them.
In this context, it is also highlighted how important the support of those who love us is and how sometimes in addition to "the damage" of the disease, human beings are also forced to face "the mockery" of a society too full of prejudices and immediately ready to condemn and marginalize suffering people .
3) _ FAMILY TIES and the feelings that govern them, such as: love, respect, fear of disappointing, trust, sense of responsibility, complicity, childhood memories etc...
------------------> Julian has brothers and sisters and of course parents.
Usually the plots always include a bad or absent father or a frivolous and selfish mother or a certain antagonism with some stepbrother...
In this book I was struck by how strong the bond Julian has with his brothers ( a dead one and the elder still alive ), even though they are so different from each other.
Also the affection for his parents and for his godmother and his former betrothed is always present in our protagonist's speeches.
Childhood memories are cheerful and full of sweetness.
I really liked seeing that this family ( and its servants staff ) creates a united front and that despite the emotional wounds and the fear of having sullied the honor of his family, Julian instead discovers that he has great emotional support among his loved ones.
________
Julian is an EXTREMELY POSITIVE CHARACTER.
On the one hand the book begins with an apparently defeated young man who tells us about his traumas and who would only like to be left alone in the dark, on the other hand we also see a real soldier who does not back down from a challenge.
Julian is suffering deeply, both physically and emotionally, yet he agrees to escort his godmother, complying with her requests, because his honor and kindness and affection for her come before his own needs.
Actually, helping someone else and protecting a person for whom he feels a deep affection will be the spark that will restart the engine to get back to life.
Step by step, chapter after chapter Julian challenges his own weaknesses and starts enjoying every little thing again.
The more society kicks him and orders him to leave, the more Julian will rediscover his fighting spirit, attract new allies and finally return to being proud of himself.
---> I love this character and his company was wonderful throughout the book.
I also liked the side characters and I think the author did a good job in describing their character traits through dialogues, small gestures and facial expressions.
Some of them, we can imagine from the plot, will also be present in the next books.
__ THE MYSTERY __
As I already said it's not a murder and it's not even something extremely elaborate so mystery lovers should choose this book.
It seems more like an excuse to add a pinch of curiosity to the plot on the part of the reader, while telling the personal story of Lord Julian (past and current with some anticipation for the future).
However, I didn't mind it and although the culprit was predictable, it was so predictable that every time Julian questioned someone I found myself making new and different suppositions... the author was still good at creating many diversions and also managed to insert, in the solution of the mystery, a surprise element that I wasn't expecting.
IS IT a "COZY" MYSTERY?
Yes it is, however unlike the usual "cozies" it contains some speeches with words not exactly suitable for gentlemen and ladies of good society and you will also find a funny dirty song that the soldiers usually sang.
I really liked this "a little more cheeky" but never vulgar element and it often made me laugh. The author was able to elaborate this aspect with great grace, well done!
__ WILL I READ THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES?___
Of course yes, in fact, I confess that I have already read book #2, I liked it and you will soon have my review.
Thank you for reading my opinion and if my English is not exactly correct it's because it's not my language, so please forgive me :-)
I liked it very much !
This has been an enjoyable read, not exactly a mystery as indicated in the tags, not in the murder-to-investigate sense at least, but I really enjoyed the main character's personal story.
The events of the present story and the events of our protagonist's past, both during the war against Napoleon and before the war, are narrated in the first person by the character himself and this is perhaps the thing that created a certain empathy in me, making me fond of to him.
____ THE PLOT ___ Regency era,
Lord Julian Caldicott has come home from the war in ragged health. He, an English Army reconnaissance officer, Lord Julian Caldicott has come home from the war in ragged health. He, an English Army scout, was captured and tortured by the French, who then massacred hundreds of English soldiers in battle.
Considered a traitor by many people, although exonerated by the army, he desires nothing more than solitude and quiet.
Luckily his affectionate godmother sees the only healing solution as that of reacting, being among people and starting to live again.
Despite Julian's reluctance, he accompanies her to a party where he will find many enemies, but also new allies and the girl who was supposed to marry him, whose heart is still full of affection for Lord Julian.
Among many hostile attitudes, inexplicable events and thefts occur.
Julian, provoked to the extreme, will do anything to solve the puzzle and will find a new drive to appreciate life again.
________________________________
I think the cover of this book, while delightful, doesn't do it enough justice.
From the cover (as well as from the tags) we are led to think that it is just one of the numerous cozy mystery series set in the past, with some bizarre characters, a puzzle to solve and a tepid love story that takes place in parallel and which, as in all cozies, it will develop very slowly and in a barely noticeable way.
There's much more here!
___ 3 IMPORTANT THEMES ADDRESSED IN THE BOOK and the MAIN CHARACTER ____
The plot is light, but at the same time touching, deeper and more important than what one would imagine by taking a quick look at the back cover.
In fact, in the midst of a light and cheerful plot, in which there is no shortage of ironic jokes and witty dialogues that make the reader smile, 3 important and always current themes are also addressed:
1) _ the TRAUMAS that afflict WAR VETERANS from all over the world and from all times, i.e. the pain (not only physical but also emotional) and discomfort in society experienced by many men after experiencing the horrors of battle and seeing death and destruction in its most unspeakable forms.
--------------> As Julian tells us about his present, in which he struggles to return to the superficial and flirtatious life of the peacetime aristocracy, he also tells us about his ghosts.
He tells us about the horror of the battles with the acrid smell of gunpowder that burns the throat and eyes, of the aftermath of the battle with the wounded asking for water, the flies buzzing around the lifeless bodies, of the pain for the loss of friends and especially of beloved brother.
He tells us about his imprisonment and the psychological torture that made him return home in a catatonic state.
Despite the sadness of the past, we can observe Julian's first steps towards a new beginning and it is precisely this part that manages to keep the reader glued to the text.
I rejoiced in his every improvement and couldn't wait for his redemption to arrive compared to those who labeled him as a traitor and liar.
The author managed to move me while remaining within the confines of the light novel and while through Julian's words she summarized the pain and bitterness of war, she also managed to add a touch of adventure.
In fact, Julian tells us about his role in battle: being a reconnaissance officer, how he scouted ahead, how he infiltrated enemy areas with the most varied disguises and how he traced the enemy's plans by studying clues and traces of all kinds.
In fact, Julian has not stopped being a reconnaissance officer, even now that the war is over he uses his skills to reveal the subtle deception of one of the characters and bring the truth to light.
2) _ DISCONFORT due to a CLINICAL PATHOLOGY which at times is disabling for those who suffer from it.
----------> We will discover over the course of the plot that Julian has more than one demon to fight: the physical consequences of imprisonment, the psychological trauma but also another pathology (I won't reveal what because otherwise it would be a spoiler) of which the author knows very well the symptoms and the resulting discomforts, because her father himself suffered from them.
In this context, it is also highlighted how important the support of those who love us is and how sometimes in addition to "the damage" of the disease, human beings are also forced to face "the mockery" of a society too full of prejudices and immediately ready to condemn and marginalize suffering people .
3) _ FAMILY TIES and the feelings that govern them, such as: love, respect, fear of disappointing, trust, sense of responsibility, complicity, childhood memories etc...
------------------> Julian has brothers and sisters and of course parents.
Usually the plots always include a bad or absent father or a frivolous and selfish mother or a certain antagonism with some stepbrother...
In this book I was struck by how strong the bond Julian has with his brothers ( a dead one and the elder still alive ), even though they are so different from each other.
Also the affection for his parents and for his godmother and his former betrothed is always present in our protagonist's speeches.
Childhood memories are cheerful and full of sweetness.
I really liked seeing that this family ( and its servants staff ) creates a united front and that despite the emotional wounds and the fear of having sullied the honor of his family, Julian instead discovers that he has great emotional support among his loved ones.
________
Julian is an EXTREMELY POSITIVE CHARACTER.
On the one hand the book begins with an apparently defeated young man who tells us about his traumas and who would only like to be left alone in the dark, on the other hand we also see a real soldier who does not back down from a challenge.
Julian is suffering deeply, both physically and emotionally, yet he agrees to escort his godmother, complying with her requests, because his honor and kindness and affection for her come before his own needs.
Actually, helping someone else and protecting a person for whom he feels a deep affection will be the spark that will restart the engine to get back to life.
Step by step, chapter after chapter Julian challenges his own weaknesses and starts enjoying every little thing again.
The more society kicks him and orders him to leave, the more Julian will rediscover his fighting spirit, attract new allies and finally return to being proud of himself.
---> I love this character and his company was wonderful throughout the book.
I also liked the side characters and I think the author did a good job in describing their character traits through dialogues, small gestures and facial expressions.
Some of them, we can imagine from the plot, will also be present in the next books.
__ THE MYSTERY __
As I already said it's not a murder and it's not even something extremely elaborate so mystery lovers should choose this book.
It seems more like an excuse to add a pinch of curiosity to the plot on the part of the reader, while telling the personal story of Lord Julian (past and current with some anticipation for the future).
However, I didn't mind it and although the culprit was predictable, it was so predictable that every time Julian questioned someone I found myself making new and different suppositions... the author was still good at creating many diversions and also managed to insert, in the solution of the mystery, a surprise element that I wasn't expecting.
IS IT a "COZY" MYSTERY?
Yes it is, however unlike the usual "cozies" it contains some speeches with words not exactly suitable for gentlemen and ladies of good society and you will also find a funny dirty song that the soldiers usually sang.
I really liked this "a little more cheeky" but never vulgar element and it often made me laugh. The author was able to elaborate this aspect with great grace, well done!
__ WILL I READ THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES?___
Of course yes, in fact, I confess that I have already read book #2, I liked it and you will soon have my review.
Thank you for reading my opinion and if my English is not exactly correct it's because it's not my language, so please forgive me :-)
September 3, 2023
I’m declaring this book an honorary 2023 favorite. While it may not be over-the-top spectacular, it was exactly what I needed right now. Burrowes’ storytelling was the literary version of chauffeured ride in a Rolls-Royce—pampered, assured, solid, safe, and smooth. Buckle up, sip champagne, and enjoy.
The story started out slow. Labeling it a mystery seemed like an overstatement. But as seemingly unrelated, insignificant incidents kept happening, the mood took on the feel of mild, psychological thriller. I was hooked! And the wrap-up at the end, perfect.
Loved the house party setting, Julian, his slow burn relationship with Hyperia (adored when he called her Perry), and godmother Ophelia. There are some great secondary characters too. Hopefully, they will reappear in future volumes. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
The story started out slow. Labeling it a mystery seemed like an overstatement. But as seemingly unrelated, insignificant incidents kept happening, the mood took on the feel of mild, psychological thriller. I was hooked! And the wrap-up at the end, perfect.
Loved the house party setting, Julian, his slow burn relationship with Hyperia (adored when he called her Perry), and godmother Ophelia. There are some great secondary characters too. Hopefully, they will reappear in future volumes. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
August 24, 2023
Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Julian Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 8/22/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 268
I have long been a fan of Grace Burrowes, and have always eagerly awaited her next release. While I was not a fan of her previous mystery series, The Lady Violet Mysteries, I definitely wanted to try this new offering. I was not disappointed. This book had everything I had hoped it would – except for an out-and-out romance, but I hope that will come soon. It is a wonderful blend of suspense, mystery, and historical detail – with a hint of possible romance in the future. It was a wonderful, page-flipping, couldn’t-put-it-down, what will happen next, edge-of-your-chair kind of read! To tell you how engrossing it was, at midnight on release day, the eBook dropped onto my Kindle. I thought I’d just take a quick peek. Mistake? Maybe. I started reading and couldn’t stop – I read it in one sitting – starting at midnight. I guess it is a good thing I am retired!
The story follows Lord Julian Caldicott, heir to a duchy, gifted intelligence officer, and former prisoner of the famed French torturer, Girard. Julian has returned home wounded in both mind and body - under a cloud of suspicion that he is a traitor. Did he break under torture and tell Girard anything? Since his memory fails him, he doesn’t know and it tortures him throughout the book. Julian has lived as a recluse since his return to England – in a dark house with closed curtains. Part of that is to protect himself from the cruel taunts of the ton and part is to accommodate his injured eyesight.
So, how did the reclusive, sunlight-averse, people-avoiding, former soldier end up at a house party attended by very unfriendly (to him) guests? Well, he has a very sly and wily Godmother who thinks it is time for him to stick his nose out the door. Julian knows she’s up to something, but he thinks he can just agree to escort her to the door, drop her off, and then return to London. Silly boy!
Julian is hoodwinked into spending the night – a single night – and heading back to London the next day. When untoward things begin to happen, and the fingers point to Julian, he knows he has to slink back to London labeled a coward as well as a traitor or he can stay and challenge those who want to further damage him and his reputation. Fight or flight? You’ll just have to read the book to see!
I’ve always loved the way this author writes her characters because they are always realistic, engaging, complex, and vulnerable. Julian struggles with so many guilts; so many unknowns. Is he the traitor the ton believes him to be? The guilt about not being able to save his brother, Harry, is enough to bring him to his knees, but when you add the physical suffering, the memory flashbacks, and the traitor label, it is a miracle he can function at all.
I highly recommend this book filled with honorable, strong characters as well as dastardly characters who care about nothing except themselves and their own gain. You’ll be parsing through those characters and figuring out which camp each fits into while also trying to figure out who the true villain of the piece is. You’ll also meet Miss Hyperia (Perry) West who had an ‘understanding’ with Julian before he left for the war. Julian ended that understanding when he returned – for her own good, of course. She didn’t need to be tainted by association with him.
Just a BTW. Girard is featured in the Captive Hearts series – The Traitor . You’ll also get a short visit with Devlin St. James at a time prior to the setting of his book, The Soldier , from the Windham series. No, you don’t have to have read those books, this is a totally stand-alone book. I just thought you’d enjoy knowing they had cameos in this book (along with the Duchess of Windham) if you have already read them.
Series: Lord Julian Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 8/22/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 268
I have long been a fan of Grace Burrowes, and have always eagerly awaited her next release. While I was not a fan of her previous mystery series, The Lady Violet Mysteries, I definitely wanted to try this new offering. I was not disappointed. This book had everything I had hoped it would – except for an out-and-out romance, but I hope that will come soon. It is a wonderful blend of suspense, mystery, and historical detail – with a hint of possible romance in the future. It was a wonderful, page-flipping, couldn’t-put-it-down, what will happen next, edge-of-your-chair kind of read! To tell you how engrossing it was, at midnight on release day, the eBook dropped onto my Kindle. I thought I’d just take a quick peek. Mistake? Maybe. I started reading and couldn’t stop – I read it in one sitting – starting at midnight. I guess it is a good thing I am retired!
The story follows Lord Julian Caldicott, heir to a duchy, gifted intelligence officer, and former prisoner of the famed French torturer, Girard. Julian has returned home wounded in both mind and body - under a cloud of suspicion that he is a traitor. Did he break under torture and tell Girard anything? Since his memory fails him, he doesn’t know and it tortures him throughout the book. Julian has lived as a recluse since his return to England – in a dark house with closed curtains. Part of that is to protect himself from the cruel taunts of the ton and part is to accommodate his injured eyesight.
So, how did the reclusive, sunlight-averse, people-avoiding, former soldier end up at a house party attended by very unfriendly (to him) guests? Well, he has a very sly and wily Godmother who thinks it is time for him to stick his nose out the door. Julian knows she’s up to something, but he thinks he can just agree to escort her to the door, drop her off, and then return to London. Silly boy!
Julian is hoodwinked into spending the night – a single night – and heading back to London the next day. When untoward things begin to happen, and the fingers point to Julian, he knows he has to slink back to London labeled a coward as well as a traitor or he can stay and challenge those who want to further damage him and his reputation. Fight or flight? You’ll just have to read the book to see!
I’ve always loved the way this author writes her characters because they are always realistic, engaging, complex, and vulnerable. Julian struggles with so many guilts; so many unknowns. Is he the traitor the ton believes him to be? The guilt about not being able to save his brother, Harry, is enough to bring him to his knees, but when you add the physical suffering, the memory flashbacks, and the traitor label, it is a miracle he can function at all.
I highly recommend this book filled with honorable, strong characters as well as dastardly characters who care about nothing except themselves and their own gain. You’ll be parsing through those characters and figuring out which camp each fits into while also trying to figure out who the true villain of the piece is. You’ll also meet Miss Hyperia (Perry) West who had an ‘understanding’ with Julian before he left for the war. Julian ended that understanding when he returned – for her own good, of course. She didn’t need to be tainted by association with him.
Just a BTW. Girard is featured in the Captive Hearts series – The Traitor . You’ll also get a short visit with Devlin St. James at a time prior to the setting of his book, The Soldier , from the Windham series. No, you don’t have to have read those books, this is a totally stand-alone book. I just thought you’d enjoy knowing they had cameos in this book (along with the Duchess of Windham) if you have already read them.
September 7, 2023
Lord Julian is returned from war somewhat in disgrace. He was taken prisoner by the French and might have divulged important information, although he has no recollection.
His godmother has embroiled him in a house party where half the people want him gone. There’s some mystery afoot including a stolen watch, an attack on the daughter of the house and a missing horse. Grace Burrowes does it again.
His godmother has embroiled him in a house party where half the people want him gone. There’s some mystery afoot including a stolen watch, an attack on the daughter of the house and a missing horse. Grace Burrowes does it again.
April 6, 2024
This was just what I needed--a short book with great characters, a nice (non-bloody) mystery, and the promise of more to come.
I love Lord Julian--Veteran of the Peninsular action and Waterloo, with a massive case of PTSD. And his former almost-fiancee Hyperia is wonderful.
I'm glad I already have the second book on hand.
I love Lord Julian--Veteran of the Peninsular action and Waterloo, with a massive case of PTSD. And his former almost-fiancee Hyperia is wonderful.
I'm glad I already have the second book on hand.
July 31, 2023
I received an ARC from the author and was not paid for this review. It is my honest opinion of this book which is coming to bookstores in August. This novel starts a new series by Grace Burrowes, mysteries/detective stories instead of purely romance.
The main character, Lord Julian, is an extremely honorable, courageous and clever former reconnaissance officer during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. He returns home to England after escaping capture and torture by the French, just to be maligned and scorned by society publicly, and privately suffering from PTSD, some physical disabilities, and memory loss, some from the mental torture he endured in captivity and partially from a previous rare medical condition. PTSD was not understood at that time and society could be very cruel to returning survivors, particularly those with mental disabilities and those who had been captured by the enemy.
I really like the series format, where there is time to really develop the main characters and there is not a rush to tie up loose ends and finish the book which sometimes leaves the reader feeling vaguely dissatisfied. We become more invested in characters as we watch them meet challenges and grow, making us care more about them the more time we spend with them. I look forward to the next two in the series coming in the fall.
The main character, Lord Julian, is an extremely honorable, courageous and clever former reconnaissance officer during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. He returns home to England after escaping capture and torture by the French, just to be maligned and scorned by society publicly, and privately suffering from PTSD, some physical disabilities, and memory loss, some from the mental torture he endured in captivity and partially from a previous rare medical condition. PTSD was not understood at that time and society could be very cruel to returning survivors, particularly those with mental disabilities and those who had been captured by the enemy.
I really like the series format, where there is time to really develop the main characters and there is not a rush to tie up loose ends and finish the book which sometimes leaves the reader feeling vaguely dissatisfied. We become more invested in characters as we watch them meet challenges and grow, making us care more about them the more time we spend with them. I look forward to the next two in the series coming in the fall.
August 29, 2023
Having read practically all of Grace Burrowes' books, I was looking forward to another enjoyable few hours. Imagine my surprise when I find her style completely different from her usual, comfortable, clear writing. It took some time to adjust to the allusive, often elliptical syntax. Of course, Ms Burrowes has already ventured with moderate success, i would say, into writing mysteries with the Lady Violet series, but I found it difficult here to connect with the hero and in fact with all the characters at the house party. The denouement is neatly done and by then I could understand why so many reviewers were saying they were looking forward to the other volumes in this collection.
Perhaps a special mention should be made of the delightful young "Just Atticus". I loved his attitude and his speech and it maybe of course that he will have more of a role in future mysteries.
So if you are looking for more like the "Wyndham brides", and look for romance rather than mystery solving, this is probably not the book for you. There is very little of the former here.
However, I will withhold final judgement and have pre-ordered the second and third instalment to see how the series evolves.
Perhaps a special mention should be made of the delightful young "Just Atticus". I loved his attitude and his speech and it maybe of course that he will have more of a role in future mysteries.
So if you are looking for more like the "Wyndham brides", and look for romance rather than mystery solving, this is probably not the book for you. There is very little of the former here.
However, I will withhold final judgement and have pre-ordered the second and third instalment to see how the series evolves.
February 2, 2024
3 stars
This one was first and foremost a cozy mystery period piece. Cozy may be cute but generally, I keep far from the genre. I found the language style a bit hard to follow (but it was nonetheless well written) and that the cozy mystery part, though well executed, was in sum vapid (not by essence, but mired too much in the domesticity and tedious social mores of the ton).
That said, I was eminently sympathetic and empathetic with the main character, Lord Julian's personality. Through the pen of GB, he was brought into so much life across the pages; I enjoyed his inner monologues and his wits, I wanted to hug him in his plights and I kept cheering on him. And this is what made me push through the book and makes me curious of the other books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2024
Angsty H has a condition that worsens after being tortured by the French. His sweet ex fiancé loves him and and takes great care with him. He knows the gossip about him yet moves around it as he solves a muystery. Really liked the link to other books by this author, can't wait for the next book.
August 19, 2023
4.25/5⭐️
This is first in an historical mystery series by a favorite historical romance author of mine.
It centers around an aristocrat, Lord Julian Caldicott, who returned home from the war under whispered allegations of treason. After being captured by the French, losing his brother and his memory of key moments during that time, he is trying to fly below the radar for the sake of his family’s honor and his own peace of mind. When his godmother enlists his escort to a country house party, under duress he attends but is treated abominably. As instances of mayhem begin to point in his direction as the instigator, he must decide if he will continue to be the brunt of society’s disdain, or if he will fight to right his tattered reputation.
I enjoyed this foray into mysteries from Burrowes. Lord Julian is a complex, interesting character both clever and cheer-worthy and will be engaging to watch in future adventures.
My thanks to the author for providing a complimentary arc of A Gentleman Fallen on Hard Times for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
This is first in an historical mystery series by a favorite historical romance author of mine.
It centers around an aristocrat, Lord Julian Caldicott, who returned home from the war under whispered allegations of treason. After being captured by the French, losing his brother and his memory of key moments during that time, he is trying to fly below the radar for the sake of his family’s honor and his own peace of mind. When his godmother enlists his escort to a country house party, under duress he attends but is treated abominably. As instances of mayhem begin to point in his direction as the instigator, he must decide if he will continue to be the brunt of society’s disdain, or if he will fight to right his tattered reputation.
I enjoyed this foray into mysteries from Burrowes. Lord Julian is a complex, interesting character both clever and cheer-worthy and will be engaging to watch in future adventures.
My thanks to the author for providing a complimentary arc of A Gentleman Fallen on Hard Times for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
October 23, 2025
Grace Burrowes has a knack for creating male characters of great depth and charm. Lord Julian exudes honesty and kindness although he has been branded by the ton as a traitor despite no charges being brought by the military against him. He survived capture and torture by the French and returned to England physically and psychologically damaged.
Pressed by his domineering Godmother to escort her to a house party to which he was notably not invited, Julian is reunited with Hyperia, the woman he had been expected to marry but had cried off after his time in France. There is still a spark between the two, but Julian is too much the gentleman to ruin her chances of marriage to someone more worthy.
While at the party he is subjected to the spiteful attentions of a squire of much lower social status that appears to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish Julian’s already tottering reputation. Along with Hyperia and Godmama Ophelia, Julian must uncover the truth behind the strange events at the party and the erratic behavior of the squire.
The plot was compelling and the story moved along at a brisk pace. As always with this author I enjoyed the witty banter that was perfectly in tune with the era and the mores of the time. This was a delightful and satisfying tale of the regency period in England.
Pressed by his domineering Godmother to escort her to a house party to which he was notably not invited, Julian is reunited with Hyperia, the woman he had been expected to marry but had cried off after his time in France. There is still a spark between the two, but Julian is too much the gentleman to ruin her chances of marriage to someone more worthy.
While at the party he is subjected to the spiteful attentions of a squire of much lower social status that appears to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish Julian’s already tottering reputation. Along with Hyperia and Godmama Ophelia, Julian must uncover the truth behind the strange events at the party and the erratic behavior of the squire.
The plot was compelling and the story moved along at a brisk pace. As always with this author I enjoyed the witty banter that was perfectly in tune with the era and the mores of the time. This was a delightful and satisfying tale of the regency period in England.
July 6, 2024
I've read a couple of this author's romances before and wasn't impressed. I don't even know why I decided to pick up this book. Maybe because it is a mystery, and I wanted to see if she is any better with a different genre. Maybe because it was advertised on BookBub. Still I was skeptical. Imagine my surprise: I loved this book.
Most of my regard for this novel is reserved for its hero, Lord Julian. He is a great protagonist. He returned to England from the Napoleonic wars wounded in body and spirit. His reputation is in tatters. His health is precarious. Nightmares of his time in captivity by the French haunt him. But his honor is intact, and his sense of duty unimpaired. When sinister events mar the house party he attends, he feels compelled, as a former reconnaissance officer, to investigate. And despite his war-time ordeal and its harrowing aftermath, his courage, intelligence, and observation skills allow him to unravel a wicked plot and expose the perpetrator.
There are elements of several genres in this book: mystery, romance, and historical, and Lord Julian stars in all three. I admired him greatly and I'm going to read the next two books in his series.
Most of my regard for this novel is reserved for its hero, Lord Julian. He is a great protagonist. He returned to England from the Napoleonic wars wounded in body and spirit. His reputation is in tatters. His health is precarious. Nightmares of his time in captivity by the French haunt him. But his honor is intact, and his sense of duty unimpaired. When sinister events mar the house party he attends, he feels compelled, as a former reconnaissance officer, to investigate. And despite his war-time ordeal and its harrowing aftermath, his courage, intelligence, and observation skills allow him to unravel a wicked plot and expose the perpetrator.
There are elements of several genres in this book: mystery, romance, and historical, and Lord Julian stars in all three. I admired him greatly and I'm going to read the next two books in his series.
December 11, 2025
SILLY! But I enjoyed! Wanted a mystery but also wanted something lighthearted and not stressful and this did fit the bill! Julian is so funny but also angsty and I wanted him to stop feeling quite so bad for himself but he’s having a tough time I get it! A very fun cast of characters overall, and I am truly charmed by a differently mannered time period. The conclusion had me slightly confused but that’s fine I still had fun. Will I read all 10 of these in the next 3 weeks to meet my goodreads goal? We shall see!!
February 24, 2024
I found this a little slow in the beginning but am glad I persevered, as I ended up really enjoying it.
February 24, 2024
Absolute delight, did not want it to end.
April 5, 2024
A good, but mixed first entry to a historical mystery series.
I love historical fiction, and have a special place in my heart for historical mysteries. I'll read just about anything. I was excited for this one because Julian seemed like an intriguing main character with an original backstory. I didn't walk away loving it as much as I wanted to, but it was still enjoyable overall. On to the review!
The writing in this one was good. It had the nice blend of historical vernacular without feeling anachronistic. It moves at a steady pace, and never gets overly descriptive or distracted in any section. This works really well when describing pieces of the world, or driving the story forward at a faster pace. I always enjoy having to look up some words, and there was a few here which is great!
The characters are pretty mixed in this one. You have a variety of different personalities, a lot of which creates a really tense atmosphere. There was of course a couple that are stereotypical historical personalities, but that's okay considering the size of the cast. I felt there was a good mix of the character interactions and backstories, as well as their role in the plot. I specifically really enjoyed Julian, Atticus, Canning, and Hyperia. Julian's growth and his eventual learning of himself was a treat to read. I was always enjoyed reading his reactions with Hyperia. Obviously their backstory gets the reader invested in them, but they had really believable and intelligent interactions that had me more focused on the page. I am definitely interested in seeing their growth going forward.
So the characters and the writing were good, what gives? My main issues with the book come from the plotting. I don't think the plot itself is bad, but it felt like a bunch of random small mysteries that came together too cleanly in the end and a bit too obviously. The plot structure does a great job of forcing Julian to grow, which in my opinion is a good structure. But the culprit was very obvious to me and the smaller mysteries sort of just kind of end. The way the reveal and confrontation happened was cool, but not enough to salvage my experience. I wasn't expecting something amazing, but something still slightly better. I read a lot more mysteries like Agatha Christie now which tend to have complex plots, so maybe that's on me!
I would certainly recommend this one for historical mystery fans. I think there's enough to like here, and investing in the characters over the course of the story is the real reason to continue. I think the plots will become more focused in the future books. I will definitely check out the next book in the series. 3/5 stars.
Quick hits:
+ Writing is of a very good quality. Good mix of terminology and digestible.
+ The characters are great. There's enough distinct personalities and backstories to invest in.
- The plot was mixed. The base idea is interesting, and the ending is done in a cool way, but I felt there wasn't enough pay off to really hit the higher level.
I love historical fiction, and have a special place in my heart for historical mysteries. I'll read just about anything. I was excited for this one because Julian seemed like an intriguing main character with an original backstory. I didn't walk away loving it as much as I wanted to, but it was still enjoyable overall. On to the review!
The writing in this one was good. It had the nice blend of historical vernacular without feeling anachronistic. It moves at a steady pace, and never gets overly descriptive or distracted in any section. This works really well when describing pieces of the world, or driving the story forward at a faster pace. I always enjoy having to look up some words, and there was a few here which is great!
The characters are pretty mixed in this one. You have a variety of different personalities, a lot of which creates a really tense atmosphere. There was of course a couple that are stereotypical historical personalities, but that's okay considering the size of the cast. I felt there was a good mix of the character interactions and backstories, as well as their role in the plot. I specifically really enjoyed Julian, Atticus, Canning, and Hyperia. Julian's growth and his eventual learning of himself was a treat to read. I was always enjoyed reading his reactions with Hyperia. Obviously their backstory gets the reader invested in them, but they had really believable and intelligent interactions that had me more focused on the page. I am definitely interested in seeing their growth going forward.
So the characters and the writing were good, what gives? My main issues with the book come from the plotting. I don't think the plot itself is bad, but it felt like a bunch of random small mysteries that came together too cleanly in the end and a bit too obviously. The plot structure does a great job of forcing Julian to grow, which in my opinion is a good structure. But the culprit was very obvious to me and the smaller mysteries sort of just kind of end. The way the reveal and confrontation happened was cool, but not enough to salvage my experience. I wasn't expecting something amazing, but something still slightly better. I read a lot more mysteries like Agatha Christie now which tend to have complex plots, so maybe that's on me!
I would certainly recommend this one for historical mystery fans. I think there's enough to like here, and investing in the characters over the course of the story is the real reason to continue. I think the plots will become more focused in the future books. I will definitely check out the next book in the series. 3/5 stars.
Quick hits:
+ Writing is of a very good quality. Good mix of terminology and digestible.
+ The characters are great. There's enough distinct personalities and backstories to invest in.
- The plot was mixed. The base idea is interesting, and the ending is done in a cool way, but I felt there wasn't enough pay off to really hit the higher level.
September 6, 2024
Finished this mystery w/ romance on 9/2/24.
One kiss. Gave this 4 stars.
Julian was 1 of 3 sons. Eldest Arthur was a duke. Older
brother Harry died in the war. Julian, an intelligence
officer, was held as a POW by the French. Evil Girard
played w/ his mind. He was kept in dim or no light
and underfed & deprived of water.
Julian had memory issues & direct sunlight bothered
him. He had headaches, wore colored specs. His hair
turned white. Godmother Lady Ophelia asked for his
escort to a house party. She wanted to reunite Julian
and a lady.
His hosts, the Longacres, & most of male attendees
believed rumors that Julian had been a traitor to his
country! Also present was the woman who felt jilted
by Jules before he went to war. Hyperia "Perry" West.
(They'd had an understanding, not an engagement.)
Several men gave Julian a chilly reception. One footman,
Canning, was kind and had a good head on his shoulders.
With time, Jules learned he was a war veteran too.
Then incidents occurred. One guest delighted in painting
honorable Julian in an unfavorable light. Julian & Lady O
visited Morelands horse farm & he talked with fellow
veteran military man Devin St. Just. How to adjust to
the civilian world? How to disprove a negative?
One kiss. Gave this 4 stars.
Julian was 1 of 3 sons. Eldest Arthur was a duke. Older
brother Harry died in the war. Julian, an intelligence
officer, was held as a POW by the French. Evil Girard
played w/ his mind. He was kept in dim or no light
and underfed & deprived of water.
Julian had memory issues & direct sunlight bothered
him. He had headaches, wore colored specs. His hair
turned white. Godmother Lady Ophelia asked for his
escort to a house party. She wanted to reunite Julian
and a lady.
His hosts, the Longacres, & most of male attendees
believed rumors that Julian had been a traitor to his
country! Also present was the woman who felt jilted
by Jules before he went to war. Hyperia "Perry" West.
(They'd had an understanding, not an engagement.)
Several men gave Julian a chilly reception. One footman,
Canning, was kind and had a good head on his shoulders.
With time, Jules learned he was a war veteran too.
Then incidents occurred. One guest delighted in painting
honorable Julian in an unfavorable light. Julian & Lady O
visited Morelands horse farm & he talked with fellow
veteran military man Devin St. Just. How to adjust to
the civilian world? How to disprove a negative?
November 7, 2025
It was hard to tell where the plot was going to go, but overall, I really enjoyed the characters and the setting. The book did a good job of immersing yourself into the world and setting the stage for the series. I am looking forward to the next one!
October 31, 2023
Love Burrowes' mysteries and Lord Julian does not disappoint.
Having survived French torture, Lord Julian has hidden away to try and recover. However, his Godmother is determined to get him back out in society. She tricks him into escorting her to a house party and then ambushing him with his former intended. However, someone is determined to besmirch and chase him off. Is he up to catching the rascal who tried to have his way with his former intended? I really liked Julian's choice of weapons.
Having survived French torture, Lord Julian has hidden away to try and recover. However, his Godmother is determined to get him back out in society. She tricks him into escorting her to a house party and then ambushing him with his former intended. However, someone is determined to besmirch and chase him off. Is he up to catching the rascal who tried to have his way with his former intended? I really liked Julian's choice of weapons.
June 26, 2024
4.5 stars
What a joy to gulp down a Grace Burrowes novel! The last book I read took a long time and ended in disappointment, so I tried to make my next a sure thing. This first in the Lord Julian mysteries was just the ticket.
Regency house parties are among my favorite settings, and this was a good one. Lord Julian is a compelling narrator, a soldier back in England after being a prisoner of the French and losing a brother during the war. He has transient global amnesia, which is never named in the book, but the author talks about it in a note at the end of the book. Her father had it. It causes temporary amnesia, and can last for hours, although the person's mind does piece everything back together when it passes. This was an important aspect to Julian's character for societal reasons (the author has addressed the danger of being deemed mad during that time period in other books), as well as his backstory involving his captivity. He came back from the war, a young man with hair gone completely white, a sensitivity to sunlight, and frequent headaches. As alone in the world as he feels, there are people who care about him, including his godmother Ophelia, who asks him to give her a ride to a house party--that's all, just safe accompaniment on the road--and then he can go home. Of course, things don't turn out as he hopes, and one thing after another compels him to stay, including his ex-fiancée being accosted on the grounds. Lord Julian stays to find the culprit, and to remain close to Hyperia until her brother arrives. More mysteries pile on to the first, some of them implicating the narrator himself, so his motivation becomes one of self-defense as well as the defense of others.
This was a page-turner, and I loved the characters. I felt for Lord Julian--the way he was treated by a lot of the guests and his doubts about himself--and I loved Hyperia and Ophelia. Their loyalty and support of Jules was touching and even stirring in parts. Canning and Atticus were wonderful supporting characters, and I was excited to see they will probably be in future novels. I figured out some of the mystery, but not the biggest twist, and I thought it was quite good.
I finished book one and immediately bought all the books that are out.
What a joy to gulp down a Grace Burrowes novel! The last book I read took a long time and ended in disappointment, so I tried to make my next a sure thing. This first in the Lord Julian mysteries was just the ticket.
Regency house parties are among my favorite settings, and this was a good one. Lord Julian is a compelling narrator, a soldier back in England after being a prisoner of the French and losing a brother during the war. He has transient global amnesia, which is never named in the book, but the author talks about it in a note at the end of the book. Her father had it. It causes temporary amnesia, and can last for hours, although the person's mind does piece everything back together when it passes. This was an important aspect to Julian's character for societal reasons (the author has addressed the danger of being deemed mad during that time period in other books), as well as his backstory involving his captivity. He came back from the war, a young man with hair gone completely white, a sensitivity to sunlight, and frequent headaches. As alone in the world as he feels, there are people who care about him, including his godmother Ophelia, who asks him to give her a ride to a house party--that's all, just safe accompaniment on the road--and then he can go home. Of course, things don't turn out as he hopes, and one thing after another compels him to stay, including his ex-fiancée being accosted on the grounds. Lord Julian stays to find the culprit, and to remain close to Hyperia until her brother arrives. More mysteries pile on to the first, some of them implicating the narrator himself, so his motivation becomes one of self-defense as well as the defense of others.
This was a page-turner, and I loved the characters. I felt for Lord Julian--the way he was treated by a lot of the guests and his doubts about himself--and I loved Hyperia and Ophelia. Their loyalty and support of Jules was touching and even stirring in parts. Canning and Atticus were wonderful supporting characters, and I was excited to see they will probably be in future novels. I figured out some of the mystery, but not the biggest twist, and I thought it was quite good.
I finished book one and immediately bought all the books that are out.
July 8, 2024
Grace Burrowes, you have outdone yourself.
My new favorite book boyfriend. Le sigh…. Oh, this was so well written, so beautifully plotted out.
Lord Julian is recovering from his experiences in the war, where he was captured by the French and tortured and brainwashed into believing he had revealed secrets that led to his comrades being ambushed and killed. His eyes are bad and he shuns bright light, wearing tinted glasses for protection. His hair has turned stark white. He wants nothing but to stay away from society. But his Godmother has begged him to a escort her to a house party and just leave her there and be free to leave the same day.
Well, that doesn’t work out the way he had been promised. Looks like his Godmother had more plans up her sleeve. It gets more complicated by the hour. His reputation as a traitor is assumed throughout the company of guests. The cast of characters is quite fascinating, a handful of colorful walk-ons you should pay attention to, but the main supporting characters are very interesting. Those characters all seem to have problems that are realistic and not the kind that are solved prettily by the end with romantic pairings and off into the sunset HEAs.
There is one real villain, a man whose menace escalates throughout the story but no one can figure out why. Our Hero has to wade through a series of messes, some jogs to his memory, and lovely moments with the woman he had almost married before he came home from the war a very changed man. They are content to be friends for the time being. But boy, do we hope that will change in the future. If Julian is our Hero, the Hyperia is our would be heroine.
The show down with the villain was brilliant. It ends brilliantly. And I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommended for fans of Grace Burrowes, Regency romance, readers who enjoy post Napoleonic war tropes. Also Anna Campbell, Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney.
My new favorite book boyfriend. Le sigh…. Oh, this was so well written, so beautifully plotted out.
Lord Julian is recovering from his experiences in the war, where he was captured by the French and tortured and brainwashed into believing he had revealed secrets that led to his comrades being ambushed and killed. His eyes are bad and he shuns bright light, wearing tinted glasses for protection. His hair has turned stark white. He wants nothing but to stay away from society. But his Godmother has begged him to a escort her to a house party and just leave her there and be free to leave the same day.
Well, that doesn’t work out the way he had been promised. Looks like his Godmother had more plans up her sleeve. It gets more complicated by the hour. His reputation as a traitor is assumed throughout the company of guests. The cast of characters is quite fascinating, a handful of colorful walk-ons you should pay attention to, but the main supporting characters are very interesting. Those characters all seem to have problems that are realistic and not the kind that are solved prettily by the end with romantic pairings and off into the sunset HEAs.
There is one real villain, a man whose menace escalates throughout the story but no one can figure out why. Our Hero has to wade through a series of messes, some jogs to his memory, and lovely moments with the woman he had almost married before he came home from the war a very changed man. They are content to be friends for the time being. But boy, do we hope that will change in the future. If Julian is our Hero, the Hyperia is our would be heroine.
The show down with the villain was brilliant. It ends brilliantly. And I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommended for fans of Grace Burrowes, Regency romance, readers who enjoy post Napoleonic war tropes. Also Anna Campbell, Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney.
October 6, 2024
I haven’t read all of Grace Burrowes’s back-list, but I have very much enjoyed the ones I have read. Her writing reminds me of Mary Balogh’s, and her characters are genuine and full-bodied.
Lord Julian Caldicott is a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars; he was captured and subjected to psychological torture and as a consequence, suffers from PTSD and probably what we call Traumatic Brain Injury. He has also had transient global amnesia since before the war.
Before the war he was almost engaged to Miss Hyperia West, an intelligent and lovely young woman. What’s even better is that they are good friends even though Julian currently believes he will never marry.
In this story, he has agreed to accompany his godmother, Lady Ophelia to a country house party at Lord and Lady Longacre’s estate. He is verbally attacked and abused by Mendel Cleary, a young man at the party. Hyperia is also physically assaulted in the dark; her presence of mind allows her to solidly stomp her attacker’s instep, prompting him to abandon his assault. Julian is determined to identify the villain, but Cleary has taken violent exception to Julian’s presence. It’s up to Julian to solve this puzzle.
Can’t wait to read Book 2!
Lord Julian Caldicott is a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars; he was captured and subjected to psychological torture and as a consequence, suffers from PTSD and probably what we call Traumatic Brain Injury. He has also had transient global amnesia since before the war.
Before the war he was almost engaged to Miss Hyperia West, an intelligent and lovely young woman. What’s even better is that they are good friends even though Julian currently believes he will never marry.
In this story, he has agreed to accompany his godmother, Lady Ophelia to a country house party at Lord and Lady Longacre’s estate. He is verbally attacked and abused by Mendel Cleary, a young man at the party. Hyperia is also physically assaulted in the dark; her presence of mind allows her to solidly stomp her attacker’s instep, prompting him to abandon his assault. Julian is determined to identify the villain, but Cleary has taken violent exception to Julian’s presence. It’s up to Julian to solve this puzzle.
Can’t wait to read Book 2!
December 4, 2023
Not as great as the *Mischief in Mayfair* series, though still quite readable.
I had one quibble: in Miss Dignified, quite a bit of the plot complications was about the rules of dueling. The missing brother (Earl of Tremont) ran away to the military because of a duel set up as part of a scheme by his cousin. The point I'm after is that, as a peer, Tremont should not have been in a duel with a commoner, a member of the wealthy gentry.
But in this book, it seems that Lord Julian, who is the only extant heir to his brother's earldom, would have been allowed to duel with a similarly wealthy commoner.
I had one quibble: in Miss Dignified, quite a bit of the plot complications was about the rules of dueling. The missing brother (Earl of Tremont) ran away to the military because of a duel set up as part of a scheme by his cousin. The point I'm after is that, as a peer, Tremont should not have been in a duel with a commoner, a member of the wealthy gentry.
But in this book, it seems that Lord Julian, who is the only extant heir to his brother's earldom, would have been allowed to duel with a similarly wealthy commoner.
April 25, 2024
Started February 13 ish
Finished- (never?😂😂🤫)
A new beginning. I also love mysteries. So historical romance mysteries. 👏🏾👏🏾
Not overly romantic so far but good build up.
This story reflects the most entitled…..Unfriendly….Unromantic….Mean-spirited folks = entitled!
- I haven’t read one happy thing that’s gone on at this “house party”. I’m just curious and hopeful - At some point this will come together- again, I hope.
Why does everyone think he’s a traitor or something? I’m missing how that all happened! He was in the war. People died. He was CAPTURED! 🤷🏾♀️what??!!!
I’m still waffling over the number of stars but I’m knee deep in book 2 and it’s given me hope that better days are ahead for him.
4 stars ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
Finished- (never?😂😂🤫)
A new beginning. I also love mysteries. So historical romance mysteries. 👏🏾👏🏾
Not overly romantic so far but good build up.
This story reflects the most entitled…..Unfriendly….Unromantic….Mean-spirited folks = entitled!
- I haven’t read one happy thing that’s gone on at this “house party”. I’m just curious and hopeful - At some point this will come together- again, I hope.
Why does everyone think he’s a traitor or something? I’m missing how that all happened! He was in the war. People died. He was CAPTURED! 🤷🏾♀️what??!!!
I’m still waffling over the number of stars but I’m knee deep in book 2 and it’s given me hope that better days are ahead for him.
4 stars ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
June 2, 2025
*AUDIO AVAILABLE VIA AUTHOR'S WEBSITE*
I keep seeing this series on lists of the Best Historical Series but it didn't have audio available from what I could tell on GR's or Amazon, so I just assumed and set it aside. Randomly decided to google and what do ya know? Author sells it direct.
Smart story with fantastic character development. I really liked the writing, pacing and mystery.
I keep seeing this series on lists of the Best Historical Series but it didn't have audio available from what I could tell on GR's or Amazon, so I just assumed and set it aside. Randomly decided to google and what do ya know? Author sells it direct.
Smart story with fantastic character development. I really liked the writing, pacing and mystery.
June 4, 2025
A new series to love!
Love the characters, love the story, love the setting! The plot unfolds at a good pace, and the twists are perfect. The threads are tied up and , though there's a hint about the next book, there is no cliffhanger. For me, that's a good thing. I'm excited to read book 2!
Love the characters, love the story, love the setting! The plot unfolds at a good pace, and the twists are perfect. The threads are tied up and , though there's a hint about the next book, there is no cliffhanger. For me, that's a good thing. I'm excited to read book 2!
February 21, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyable, with links to previous books by the author. Not one of her deeper, or longer, stories but I had fun - and as I have now finished the books that are out in the series, I’d say they really build into one long excellent story.
September 13, 2024
Skimmed through the book. It was quite tedious.
January 13, 2025
Wonderful read!
What a lovely book, about a gentleman newly back from the Napoleonic wars, escorting his Godmother to a country house party. He has trouble following him there and the house is full of intrigue and Julian has to figure out what the heck is going on. Wonderful!
What a lovely book, about a gentleman newly back from the Napoleonic wars, escorting his Godmother to a country house party. He has trouble following him there and the house is full of intrigue and Julian has to figure out what the heck is going on. Wonderful!
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