The Blackstone Key

Mary Finch #1

by Rose Melikan

It is 1795, and Mary Finch sets off to meet her wealthy uncle, hoping to heal a bitter family estrangement and perhaps to avoid a dismal career teaching at Mrs. Bunbury's school for young ladies. Eager for an adventure, she is soon embroiled in one of frightening proportions, for war is raging across Europe, England faces the threat of invasion, and some secrets are more valuable than gold.

As she uncovers a complex and deadly plot involving ruthless smugglers, secret codes, and a dangerous network of spies and traitors, Mary must learn quickly whom she can trust. The apparently stalwart Captain Holland? The dangerous yet attractive Mr. Déprez? Perhaps the mysterious Hicks or even Mrs. Tipton, who knows what is best for everyone, especially Mary? The price of failure may be her life and the safety of all England.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Historical Mystery, British Literature, Romance

448 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Aka Rose A. Melikan

Rose Melikan was born in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in nearby Dearborn. She obtained degrees in English, Law, and History at the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago before moving to Cambridge, England in 1988 to complete her Ph.D. at Gonville & Caius College.

Since 1993, Rose has been a Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and she lectures on British Constitutional History in the University's Law Faculty. You can read more about her academic work on her faculty page.

Rose lives in Cambridge with her husband, Quentin.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is what happens when a professor of political history gets it into her head to write a historical novel and uses Nancy Drew as her guide. Now, I don’t mean that as a slam to Nancy Drew books, which I love, but their charm is dependent on two factors: first, you read them when you’re 9; second, they’re only 80 pages long. This book, in contrast, is over 400 pages but seems much longer. If the length were drawn out only by pert dialogue that bears no resemblance to actual 19th century speech, that would be one thing. But it’s also drawn out by discussions of the more boring aspects of 19th century law. Even worse, most of the characters end their encounters with our orphaned-but-spunky heroine by musing, “She certainly is a headstrong young woman!” or “My, that’s a young woman to be reckoned with!” or some such silliness. A decent editor could have cut out most of the legal-tidbits-as-plot and all of the anachronistic dialogue and just left a fun mystery set during the Napoleonic wars. After all, what’s not to like about smuggling and spying? Even the Nancy Drew elements would have been okay (She deciphers codes! She escapes through secret tunnels! She finds clues in abandoned houses!). As it is, the books reads like a rough draft by someone too emotionally involved to realize that sometimes less is more. Kind of a shame.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating Clarification: 2.5 Stars

Author Rose Melikan is actually a very good writer; my 2.5 star rating doesn't reflect that. Rather, Melikan's rather meandering and overstuffed plotline lessened the appeal of this book for me personally. Tighter editing would have benefited this intelligent suspense novel.

May check out her subsequent books, but not anytime soon.

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat this book turned out to be! As some reviewers have noted, it does meander a bit, but I found myself enjoying the journey.

The main plot focuses on Mary Finch. Impoverished gentlewoman Mary has a less than enviable job teaching at a dreary girls' school. Life changes for the better (or at least the more interesting) when she receives a letter summoning her to her rich uncle's side. Aware of the conflict between her uncle and her late father, Mary sets off with visions of healing the family rift.

On the way to her uncle's home, Mary finds herself caught up in all manner of adventure. Perhaps the greatest mystery of all occurs when she comes upon a wrecked carriage whose dying occupant inexplicably possesses a watch. Not only is the watch engraved with her uncle's initials, but Mary owns its twin, which belonged to her father.

From here, the story picks up the pace quite a bit. Mary finds herself sucked into all manner of wartime intrigue and hints of spy plots. Along the way she also meet two very different men - the humble Captain Holland and the mysterious, wealthy Mr. Deprez, late of the West Indies. The writing in this novel is strong, and the attention to details of both history and law made for compelling reading.

The tale does meander a bit, and I sometimes found the hints of romantic intrigue not as well fleshed out as I would have liked. However, this book is a very fun read and I definitely recommend it.

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: Rose Melikan
Published: 01/01/2008
Recommended for: fans of historical fiction and fans of the book 'Jamaica Inn'

I thought that this was a brilliantly written and very intriguing book to read. It is set in 1795 in England where we follow the life and adventures of the main character Mary Finch, she is a character that it very easy to get along with, she is likeable and seems very realistic. All of the characters that feature in the book play an important part too the storyline there isn't any minor characters which adds great depth too the book and makes it even easier to get hooked into.
This isn't my normal type of book that I would read, however the front of the book is very eye catching and the blurb is also very interesting and makes you want to delve into it and read it straight away. This book really shows how talented the author is, even though the journey that Mary Finch goes on is long-winded she doesnt fail to keep hold of the readers attention.
In this novel Mary Finch is going on her travels from Cambridge to the East Suffolk coast where her uncle has asked her to visit him, she can't wait to get on with the journey to see her uncle that she has never seen before, what she doesn't bank on though is the dramatic twists and turns that her adventure will take and the people that she will meet on her journey. The journey she goes on is very well described by the author and paints a very vivid picture in the readers mind of what England looked like in the 1700's, it transports you there and makes you feel like you are really there. The book is one that is very easy to get hooked on and get drawn into. I would definately recommend this book to other people to give it a try, I did and I am very glad that I did as it was a thrill to read it and it will not be the last book I read by this author!

[Mir]

I wasn't sure from the descriptions whether this was more mystery or more chick-lit; it turned out to be only mildly either. Melikan is clearly an Austen fan, but unfortunately that slow-paced, understated style really requires excellent prose to sustain it. I was bored and kept trying to skim to get to the next plot point, but would instead miss it in the massed descriptive passages and be lost. Who is this caricature of a cranky old rich lady and how did our silly heroine end up at her house? I did kind of want to know about the mysterious key and her dead uncle and whether the Captain is really in with the bad guys but not enough to read the rest. Spoil me if you know! I can totally see this being someone else's tepid and watery cup of tea. It just wasn't mine. Leave the bad in for another minute, please; I want it stronger.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does the plot here take place, before or during the Regency Era?

Either way, I was thinking about Jane Austen while I was reading about the mystery-solving adventures of our heroine Mary Finch. Young lady of sound mind and middle class background works as a schoolmistress, but soon learns that she is to be an heiress! Her uncle has died, and she is miraculously able to inherit! Not a single living male relative can get in her way. Wowee!

Unfortunately, a terrible French war is going on. The French may be invading the Suffolk coast any day now, dont ya know?

Because of the war, Englishmen are secretly running illegal items back and forth between the coasts.

It happens to be Mary's bad luck that her uncle's estate is directly on the coast!

So as soon as she starts wandering around the abandoned manor, along with her new friend Captain Holland (this in itself is a scandal she won't be able to outlive), she will probably be killed by smugglers!!!

I'll also say that I was fascinated by the omniscient point of view! Yes, readers see most events through Mary's perspective, but we also see things that Captain Holland is doing, and even the bad guys! Or maybe they're not bad! It kind of bent the fiction rules a little, in my opinion.

[Carol Kerry-Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to make of this at first, the heroine Mary Finch seemed quite hesitant in the first few pages, but once the mystery started she became more of a character, and indeed is central to the plot - which is good. When Mary receives a letter from her estranged uncle, she determines to set off to see him straight away, by travelling to Suffolk, which in 1795 is quite an undertaking. When the coach she is travelling in stops to aid a gentleman who has had a bad crash, Mary stays to look after him whilst the coach goes on to the next stop to send a doctor back. As she is trying to give him some relief from his suffering, she discovers that he is carrying her uncle's watch (which though she has never see is the same as her father's) and can only assume the man, William Tracey, has stolen it. Later at the next coaching inn, she confides in Captain Holland an officer from the artillary who is on his way to his cousin's for leave. Mary and Holland travel on together reaching White Ladies her uncle's residence, only to find the house shut up, and having managed to gain entry to the property, they are surprised and taken prisoner by a gang of men.

Excitement and adventure follow as Mary has to decide who she should trust, who is the likely traitor, her uncle, Captain Holland, Mr Deprez ( staying at a nearby residence, and somehow involved in tracking down the gang using her uncle's house). Mary is central in cracking the code used by the gang and trys not to believe her (now deceased) uncle was involved. All this makes a definite change for Mary from her usual life as an impoverished school teacher.

There is a lot of good storytelling here and the events are based in part on actual happenings during the early days of the war with France. Melikan has written two more books in the series, and I am already looking forward to reading the next one, the Counterfeit Guest.

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this in a pack of 3 from The Book People quite a while ago and it got lost in my overflowing bookcase. When I noticed it, whilst rearranging (stroking) my books one day, my interest was piqued so I thought it was time for a spot of historical fiction.

The book started well as we join Mary Finch whilst she makes her way via coach to visit an uncle she has never met. I got the impression straight away that she is a confident, brave, intelligent young woman and couldn't imagine many women travelling alone at the end of the 18th Century. On the way, her coach is stopped by a blockage in the road: an injured man. Mary volunteers to stay with this man whilst the coach goes on to raise the alarm and bring help. Mary is shocked to find that the man is carrying a watch identical to hers which belonged to her father, identical but for the initials engraved upon it: those of the uncle she is travelling to meet.

As Mary continues her journey, she is joined by Captain Holland who seems to latch on to her. I was naturally suspicious of him and my suspicions increased when he accompanied Mary to her uncle's house, but thankfully he was there when they encountered a band of smugglers taking up residence. It left me wondering whether he saved Mary or whether it was all a big set up so she would take him into her confidence. Then it all got a bit confusing with a bucketload of characters thrown in and a narrative that confused my brain as to which time period I was supposed to be in.

I really enjoyed the code-breaking storyline but I did lose track of all the characters and wished I'd written them down. Mary has two men vying for her attention: Captain Holland and the exotic foreigner, Mr Paul Déprez. Do both of them have honourable intentions? I then got a bit waylaid with Captain Holland's visit to Sir William. It was here that I felt the time period slipped as Sir William's daughter, Charlotte, could have just stepped out of the 1920's with her mannerisms and expressions. I'm not quite sure what value this family added to the story as it only resulted in confusing me.

With a strong beginning and end, it was quite a good little story; I just felt like it lost its way in the middle and had a tendency to be a little boring. On its own, it's not one I'd recommend but I'll see how I feel when I read the next two books in the series, although I do think it will be a while before I pick the next one up.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's 1795, and England's at war with France. Orphaned but beautiful Cambridge schoolma'am Mary Finch gets a letter from her long-estranged wealthy uncle asking her to come visit him at his manor in Suffolk, but by the time the letter reaches her he has died (of natural causes). Something mysterious has been going on -- something involving smuggling, or French spies, or both. Mary learns the first part of the puzzle from the words of a man she comes across dying by the roadside after his carriage has crashed. She learns more when she unlocks the key -- the Blackstone key -- to the code in which are written some documents she finds on her uncle's desk. Her heart goes all pitter-patter over military officer Robert "Bobs" Holland, who befriended her on the road to Suffolk and fights off scoundrels on her behalf, but it goes all pitter-patter, too, over Paul Deprez, a St Lucian estate-owner (and presumably slave-owner, although that's glossed over), who's every bit as handsome as Bobs and somewhat more respectable -- besides, he shares Mary's love for poetry and has got money.

There are twists and turns and rambunctions, not to mention some enormously tedious passages, notably an interminable luncheon party at which the guests exchange witticisms of the kind that don't in fact possess any wit. The aim of the book seems to be to create the thriller that Jane Austen might have written had Jane Austen written thrillers, so the text is full of self-conscious archaisms and willful orotundity, but there's little of Austen's sprightliness of humor. The mode is continued into the dialogue, where everyone makes a point of speaking pompously, as if there might be a latter-day Boswell lurking around the corner, jotting down all the bon mots.

There are also god knows how many grammatical and punctuational howlers. I tried to persuade myself that these were deliberate attempts to mimic early-19th-century prose, but I couldn't. People have the magical ability to smile or chortle (or whatever) bits of dialogue, rather than actually speak them ("'Damn you,' Deprez laughed" [p356], "'Over there,' he nodded" [p365], to choose just a couple of examples from scores if not hundreds). There are gross illiteracies (such as "from whence" [pp355-6 and, if memory serves, elsewhere]). Melikan hasn't worked out quite how to use or not use capitals in continued dialogue. And then there are some baffling bits of befuddlement: "She drew her hand away from the knife in a futile attempt to cut short her imagination" (p110). All in all, the language used for the narrative seems not so much archaic as cod.

And, yes, Bobs's distant cousin (second cousin twice removed, I think), the adolescent Charlotte, all bouncy and girlie and spunky and thrilled by horses and one-bloody-cliche-after-another, made me want to gag even before I discovered that Bobs habitually calls her "shrimp."

There are some good aspects of the book. Mary's well characterized (as is Bobs), and I liked the fact that, although she's an independent-minded young woman for her time, she's by no means a 21st-century feminist plonked into the late 18th century. The plot is moderately ingenious. Every now and then there's the refreshing acknowledgement that people in those days smelled pretty rank, because bathing was out of favor. And so on. But I spent most of the time that I was plowing through this drearily long novel wondering whether or not I was going to bother finishing it, which is not a good sign. The cover blurb's comparison of The Blackstone Key with Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn was a singularly foolish move.

And now I learn from Goodreads that this is the first in a series.

[Barbd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title was recommended by Mary at Novi as a good historical fiction/mystery/romance. We've had some nasty winter viruses at our house and I wanted an engaging read for those moments when I wasn't fetching ice chips, taking temperatures, etc. and was a great choice. (Thanks, Mary).

The story is set in England in 1795 and the pivotal events revolve around the political and military tensions between France & England. When the heroine inherits an estate from her estranged uncle she becomes enmeshed with spies, double agents, smugglers, conspiracies, coded messages, a dashing officer of the artillery and a colonial aristocrat. Imagine something like what could happen if Elizabeth Bennett met the Scarlet Pimpernel.

The author is a Michigan native who moved to Cambridge, England to do historical research and her erudition shows in this novel. She provides just enough detail to create a vivid picture of life in the late 18th-century and populates it with an engaging cast of characters. It takes about half the length of the book to introduce all of the characters in a leisurely way. After that, the plot races along with many surprising twists. I am looking forward to reading the sequel, The Counterfeit Guest, so that I can spend more time with these characters.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The Blackstone Key" was one of those books where I was just plodding through it, like someone would plod through the Gobi Desert desperately in search of water, hoping something exciting will wrap up this plot. Eventually of course, it is wrapped up and they all go home happy but it was so anticlimactic it just sort of fell flat for me. Mary Finch was not very appealing, not because she's feisty and headstrong, but because she sounded like a rerun of every feisty and headstrong girl who's ever been shoved unwillingly into a mystery. Also, as much as I'm a hopeless romantic, I think Melikan would have done better to leave the romance out of it. It was awkward and seemed hastily added in at the last moment.

All that being said, I did smile at the end (although the antagonist who gets his just desserts was my favorite character and was the one character which had an adequate amount of depth. That's how I knew he'd be the bad guy, y'see).

[Rachel Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first story in Rose Melikan's series about Mary Finch. Set in 1795, Mary, a schoolteacher, receives a message from an estranged uncle that sets her on a path to adventure. There is lots of historical detail, especially about the testing of gunpowder at the Woolwich laboratory. The narrative is fast-paced and there are some interesting characters. I particularly liked the dictatorial Mrs Tipton.

I would have liked Mary Finch's romance to have progressed a little further, but I did enjoy the adventure. This is my favourite of the three books about Mary, but the others are worth reading too.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A non-offensive tale, that did not stir me, either to love it or hate it. Not the best mystery book I've read, not the worse.

[Books & Aerial · Rating 1 out of 5]

This qualifies more as a DNF but considering the amount of time I wasted on it, I'm counting it into the challenge.


The cover, along with the blurb, made me think this is going to be dark, gothic and mysteriously sumptuous.
What I got was a lengthy, wordy, "overdialogued" and way too long bore of a book.
Forget about any darkness, because almost from the start we can feel the author wants to add a bit of "Austenesque" to our main character (as well as to the rest [many of!] of them) adding endless, tattling dialogues that were detailed in gossip and would be a constant distraction from any main plot, direction...that this never went in.

By 50% the mystery plot was NOWHERE. And that's where I really dnf'd it. I skimmed listened but left out even the last 10 minutes of the audiobook - I just could not care less.
For the first 50% I would have even struggled to tell you what was going on - it was so meandering and was constantly loosing its' "whereabouts".

This book needed serious editing.

audiobook

[JaNel · Rating 2 out of 5]

My word. That was a lot of work. It should’ve been a lot more fun but took waaaay too long to get to the point, unravel the mystery, and just move the plot along for heaven’s sake. And there’s another one? Ugh. I want to know what happens but don’t know if I can stay awake long enough to slog through another one.

[Sekarlangit · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a slow-paced story...

I kind of understand that it is her debut novel, but this mystery book based in 18th century of England is just too slow. It was boring in the beginning, very laid back and yet relaxing in resolution. However, I review this book by putting aside my 'sexist' side and find Mary Finch is a typical gothic heroine. She is brave for a young lady at the time. She gets curious at every little thing. A sweet young maiden but very bright and likeable young lady, Mary Finch is.


The exposition tells about the journey of Mary to see her long-lost uncle at his grand and luxurious estate, called White Ladies. Apparently her uncle has left her an inheritance. She will have the life of leisure that she longs for, especially after being an orphan for quite a long time. Along the way, she meets excitement which includes a carriage crash and an injured fellow who seems to have a connection with her uncle as he actually has the same design watch matched one her deceased father left her. She also found an interesting key and it does make her thinking it would become something suspicious as this stranger lay dying, he had whispered a cryptic warning to her.

Overall, I don't recommend this book if you are looking for a fast mooving, exciting read. It didn't leave anything after finished it. It didn't even hold my interest as I postponed finishing this book for quite a long time. But yeah, I cannot just let a book unfinishedly read. So I am glad to see it finish.

[Sreedevi Viswambaran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book from a second hand book sale just because I loved the cover so much, The colors, the girl, everything about the cover were luring. Book started of well, with a young vulnerable, yet elegantly courageous Mary Finch starting her journey to white ladies. But as the story moves on, Mary Finch mostly turns into a childish character but thank god, not an irritating one.

Mary’s journey to while ladies, and initial few sequences were nice. Then story goes through a dull phase and climax is average. When it comes to hysterical mysteries, I do not have much patience to sit through the painful detailing of ‘cutleries’ or anything similar. I want it to move faster than the pace of contemporary ones to hold my interest.

Captain Holland, our hero, right from M&B mold, with his brooding-no-nonsense attitude was the only savior during the ‘dull’ times. Book is average and if you skim through the middle part, it’s a good one time read.

2.5. That’s it….

It’s the first book in a trilogy. But as of now, I am bidding good bye to Miss finch. Not planning to read the remaining as of now.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came to read this book after reading a review that described this book as an example of what a collaboration between Jane Austen and Agatha Christie might have produced.

After reading it, I find that to be a very accurate summary. The main character is as charming and bright as Elizabeth Bennett and the peripheral characters as shrouded in suspicion as a cast of a Christie novel. Though I read it eagerly and rapidly, I found the ending rather abrupt and after all the guessing, slightly predictable.

However, my feelings about the plot wrap-up didn't really interrupt the sheer pleasure of reading Melikan's delightful descriptions and her well-drawn characters. And at the end, when an author's note informed me that this is book one of a planned trilogy, I was definitely intrigued. I might like to look back in at our young heiress Mary and her gruff sort-of-suitor and see what transpired.

[Simon Mcleish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written Regency novel, struggling to be a thriller. Good characters, interesting plot around spies for the French attempting to get information about the capabilities of British ordnance (specifically the formulation of new explosives). The spies use a book cipher, which is perhaps too hackneyed a device and feels too easy to crack, and the plot is more static than the thriller side of it should need. There are lots of good things here, but the plotting lets it down. The background is the best part of it, going beyond the cliches of regency romance (there are the seeds of a potential romance, but Melikan there isn't really much room for it to develop - the reader needs to go on to the two sequels to find out whether it happens or not). Overall, though, I think the 4* rating I gave this the first time I read it is reasonable; and with a bit of editorial guidance, it could have been a 5* read.

[Miki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Blackstone Key really did keep me guessing right up to the end. A decent mystery, likeable and realistic characters, and positive reviews on Goodreads helped in choosing this one to read. However, the next two books were not so well-received - frankly, they sound awful - and I have to decide how hard I want to look for them as neither are available at the library.

[Billy Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong storyline and well developed characters make this story a thrilling read. If you love historical drama then I'm sure you will like this story. From the moment I began reading I was thrust on a wonderful adventure that continued till the end of the book.

[Shala Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, and its successor (Counterfeit Guest), hit just the right notes to satisfy my inner Catherine Morland.

[Beth (bibliobeth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a good tale of mystery and intrigue, however it took a while to "kick off" and I wasn't sure about it until about the middle of the novel, when it started to really interest me.

[Linda Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read. It's from a part of our history I don't know much about so it was rather interesting. Will look for other books by this author.

[Miraphora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back in the day, quando Bookmoch era l'espressione massima dello scambio di libri, sono riuscita ad agganciare uno scambio di una serie completa, messa in lista soltanto perché il mio circuito bibliotecario non l'aveva. La serie in questione era quella di Mary Finch e l'avevo trovato spulciando svogliatamente il catalogo degli Oscar Emozione, sempre perché all'epoca era una collana che regalava grandi soddisfazioni. Quando mi è arrivata ho fatto - ancora una volta - l'errore di conservarla, convinta che sarebbe stata perfetta per dei tempi migliori.
Sono passati anni e ci è voluta una pandemia per farmi prendere in mano Il codice Blackstone, perché con il passare del tempo i tre libri si sono ritrovati infilati nel pertugio più oscuro del mobile, lontano dagli occhi e dal cuore. Bene, durante la solita tbr annuale mi sono imposta di provare a leggere almeno il primo libro, così che se non mi fosse piaciuto avrei potuto liberare spazio eliminando tutta la serie. Ammetto di essermi lasciata influenzare dai commenti poco gentili letti su Goodreads, che piazzavano il romanzo in quel limbo indefinito delle 3 stelline, che potrebbe voler dire qualsiasi cosa: che è piaciuto in modo blando a molti, che è piaciuto molto a pochi e molto poco a molti; ma la cosa più preoccupante erano le recensioni, spietate, brutali, che entravano nel dettaglio su quando noioso fosse il romanzo, quanto noiosa fosse la storia, e quanto tempo ci avessero messo a finirlo.
Ora, pure io ho piazzato il romanzo nel limbo delle tre stelline - pur dando una mezza stellina per affetto - ma mi trovo quasi completamente in disaccordo con i commenti negativi che questo romanzo ha ricevuto.
La mia obiezione più grande riguarda lo stile: a me è piaciuto tantissimo, l'ho trovato svelto, brillante, elegante senza essere pesante e sempre appropriato alla storia e al periodo storico narrato. Se non fosse stato per lo stile la storia si sarebbe arenata dopo venti pagine, invece non ho avuto nessun problema a portare a termine la lettura e devo pure dire di essermi divertita. L'autrice ha un senso dell'umorismo molto lieve, positivo, anche durante scene di azione o drammatiche ha sempre passato la manina per spruzzare qualche glitter rosa e alla fine la cosa non mi è dispiaciuta. Motivo? Per la protagonista.
Mary Finch è la protagonista ed essendo questo un romanzo ambientato a fine '700 è ovvio che ci saranno dei paletti nel delineare la sua personalità, eppure nei suoi confini Mary è adorabile: è giovanissima e, in genere, piuttosto inesperta ma mai spaurita, non cade mai nel tranello della giovinetta ingenua e tremula, lei ha verve, non si lascia cadere svenuta e non si scioglie in lacrime, semplicemente trova il lato razionale di ogni cosa e sfrutta il suo cervello per infilarsi in questioni più grandi di lei perché - con candore e sincerità - è affamata di avventura, tanto meglio se nel frattempo si scopre essere unica erede di uno zio ricchissimo. La sua storia è un po' prevedibile, ma non per questo noiosa: di famiglia di modeste ricchezze, i genitori ormai morti, Mary fa la maestra in un istituto ma lo detesta: odia il cibo, odia la rigidità mentale e culturale, detesta non poter vivere e soffre della sua indigenza perché sa che non può permettersi di mollare tutto. Quando le arriva la lettera da uno zio mai incontrato - molto ricco - che le chiede di andare a trovarlo, Mary molla tutto fregandosene del rischio di perdere il lavoro perché vede una remotissima possibilità che questo zio la voglia prendere sotto la sua ala. Durante il viaggio - un vero trauma turistico tra fango, carrozze gelate e taverne orribili, Mary incontra diverse persone che l'aiutano ma in particolare vive un'esperienza particolare: sulla strada incrociano un incidente, dove un uomo è caduto in un fosso e probabilmente rischia la vita ma il suo cocchiere non lo può lasciare per cercare un medico. Mary si offre di stare con l'uomo abbandonando il suo passaggio in carrozza, e per sua grande sorpresa scopre che il ferito possiede un orologio da taschino uguale al suo, e che l'uomo infila tra un momento di veglia e l'altro degli avvertimenti farfuglianti su ipotetici pericoli.
Questo è l'inizio dell'avventura di Mary: perché quell'uomo ha l'orologio di famiglia? Chi è? Cosa stava facendo, chi lo vuole uccidere? Mary rimugina per tutto il tempo su queste domande, persino durante la notte alla locanda dove l'uomo muore, ma tra una teoria e l'altra incontra il Capitano Holland, anche lui per strada per andare in visita ai parenti. Il Capitano diventa la spalla di Mary pur senza desiderarlo, lei lo rende partecipe delle sue teorie, lo usa come fonte di informazione, come confronto per capire se i suoi pensieri vanno nella giusta direzione, e tutto sommato lei si sente molto a suo agio con lui, forse perché il suo modo brusco di fare, la sua divisa sgualcita e la sua disponibilità lo rendono un alleato perfetto. Holland non può, in tutta onestà, lasciare che Mary se ne vada in giro da sola parlando di cospirazioni e omicidi così decide di accompagnarla dallo zio, soltanto per scoprire che l'uomo è morto e la casa abbandonata.
Non mi inoltro più di così nella trama, dico solo che entreranno in scena diversi personaggi, inclusi contrabbandieri, spie francesi e vecchie signore della buona società. Il ventaglio di personaggi è molto vario e interessante e il loro inserimento nella storia segue un preciso disegno, ognuno ha il suo ruolo e nessuno ruba spazio all'altro, ad un certo punto la palla del sospetto viene rimbalzata su personaggi insospettabili finché la matassa non viene dipanata e il mistero risolto.
Ammetto di aver avuto un debole per il Capitano, non solo perché è affascinante ed è il favorito di Mary, ma perché il suo ruolo è quello che più di tutti oscilla tra bene e male senza mai far capire al lettore la verità.
Per quanto riguarda la trama ammetto che ad un certo punto avrei gradito un briciolo di complessità maggiore, perché l'aspettativa di un grosso episodio non viene granché esaudita e nemmeno il finale rocambolesco con colpi di scena a destra e a manca riescono a risollevare il morale. Per questo ho dato un tre e mezzo, perché nonostante mi sia piaciuto abbastanza, nonostante la lettura sia filata via liscia come l'olio, ho comunque sentito il bisogno di qualcosa di più che non arriva mai: né dal punto di vista romantico - ma va anche bene -, né dal punto di vista della trama che rimane quasi sempre sulla superficie e non si addentra mai nel buio e nel cattivo.
Naturalmente è un romanzo che trova una collocazione perfetta nella collana Emozione, non è colpa sua se ho sentito il bisogno di un brivido più forte, ora però mi rimane il dubbio se cedere in blocco la serie a Matreh, che magari l'apprezzerà, o tenermi gli altri due romanzi per i prossimi momenti di crisi in cui un libro tappabuchi è sempre gradito. Dovrò meditare, tanto in quarantena ho tutto il tempo del mondo per farlo. Peace.

[Niffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is long. Really long. Unnecessarily long.

Don't gete wrong, I'm perfectly willing to settle in with 500 pages, 700 pages, even more, if it's a good book. But this just dragged on. There were so many scenes that were really unnecessary to the overall plot of the story or that could have been condensed significantly. The author obviously did an amazing amount of in depth research about the time period, but there were so many scenes where I felt like she wanted to prove her knowledge or just couldn't resist dropping in a particularly cool fact. I mean, okay it's interesting that they had specific silverware for eating asparagus, but it really didn't have any relevance to the story and was a long scene that didn't need to be there. A good editor should have gone through this book and said, "Yes, I know you want to show a developing friendship, but can you do so in two paragraphs instead of ten?"

The overall mystery was okay, although I felt like some of it was a bit of a stretch.

I needed a book with either a pocket watch or a key on the cover for a book challenge I am doing, and this book has both. It also could fit a couple other categories if I find another book with a key/watch. The fact that it worked so well for my challenge is really the only reason I forced myself to slog through. I do not expect to continue the series.

[Jirinka (sony08) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been on my bookshelves for years as my physical books tent to be slightly forgotten whilst I get busy with e-books. However, I do still love holding a ‘proper’ book and the ability to turn pages and smell the paper. Therefore, I delved into my vast TBR collection and came out with The Blackstone Key.

This was a treat. First in a trilogy, but really stands out well as its own book. The main heroine, Miss Mary Finch, finds herself entangled in a spy and smuggler mystery well suited for the end of 18th century Suffolk, when the French were at war and the threat of invasion was imminent.

Mary travels to Suffolk to finally meet her estranged uncle, when she comes upon a dying man. This one terrible incident sets into motion a whole lot of other mysterious events and brings together a group of unlikely characters. It is up to Mary to work out whom to trust – is it the poor Captain Holland or the dashing Mr Deprez.

This is a proper historical mystery, with great twists and turns. Characters are well defined and reader is left guessing the truth until the very end. Fabulous book.

[tinalouisereadsbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mary Finch travels to her uncles and on the way she meets a dying man who warns her she is in danger and has her uncles watch. She is aided by the dashing Captian Holland and Paul Deprez who both seem to be after her attentions. This book starts really well, but then for most of the middle section of the book the story seems to lose it's sparkle. The last section of the book picks up again and all ends well. Mary is quite likeable and to me seemed like a Miss Marple type character but a younger version. Captian Holland is very dashing and has all the ladies swooning after him, and I think we haven't seen the last of Deprez. An ok read but could have been a lot better as I think the story lost the plot abit in the middle.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m surprised at the mixed reviews. Count me among the positive. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I read a lot of historical fiction and mysteries and it could be I found the historical accuracy and competent writing a refreshing change from another book I had just finished that was quite simply, awful (terrible dialogue and a lot of historical inaccuracies) so I might be over-rating this one, but I don’t think so.
It’s not grand littérature but it was a very enjoyable read and, unlike some other reviewers, I did not find the plot slow. It did meander a bit, but it kept my interest. I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment.

[Catherine Philhower · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blackstone Key takes the reader on an adventurous jaunt involving spies, smugglers, and secrets codes in eighteenth-century England. Our main character, Mary Finch - good-girl-turned-sleuth - is fresh from a despised teaching position and harboring hopes of healing a bitter family feud. All in vain, however - Mary's uncle is deceased, and it is up to her to discern why. She is more than capable and is also aided by some interesting characters - most alluring of all, the mysterious Captain Holland. Friend or Foe? No spoilers here! I enjoyed this a lot!