The Stuart Sapphire

Tam Elidor #4

by Alanna Knight

In August 1811, George, Prince of Wales and the Prince Regent is horrified to find his mistress Sarah, Marchioness of Creeve dead in his bed, strangled by the string of pearls around her neck. The Prince realizes what a scandal could come out of a dead married woman (not to mention his younger brother’s mistress) so he has Tam Eildor, masquerading as a Scottish lawyer, investigate the murder. Tam’s investigation is interrupted by an attempt on his life – and the Prince’s discovery that the Stuart Sapphire has gone missing. Tam’s search for the killer and the thief puts his life in danger. Amidst a cast of royally quirky, entertaining, and psychologically complex characters, Tam needs to figure out his purpose in the Prince Regent’s service, find the killer thief, and get home before time does away with Tam’s memory of home, or someone does away with Tam.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

aka Margaret Hope

Alanna Knight MBE has published more than sixty novels (including sixteen in the acclaimed Inspector Faro series, and seven featuring his daughter Rose McQuinn), as well as non-fiction, true crime and several books on Robert Louis Stevenson, numerous short stories and two plays since her award-winning first book ‘Legend of the Loch’ in 1969. A founding member and Honorary President of the Scottish Association of Writers and of the Edinburgh Writer’s Club, born and educated on Tyneside, she has two sons and two granddaughters and lives in Edinburgh.

Reviews

[Emg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh the adjectives! Oh, the adverbs! Not very interesting and the writing was plodding, almost jerky. Couldn't figure out what the purpose of Tam's being a time traveler was - he was just plopped down and basically did nothing but be there.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay.. When I've first read the synopsis of the book, the Georgian setting with a murdered lady and a missing jewel caught my attention. "oohh.. sounds interesting.." This is about Tam Eildor, the Edinburgh lawyer (as he'd introduced himself) often described as an enigmatic young man in the book. Tam's a time traveler! for goodness sake, I didn't know that when I bought the book and I do hope that this is not a spoiler for it is mentioned in the first chapter. He was asked by the Prince to help him solve the murder case, and find the missing Stuart Sapphire. But instead of just focusing on the case, there are things that he did not expect to happen.. like the prince's daughter, Princess Charlotte has taken fancy on him.. the stalker.. and etc.

As I've said, the idea/concept caught my attention.. Especially the beginning of the book.. I did like that.
But as I'm reading it, I was like: "What?! where would this story go?? where's the mystery or the thrilling part??" I'm on the half already but nothing was still making me want more of the story. I don't know where Tam came from He just appeared there. there. (or maybe bec. I haven't read the book before this) It doesn't really sound like he's from the future. I really find this boring at first.

BUT then.. after a few pages.. I believe were the best parts, where the mystery behind the murder and the missing jewel were beginning to unfold.. *at last* and that is when I've started to like this book. After discovering the mystery behind the murder and lost jewel, I don't know maybe it's just me.. but I really don't have a clue about who killed her, or who stole that. So, yes.. the story's okay, I'm bored on the first half of the book.. but I can't leave a book unfinished, and realized that I like it.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zero stars if that was an option. Plot wandered. Characters unlikeable. I still don't know why Tam was in Brighton in the 1800s.