訪問者

by Riku Onda

急死した映画監督・峠昌彦の親友・井上は、湖を一望する山中の洋館を訪ねた。三年前、昌彦を育てた実業家朝霞千沙子が不審死を遂げた湖だ。館には「訪問者に気をつけろ」という不気味な警告状が届いていた。死んだはずの「大おばちゃま」の姿を見たと主張する少女。そして冬の雷が鳴る中、新たな死体が……。やがて残されたシナリオから浮上してきた意外な真実とは？

Paperback Bunko

First published May 14, 2009

About the author

Riku Onda (Japanese name: 恩田 陸), born in 1964, is the professional name of Nanae Kumagai. She has been writing fiction since 1991 and has won the Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers, the Japan Booksellers' Award, the Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel for The Aosawa Murders, the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize, and the Naoki Prize. Her work has been adapted for film and television. The Aosawa Murders was her first crime novel and the first time she was translated into English. It was selected by The New York Times as a Notable Book of 2020.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a member of the Distinguished Ladies of Purpose, Lady Emma Sinclair strives to help those less fortunate, even as others disregard her ideas as fanciful nonsense. That is, until she accidentally starts a rumor she is betrothed to Philip Fitzgerald, the powerful but absent Earl of Peyton. As society celebrates her victory in capturing the elusive lord, she enjoys new influence. Everything goes perfectly, until…
The earl returns.
Philip is shocked to arrive home to an unexpected betrothal. He doesn’t know Lady Emma’s motives or goals, yet the intelligent lady intrigues him. He will continue the ruse, chasing her secrets, even as he continues his own clandestine work. He saves people while in disguise, setting London aflame.
As everyone guesses the identity of the mysterious masked rescuer, Emma and Philip delve closer and closer to the truth, and each other.
When secrets are revealed, will a pretend betrothal become real?
This is a witty story including alligators and log rafts and a masked protector.
Emma and Philip are so good together. It's too bad they don't see it sooner.
Melanie Rose Clarke has written a perfectly funny romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

[Cari Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie Rose Clarke is quickly becoming one of my favorite Historical Romance authors. She has a way of making the characters come alive and their personalities shine. Emma is adorable! When she gets nervous the most hilarious things just pop out of her mouth! There are dozens of scenes that are my favorite, but one in my top five is when Emma is trying to distract Peyton:

She pointed to a discombobulated mishmash of colors and shapes splattered on a canvas. “That painting is absolutely fabulous. I’ve noticed it every visit, and could spend hours staring at it. You must tell me where you got it, Lord Dryfus, so I can secure one for my home.”
Everyone turned to the large artwork. Emma peered closer, frowned. Upon further study, perhaps it wasn’t a meaningless subject after all. Shapes started to form into people, colors into body parts. She gasped.
It showed a man…
And a woman…
And another man.
And another woman.
And about a dozen of each more, for good measure, without the little indulgence of clothing.
And who knew people could bend like that?
Peyton’s eye twitched.
Approximately a year of stunned silence passed before Dryfus cleared his throat. “I’m… er… glad you like it. Ladies do not usually comment on it.”
“I don’t see why not.” She cringed. Blending in with the settee was still not working.
“It is a most extraordinary painting.” Peyton leaned forward. “Tell me, what do you like most about it?”
Emma choked. “It’s just so… moving.”
Definitely the wrong word.
“It really strikes you deep down.”
Far worse.
“Deep, deep down. Really at your core.”
Her mind had clearly booked a trip to America without her.
Dryfus made some sort of strangling noise. Priscilla now looked like she was trying to blend in with the settee. And Peyton?
He looked like he wanted to devour her.

There are many lively conversations about rashes on asses, log trips to America, and alligators! I can gush about this book for hours! It is hilarious, but at the same time it tackles important heartbreaking social problems of the time. I have read hundreds and hundreds of Historical romance books, but I would have to put this in my top 10 of all time! I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series, the first was excellent, it had all of the tension and steam you come to expect from a Lancaster novel. This series was a bit more of an ensemble read and very similar to books she has written in the past.

When a midnight dance in a pleasure garden brings Violet and accused murderer Lord Dominic together, Violet jumps in to save him from being recaptured by Bow Street Runners. With a cast of characters of a puppy, siblings, and friends, Violet sets out to help prove that Lord Dominic did not kill an acquaintance.

Lord Dominic, rake and irresponsible son of a Marquess, has never had a lasting relationship with a woman. So when delightful Violet believes in him after he's been abandoned by friends and family, he falls pretty hard.

There's a lot of hijinks in this book that make it a bit of a thrilling ride and a lot of new characters are introduced. It's not like book one at all other than Violet being Wenning's cousin. I can't wait to see the next in the series and see if any of these side characters get their own story. I love the masquerade theme and it's nice to see it employed in different stories.

[Kiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m reviewing this book from Net Gallery. The Defiant Daughter not only gave you a kindling romance but it gave you mystery and excitement. Duchess Maddy had a very abusive relationship with her husband and parents. She endured so much pain and still kept a smile on her face. When she was finally unleashed from the shackles of that abuse she locked herself away from anything that could remind her of that. She enjoyed being alone until her half brother friend Brynn comes in and test Maddy every decision. Brynn and Maddy are one in the same and have similar past traumas. Watching them grow and work to unleash them self from there pasts was a truly amazing thing to read. I rate this book a 10/10. I truly enjoyed J live the fact that it didn't focus in sexual feeling but emotional ones.

[Nicole R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
What a charming tale of redemption and love. I loved the first book in this series, but this one didn't hold my attention as well. I almost stopped reading because there were so many typos and missing words in the first few chapters.
Viola Dove is in heaven when she escapes to Maida Pleasure Gardens for an evening of anonymous moonlight waltzing, where she dances with a mystery man who happens to be an escaped convict being pursued through the gardens wounded and in desperate need of help.
I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Kathryn Hannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have read all of Mary Lancaster's books, and I usually enjoy them. The suspension of disbelief elements in this one are just a little too many for me. It was well written, but the story became too improbable. I read to the end to see how it all worked out, but I think this is the least favorite of her books. #NetGalley #UnmaskingDeception

[Sinah -Bookdevouress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, I would definitely recommend people to read the book. I loved the storytelling and the details. The main characters fit together quite well.