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Nothing Venture
Due to his uncle's diabolical will, Jervis must marry within three months of his uncle's death, or the huge estate and vast fortune will go to his fiance, Rosamund. When Rosamund dumps him just two days before the wedding, Jervis must scramble to find someone else.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1932
124 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Wentworth
162 books522 followersPatricia Wentworth--born Dora Amy Elles--was a British crime fiction writer.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 7, 2025
Terrible title for a nifty romance
Nothing Venture, shouldn't it be nothing ventured, is a mystery and a romance. It is pretty unbelievable, but I was all in for the wonderful heroine, Nan who is strong, brave and loyal.
Nothing Venture, shouldn't it be nothing ventured, is a mystery and a romance. It is pretty unbelievable, but I was all in for the wonderful heroine, Nan who is strong, brave and loyal.
July 29, 2018
Nothing Venture (1932) by Patricia Wentworth has several things going for it that should make me love it. Most importantly a plucky heroine who repeatedly saves the rather dense love of her life (yay for Girl Power!) and lots of atmosphere from a gloomy, isolated country house to a dank underground cave where our heroine's love is held captive near the end of the book. But it just doesn't take me beyond the "middle-of-the-road," "this is an okay story" point. I like Nan Forsyth (our plucky heroine) and I'm always glad to see a strong female character. It's just a shame that Jervis Weare (the love of life) is so darn dense. I mean, you'd think that after a few near-misses he'd start believing Nan when she tells him someone's trying to kill him. But nooo, that bridge that collapsed practically under their feet...that was just old and rickety. The taxi that nearly ran him down--that was an accident too.
Yvette over at In So Many Words has reviewed this from the opposite side of the fence saying that this is basically a very silly book (it is), but that doesn't stop her from loving it. In fact, she makes such a great case for the book that you should probably wander over there and read her review and maybe you'll be convinced to read it and love it as well. Her review persuades me that I must have read the book when I was feeling grumpy and not at all in the mood to suffer fools (Jervis!) gladly. I'll need to give this one another try at some point--but for now ★★★ for my middle-of-the-road reading.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Yvette over at In So Many Words has reviewed this from the opposite side of the fence saying that this is basically a very silly book (it is), but that doesn't stop her from loving it. In fact, she makes such a great case for the book that you should probably wander over there and read her review and maybe you'll be convinced to read it and love it as well. Her review persuades me that I must have read the book when I was feeling grumpy and not at all in the mood to suffer fools (Jervis!) gladly. I'll need to give this one another try at some point--but for now ★★★ for my middle-of-the-road reading.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
January 3, 2018
Free. | Oddly satisfying, even though it shouldn't be | If I were to explain the plot it would sound pretty awful, really, and the book is populated by some fairly selfish terrible people. Somehow, though, it does satisfy. Not really a mystery, the crimes are all attempted murder, the culprits are known from the start, the motive is very clear, and since it's obvious that the intended victim will survive to the last page (he's the romantic lead), the only question is how the would-be killers will be caught.
March 29, 2020
Just so-so, but I do like having a “girl typist” as the protagonist, and F.F., the American journalist, is a great character.
June 2, 2015
"A British mystery classic from the renowned author of the beloved Miss Silver series. Due to his uncle's diabolical will, Jervis must marry within three months of his uncle's death, or the huge estate and vast fortune will go to his fiance, Rosamund. When Rosamund dumps him just two days before the wedding, Jervis must scramble to find someone else."
This was an outstanding, incredible read! The characters were so very unique, clever and diabolical – couldn’t put the book down! It was mystery, cozy, suspense, romance all wrapped up together with a wonderful happy ending! Perfect read! There's not enough stars to rate this book!!!!
This was an outstanding, incredible read! The characters were so very unique, clever and diabolical – couldn’t put the book down! It was mystery, cozy, suspense, romance all wrapped up together with a wonderful happy ending! Perfect read! There's not enough stars to rate this book!!!!
June 7, 2021
This showcases itself as a "before Patricia Wentworth started really writing the Miss Silver series" and so having the heroine as the sleuth felt a bit, Wentworth needed Miss Silver to add some depth and detecting savvy to the case.
Jervis and his rogue ex-fiance, Rosamund, are pretty stereotypical 1930's 'romance' characters and yet I kept reading because I wanted to find out what happened to Nan and Jervis.
Nothing Venture, published in 1932, is bubble gum reading 🙂
Jervis and his rogue ex-fiance, Rosamund, are pretty stereotypical 1930's 'romance' characters and yet I kept reading because I wanted to find out what happened to Nan and Jervis.
Nothing Venture, published in 1932, is bubble gum reading 🙂
July 9, 2025
Nothing Venture is one of Patricia Wentworth's "stand-alone" novels. I've read and loved her "Miss Silver" mysteries and some of her stand-alones. I love her writing style, her characters, and the effective mix of description, plot movement, and dialogue.
"Nothing Venture" is excellent. It's a fun, easy read of a story set between WWI and WWII in London and the surrounding countryside. The story opens with an old, rich guy directing changes to his will to his solicitor. As old, rich guys are wont to do in life as well as fiction, he directs a completely stupid covenant that his grandson, Jervis, will inherit virtually all of Ambrose Weare's estate IF he is married within three months of Ambrose's death. Jervis Weare has been engaged to the lovely Rosamund Carew for too long, and Grandpa wants to push Jervis into action. If Jervis isn't married within the proscribed timeframe, then the entire estate goes directly to Rosamund. Wow, that sort of sucks. If you think this is a setup for matrimonial bliss, you aren't thinking clearly.
Our heroine, Nan, is a secretary in the office of Grandpa's solicitor, has typed the new will for him, and knows all of the weird and not-so-wonderful provisions. What we don't know is that Nan has secretly had a very serious crush on Jervis for ten years. Suffice it to say that there's history here that will be revealed in the course of the story. I won't spoil your fun by disclosing it now.
You'll have to read the novel to learn all of the plot details. If you do, you'll be treated to Patricia Wentworth at her finest. I loved it, and I hope you will, too.
"Nothing Venture" is excellent. It's a fun, easy read of a story set between WWI and WWII in London and the surrounding countryside. The story opens with an old, rich guy directing changes to his will to his solicitor. As old, rich guys are wont to do in life as well as fiction, he directs a completely stupid covenant that his grandson, Jervis, will inherit virtually all of Ambrose Weare's estate IF he is married within three months of Ambrose's death. Jervis Weare has been engaged to the lovely Rosamund Carew for too long, and Grandpa wants to push Jervis into action. If Jervis isn't married within the proscribed timeframe, then the entire estate goes directly to Rosamund. Wow, that sort of sucks. If you think this is a setup for matrimonial bliss, you aren't thinking clearly.
Our heroine, Nan, is a secretary in the office of Grandpa's solicitor, has typed the new will for him, and knows all of the weird and not-so-wonderful provisions. What we don't know is that Nan has secretly had a very serious crush on Jervis for ten years. Suffice it to say that there's history here that will be revealed in the course of the story. I won't spoil your fun by disclosing it now.
You'll have to read the novel to learn all of the plot details. If you do, you'll be treated to Patricia Wentworth at her finest. I loved it, and I hope you will, too.
March 6, 2023
Jervis Weare inherits all of his grandfather's estate if he is married within three months of the old man's death. If he is not, the estate goes to Rosamund. This is not a problem as Jervis is engaged to the beautiful Rosamund.
Nan Forsyth, a humble secretary, has watched Jervis rush in and out of her boss's office for years. She adores him but accepts he's out of her league. (The implication is that she is out of his class--an important factor in 1932 England.)
Then two days before his deadline, Nan overhears him saying that Rosamund has broken their engagement, and he needs to marry to save his inheritance. Nan volunteers with certain conditions. We are now on page 37.
The rest of the book is crammed with exciting attempts on Jervis's life. Poor Jervis is so naive, but Nan loves him, and she's got enough street smarts for the two of them. The dog is a delight.
"Nothing Venture" is of Miss Wentworth's "thrillers and better written than most. The view of upper class England is interesting.
Nan Forsyth, a humble secretary, has watched Jervis rush in and out of her boss's office for years. She adores him but accepts he's out of her league. (The implication is that she is out of his class--an important factor in 1932 England.)
Then two days before his deadline, Nan overhears him saying that Rosamund has broken their engagement, and he needs to marry to save his inheritance. Nan volunteers with certain conditions. We are now on page 37.
The rest of the book is crammed with exciting attempts on Jervis's life. Poor Jervis is so naive, but Nan loves him, and she's got enough street smarts for the two of them. The dog is a delight.
"Nothing Venture" is of Miss Wentworth's "thrillers and better written than most. The view of upper class England is interesting.
August 17, 2020
I have read many of Patricia Wentworth's period mysteries featuring Miss Silver, but this was my first Wentworth novel that had to stand alone without the sensitive by-stander who never failed to spot the evil-doer.
Most of the "mysteries" were really gentle romances cloaked with darkness and this book proved to be very similar to the others: a proud, but somewhat remarkable young woman struggles against "something" and eventually prevails by getting her objective (which inevitably translates into "the man."
It sounds much less compelling than it really is for those of us who enjoy a psychological study and good prevailing in the end. The country-house settings and earnest young people are always interesting to me and although the ending of these books is rarely a surprise, it is always satisfying---as it was in this novel.
Most of the "mysteries" were really gentle romances cloaked with darkness and this book proved to be very similar to the others: a proud, but somewhat remarkable young woman struggles against "something" and eventually prevails by getting her objective (which inevitably translates into "the man."
It sounds much less compelling than it really is for those of us who enjoy a psychological study and good prevailing in the end. The country-house settings and earnest young people are always interesting to me and although the ending of these books is rarely a surprise, it is always satisfying---as it was in this novel.
December 23, 2021
This is a truly romantic plot. Jervis Weare is engaged to his cousin Rosamund who throws him over at the last minute. According to Uncle Ambrose's will, if Jervis does not marry within three months after Ambrose's death, then Ambrose's estate will go to Rosamund and not Jervis. Upon making this will, Ambrose dies. Enter Nan Forsyth, the solicitor's secretary who has typed the will (so knows of the condition) but has also secretly loved Jervis for at least 10 years--and he doesn't even know she exists. She offers to marry him, no strings attached. And now the stage is set for love, intrigue, drama...
This book has two really interesting characters, Bran, Jervis's dog, and an old friend named Ferdinand Fazackerley.
This book has two really interesting characters, Bran, Jervis's dog, and an old friend named Ferdinand Fazackerley.
January 31, 2022
Pour empocher l'important héritage de son grand-père, Jarvis doit se marier dans les trois mois. Pas un problème puisqu'il est fiancé à sa cousine Rosamund...sauf qu'elle se dérobe 3 jours avant le mariage et que l'héritage risque bien de lui revenir !
Une intrigue criminelle doublée d'une romance un peu à l'eau de rose au sein de la bourgeoisie anglaise du début du XX e siècle. Des personnages qui rappellent ceux de Rebecca : la beauté froide, la jeune femme réservée mais forte, la cuisinière peu accueillante.... Mais la comparaison s'arrête là.
C'est écrit de façon assez alerte et ce roman , qui date de 1932, se lit facilement et sans déplaisir mais je ne pense pas que j'en garderai longtemps le souvenir.
November 30, 2020
A young man is required by his uncles will to marry within three months of his uncle’s death or his inheritance passes to his cousin, the beautiful Rosamund. Luckily for our hero, Jervis, he and Rosamund are already engaged. Unluckily for him, Rosamund dumps him two days before the wedding, seemingly ensuring the inheritance will pass to her. Jervis, furious and desperate, marries a young typist to fulfill the terms of the will and thwart Rosamund. With so much dramatic emotion swirling about, the scene is set for violent action. Typical of Wentworth, there is plenty of drama but also an interesting mystery to unravel.
February 12, 2023
An enjoyable romantic suspense adventure, with a young woman marrying a wealthy man as a business venture, so he won't lose his inheritance. The secret is she's actually in love with him, and the guy in question is such a goof he doesn't notice until it's - almost - too late. No one delivers romance quite like Wentworth and there's a great finale in a cave being taken over by the tide. I prefer Miss Silver on the whole but the standalones by Wentworth (and there are many) are also great fun.
July 24, 2019
I love these vintage mysteries! Patricia Wentworth was an awesome writer, and the most graphic the books is, perhaps, a kiss. This one has a determined young woman who knows what she wants, is afraid to go for it and the end, winds up protecting it. Good read.
November 23, 2019
Wanted to revisit with Patricia Wentworth. Had enjoyed her books last century. Was disappointed with this one. It should have been a short story or novella. It did drag on and had expectedted Maud Silvers to turn up.
December 13, 2018
Very enjoyable read, fun Jane Austen-esque romance, good pace, great intrigue if a bit fluffy on actual facts, but the ending was ridiculously short, lol.
December 16, 2018
Excellent tale with engaging characters, and some rather pleasant twists, even when you expect ugly ones. looking forward to finding more of her works.
June 4, 2019
Romance and mystery that's thoroughly enjoyable. Ended a bit abruptly but that was OK.
Read
September 24, 2019Very well written; held my attention from beginning to end. Good plot line and characters. I am enjoying Ms. Wentworth's books a great deal.
December 18, 2019
Written in 1932, this highly improbable plot might have been par for the course. The usual unpleasant, weak, weird characters all present and accounted for.
May 14, 2020
A good adult read.
Liked that people can change attitude and mind. They learned from mistakes made. Just enough worry and tension and opposing gratification. HAPPY ENDING
Liked that people can change attitude and mind. They learned from mistakes made. Just enough worry and tension and opposing gratification. HAPPY ENDING
June 13, 2020
I absolutely loved this book: suspenseful and comforting at the same time.
August 2, 2020
I always enjoy Wentworth's mysteries, but I think this is my favorite so far!
December 15, 2020
Quick, fun, exciting read
No, it's not great literature, but it's a fun story with a lot of action. Just perfect for a quick read on a lazy day.
No, it's not great literature, but it's a fun story with a lot of action. Just perfect for a quick read on a lazy day.
March 2, 2021
This is one of my favourite books, not just favourite Wentworth's! Nan is just so brave, and the whole thing so romantic.
September 21, 2021
A delicious read - sort of like Barbara Cartland minus the trashiness meets Agatha Christie - marred by a rushed, melodramatic end. :\
December 24, 2022
Well written but what a corny plot relying on coincidence after coincidence and finally the location of her husband comes to her in a dream. Yuck!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2024
Wow
First book by this author that I've read. It was excellent. Nan is a darling, Jervis needed Gibbs slapped a bit earlier, and F.F. was great. What a story!!
First book by this author that I've read. It was excellent. Nan is a darling, Jervis needed Gibbs slapped a bit earlier, and F.F. was great. What a story!!
March 18, 2024
This one has a tremendous first half as the mystery version of "Rebecca", but the second half is marred by the foolishness of the male lead and a Nancy Drew ending.
June 10, 2024
Dated but still a pleasant casual read
Predictable in storyline and standard characters with just one small twist to the plot. Harmless with no great literary claims.
Predictable in storyline and standard characters with just one small twist to the plot. Harmless with no great literary claims.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews