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The Chaplain's Legacy #6
Ambition
One man with a secret. A family torn apart by the consequences.
Olivia, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Rennington, has had a difficult year. Denied her first season in town by the illness of her grandmother, there was worse to come — her uncle, the chaplain, was brutally murdered. The discovery that he was not even an ordained clergyman means that her parents’ marriage is void, and she and all her siblings are illegitimate. But Olivia has a plan — she intends to outdo her older sister Izzy and marry a duke, and she knows just the man. She’s been following his exploits for years. All she has to do is to meet him…
Robert Osborn was once passionately in love with Izzy but when she chose another man, he lapsed gratefully back into his unfettered life as a man of leisure. But when he unexpectedly becomes the Earl of Kiltarlity, he is weighed down with obligations and responsibilities — where is the fun in that? He is astonished to meet Olivia — the very image of her older sister, and what is more, she has no trouble advising him on his new duties. But is his growing admiration simply because she reminds him of Izzy? And can he deter her from her ambition to be a duchess?
Captain Michael Edgerton has been doggedly pursuing the chaplain’s murderer for months. Now, with more violence complicating the situation, he has one last throw of the dice to unravel the identity and motive of the killer.
This is a complete story with a happy ever after, but best read after the previous books in the series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. Book 6 of a 6 book series.
Olivia, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Rennington, has had a difficult year. Denied her first season in town by the illness of her grandmother, there was worse to come — her uncle, the chaplain, was brutally murdered. The discovery that he was not even an ordained clergyman means that her parents’ marriage is void, and she and all her siblings are illegitimate. But Olivia has a plan — she intends to outdo her older sister Izzy and marry a duke, and she knows just the man. She’s been following his exploits for years. All she has to do is to meet him…
Robert Osborn was once passionately in love with Izzy but when she chose another man, he lapsed gratefully back into his unfettered life as a man of leisure. But when he unexpectedly becomes the Earl of Kiltarlity, he is weighed down with obligations and responsibilities — where is the fun in that? He is astonished to meet Olivia — the very image of her older sister, and what is more, she has no trouble advising him on his new duties. But is his growing admiration simply because she reminds him of Izzy? And can he deter her from her ambition to be a duchess?
Captain Michael Edgerton has been doggedly pursuing the chaplain’s murderer for months. Now, with more violence complicating the situation, he has one last throw of the dice to unravel the identity and motive of the killer.
This is a complete story with a happy ever after, but best read after the previous books in the series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. Book 6 of a 6 book series.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2025
168 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kingswood
68 books479 followersI live in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland with my husband. I like chocolate, whisky, my Kindle, massed pipe bands, long leisurely lunches, chocolate, going places in my campervan, eating pizza in Italy, summer nights that never get dark, wood fires in winter, chocolate, the view from the study window looking out over the Moray Firth and the Black Isle to the mountains beyond. And chocolate. I dislike driving on motorways, cooking, shopping, hospitals.
The lovely lady in my avatar is Archduchess Clementina of Austria (1798-1881), Princess of Salerno, painted around 1839.
NOTE: I read Regency romances as well as write them, and I review them all on my website, or you can find them right here on Goodreads on my real-name account at Pauline M. Ross.
The lovely lady in my avatar is Archduchess Clementina of Austria (1798-1881), Princess of Salerno, painted around 1839.
NOTE: I read Regency romances as well as write them, and I review them all on my website, or you can find them right here on Goodreads on my real-name account at Pauline M. Ross.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 16, 2025
Great conclusion to this series
Kingswood remains my favorite Regency author. And this novel further anchors her position. When I get discouraged by so many badly done Regency romances, I reread Kingswood just to remind myself great writers are still out there. She restores my hope, lifts my spirits and warms my heart.
Willerton-Forbes and crew proved their prowess once again. Olivia and her love interest were a lovely counterpoint to the murder mystery.
As ever, I didn't want this novel to end, but I needed to know who was the murderer, of course. But now I'm hoping Kingswood has yet one more series in the works. And that the wait won't be TOO long.
Kingswood remains my favorite Regency author. And this novel further anchors her position. When I get discouraged by so many badly done Regency romances, I reread Kingswood just to remind myself great writers are still out there. She restores my hope, lifts my spirits and warms my heart.
Willerton-Forbes and crew proved their prowess once again. Olivia and her love interest were a lovely counterpoint to the murder mystery.
As ever, I didn't want this novel to end, but I needed to know who was the murderer, of course. But now I'm hoping Kingswood has yet one more series in the works. And that the wait won't be TOO long.
September 20, 2025
My Favorite of the Series
A wonderful romance, and a very satisfying conclusion to the series. I loved Olivia and Osborn— they were truly perfect for each other.
A wonderful romance, and a very satisfying conclusion to the series. I loved Olivia and Osborn— they were truly perfect for each other.
September 12, 2025
A Fine Conclusion to a Very Enjoyable Series
Ambition is the final book in a series in which the ramifications of one act of self indulgence by a young man (with little desire to exercise any self discipline) reach their conclusion.
On the eve of his ordination as a priest, Arthur Nicholson was caught in an act very unsuited to an aspiring clergyman, with the cathedral dean’s scullery maid, which resulted in his ordination not going ahead as planned. The effects of this on the family with whom he later makes his home are far reaching and decades later there are both happy and tragic outcomes as relationships are sundered and re-evaluated and a murder is committed.
Over the course of the six books, Mary Kingswood skilfully weaves romances and the social relationships of the devastated family with murder investigations by Messrs Edgerton, Saxby, Neate and Pettigrew Willerton-Forbes the sleuthing characters who reappear often in her novels. Each book in the series takes a family member on a voyage of self discovery as they are forced by circumstances to change the direction of their lives.
Ambition follows the story of Olivia, the youngest in the family, who has missed out on her society debut, due initially to the expected demise of her elderly grandmother and then as a result of Arthur Nicholson’s death.
The story is as much a ‘whydunnit’ as a ‘whodunnit’ for the motive for murder is the biggest mystery that must be solved before the murderer is identified and an arrest can be made.
I really enjoy Mary Kingswood’s books, her characters develop in each book and mature or come to some kind of self realisation that enables them to find the right person with whom to share their lives.
Ambition contains twists and turns and happy surprises before all the loose ends are neatly and very satisfactorily tied up and the repercussions from the chaplain’s behaviour are finally resolved.
I received an ARC copy of the book and have reviewed the book voluntarily.
Ambition is the final book in a series in which the ramifications of one act of self indulgence by a young man (with little desire to exercise any self discipline) reach their conclusion.
On the eve of his ordination as a priest, Arthur Nicholson was caught in an act very unsuited to an aspiring clergyman, with the cathedral dean’s scullery maid, which resulted in his ordination not going ahead as planned. The effects of this on the family with whom he later makes his home are far reaching and decades later there are both happy and tragic outcomes as relationships are sundered and re-evaluated and a murder is committed.
Over the course of the six books, Mary Kingswood skilfully weaves romances and the social relationships of the devastated family with murder investigations by Messrs Edgerton, Saxby, Neate and Pettigrew Willerton-Forbes the sleuthing characters who reappear often in her novels. Each book in the series takes a family member on a voyage of self discovery as they are forced by circumstances to change the direction of their lives.
Ambition follows the story of Olivia, the youngest in the family, who has missed out on her society debut, due initially to the expected demise of her elderly grandmother and then as a result of Arthur Nicholson’s death.
The story is as much a ‘whydunnit’ as a ‘whodunnit’ for the motive for murder is the biggest mystery that must be solved before the murderer is identified and an arrest can be made.
I really enjoy Mary Kingswood’s books, her characters develop in each book and mature or come to some kind of self realisation that enables them to find the right person with whom to share their lives.
Ambition contains twists and turns and happy surprises before all the loose ends are neatly and very satisfactorily tied up and the repercussions from the chaplain’s behaviour are finally resolved.
I received an ARC copy of the book and have reviewed the book voluntarily.
October 4, 2025
It was ok
First off, I remember reading a review before choosing this book that noted it could be read as a standalone, but would be better if followed after reading all the previous books in the series. And in several ways, I do agree. However, I chose to read it as a standalone because I didn’t think I would be able to read the five books before it, and I was right.
The characters can be annoying. They seem to be following paths that make no sense, and appear to have a little understanding about themselves and what they want in life. One thing that aggravates me with romances is when the characters hem and haw, and move back-and-forth between should I or shouldn’t I, or will he or won’t he, or do I love her or not, or is he just playing with me or does he care? These kinds of questions were repeated over and over again and it gets old.
The character development is average… I did not feel that the characters had much depth. Olivia is very silly. And I got tired of Robert calling her “his ghost.“ His character at the beginning is way over the top, though by the middle of the book he has started to settle down a little bit.
So many people seem to be at cross purposes. There certainly was confusion on my part because I had not read the first five books. And because this is the case, the investigators into the murder of Nicholson were very much an unknown quantity to me for much of the book. However, interestingly at the end of the story, the mystery becomes one of the more exciting aspects of the entire book.
Too many things were contrived for the sake of moving the plot forward; it simply made certain situations seem ludicrous. For example, why Olivia‘s mother and father did not marry after the great scandal perplexed me beyond words. It was a totally unnecessary wrinkle and an enormous source of heartache, but seemingly for no critical purpose in the plot’s development or movement.
The mystery is solved, which began in the first book of the series.
Improbable relationships worked out making the book feel like a string of fairytales.
I can say that Robert and Olivia are much more likable by the end of the story.
However, I’m not at all sorry that I missed the first five books. The writing is very basic and the plot development not terribly sophisticated. This just wasn’t a good fit for me, but that does not mean that others might not enjoy it. Reading other reviews may present this book in a better light.
First off, I remember reading a review before choosing this book that noted it could be read as a standalone, but would be better if followed after reading all the previous books in the series. And in several ways, I do agree. However, I chose to read it as a standalone because I didn’t think I would be able to read the five books before it, and I was right.
The characters can be annoying. They seem to be following paths that make no sense, and appear to have a little understanding about themselves and what they want in life. One thing that aggravates me with romances is when the characters hem and haw, and move back-and-forth between should I or shouldn’t I, or will he or won’t he, or do I love her or not, or is he just playing with me or does he care? These kinds of questions were repeated over and over again and it gets old.
The character development is average… I did not feel that the characters had much depth. Olivia is very silly. And I got tired of Robert calling her “his ghost.“ His character at the beginning is way over the top, though by the middle of the book he has started to settle down a little bit.
So many people seem to be at cross purposes. There certainly was confusion on my part because I had not read the first five books. And because this is the case, the investigators into the murder of Nicholson were very much an unknown quantity to me for much of the book. However, interestingly at the end of the story, the mystery becomes one of the more exciting aspects of the entire book.
Too many things were contrived for the sake of moving the plot forward; it simply made certain situations seem ludicrous. For example, why Olivia‘s mother and father did not marry after the great scandal perplexed me beyond words. It was a totally unnecessary wrinkle and an enormous source of heartache, but seemingly for no critical purpose in the plot’s development or movement.
The mystery is solved, which began in the first book of the series.
Improbable relationships worked out making the book feel like a string of fairytales.
I can say that Robert and Olivia are much more likable by the end of the story.
However, I’m not at all sorry that I missed the first five books. The writing is very basic and the plot development not terribly sophisticated. This just wasn’t a good fit for me, but that does not mean that others might not enjoy it. Reading other reviews may present this book in a better light.
September 12, 2025
Ambition is the final book in the Chaplain’s Legacy Series. As in other final books of a series written by Mary Kingswood, this book reveals all: the murderer, the betrothed, the broken relationships and relationships yet to be made. I first read this book quickly - I had to find out ”who done it”. But I lost so much of the characters’ nature by that quick read. Then I read the book again - now the characters are developed, some quirky, others more human, all are complicated.
The main love interest in this book is Olivia Atherton - the youngest of the children of Charles and Caroline Atherton. How will she ever become a duchess if she doesn’t have a season? Her debut has been postponed due to her grandmother’s pending demise and her uncle’s murder. Then there is the problem of her parents’ invalid marriage and her illegitimacy.
Lady Esther Franklin steps in to help Olivia’s ambition come to fruition after her own step-daughter Beatrice made a less advantageous match.
Edgerton and Associates have another case to solve. The shooting of Bertram Atherton is added to the other unsolved cases: the Chaplain’s murder and Miss Peach’s murder. All the cases are so odd - could they be related?
While I would like to know more about how the other Atherton siblings are getting along, this book only mentions them in passing. Other characters introduced in previous books are mentioned as well.
You will learn the solution to all the cases, see the accomplishment of Olivia’s ambition and the continuance of the relationships introduced in previous books of the series.
I recommend you read this book; to learn the solution to the mysteries and the development of the characters Mary Kingwood created.
I received this book pre-released as an ARC reader. I posted this review voluntarily.
September 12, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed Ambition. It's Mary Kingswood’s finale to her seven-book series starting with The Chaplain.
Ambition’s twists and turns kept the pace much livelier than Jane Austen’s books. It also retained the social comment perspective that Austen’s works, such as Pride and Prejudice and Emma, were famous for. That’s true both in terms of its social commentary on the stratification of Regency Society and the inevitable effects of that on the characters’ motivations.
I was impressed with the way Kingswood kept the point of view in focus as she changed narrators. She was deft in her demonstration of increasing insight into the principal characters throughout their character development arcs.
Aside from that, as is characteristic of her series of books, she continued the line of the investigator’s point of view, which kept my curiosity whetted through to the last page, which I finished at four this morning. (I often lack the discipline to put a good book down.) Ambition effectively braids the strands of various points of view and ties up all the loose ends I recall from reading the earlier books in the series.
I can also wholeheartedly recommend Ambition as both a standalone novel and a series conclusion. Unless you dislike the combination of Regency Era romance and Regency Era detection, you’ll have a lovely time reading Ambition. Kingswood is careful to maintain consistency in language, awareness of progress, and the knowledge available to each character, which is characteristic of the Regency period.
This helps the reader understand where the tensions are and why. I had the honor of receiving an Advance Reader Copy, but found no typos or revision errors.
Kingswood’s lively-paced and Austen-accurate Ambition deserves a space in your library.
Ambition’s twists and turns kept the pace much livelier than Jane Austen’s books. It also retained the social comment perspective that Austen’s works, such as Pride and Prejudice and Emma, were famous for. That’s true both in terms of its social commentary on the stratification of Regency Society and the inevitable effects of that on the characters’ motivations.
I was impressed with the way Kingswood kept the point of view in focus as she changed narrators. She was deft in her demonstration of increasing insight into the principal characters throughout their character development arcs.
Aside from that, as is characteristic of her series of books, she continued the line of the investigator’s point of view, which kept my curiosity whetted through to the last page, which I finished at four this morning. (I often lack the discipline to put a good book down.) Ambition effectively braids the strands of various points of view and ties up all the loose ends I recall from reading the earlier books in the series.
I can also wholeheartedly recommend Ambition as both a standalone novel and a series conclusion. Unless you dislike the combination of Regency Era romance and Regency Era detection, you’ll have a lovely time reading Ambition. Kingswood is careful to maintain consistency in language, awareness of progress, and the knowledge available to each character, which is characteristic of the Regency period.
This helps the reader understand where the tensions are and why. I had the honor of receiving an Advance Reader Copy, but found no typos or revision errors.
Kingswood’s lively-paced and Austen-accurate Ambition deserves a space in your library.
September 18, 2025
I received this book in return for my honest opinion.
This is the conclusion to The Chaplain's Legacy series. This installment follows the youngest daughter, Olivia, on her journey to true love. She has a plan for marrying better than her sisters and an opportunity to pursue it comes her way, she seizes it. Robert has now inherited a title that was to go to his brothers and struggling with how to manage his properties. He was one of Izzy's (Olivia's sister) admirers, but has come to the knowledge they would have been a terrible match. Olivia and Robert both have plans on how to obtain their happily ever after, will they work out?
I really enjoyed this conclusion to the series. Olivia and Robert are so cute together. The banter and teasing is excellent. Their journey to each other is not smooth, but is sweet.
The sub plot of the whole series is concluded! The ending is excellent. The murderer is who I thought it was. However, like Captain Edgerton, I was missing the motive. The reveal is worth it!
I would highly recommend the whole series. All 6 books are fun, sweet romances with a sprinkle murder mystery. As always check the content information. There is some kissing, gun violence and alcohol use.
This is the conclusion to The Chaplain's Legacy series. This installment follows the youngest daughter, Olivia, on her journey to true love. She has a plan for marrying better than her sisters and an opportunity to pursue it comes her way, she seizes it. Robert has now inherited a title that was to go to his brothers and struggling with how to manage his properties. He was one of Izzy's (Olivia's sister) admirers, but has come to the knowledge they would have been a terrible match. Olivia and Robert both have plans on how to obtain their happily ever after, will they work out?
I really enjoyed this conclusion to the series. Olivia and Robert are so cute together. The banter and teasing is excellent. Their journey to each other is not smooth, but is sweet.
The sub plot of the whole series is concluded! The ending is excellent. The murderer is who I thought it was. However, like Captain Edgerton, I was missing the motive. The reveal is worth it!
I would highly recommend the whole series. All 6 books are fun, sweet romances with a sprinkle murder mystery. As always check the content information. There is some kissing, gun violence and alcohol use.
September 9, 2025
Such a delight to finally read the last of this series and find out the resolution of the murder mystery that dogged all the books in the series, although I’m sad to see it end. I received a pre-release copy from the author, and I am leaving a review voluntarily. I had guessed the outcome, but there were some surprising twists I wasn’t expecting. The title couldn’t be more fitting and this book was a perfect ending to the series! Robert and Olivia were so well suited to each other and the epilogue made me sigh in contentment. This can be read as a standalone, but was much more enjoyable after reading the other books in the series so you are more aware of the secondary characters and their stories. If you enjoy a sweet, blissful romance with a bit of mystery involved, this book is for you!
September 12, 2025
Ambition” very nicely concludes this latest series by Ms. Kingswood. I have to admit that the Chaplains Legacy Series has been my least favorite of all the author’s books, all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I just could not relate to most of the characters or in fact the story line. This final book in the series, however, not only concludes the story very nicely indeed but once again clearly reveals the author’s great storytelling ability. She not only does the perfect whodunit “reveal”, but she gives a HEA to not only the hero and heroine in this book but to several other characters of the series. And the preview of the upcoming series sounds really exciting, so am looking forward to starting it immediately upon the release of Book 1 of “Black Sheep.” (I received a pre-release copy of Ambition and this is my voluntary review.)
December 18, 2025
Startling resolution that was carefully telegraphed all along
The solution to the mystery was brilliant. I'd been suspecting the culprit for a while, but I thought it would turn out that the murder was connected to the smuggling, and Pettigrew's assertion that the chaplain would not resort to blackmail was not completely convincing to me. But as Michael found, the answer was very obvious once the widely sprinkled clues came together--some of which I had dismissed as casual information, not important clues (must be losing my touch!).
In any event, I was pleased that all the HEAs were wound up, even if it felt just a tad artificial. But while the solution to the problem of the culprit made sense, I can't help thinking that th Atherton family has been so traumatized that it's got to have an effect later on, perhaps impacting the next generation.
The solution to the mystery was brilliant. I'd been suspecting the culprit for a while, but I thought it would turn out that the murder was connected to the smuggling, and Pettigrew's assertion that the chaplain would not resort to blackmail was not completely convincing to me. But as Michael found, the answer was very obvious once the widely sprinkled clues came together--some of which I had dismissed as casual information, not important clues (must be losing my touch!).
In any event, I was pleased that all the HEAs were wound up, even if it felt just a tad artificial. But while the solution to the problem of the culprit made sense, I can't help thinking that th Atherton family has been so traumatized that it's got to have an effect later on, perhaps impacting the next generation.
September 12, 2025
This is book 6 and the final one in the Chaplain’s Legacy series. Mary Kingswood is a prolific storyteller who creates engaging characters. While this book is about an ongoing mystery, the story stands alone by itself. However, it is enjoyable to follow the different storylines and characters from the first book in the series. Reading her books is like revisiting old friends from another era. She has once again developed a memorable romantic couple in Olivia and Robert as well as others as they are searching for their HEA. And finally, FINALLY, we have the surprising conclusion to the mystery.
I have received an ARC copy and the review is given voluntarily.
I have received an ARC copy and the review is given voluntarily.
October 3, 2025
I must admit this series has not been among my favorites. I never really warmed to this family. But this is definitely the strongest book in the series. I loved it. It’s a masterful blend of the romance and the murder mystery which wraps up many loose ends in a very satisfactory way. Mary Kingswood remains my Best Beloved romance writer. How she remains so prolific I can’t imagine, publishing at least two books a year, sometimes three. I’ll take them all, and reread them regularly. Silver Linings is my absolute favorite, and I love The Mercers, but they are all wonderful. If you haven’t read her earlier series you must do so.
September 12, 2025
I love Mary Kingswood Books and Ambition is the final book in the Series of The Chaplain's Legacy.
I have been waiting for it to be released and finally find out who committed the murder. Although I am sad the series has come to an end. You really come to know all the characters in the series and I will miss them!
You will enjoy reading this book and the series. Then check out her other series, you will not be disappointed.
Regency era romance and mystery. I would suggest reading the books in order.
I have been waiting for it to be released and finally find out who committed the murder. Although I am sad the series has come to an end. You really come to know all the characters in the series and I will miss them!
You will enjoy reading this book and the series. Then check out her other series, you will not be disappointed.
Regency era romance and mystery. I would suggest reading the books in order.
September 15, 2025
good ending
This was my favorite of the series so far although it took me quite a while to warm up to the Chaplains Legacy. Of course the wrapping up of a murder is always comforting and typically one does not have to wait 6 books for the climax. Olivia was not my favorite of the protagonists… but she was certainly better than some. Osborn was lovely, although of course an idiot but that was his role. We knew, of course who the murder was unless there was to be quite a twist. But the mechanics were actually quite interesting.
This was my favorite of the series so far although it took me quite a while to warm up to the Chaplains Legacy. Of course the wrapping up of a murder is always comforting and typically one does not have to wait 6 books for the climax. Olivia was not my favorite of the protagonists… but she was certainly better than some. Osborn was lovely, although of course an idiot but that was his role. We knew, of course who the murder was unless there was to be quite a twist. But the mechanics were actually quite interesting.
September 22, 2025
Loose ends all tied up in a bow.
I like how there were so many stories in this final book of the series. No spoilers will be given. While this is ostensibly Olivia’s story, it is also a story for so many others. If you haven’t read books 1-5, you really need to read those first or this won’t be nearly as good. And I really hope the author will throw in a later short story or series that gives us the next stage for Luce and Edgerton and friends. I need an epilogue tacked on later at a minimum please!
I like how there were so many stories in this final book of the series. No spoilers will be given. While this is ostensibly Olivia’s story, it is also a story for so many others. If you haven’t read books 1-5, you really need to read those first or this won’t be nearly as good. And I really hope the author will throw in a later short story or series that gives us the next stage for Luce and Edgerton and friends. I need an epilogue tacked on later at a minimum please!
September 12, 2025
I received a pre-release copy of Ambition to read and review. As you can see I gave a 5 star rating. Ambition was the last book in this series and all threads were tied up and mysteries solved. As with all of Mary Kingswood’s book she manages to make you feel like you’re involved in the family dynamics and eager to discover all the pieces of the puzzles. I so enjoyed this series and look forward to reading her next series.
September 17, 2025
A fitting end to the series, with the mystery finally solved. It was light on mystery and heavy on romance, which is what I prefer. And such a sweet romance! Olivia is the most lovable of the three sisters. Her pursuit of the future duke takes her all over the country, while in the background, Captain Michael Edgerton and his team try to solve the murder of the family chaplain. This was my favorite of the series.
September 27, 2025
Love has no bounds and I loved this book!
The whole series was so good, and such a satisfying conclusion to a mystery I could not, for once, solve immediately. Mary Kingswood is the very best- if you haven’t availed yourself, do yourself a favor & pick up one of her series. They are delightful, made me laugh and cry, and were ultimately so satisfying that I always look forward to the next one. Onward!
The whole series was so good, and such a satisfying conclusion to a mystery I could not, for once, solve immediately. Mary Kingswood is the very best- if you haven’t availed yourself, do yourself a favor & pick up one of her series. They are delightful, made me laugh and cry, and were ultimately so satisfying that I always look forward to the next one. Onward!
September 28, 2025
A great finale!
A fabulous end to this wonderful series, with everything finally falling into place. Although I had guessed bits’n’pieces as I read through this series, I just couldn’t put it altogether, so it’s good to at last learn the whole truth. But as is always the case when you finish a book or series, there is that bittersweet feeling that the end has come. I will therefore look forward to Mary Kingswood’s next series with great anticipation!
A fabulous end to this wonderful series, with everything finally falling into place. Although I had guessed bits’n’pieces as I read through this series, I just couldn’t put it altogether, so it’s good to at last learn the whole truth. But as is always the case when you finish a book or series, there is that bittersweet feeling that the end has come. I will therefore look forward to Mary Kingswood’s next series with great anticipation!
September 15, 2025
A satisfying end to the series
This was a journey of growth and maturity for Olivia and it was a pleasure to accompany her. She has become one of my favorite Kingswood heroines. I was happy to wrap up the mystery of the chaplain's murder. Like Michael, I thought I had identified the murderer but didn't understand why or how. Glad to have the clever explanation at last.
This was a journey of growth and maturity for Olivia and it was a pleasure to accompany her. She has become one of my favorite Kingswood heroines. I was happy to wrap up the mystery of the chaplain's murder. Like Michael, I thought I had identified the murderer but didn't understand why or how. Glad to have the clever explanation at last.
September 15, 2025
Ambition by Mary Kingswood.
As always Mary Kingswood does not disappoint. Wonderful series as all of hers are. Her writing makes you feel as if you are right in the story. There is just something so heartfelt and lovely about all her books. She is probably my very favorite author.
As always Mary Kingswood does not disappoint. Wonderful series as all of hers are. Her writing makes you feel as if you are right in the story. There is just something so heartfelt and lovely about all her books. She is probably my very favorite author.
September 29, 2025
Fell in love with Olivia despite disliking her early on - but remembered the author's trick of giving us fully described characters AND we are never too far away from the strings of Regency patriarchy...works for me. I did think the device of the murder mystery stretched over 6 books was an interesting idea but really...would it have gone on that long? Overall, charming and enjoyable.
October 8, 2025
A fabulous conclusion!
Mary Kingswood has most predictably created a fantastic final book in this sparkling series. She never fails to delight and to craft engaging characters who captivate us with their realistic trials and triumphs. The hardest part of any book she writes is coming to the end and then needing to wait for the next book with eager anticipation!
Mary Kingswood has most predictably created a fantastic final book in this sparkling series. She never fails to delight and to craft engaging characters who captivate us with their realistic trials and triumphs. The hardest part of any book she writes is coming to the end and then needing to wait for the next book with eager anticipation!
September 16, 2025
Far too long
The premise of this series was good, but the characters did not engender much sympathy in me. And it certainly didn't need six books. I tended to skip the chapters about the individuals, and just read the parts about the murder investigation.
The premise of this series was good, but the characters did not engender much sympathy in me. And it certainly didn't need six books. I tended to skip the chapters about the individuals, and just read the parts about the murder investigation.
September 17, 2025
a grand ending to the series
As a previous reviewer mentioned, all the stories got satisfactory endings, the mystery got solved and the good folks got their HEAs, and it was all done delightfully.
Now, to wait for the next series.......
As a previous reviewer mentioned, all the stories got satisfactory endings, the mystery got solved and the good folks got their HEAs, and it was all done delightfully.
Now, to wait for the next series.......
September 18, 2025
Outstanding as expected!
I read straight through all six books, and made myself late to several engagements. Ms Kingswood is one of my favorite writers and I eagerly look forward to each new series.
I read straight through all six books, and made myself late to several engagements. Ms Kingswood is one of my favorite writers and I eagerly look forward to each new series.
November 30, 2025
(My 4 stars is probably your 5.) Unable to review timely. I waited for the series to be complete before starting in on them, because I love Kingswood's writing and I knew I'd be gobbling them up. Complex stories and interesting characters. (The chaplain didn't leave a legacy, he left chaos!)
December 29, 2025
Excellent wrap up to the series
Loved it and it was a great HEA. I like all the characters and the ending was well done and believable with the facts that were presented throughout the series on the mystery.
Loved it and it was a great HEA. I like all the characters and the ending was well done and believable with the facts that were presented throughout the series on the mystery.
September 14, 2025
Disappointing!
A story about a silly naive adolescent which was very boring.
Only the last quarter is a finale to the series.
A story about a silly naive adolescent which was very boring.
Only the last quarter is a finale to the series.
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