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The Country Duo #1
The Country Gentleman
Her curiosity was boundless...The arrival of Mr. John Harris, the new owner of Pinnacles House, was greeted with much interest by the inhabitants of Woodham. Why should a man who was so handsome, so agreeable and so nobly heroic, a man who had lived abroad, dream of settling down in the English countryside? It was very mysterious...Miss Lucinda Calvert longed to ask him many questions, but courtesy—and her upbringing as the reverend's daughter—forbade her. And by no means could she ask him the most important question of all—for how could a lady ask a man if he loved her?
221 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
21 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Dinah Dean
26 books12 followersDinah Dean is known mainly for the historical romances she wrote in the 1980s for the Mills & Boon Masquerade Historical Romance imprint. Historical romances then, as now, included a wide range of both writing quality and historical accuracy. Dinah Dean is at the top end of the scale for both. While she does not confine herself to any one period or place, most of her books are set during the early 19th century, in either Waltham Abbey, Essex, England, or in Russia. As a resident of Waltham Abbey and the secretary of the Waltham Abbey Historical Society Dinah Dean is well informed about the history of the town and she uses this in her books which are set between 1060 and 1808. She is also knowledgeable about Russia and, as well as her romances about the early 19th century, she set one book there in the late 11th century.
Dinah Dean also published under the names Jane Hunt and Marjorie May.
Dinah Dean also published under the names Jane Hunt and Marjorie May.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 27, 2023
This is another author who published Regencies back in the day, now being republished in ebook form with new covers. I’ve not encountered this author before, but I absolutely adored this book. It has a charming rural setting, a mysterious (but not too threatening) hero, a downtrodden and thoroughly deserving heroine, and a romance that builds slowly over the course of the book. And no pesky anachronisms (that I spotted).
Here’s the premise: Miss Lucinda Calvert is the daughter of her somewhat disorganised and short-sighted rector father and her ailing mother, leaving her the mainstay of the village, constantly busy about her charitable works for the poor. There are few people her own age in the village, apart from one female friend, the curate and a French emigre, so she looks set to drift into spinsterhood. But the arrival of mysterious Mr John Harris at the long neglected estate of the Pinnacles sets her life on a different course. John is charmingly attractive, and soon shows that he enjoys her company, but he’s oddly reserved about his past. He’s been abroad, but where? And when? And more to the point, why? Questions are gently deflected, but Lucinda soon discovers evidence that he’s not all he seems. Yet he’s so attractive…
The romance is lovely, and quite unusual for the era it was written in, which more usually follows the Georgette Heyer policy of wrapping the romance up with a kiss on the final page. Here Lucinda very gradually find herself falling for the hero, and although we never get John’s point of view directly, it’s obvious that he’s following the same path, firstly paying equal attention to Lucinda’s friend and then over many chapters diverting his attention solely towards Lucinda. I loved the way this was done, and of course, Lucinda is very torn because she is aware of all John’s suspicious activities too, so there’s a little tension (but not very much, it had to be said, since the resolution of the mystery was blindingly obvious almost from the first moment).
There is a minor romance for Lucinda’s friend, too, although I was a bit shocked by the speedy, not to say perfunctory, way in which the last vestige of an obstacle was swept away. To be honest, it was hard to see why there was ever an obstacle at all.
But really, one of the great attractions of this book, for me, is in the wonderful depiction of village life. It’s all in the details, like the cats, and the milk turning in the hot weather, and the lyrical description of some of the walks Lucinda went on. And I loved that the sexton doubled up as coachman and even butler for the rector’s family when required.
The ending was a little too glib (didn’t John have to at least consult his father before proposing?), but I’m not going to complain because otherwise this book was well-nigh perfect. Highly recommended. Five stars.
Here’s the premise: Miss Lucinda Calvert is the daughter of her somewhat disorganised and short-sighted rector father and her ailing mother, leaving her the mainstay of the village, constantly busy about her charitable works for the poor. There are few people her own age in the village, apart from one female friend, the curate and a French emigre, so she looks set to drift into spinsterhood. But the arrival of mysterious Mr John Harris at the long neglected estate of the Pinnacles sets her life on a different course. John is charmingly attractive, and soon shows that he enjoys her company, but he’s oddly reserved about his past. He’s been abroad, but where? And when? And more to the point, why? Questions are gently deflected, but Lucinda soon discovers evidence that he’s not all he seems. Yet he’s so attractive…
The romance is lovely, and quite unusual for the era it was written in, which more usually follows the Georgette Heyer policy of wrapping the romance up with a kiss on the final page. Here Lucinda very gradually find herself falling for the hero, and although we never get John’s point of view directly, it’s obvious that he’s following the same path, firstly paying equal attention to Lucinda’s friend and then over many chapters diverting his attention solely towards Lucinda. I loved the way this was done, and of course, Lucinda is very torn because she is aware of all John’s suspicious activities too, so there’s a little tension (but not very much, it had to be said, since the resolution of the mystery was blindingly obvious almost from the first moment).
There is a minor romance for Lucinda’s friend, too, although I was a bit shocked by the speedy, not to say perfunctory, way in which the last vestige of an obstacle was swept away. To be honest, it was hard to see why there was ever an obstacle at all.
But really, one of the great attractions of this book, for me, is in the wonderful depiction of village life. It’s all in the details, like the cats, and the milk turning in the hot weather, and the lyrical description of some of the walks Lucinda went on. And I loved that the sexton doubled up as coachman and even butler for the rector’s family when required.
The ending was a little too glib (didn’t John have to at least consult his father before proposing?), but I’m not going to complain because otherwise this book was well-nigh perfect. Highly recommended. Five stars.
August 1, 2024
it’s so pleasant to find these old regencies on audiobook and ebooks, I wish more authors would convert their backlists
this story isn’t unique but it’s told so competently, solid characters, clever and generous FMC, a familiar plot flow with the right amount of detail, a balance of cozy and intrigue
this story isn’t unique but it’s told so competently, solid characters, clever and generous FMC, a familiar plot flow with the right amount of detail, a balance of cozy and intrigue
July 25, 2017
I enjoyed this book a lot and was surprised at the relatively low rating on it. The blurb and the cover make it seem like Lucinda was an empty-headed little brunette who sat around thinking about this dashing newcomer to the village, but the story was far from this. (Also, she had red hair.)
In actuality, Lucinda is the daughter of the rector and a perpetually ailing mother, which meant she did most of the parish work. If you like a lot of historical detail, then this book is for you: the book is full of her daily routine, and man, is she busy. Walking seemed to take up the majority of her days, which is natural given that they didn't have a carriage or a horse for her to use. This girl carried baskets of goodies and walked everywhere. I felt her sore feet when she had to rest in between walks in the shade carrying two baskets filled with JARS to the poor side of the village. Not unnaturally, she was sweating a good deal of the time. Lucinda was a super hard-working, friendly, and very trustworthy person, much admired by most in the village, despite the fact she had only two good gowns, and one of them was spoiled when she helped out in a raging fire. See what a trooper this girl was? Some of her hair was singed and she didn't bat an eye but cut off the burnt part. How could any man not like her? She would be the type to follow a man to war and end up organizing the entire camp -- quietly, of course, because she wasn't the encroaching type, only the type to do things that people asked of her. Even when she was at a dinner party wearing an ugly dress and made fun of by her friend's snotty relatives, she bucked up -- all the local men started to bolster her, knowing her as they did, but she only grew embarrassed by the attention. What a stalwart character she had.
There was a spy in their midst, much like the plot of the sequel. I don't blame Lucinda for thinking it was John Harris because he acted rather suspiciously, deflecting every single personal question that came his way and never revealing what he did do before coming to the village. I would be surprised if no one else suspected him, being also the newcomer to a small town. I was glad when she got her happy ending, because she was so worn out from her endless good deeds and deserved a break. There was a moment of bittersweetness when Lucinda discovers that John Harris isn't the spy (of course) but instead is a viscount. The Bonaparte spy who was let go was a bit hard to swallow, but law and order was a bit different back in the day, I suppose.
This was a good book for scenic village life, lots of day-to-day details of a rector's daughter. Things seemed to be slightly more informal (she could call on John Harris with a basket) than the city, but country life was a lot more informal. As a plus, the main character is really admirable. If a village had to have one lady to lord it over everyone else, it should be someone like Lucinda.
In actuality, Lucinda is the daughter of the rector and a perpetually ailing mother, which meant she did most of the parish work. If you like a lot of historical detail, then this book is for you: the book is full of her daily routine, and man, is she busy. Walking seemed to take up the majority of her days, which is natural given that they didn't have a carriage or a horse for her to use. This girl carried baskets of goodies and walked everywhere. I felt her sore feet when she had to rest in between walks in the shade carrying two baskets filled with JARS to the poor side of the village. Not unnaturally, she was sweating a good deal of the time. Lucinda was a super hard-working, friendly, and very trustworthy person, much admired by most in the village, despite the fact she had only two good gowns, and one of them was spoiled when she helped out in a raging fire. See what a trooper this girl was? Some of her hair was singed and she didn't bat an eye but cut off the burnt part. How could any man not like her? She would be the type to follow a man to war and end up organizing the entire camp -- quietly, of course, because she wasn't the encroaching type, only the type to do things that people asked of her. Even when she was at a dinner party wearing an ugly dress and made fun of by her friend's snotty relatives, she bucked up -- all the local men started to bolster her, knowing her as they did, but she only grew embarrassed by the attention. What a stalwart character she had.
There was a spy in their midst, much like the plot of the sequel. I don't blame Lucinda for thinking it was John Harris because he acted rather suspiciously, deflecting every single personal question that came his way and never revealing what he did do before coming to the village. I would be surprised if no one else suspected him, being also the newcomer to a small town. I was glad when she got her happy ending, because she was so worn out from her endless good deeds and deserved a break. There was a moment of bittersweetness when Lucinda discovers that John Harris isn't the spy (of course) but instead is a viscount. The Bonaparte spy who was let go was a bit hard to swallow, but law and order was a bit different back in the day, I suppose.
This was a good book for scenic village life, lots of day-to-day details of a rector's daughter. Things seemed to be slightly more informal (she could call on John Harris with a basket) than the city, but country life was a lot more informal. As a plus, the main character is really admirable. If a village had to have one lady to lord it over everyone else, it should be someone like Lucinda.
January 28, 2023
The blurb for this book is intentionally vague both because there's a mystery but also because the book is very much about people's daily lives. We hear a lot about Lucinda's activities and her work as the reverend's daughter. Her mother is an invalid when it suits her purposes, so Lucinda is the one visiting the sick and the poor and helping to maintain the church. She's also asked to listen to many secrets and keep others' confidences, which is partly why she gets caught up in the mystery. Her life becomes busier and more exciting when John Harris moves into the neighborhood. Everyone wants to know more about him, but he's very good at evading questions. The mystery, involving the war efforts, is pretty obvious from the start, so you're left to see how things will resolve themselves.
Lucinda is a generous soul. She's indefatigable and a gentle soul. I loved that the author didn't make her perfectly poised. She's often sweaty, disheveled, and somewhat dirty, which makes sense with all her activities. That said, I'm ashamed to say that I actually found her a bit boring. I still like her character over flighty or hoydenish ones, but there was just something missing. I also didn't feel super attached to Mr. Harris. Because he's supposed to be mysterious, we don't learn much about him or his feeling, and I couldn't quite yearn for their romance. I did love the people of the village showing their appreciation for Lucinda when she's injured.
The one thing that Dinah Dean does very well is use her setting and the weather to add to her story. She did it in The Cockermouth Mail with the snowstorm and Flight from the Eagle with the alternating hot and cold weather. She also seemed to know a lot about the inns and outs of the church and added a lot of interesting facts to her story. Overall, I enjoyed this clean romance but just felt there was something lacking in order for it to be four stars.
Lucinda is a generous soul. She's indefatigable and a gentle soul. I loved that the author didn't make her perfectly poised. She's often sweaty, disheveled, and somewhat dirty, which makes sense with all her activities. That said, I'm ashamed to say that I actually found her a bit boring. I still like her character over flighty or hoydenish ones, but there was just something missing. I also didn't feel super attached to Mr. Harris. Because he's supposed to be mysterious, we don't learn much about him or his feeling, and I couldn't quite yearn for their romance. I did love the people of the village showing their appreciation for Lucinda when she's injured.
The one thing that Dinah Dean does very well is use her setting and the weather to add to her story. She did it in The Cockermouth Mail with the snowstorm and Flight from the Eagle with the alternating hot and cold weather. She also seemed to know a lot about the inns and outs of the church and added a lot of interesting facts to her story. Overall, I enjoyed this clean romance but just felt there was something lacking in order for it to be four stars.
July 9, 2023
I was charmed from the first paragraph. There is nothing earthshaking here, only an unusually well-crafted and written tale. The dialogue seems absolutely true to Regency English; nothing pops me out of a historical novel like characters who sound modern.
Dean must have been blessed with a very sunny disposition and treats all her characters with great affection. It was a pleasure to hang out in her story. She's a cut above most writers in this genre.
My thanks to Pauline Ross for turning me on to her.
Dean must have been blessed with a very sunny disposition and treats all her characters with great affection. It was a pleasure to hang out in her story. She's a cut above most writers in this genre.
My thanks to Pauline Ross for turning me on to her.
July 12, 2024
Reissue of a book first published in the 80's.
Lucinda is the daughter of a country clergyman and his wife w who is always too ill to do anything. So Lucinda does most of the duties a clergyman wife would do, visit the sick and poor, and run the local seeing circle. Her life is pretty boring, nothing much happens in small country villages.
But John Howard buys the local manor house and sets out to charm all the villagers, but shares little about himself. Lucinda finds herself drawn to him, but also has a niggle that he's not all he seems.
Lucinda is the daughter of a country clergyman and his wife w who is always too ill to do anything. So Lucinda does most of the duties a clergyman wife would do, visit the sick and poor, and run the local seeing circle. Her life is pretty boring, nothing much happens in small country villages.
But John Howard buys the local manor house and sets out to charm all the villagers, but shares little about himself. Lucinda finds herself drawn to him, but also has a niggle that he's not all he seems.
October 7, 2024
8.5/10 enjoyable and well written. Loved the way she conveys village life eg the bells ringing at the rectory. Love the heroine who works so hard but was a bit annoyed at the cluelessness of the heroine for assuming hero is a spy. She knows his dog was given by The Iron Duke himself. Surely it's obvious he must be working for England? Historical details were worked in seamlessly with the CobEnd poor.
January 14, 2025
Very much a "slice of life" story focusing on a sleepy village near the southern coast of England during the Napoleonic wars, with just a hint of mystery suspense regarding spies. Period details and scene settings were very nice for readers looking for a cozy English country village story without much action. This is an early work by this author and characterizations are a little uneven, but overall okay.
October 13, 2023
A sweet and very good book
I really liked this book, it was very well written, with characters that I loved. Lucinda and John were my favorites but it was peopled with a great many interesting characters. I love the time period of this novel. I am going to find more books by Dinah Dean, to see if they are as good as this one. I highly recommend this book.
I really liked this book, it was very well written, with characters that I loved. Lucinda and John were my favorites but it was peopled with a great many interesting characters. I love the time period of this novel. I am going to find more books by Dinah Dean, to see if they are as good as this one. I highly recommend this book.
October 16, 2023
This was a lovely story and it gave me a real feeling for life in the village.
Kind and thoughtful h/interesting and mysterious H. Will be searching for more books by Dinah Dean.
The only criticism is to the poorly done editing - typos.
Kind and thoughtful h/interesting and mysterious H. Will be searching for more books by Dinah Dean.
The only criticism is to the poorly done editing - typos.
October 17, 2023
Very good
Enjoyed very much. Sweet book regency romance. The plot could use a little work because I think she would have suspected the other man as well. But, great dialogue, exposition and feeling.
Enjoyed very much. Sweet book regency romance. The plot could use a little work because I think she would have suspected the other man as well. But, great dialogue, exposition and feeling.
February 1, 2024
Very slow to get through but that is more due to my life at work than the book, a traditional Regency.
Nice rural setting, but a little too slow and the ending was rather abrupt.
I'll try Dean again when I'm in a better place.
Nice rural setting, but a little too slow and the ending was rather abrupt.
I'll try Dean again when I'm in a better place.
August 26, 2024
DNF at 44%. The grammatical errors were so frequent as to make me quit reading regularly. On top of that irritation the plot was going nowhere. The characters were as dull as dirty dishwater. I won’t be reading this author again.
May 18, 2025
A very sweet romance: no intense passions or tumultous conflicts, just a country village and two idiots in love. There is a spy story to add some spice and some adorable cats. A well-written, clean story.
May 31, 2020
Masquerade 183
January 10, 2022
The hero divulged so little about himself (until the end, obviously) that I was surprised only Lucinda found his behavior suspicious!
December 1, 2022
This was very sweet and dryly amusing. Lucinda was an excellent heroine, and despite the fact that it was entirely obvious what was going on in the 'mystery' thread, I found this most enjoyable.
June 29, 2025
This book was a short and sweet love story with a bit of mystery and intrigue thrown in. Nothing offensive.
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May 22, 2024I was so disappointed in this one after enjoying "The Cockermouth Mail" so much. I can describe this book in one word: boring.
July 15, 2013
Standard regency fare...did not love this one like the Russian series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews