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Silver Linings Mysteries #1
The Widow
A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom.
Nell Caldicott awaits the return of her violent sailor husband with trepidation, but for once her fears are not realised. Her husband’s ship, the Brig Minerva, has sunk off the Cornish coast. Nell is free, but her husband has left her with little money and many questions about his past. Gradually, as his secrets are laid bare, she realises she didn’t know her husband at all. Can she uncover the truth? And can she ever learn to trust a man with her heart again?
Nathan Harbottle is on a quest to find his missing cousin, but the tragic wife of the Minerva’s captain attracts him more than he cares to admit. He wants to help, but he’s powerless to intervene. However, their lives are destined to collide in unexpected ways, and his resolve to be nothing more than a friend to the beautiful widow is sorely tested. Can he set aside his own past and convince her to take a chance on love?
This is a complete story with a HEA.
Nell Caldicott awaits the return of her violent sailor husband with trepidation, but for once her fears are not realised. Her husband’s ship, the Brig Minerva, has sunk off the Cornish coast. Nell is free, but her husband has left her with little money and many questions about his past. Gradually, as his secrets are laid bare, she realises she didn’t know her husband at all. Can she uncover the truth? And can she ever learn to trust a man with her heart again?
Nathan Harbottle is on a quest to find his missing cousin, but the tragic wife of the Minerva’s captain attracts him more than he cares to admit. He wants to help, but he’s powerless to intervene. However, their lives are destined to collide in unexpected ways, and his resolve to be nothing more than a friend to the beautiful widow is sorely tested. Can he set aside his own past and convince her to take a chance on love?
This is a complete story with a HEA.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2019
1943 people are currently reading
885 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kingswood
69 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 - 29 of 181 reviews
August 8, 2019
From start to finish, it took me over 2 weeks to read The Widow. I asked my local library to purchase this story so I felt duty-bound to read it in its entirety. Otherwise, I would have marked it ‘dnf’.
I was aware going in that Nell Caldicott survived an abusive marriage. At the onset, she found herself a widow. They had a son; he was written as eight-years-old going on thirteen. Her husband carried secrets.
But a mystery? I guess but only because an understanding needs to be solved. When it was explained in the last quarter of the story, I should have been sympathetic. Because so many of the characters were two-dimensional, I wasn’t. I was expecting more.
A romance? Not until the last chapters and only because Nathan Harbottle was resilient.
This piece of historical fiction simply boiled down to ‘Show versus Tell’. I never felt that all-important emotional link between the author and the reader. With numerous poignant moments -flashbacks of physical mistreatment by Jude, her father’s disinheritance after her marriage, her brother’s misconstrued reasoning and followup- I needed a deep connection with the MCs. But there were no mental gymnastics, actions or vivid images to give me pause.
I was told of Nell’s past. Several circumstances were repeated over and over. In one breath, her marriage was spoken positively. In another, Jude was “a Judas”. It was tiring.
~~~~~
Let’s just say I am clearly part of the minority. As of this writing and 212 ratings, I am one of only three to give The Widow 2 stars. Twenty-six readers awarded it three stars. The remaining people gave it four or five. I’ll assume ‘it is me not you’.
*Sigh.*
I was aware going in that Nell Caldicott survived an abusive marriage. At the onset, she found herself a widow. They had a son; he was written as eight-years-old going on thirteen. Her husband carried secrets.
But a mystery? I guess but only because an understanding needs to be solved. When it was explained in the last quarter of the story, I should have been sympathetic. Because so many of the characters were two-dimensional, I wasn’t. I was expecting more.
A romance? Not until the last chapters and only because Nathan Harbottle was resilient.
This piece of historical fiction simply boiled down to ‘Show versus Tell’. I never felt that all-important emotional link between the author and the reader. With numerous poignant moments -flashbacks of physical mistreatment by Jude, her father’s disinheritance after her marriage, her brother’s misconstrued reasoning and followup- I needed a deep connection with the MCs. But there were no mental gymnastics, actions or vivid images to give me pause.
I was told of Nell’s past. Several circumstances were repeated over and over. In one breath, her marriage was spoken positively. In another, Jude was “a Judas”. It was tiring.
~~~~~
Let’s just say I am clearly part of the minority. As of this writing and 212 ratings, I am one of only three to give The Widow 2 stars. Twenty-six readers awarded it three stars. The remaining people gave it four or five. I’ll assume ‘it is me not you’.
*Sigh.*
June 12, 2019
Nell Caldicott is finally free of her violent husband after his ship, the Brig Minerva, sinks off the Cornish coast, but he has left her with little money and many questions about his past. Gradually, as his secrets are laid bare, she realises she didn’t know her husband at all. Nathan Harbottle is on a quest to find his missing cousin, but the tragic wife of the Minerva’s captain attracts him more than he cares to admit.
This is the first book in a new series, there is a prequel The Clerk which is available to newsletter subscribers which I would highly recommend as it beautifully sets the scene for this enthralling series. The main thing I love about the author’s books is that we are taken away from the glittering life of society & the ton to the lives of ordinary people, which makes for a darker more gritty read. The characters have plenty of depth, they are not always lovable but they are believable. The pace is good, it is the descriptions which are very vivid & raise the book above the parapet. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the first book in a new series, there is a prequel The Clerk which is available to newsletter subscribers which I would highly recommend as it beautifully sets the scene for this enthralling series. The main thing I love about the author’s books is that we are taken away from the glittering life of society & the ton to the lives of ordinary people, which makes for a darker more gritty read. The characters have plenty of depth, they are not always lovable but they are believable. The pace is good, it is the descriptions which are very vivid & raise the book above the parapet. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
June 17, 2019
Disappointingly Unsympathetic To Women
There were some aspects of this book I really enjoyed. The heroine was great. The hero's awareness of her, and of her boundaries, also great. Alas, the author fell into the trap of both of the MCs needing to have had terrible previous relationships to make this relationship better. The mother of the hero's illegitimate daughter could not just have realised they would not suit, no. She has to have married for money and a title, she has to dismiss the hero.
The heroine's sister in law is unlikable, fine, but I found the narrative's joking suggestion that it be cured by marital rape-- by the heroine's brother breaking the door down-- or that he persuade her into sex by withdrawing her privileges as his wife until she gives in, extremely distasteful.
Finally, there's the heroine's husband's first wife, who was his family's housemaid. The hero says dismissively that she probably seduced him expecting money, and got marriage. Not only that, she got a marriage that clearly went very wrong, and ended when she was pushed off a balcony to her death--though the narrative, at the last moment, exculpates her husband and finds another murderer. What she gets is to be dismissed by everyone, as someone who aspired above her station, and deserved what she got.
Also, as the daughter of a baronet the heroine cannot be an Hon. Miss, though that is merely an accuracy issue.
There were some aspects of this book I really enjoyed. The heroine was great. The hero's awareness of her, and of her boundaries, also great. Alas, the author fell into the trap of both of the MCs needing to have had terrible previous relationships to make this relationship better. The mother of the hero's illegitimate daughter could not just have realised they would not suit, no. She has to have married for money and a title, she has to dismiss the hero.
The heroine's sister in law is unlikable, fine, but I found the narrative's joking suggestion that it be cured by marital rape-- by the heroine's brother breaking the door down-- or that he persuade her into sex by withdrawing her privileges as his wife until she gives in, extremely distasteful.
Finally, there's the heroine's husband's first wife, who was his family's housemaid. The hero says dismissively that she probably seduced him expecting money, and got marriage. Not only that, she got a marriage that clearly went very wrong, and ended when she was pushed off a balcony to her death--though the narrative, at the last moment, exculpates her husband and finds another murderer. What she gets is to be dismissed by everyone, as someone who aspired above her station, and deserved what she got.
Also, as the daughter of a baronet the heroine cannot be an Hon. Miss, though that is merely an accuracy issue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2024
This book might as well have tucked me in and told me a bedtime story every night because I fell asleep every time I picked it up😅 i dunno what it was. The story was alright.The writing was ok. The characters were fine… but for some reason I really didn’t enjoy reading it. The author seems like a very nice person and I appreciate all of the time and effort they put into this story. It just wasn’t for me.
If you like slow paced, historical romances…very surface level reads…this one might be for you!
If you like slow paced, historical romances…very surface level reads…this one might be for you!
July 11, 2021
Let me start off by saying this is my first time reading a Mary Kingswood book and I'm not overly impressed. Perhaps if I were to read another one of her books I'd feel differently.
This is the story of Nell Caldicott, wife of Captain Jude Caldicott who captains the ship Minerva. They live in the port town of Southampton. They are 9 years married with one 8-year-old son, Louis. She is estranged from her family after her disapproving father forbid her to see Caldicott when she was 18 and she visited with him anyway and shared a bed with him, thereby forcing her father's hand to enable them to get married. They shared a few happy years before one of Jude's ships sank losing them their fortune. At the time of the sinking he was home caring for her, when he should have been captaining the ship, after she fell on the street while pregnant in the wintry conditions even though he warned her to stay home. When he learned the ship had sunk, and all his profits were lost, he beat her, causing her to lose the baby. Thereafter, Jude's moods were mercurial, swinging from affectionate to violent without warning. He hid his true income from her and never spoke of his past nor his family. When the Minerva sinks off the Cornish coast with only three survivors, Jude not being one of them, and Nell becomes a widow, she slowly comes to realize there is a lot more she didn't know about her husband.
While the Minerva is out at sea, a man named Nathan Harbottle knocks on Nell's door seeking any information she or her husband might have concerning his long lost cousin, Felix Harbottle. She's never heard of Felix Harbottle, and once the Minerva sinks, she and Nathan are thrown together again to discover if perchance the missing Felix might just be the evasive Jude Caldicott. Nathan seeks Felix as the new heir to the baronetcy in their family, and should he be dead they must establish whether Felix ever had a surviving child to take over the title. Nell, Louis and Nathan, and a host of other characters come into play. They travel from Southampton to York to London and elsewhere on their quest to solve the riddle of Felix and Jude.
I knew from Nathan's first meeting with Nell that Jude was Felix. That was an obvious plot point. I could foresee that Jude was going to die and there would be an inheritance for poor, abused Nell and her malnourished child, Louis, to receive from this wealthy and previously unknown family. I suppose in a real world scenario one might not immediately believe their husband to be someone else, but the novel takes place over about 6 months and 300 pages. I don't know how many hints Nell and Nathan need to finally come to the conclusion that Jude was Felix. From the child likeness provided her, Jude looked like Felix, Nathan reminds Nell of Jude (they are cousins after all), she's never met his family, he has a captain's uniform but as Nell comes to learn, no one under the name of Jude Caldicott ever served in the Navy, and we already know Felix Harbottle was a captain in the Navy. She's never once met his family, not even at their wedding, and for a man claiming to once have been a captain with some standing in the Navy, this seems like an obvious indication he is not who he says he is. I'm not sure how many hints we need here, exactly... Considering Nathan has been searching for his cousin for two years, one would think he'd be extra tuned into the things that don't add up in Jude's life. Not to mention, Jude is a lying and abusive man, so given that he's already an untrustworthy and dishonorable individual, you'd think that Nell, the person in his life he was closest to, would be sensitive to this. When they finally visit with the parish priest and turn over a long since discovered letter from Jude admitting to be Felix, which was found among Jude's effects by Nathan but remained unopened out of discretion- when all the while they'd been wishing for a letter in Jude's own hand declaring who he really his - I had to refrain from slapping my own forehead.
Beyond these issues, I found some of the dialogue to be stilted and the emotions expressed in conversation by Nell, Nell's brother, James, and others, to be forced. I thought Nell's continued devotion and loyalty to a lying, abusive man to be really irritating. You were married to an abusive asshole, face it, and stop being so loyal to him. I get the emotional trauma we see from her throughout, but the simultaneous, "It was my fault," and "He did love me," shtick became very tired for me by the end of the novel, especially as she's moving through one after another of his uncovered secrets. I thought the novel could have been about 100 pages shorter, to be honest. How many times do we have to be told Nell Godney Caldicott, formerly of Daveny Hall, daughter to a baron, is familiar and well-versed in high society? We get it. She fits in.
I felt some of the very frank dialogue between some of the characters to be historically inaccurate conversations that would have been held in this time period and social situations. The synopsis of this book said it was "parlor room, not bedroom," so given that there's no bedroom scenes, perhaps the author felt she needed to make up for that elsewhere in the bold conversations between characters. Several times multiple characters are discussing inappropriate behavior by themselves or others. For instance, when Nell is among the members of the titled Harbottle family and they're happily discussing that one of their ancestors had multiple affairs and probably had children by several different women, I was surprised they were discussing it so openly. This would have been a serious faux pas. Normally titled families kept that inappropriate wandering behavior under wraps lest there be a chance their right to the title be contested; they wouldn't be discussing it openly for a laugh, in the family seat with someone they just met! Nor would Nathan be discussing with Nell, a woman in mourning, wearing blacks for her husband, how he had slept with a woman and gotten her pregnant and is now raising that child on his own. Neither would Nell tell Nathan she doesn't think less of him for his behavior, as she too snuck out away from her family and slept with a man so she could marry him! These conversations seemed entirely improbable, especially for two individuals claiming to be friends and not yet romantically tied together.
By the time I reached the prologue the saccharine dialogue had me literally rolling my eyes, so I don't think I will soon be seeking out another novel by this author.
This is the story of Nell Caldicott, wife of Captain Jude Caldicott who captains the ship Minerva. They live in the port town of Southampton. They are 9 years married with one 8-year-old son, Louis. She is estranged from her family after her disapproving father forbid her to see Caldicott when she was 18 and she visited with him anyway and shared a bed with him, thereby forcing her father's hand to enable them to get married. They shared a few happy years before one of Jude's ships sank losing them their fortune. At the time of the sinking he was home caring for her, when he should have been captaining the ship, after she fell on the street while pregnant in the wintry conditions even though he warned her to stay home. When he learned the ship had sunk, and all his profits were lost, he beat her, causing her to lose the baby. Thereafter, Jude's moods were mercurial, swinging from affectionate to violent without warning. He hid his true income from her and never spoke of his past nor his family. When the Minerva sinks off the Cornish coast with only three survivors, Jude not being one of them, and Nell becomes a widow, she slowly comes to realize there is a lot more she didn't know about her husband.
While the Minerva is out at sea, a man named Nathan Harbottle knocks on Nell's door seeking any information she or her husband might have concerning his long lost cousin, Felix Harbottle. She's never heard of Felix Harbottle, and once the Minerva sinks, she and Nathan are thrown together again to discover if perchance the missing Felix might just be the evasive Jude Caldicott. Nathan seeks Felix as the new heir to the baronetcy in their family, and should he be dead they must establish whether Felix ever had a surviving child to take over the title. Nell, Louis and Nathan, and a host of other characters come into play. They travel from Southampton to York to London and elsewhere on their quest to solve the riddle of Felix and Jude.
I knew from Nathan's first meeting with Nell that Jude was Felix. That was an obvious plot point. I could foresee that Jude was going to die and there would be an inheritance for poor, abused Nell and her malnourished child, Louis, to receive from this wealthy and previously unknown family. I suppose in a real world scenario one might not immediately believe their husband to be someone else, but the novel takes place over about 6 months and 300 pages. I don't know how many hints Nell and Nathan need to finally come to the conclusion that Jude was Felix. From the child likeness provided her, Jude looked like Felix, Nathan reminds Nell of Jude (they are cousins after all), she's never met his family, he has a captain's uniform but as Nell comes to learn, no one under the name of Jude Caldicott ever served in the Navy, and we already know Felix Harbottle was a captain in the Navy. She's never once met his family, not even at their wedding, and for a man claiming to once have been a captain with some standing in the Navy, this seems like an obvious indication he is not who he says he is. I'm not sure how many hints we need here, exactly... Considering Nathan has been searching for his cousin for two years, one would think he'd be extra tuned into the things that don't add up in Jude's life. Not to mention, Jude is a lying and abusive man, so given that he's already an untrustworthy and dishonorable individual, you'd think that Nell, the person in his life he was closest to, would be sensitive to this. When they finally visit with the parish priest and turn over a long since discovered letter from Jude admitting to be Felix, which was found among Jude's effects by Nathan but remained unopened out of discretion- when all the while they'd been wishing for a letter in Jude's own hand declaring who he really his - I had to refrain from slapping my own forehead.
Beyond these issues, I found some of the dialogue to be stilted and the emotions expressed in conversation by Nell, Nell's brother, James, and others, to be forced. I thought Nell's continued devotion and loyalty to a lying, abusive man to be really irritating. You were married to an abusive asshole, face it, and stop being so loyal to him. I get the emotional trauma we see from her throughout, but the simultaneous, "It was my fault," and "He did love me," shtick became very tired for me by the end of the novel, especially as she's moving through one after another of his uncovered secrets. I thought the novel could have been about 100 pages shorter, to be honest. How many times do we have to be told Nell Godney Caldicott, formerly of Daveny Hall, daughter to a baron, is familiar and well-versed in high society? We get it. She fits in.
I felt some of the very frank dialogue between some of the characters to be historically inaccurate conversations that would have been held in this time period and social situations. The synopsis of this book said it was "parlor room, not bedroom," so given that there's no bedroom scenes, perhaps the author felt she needed to make up for that elsewhere in the bold conversations between characters. Several times multiple characters are discussing inappropriate behavior by themselves or others. For instance, when Nell is among the members of the titled Harbottle family and they're happily discussing that one of their ancestors had multiple affairs and probably had children by several different women, I was surprised they were discussing it so openly. This would have been a serious faux pas. Normally titled families kept that inappropriate wandering behavior under wraps lest there be a chance their right to the title be contested; they wouldn't be discussing it openly for a laugh, in the family seat with someone they just met! Nor would Nathan be discussing with Nell, a woman in mourning, wearing blacks for her husband, how he had slept with a woman and gotten her pregnant and is now raising that child on his own. Neither would Nell tell Nathan she doesn't think less of him for his behavior, as she too snuck out away from her family and slept with a man so she could marry him! These conversations seemed entirely improbable, especially for two individuals claiming to be friends and not yet romantically tied together.
By the time I reached the prologue the saccharine dialogue had me literally rolling my eyes, so I don't think I will soon be seeking out another novel by this author.
February 2, 2025
What a story! This was hard at times because Nell reflects on her abusive marriage regularly, but knowing her vile husband went down with his ship is a relief. She’s living close to poverty when she comes into the money from The Benefactor (who I decided is the Duke from the prequel…he shut himself away with a friend for a day while recovering and I think that was to set up the philanthropic scheme).
Nathan is such a good egg - he wanted her from the beginning, but only offered assistance because he noticed her bruises.
The reveals are predictable, but that doesn’t make this story any less intriguing.
Nathan is such a good egg - he wanted her from the beginning, but only offered assistance because he noticed her bruises.
The reveals are predictable, but that doesn’t make this story any less intriguing.
November 28, 2020
this was not a mystery
this was a romance novel with a mysterious character who dies early and then all the other characters have to fall over each other for a while until they live happily ever after. how did i end up with this book in my reading list?!
this was a romance novel with a mysterious character who dies early and then all the other characters have to fall over each other for a while until they live happily ever after. how did i end up with this book in my reading list?!
August 3, 2020
I rather like Mary Kingswood novels. It's amazing that I do read her works considering my first book of hers was Amy. I was so conflicted with that book! It was well written but the story itself! It was like an accident unfolding before you, you just couldn't look away. I could go on and on with all the ways in which I should detest that book but strangely I didn't. Mostly, I found I couldn't fully understand it (the motivations of the H which were disturbing in many ways). It made me unable to read the rest of the books in that series simply because I disliked almost all the daughters of Allamont Hall in "Amy!"
For whatever reason I read her other series "The Sons of the Marquess." I didn't start with the 1st book (but I hope to one day). However, I was soon drawn into the series. What I loved was how each of the "sons" were so different with such distinct personalities. There was also a sort of a "running joke" throughout the series that seemed to put some reviewers off when you find out the full extent of the joke but I found it pretty funny myself.
Now. On to this series. As the first of the series, it's off to a strong start. The writing is very strong but then all of her novels are well written. Even though the H and h don't really interact much until the 40% mark, I didn't much notice it because the story itself moved along at a nice pace as we follow the h trying to put her life back together after the death of her husband. I enjoyed how Kingswood touched upon several themes such as class differences (the h went from wealthy to poor to middle class and worst of all, has dabbled in trade to sustain herself), racial prejudice (Meg who faces discrimination from the ton as well as from her wanna be suitor who wonders how much her race will adversely affect him) and domestic abuse. The author also muses on how we approach love and marriage when we're young as opposed to when we are older (the answer: much more carefully!). I loved that she takes these characters who made impulsive decisions when young that has both negatively and positively affected their lives. Now, when faced with the possibility of romance, they acknowledge that it's not love alone that directs your choice but things like money, morals, friendship and basic compatibility.
It's not an "in your face novel" as the story incorporates these themes into the story itself. As for the novel, it's mostly clean in that you don't get blatant sex scenes but you do get frank conversations and strong innuendo.
For whatever reason I read her other series "The Sons of the Marquess." I didn't start with the 1st book (but I hope to one day). However, I was soon drawn into the series. What I loved was how each of the "sons" were so different with such distinct personalities. There was also a sort of a "running joke" throughout the series that seemed to put some reviewers off when you find out the full extent of the joke but I found it pretty funny myself.
Now. On to this series. As the first of the series, it's off to a strong start. The writing is very strong but then all of her novels are well written. Even though the H and h don't really interact much until the 40% mark, I didn't much notice it because the story itself moved along at a nice pace as we follow the h trying to put her life back together after the death of her husband. I enjoyed how Kingswood touched upon several themes such as class differences (the h went from wealthy to poor to middle class and worst of all, has dabbled in trade to sustain herself), racial prejudice (Meg who faces discrimination from the ton as well as from her wanna be suitor who wonders how much her race will adversely affect him) and domestic abuse. The author also muses on how we approach love and marriage when we're young as opposed to when we are older (the answer: much more carefully!). I loved that she takes these characters who made impulsive decisions when young that has both negatively and positively affected their lives. Now, when faced with the possibility of romance, they acknowledge that it's not love alone that directs your choice but things like money, morals, friendship and basic compatibility.
It's not an "in your face novel" as the story incorporates these themes into the story itself. As for the novel, it's mostly clean in that you don't get blatant sex scenes but you do get frank conversations and strong innuendo.
February 12, 2021
This is a wonderful traditional Regency romance with a touch of mystery to it. Miss Kingswood is a very gifted storyteller, weaving a complex tale which is very easy to read (no mean feat!). Her attention to historical detail is brilliant, delivered with a light touch that transports the reader straight to the 1800s without ever feeling forced or heavy-handed. Nell's story is a compulsive read and she is a very endearing character. Likewise, Mr Harbottle is extremely likeable, dashing and chivalrous, just what one hopes for in a romantic hero. The greatest achievement, in my eye, is how Miss Kingswood manages to make such a compelling character from a man who is dead. I was so eager to know the true story (won't give any spoilers) that I finished the book in one night. Happily off to read the next in series.
June 19, 2019
If you love Regency romances, you might like this. Not much mystery, aome worthwhile comments on a failed marriage, too much overwriting at the conclusion. I won't bother with another in the series.
May 1, 2022
Loved the finely wrought characterization, and the shape of the story. It was sweeping and emotional, with a most satisfying conclusion. Mary Kingswood has quickly become one of my favorite authors for her original, strong storytelling and her characters that I always come to care about.
August 1, 2022
This isn't really a mystery --it takes little thinking to figure out what's going on--but still readable and entertaining.
September 24, 2020
I read The Widow by Mary Kingswood. And, I was kind of "Eh" about it. I figured out what was going to be the climax of the story by the beginning of chapter 2, which was a major disappointment. And, although the author explains that she writes "Historical Romances: Drawing Room and not Bedroom," the incredibly loud and repeated proclamations of the 2 main characters that they will be Best Friends Forever and would Never ask the other to be in a relationship that was not Fully Comfortable to the other got darned tiresome after a while. It very much reminded me of a few of the awkward scenes in When Harry Met Sally. "Isn't it nice to be with someone and not have to talk!" etc.
The premise of the story was good. The writing was good. But, the execution was disappointing.
The premise of the story was good. The writing was good. But, the execution was disappointing.
June 5, 2021
I think the subject of spousal abuse was handled very poorly in this story.
The heroine mentions many times that her being beaten by her dead husband was a result of her actions and was her fault to begin with. By the end of the book she still wasn’t really disabused of this notion. Still making excuses for what he did to her. Excuses such as, he was a tortured soul because he accidentally killed his first wife in a fit of violence (it is even mentioned that the first wife may have deserved her death and abuse because she was unfaithful, particularly with men Jude found beneath his level). Excuses such as, the secrets that he kept and his hidden identity were too much for him to bear. Excuses such as, he genuinely loved her for the first years of their marriage which made up for the next 5 dark years.
The hero does his best to try to understand why the heroine is unwilling to marry again. But it’s in pretty bad taste to compare his teenage heartbreak to 5 years of being abused by ones husband. This comparison is made when the hero is trying to convince the heroine that she might want to marry again despite past traumas. Like ya it’s sucks what happened to the hero, but to compare it to being beaten black and blue on a regular basis? Please get a grip sir.
The worst part though, would have to be how the heroines brother is complaining to her how he hasn’t slept with his wife in four years. The advice she gives to him is to knock her door down and take what’s his. That’s right, someone who experienced years of physical and emotional abuse told her brother to essentially rape his wife.
Don’t read.
The heroine mentions many times that her being beaten by her dead husband was a result of her actions and was her fault to begin with. By the end of the book she still wasn’t really disabused of this notion. Still making excuses for what he did to her. Excuses such as, he was a tortured soul because he accidentally killed his first wife in a fit of violence (it is even mentioned that the first wife may have deserved her death and abuse because she was unfaithful, particularly with men Jude found beneath his level). Excuses such as, the secrets that he kept and his hidden identity were too much for him to bear. Excuses such as, he genuinely loved her for the first years of their marriage which made up for the next 5 dark years.
The hero does his best to try to understand why the heroine is unwilling to marry again. But it’s in pretty bad taste to compare his teenage heartbreak to 5 years of being abused by ones husband. This comparison is made when the hero is trying to convince the heroine that she might want to marry again despite past traumas. Like ya it’s sucks what happened to the hero, but to compare it to being beaten black and blue on a regular basis? Please get a grip sir.
The worst part though, would have to be how the heroines brother is complaining to her how he hasn’t slept with his wife in four years. The advice she gives to him is to knock her door down and take what’s his. That’s right, someone who experienced years of physical and emotional abuse told her brother to essentially rape his wife.
Don’t read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2019
The widow is a traditional regency romance with a mystery woven throughout. I loved it!
Nell Caldicott once was a happy young woman who ran away from her family to marry her one true love. They were happy the first few years of their marriage until one day, her husband’s fortunes turned with the sinking of his ship. Violent and angry, Jude took his anger out on his bride. Reduced to living in fear of her husband on meager wages, Nell tries to find ways to survive. After his untimely death, Nell discovers that her husband was hiding many secrets. What was Jude trying to run away from?
Nathan Harbottle meets Nell as she waits for Jude as he searches for his long-lost cousin. Nathan finds himself instantly attracted to the beautiful married lady, but he moves on to continue the search. When he finds himself thrown in her path again, he can’t help but to aid her and admire her.
I love regency stories, especially clean stories. I love the time period. This novel had great well-developed characters and I enjoyed the mystery that was woven throughout the story. This is a first in a series and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!
Favorite Quotes:
“We can all play the game of ‘if only,’ but it is a game with no winners, only losers.”
Overall, The Widow is a perfect Regency mystery romance.
Book Source: I purchased the e-book on Amazon.
This review first appeared on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2019...
Nell Caldicott once was a happy young woman who ran away from her family to marry her one true love. They were happy the first few years of their marriage until one day, her husband’s fortunes turned with the sinking of his ship. Violent and angry, Jude took his anger out on his bride. Reduced to living in fear of her husband on meager wages, Nell tries to find ways to survive. After his untimely death, Nell discovers that her husband was hiding many secrets. What was Jude trying to run away from?
Nathan Harbottle meets Nell as she waits for Jude as he searches for his long-lost cousin. Nathan finds himself instantly attracted to the beautiful married lady, but he moves on to continue the search. When he finds himself thrown in her path again, he can’t help but to aid her and admire her.
I love regency stories, especially clean stories. I love the time period. This novel had great well-developed characters and I enjoyed the mystery that was woven throughout the story. This is a first in a series and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!
Favorite Quotes:
“We can all play the game of ‘if only,’ but it is a game with no winners, only losers.”
Overall, The Widow is a perfect Regency mystery romance.
Book Source: I purchased the e-book on Amazon.
This review first appeared on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2019...
July 20, 2024
The story was compelling (and did not fit any the normally anticipated Regency plot categories)and the characters were engaging. What stood out most to me was the subtle, internal reactions Nell exhibited as she dealt with her husband's abuse then absence, lack of funds, continuing adjustment to the different lifestyle from what she was brought up to. It was all spot on.
Don't you love it when you find a new author to enjoy!
Since I first read this I have read all of Mary Kingswood's books and wait with bated breath for everyone that comes out. She has a talent that has made her one of my favorite authors.
Don't you love it when you find a new author to enjoy!
Since I first read this I have read all of Mary Kingswood's books and wait with bated breath for everyone that comes out. She has a talent that has made her one of my favorite authors.
October 29, 2020
Wow! I liked it, especially coming off of my previous read, which was a Victorian romance with the most juvenile anachronistic and downright stupid writing that I have encountered in a long time. What a refreshing difference in this book! I really appreciate the close attention to period details in this, as the author puts it, traditional Regency romance. I'm definitely reading more by this author. Well done.
June 22, 2020
This is the second book I've read by Mary Kingswood and I am just as satisfied with her work this time as I was last time. Her attention to detail in every respect, while keeping the plot riveting, and the reader invested in the lives of the characters, is downright amazing when compared with others. I've seen so many books labeled 'Regency romance' which only fit because of the style of clothing worn by the characters and the architecture surrounding them. When the characters do not act according to the norm of the day, it just throws me out of the story. Thankfully, Mary Kingswood presents a product that is authentic is every way, at least to my knowledge. Another thing in her favor is her request at the end of the book to note any discrepancy in the accuracy of the time so she can extend her own knowledge.
Concerning this particular book, I love the proper responses of the characters, mainly acknowledging their past mistakes and seeking to better themselves in the future. They caution younger people accordingly, but without being preachy about it, and are respectful without being boring. The heroine's wish to stand on her own feet and her gumption as she goes about it seemed fitting and correct for a woman of that time period, at least to my knowledge.
I found the plot interesting, too. While I figured out the mystery early on, it was great fun to read about the way the characters solved it. To me, this was a win in a Regency romance driven by mysterious happenings.
So if you like true-to-form Regency romance in the style of Jane Austen, if you enjoy a cozy mystery, and if you appreciate characters who adhere to a moral code which is fitting for the time in which the story is set, please do not pass up the chance to read this book.
Concerning this particular book, I love the proper responses of the characters, mainly acknowledging their past mistakes and seeking to better themselves in the future. They caution younger people accordingly, but without being preachy about it, and are respectful without being boring. The heroine's wish to stand on her own feet and her gumption as she goes about it seemed fitting and correct for a woman of that time period, at least to my knowledge.
I found the plot interesting, too. While I figured out the mystery early on, it was great fun to read about the way the characters solved it. To me, this was a win in a Regency romance driven by mysterious happenings.
So if you like true-to-form Regency romance in the style of Jane Austen, if you enjoy a cozy mystery, and if you appreciate characters who adhere to a moral code which is fitting for the time in which the story is set, please do not pass up the chance to read this book.
June 5, 2021
Because so many Regencies written lately seem to be too similar (same plotlines), I decided to try a Regency that was also a mystery. The story begins with a tragedy -- the loss of a brig off the Cornish coast. There are only three survivors from the ship Minerva. The captain, Judas Caldicott, was lost at sea but his body was recovered and buried locally (close to the place of death).
This leaves his wife, Nell, and son in a difficult situation. They have barely been able to make ends meet and now they find out that things are much worse than suspected. On one hand, Nell is relieved; Judas was a wife-beater. She had given up her previous (wealthy) life to marry him; her family would not take her to its bosom now that she was destitute.
This story is realistic because Nell faces terrible choices once her provider is gone. Nell is also conflicted because she loves the life they lived early on before Judas changed. Yet, she understands that she is better off emotionally without such a difficult person in her life.
I didn't give this very interesting story the top score because of the coincidences that made things just a bit too pat. However, it is a great story that flows. I liked that the characters have meaningful conversations that carry the plot along. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
Silver Linings Mystery
0. The Clerk(2019)
** 1.The Widow (2019)
2. The Lacemaker(2019)
3. TheApothecary (2019)
4. The Painter(2020)
5. The Orphan(2020)
6. The Duke(2020)
This leaves his wife, Nell, and son in a difficult situation. They have barely been able to make ends meet and now they find out that things are much worse than suspected. On one hand, Nell is relieved; Judas was a wife-beater. She had given up her previous (wealthy) life to marry him; her family would not take her to its bosom now that she was destitute.
This story is realistic because Nell faces terrible choices once her provider is gone. Nell is also conflicted because she loves the life they lived early on before Judas changed. Yet, she understands that she is better off emotionally without such a difficult person in her life.
I didn't give this very interesting story the top score because of the coincidences that made things just a bit too pat. However, it is a great story that flows. I liked that the characters have meaningful conversations that carry the plot along. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
Silver Linings Mystery
0. The Clerk(2019)
** 1.The Widow (2019)
2. The Lacemaker(2019)
3. TheApothecary (2019)
4. The Painter(2020)
5. The Orphan(2020)
6. The Duke(2020)
June 6, 2019
I finished reading this last night and I'm already looking forward to the next, The Lacemaker. I was lucky enough to receive a free copy in return for my honest review and if you have any doubts look at my other reviews on Amazon.
This is another well crafted story and I was immediately engaged with the characters. Mary makes her readers care about the people in her stories and though the eventual outcome is not a surprise, her skill lies in taking readers on the journey to how it happens. The research behind the period details is always impressive and I always discover new things about the era and the lives of people then. Whilst we can never fully appreciate what it was like, stories like this give us glimpses and clues to how our world came about.
The times were precarious and more so for women and of course the poor. I'm very grateful to all who fought for the changes that came about in this country. More to do but what transformations they achieved. Visiting those times gone by is fascinating but I wouldn't want to stay. Mary Kingswood is an excellent guide.
I enjoyed this book immensely and the appearances of characters from other stories is a delight. As another reviewer put it - like meeting old friends.
This is another well crafted story and I was immediately engaged with the characters. Mary makes her readers care about the people in her stories and though the eventual outcome is not a surprise, her skill lies in taking readers on the journey to how it happens. The research behind the period details is always impressive and I always discover new things about the era and the lives of people then. Whilst we can never fully appreciate what it was like, stories like this give us glimpses and clues to how our world came about.
The times were precarious and more so for women and of course the poor. I'm very grateful to all who fought for the changes that came about in this country. More to do but what transformations they achieved. Visiting those times gone by is fascinating but I wouldn't want to stay. Mary Kingswood is an excellent guide.
I enjoyed this book immensely and the appearances of characters from other stories is a delight. As another reviewer put it - like meeting old friends.
June 15, 2021
Slow plot development with a “proper” kiss at the end
Although the characters are blind to the truth of a character’s true identity, the reader is not. So while there is some dramatic tension, there is no real mystery to solve. The protagonists are in separate scenes for most of the first half of the book and then together as they “solve” their mystery for the last third.
The story involves healing from past domestic violence, a few characters die off page, and there are some scenes involving alcohol consumption. Most of the story takes place through dialog and in places with chaperones. The female protagonist is intelligent, and, as she recovers from her recent loss, she regains her witty personality.
The male protagonist, while described as handsome, came across as rather fastidious and kindly instead of daring and passionate. A healthy person for a wounded damsel.
This is a pleasant story with minimal errors in the writing. It is rather tame. There is no peril, no steamy parts, just a slow untangling of the mysterious life of a deceased man and the building of a relationship between two nice characters who deserve happiness. The HEA is in the epilogue.
Although the characters are blind to the truth of a character’s true identity, the reader is not. So while there is some dramatic tension, there is no real mystery to solve. The protagonists are in separate scenes for most of the first half of the book and then together as they “solve” their mystery for the last third.
The story involves healing from past domestic violence, a few characters die off page, and there are some scenes involving alcohol consumption. Most of the story takes place through dialog and in places with chaperones. The female protagonist is intelligent, and, as she recovers from her recent loss, she regains her witty personality.
The male protagonist, while described as handsome, came across as rather fastidious and kindly instead of daring and passionate. A healthy person for a wounded damsel.
This is a pleasant story with minimal errors in the writing. It is rather tame. There is no peril, no steamy parts, just a slow untangling of the mysterious life of a deceased man and the building of a relationship between two nice characters who deserve happiness. The HEA is in the epilogue.
June 29, 2019
Kingswood is trustworthy
Mary Kingswood is an author I can trust to deliver a story that is entertaining, well written, and believable. The Widow captures not only the devastation wrought when trust is broken but also, the painful journey of trying to regain it and joy once it’s found again. Nell and Nathan’s story is achingly romantic and completely satisfying.
Be advised, Nell is the victim of violent spousal abuse. While the reader is not treated to any “real time” description of that abuse, Nell’s memories, reactions and devastation related to it are at times, very hard to read. When I mentioned believability earlier, it is this that I had in mind.
Bottom line: While Ms. Kingswood may not have Georgette Heyer’s dry wit or Jane Austen’s lock on Regency era manners and mores, she does have a solid grip how to write a period romance that doesn’t rely on graphic sex to maintain the reader’s interest. Instead she creates relatable characters that the reader comes to care about. For this reader that is real talent that keeps me reading her work.
Mary Kingswood is an author I can trust to deliver a story that is entertaining, well written, and believable. The Widow captures not only the devastation wrought when trust is broken but also, the painful journey of trying to regain it and joy once it’s found again. Nell and Nathan’s story is achingly romantic and completely satisfying.
Be advised, Nell is the victim of violent spousal abuse. While the reader is not treated to any “real time” description of that abuse, Nell’s memories, reactions and devastation related to it are at times, very hard to read. When I mentioned believability earlier, it is this that I had in mind.
Bottom line: While Ms. Kingswood may not have Georgette Heyer’s dry wit or Jane Austen’s lock on Regency era manners and mores, she does have a solid grip how to write a period romance that doesn’t rely on graphic sex to maintain the reader’s interest. Instead she creates relatable characters that the reader comes to care about. For this reader that is real talent that keeps me reading her work.
February 18, 2020
As another reviewer mentioned, Mary Kingswood is excellent at taking the reader back to the Regency period and allowing us to know both the good and the bad side of the lives of men and women, rich and poor, during that time period. Her attention to detail in every facet of her writing brings the past alive as nothing else can, and we, too, feel the terrible cold and the awful hunger that so many children, women, and the elderly without means of support had to suffer during this time.
The characters in this novel are finely drawn and stay true to form throughout the book, and we come to cheer for those who make it their purpose to ease the burdens of those less fortunate than themselves, no matter their station in life. The romance in the novel is portrayed in the most exquisite way, and the mystery is one that I still question--was Jude himself lied to about that night?
I would definitely recommend this novel and look forward to reading the next in Ms. Kingswood's Regency series.
The characters in this novel are finely drawn and stay true to form throughout the book, and we come to cheer for those who make it their purpose to ease the burdens of those less fortunate than themselves, no matter their station in life. The romance in the novel is portrayed in the most exquisite way, and the mystery is one that I still question--was Jude himself lied to about that night?
I would definitely recommend this novel and look forward to reading the next in Ms. Kingswood's Regency series.
June 5, 2019
I was so excited to receive an ARC for a Mary Kingswood book. I love her clean, authentic-feeling regencies (just look at the way Kingswood has male characters perceive women as incapable of understanding money/education/etc. really shows this). The Widow is no exception. As with Kingswoods’s other books it is engaging and well written. While the other series that Kingswood has written have centered around families, this series is focused on an event, the sinking of a ship.
The Widow follows Nell whose husband was the captain of the Minerva as she learns that her husband was not the man she believed him to be and Nathan who is searching for his long lost cousin. I loved that this is not a murder mystery (as with the Woodside books) but rather a quest to find out about her husband. I love how Nathan is not pushy but allows Nell to move at her own pace. Contains: kisses, mentions of domestic violence
The Widow follows Nell whose husband was the captain of the Minerva as she learns that her husband was not the man she believed him to be and Nathan who is searching for his long lost cousin. I loved that this is not a murder mystery (as with the Woodside books) but rather a quest to find out about her husband. I love how Nathan is not pushy but allows Nell to move at her own pace. Contains: kisses, mentions of domestic violence
June 29, 2019
Silver Linings Indeed
Wow I found The Widow to be a great read It took a few pages to get my full attention but once it did I devoured it in about three and a half hours. I always enjoy having vivid descriptions and Mary Kingswood does a wonderful job. From the beginning I figured out where things where going but the journey there was the real story for me. Every time I thought the pieces we falling into place another piece would show up. I did feel the end was tied up quickly. I would have liked to know precisely what happened with Lord Tolly and how he ended up in Italy. Italy ! of all places sounds a little too lenient for my taste considering all the evil he did. But I have found that with many epilogues this is the case. A rush to tied loose ends. Also who was the benefactor? Loved the book but for these two reasons I’m giving it four stars.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
And this is my honest opinion and I do recommend it.
Wow I found The Widow to be a great read It took a few pages to get my full attention but once it did I devoured it in about three and a half hours. I always enjoy having vivid descriptions and Mary Kingswood does a wonderful job. From the beginning I figured out where things where going but the journey there was the real story for me. Every time I thought the pieces we falling into place another piece would show up. I did feel the end was tied up quickly. I would have liked to know precisely what happened with Lord Tolly and how he ended up in Italy. Italy ! of all places sounds a little too lenient for my taste considering all the evil he did. But I have found that with many epilogues this is the case. A rush to tied loose ends. Also who was the benefactor? Loved the book but for these two reasons I’m giving it four stars.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
And this is my honest opinion and I do recommend it.
May 20, 2021
A clean Regency mystery which maintained my interested once I got into it. Story about a young woman who married a ship captain against her noble family wishes who then shunned her. Her marriage proved abusive, resulting in one son until the demise of her husband in a shipwreck, resulting in confusion over his true identity. Much character development with a surprise ending to her mysterious husband. Really enjoyed this book, despite the cover and title being somewhat lackluster and uninspiring from modern day ones portrayed of the Regency era. But, glad I took a chance on it. Some confusing concepts involved how Nathan chose her home to inquire about his cousin. Also, Nell was a bit too mournful of her husband considering his abuse resulted in the loss of her baby - this, in itself, would be difficult to forgive so readily despite fluctuating back and forth. Also, the facts surrounding the death of his first wife remained inconclusive. Otherwise, a good clean read true to the era.
June 6, 2019
Aside from the prequel novella "The Clerk", this novel is the first installment of The Silver Linings Mysteries series by Kingswood. This novel slowly unravels the multiple mysteries surrounding Jude Caldicott, the dead husband of the heroine, Nell. Jude's story proves to be interesting and full of surprises.
Nathan Harbottle is a wonderful hero. Plus, a slow-burn romance is so much more believable than insta-love. The entire cast of characters is well-drawn, and a few from previous books make their appearance.
This book is well-written with very few editing errors. It is also clean, which is important to me. Regency customs, speech and behavior are spot on.
All in all, I loved "The Widow", and am looking forward to the next installment. Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. 4+ stars.
Nathan Harbottle is a wonderful hero. Plus, a slow-burn romance is so much more believable than insta-love. The entire cast of characters is well-drawn, and a few from previous books make their appearance.
This book is well-written with very few editing errors. It is also clean, which is important to me. Regency customs, speech and behavior are spot on.
All in all, I loved "The Widow", and am looking forward to the next installment. Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. 4+ stars.
January 19, 2020
Not 'cozy'!
Sometimes I think authors believe that the exclusion or inclusion of sex is what makes a book a 'cozy' mystery or a so-called 'clean' romance. This author states very clearly, that she writes books which take place in "the drawing room, not the bedroom."
She does however, write about many kinds of love; about friendship, passion and kindness, as well as betrayal, violence, and tragedy. She depicts both the unthinking predjudices and the shallow rules of the ton, along with concepts of honesty and honor. Her characters are people of their time and station, but they are real people, not stereotypes, except, of course, for those who choose stereotypical behavior, for whatever reason.
I was very glad to discover that I have bought at least one other of Ms. Kingswood's novels, so I can continue in her worlds. It will certainly not be the last!
Sometimes I think authors believe that the exclusion or inclusion of sex is what makes a book a 'cozy' mystery or a so-called 'clean' romance. This author states very clearly, that she writes books which take place in "the drawing room, not the bedroom."
She does however, write about many kinds of love; about friendship, passion and kindness, as well as betrayal, violence, and tragedy. She depicts both the unthinking predjudices and the shallow rules of the ton, along with concepts of honesty and honor. Her characters are people of their time and station, but they are real people, not stereotypes, except, of course, for those who choose stereotypical behavior, for whatever reason.
I was very glad to discover that I have bought at least one other of Ms. Kingswood's novels, so I can continue in her worlds. It will certainly not be the last!
August 19, 2021
A sweet romance and a good puzzle to solve
I think every reader will expect that the obvious outcome of who will have the title under question will happen at the end of the novel. It resolves, however, earlier and opens up the other mystery of why Felix became Jude. This is what the two main characters, Nell and Nathan, have to figure out, following the clues, as well as Nathan’s first love. I liked the novel a lot. It has the puzzle to figure out and the female lead, though fearful, is a nice, solid person, as is Nathan. The issues of class in the novel are interesting as well. Nathan’s family made its money in the West Indies, so in the slave trade, so he is rich but not upper class, while Nell is from peerage, but not of a high rank.
I enjoyed this, overall, though I did want it to speed up in places. That said, I think I will read more by this writer.
I think every reader will expect that the obvious outcome of who will have the title under question will happen at the end of the novel. It resolves, however, earlier and opens up the other mystery of why Felix became Jude. This is what the two main characters, Nell and Nathan, have to figure out, following the clues, as well as Nathan’s first love. I liked the novel a lot. It has the puzzle to figure out and the female lead, though fearful, is a nice, solid person, as is Nathan. The issues of class in the novel are interesting as well. Nathan’s family made its money in the West Indies, so in the slave trade, so he is rich but not upper class, while Nell is from peerage, but not of a high rank.
I enjoyed this, overall, though I did want it to speed up in places. That said, I think I will read more by this writer.
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