Crimson Deception

by Therese Alderton

Reading creases on spine by cover. Pages are clean with no writing or marking.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1986

Reviews

[Spazfungus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked how independent Katherine was and how she sticks with her goal (rather than just paying lip service to the idea of being independent). Though the problems that plague the hero and the identity of the villain were not unexpected, the side characters were fun and entertaining (liked Katherine's shy cousin Priscilla and the funny floppish Lord Knolland). A few subplots felt superfluous, the characters make incomprehensible mistakes, and the miscommunication seems a little too contrived, but overall, it was an enjoyable read.

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****Spoiler Summary****
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After her great uncle's death, Katherine decides to move her mother and cousin from Whitfield to become governesses for Colonel Dawson. However the new Earl of Tarrington arrives, coerces them to stay as guests. Katherine doesn't want to be a dependent, wills clash as Tarrington forces Katherine see reality, discovers Dawson wants to marry her mother, not hire them. At first, Tarrington seems deliberately dishonest toward Katherine's neighbor, Oldbury, but in reality Tarrington and his late wife were victims, having brought lots of fake expensive artwork. Tarrington came to Whitfield to catch Oldbury, the mastermind behind the fake artwork scam.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katherine Amory, her mother and cousin are set to leave the home of her late uncle to make way for the new owner. The new owner, the Earl of Tarrington, persuades the women to stay on in the home with him and his relatives after they realize they are distant cousins. Katherine finds the Earl condescending and resents his interference in her affairs.

This book is fairly enjoyable. I enjoyed the secondary characters and their issues, especially Lord Knolland. The hero and heroine of the story, however, were not very engaging. The heroine resents the Earl's interference in her own affairs but has no problem interfering in other people's lives. I never felt that I got to know Katherine or the Earl very well and I never understood what they found attractive in each other.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

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