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The River Knows
Quick, Amanda
459 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
353 people are currently reading
1990 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Quick
93 books5,493 followersPseudonym of Jayne Ann Krentz
The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonym(s):
Jayne Ann Krentz
Jayne Castle
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonym(s):
Jayne Ann Krentz
Jayne Castle
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 405 reviews
November 20, 2015
The River Knows is definitely one of Ms. Quick's better written novels. The pacing was just right, and the entire story was well-planned. I admit that Anthony and Louisa didn't really stand out as leads when compared to that of Dangerous, The Paid Companion, Lie By Moonlight and Ravished, but they were still strong primary characters nonetheless. They had chemistry, and worked really well together, with each augmenting the other's strengths. After reading tons of Amanda Quick books, I know that her heroines have a tendency to be foolhardy, with some like Emma (I Thee Wed) and Phoebe (Reckless) even bordering on stupidity. I was glad to find that Louisa was spared of that trait. She took risks, yes, but they were sensible, calculated risks. The story was also backed by a strong list of amusing and lovable secondary characters. I adored Emma and Anthony's family. Their presence really added allure to the novel.
If I had one qualm about the book, it would be the fact that I felt like it focused much more on the mystery than on Louisa and Anthony's relationship. While I love a good 'whodunit', I wouldn't want suspense to overshadow the romance aspect. I am reading a historical romance novel after all. I would have wanted an good, long epilogue exploring their HEA, and not just a few paragraphs. Damn, they at least deserved that after all the hell they went through.
Sadly, I believe that focusing on the suspense element is fast becoming a trend with the writer, if her latest stories are to be judged. This won't put me off reading her works, though, but I really hope that things improve in the future.
If I had one qualm about the book, it would be the fact that I felt like it focused much more on the mystery than on Louisa and Anthony's relationship. While I love a good 'whodunit', I wouldn't want suspense to overshadow the romance aspect. I am reading a historical romance novel after all. I would have wanted an good, long epilogue exploring their HEA, and not just a few paragraphs. Damn, they at least deserved that after all the hell they went through.
Sadly, I believe that focusing on the suspense element is fast becoming a trend with the writer, if her latest stories are to be judged. This won't put me off reading her works, though, but I really hope that things improve in the future.
January 15, 2015
Set in London towards the end of the Victorian era, when enlightened women refused to wear injurious corsets and 14 pounds of petticoats.
This is a historical romance, narrated beautifully by Katherine Kellgren, and written by Amanda Quick, aka Jayne Anne Krentz (JAK), and Jayne Castle. A prolific author. This is a stand-alone novel, not part of the Arcane Series, and not paranormal. I often prefer Quick-JAK's stand-alone novels, even though some of her series pieces are quite good. A small fraction of JAK's books make it to my 5-star shelf, but most are 3 or 4 star stories. That's fine. I can always count on her for a snarky, sneaky, mildly steamy good time.
(But I do wish JAK would surprise me sometime. This plot? I pretty much guessed everything, right down to the Milton.)
Some heartwarming scenes with Louisa's dear friend Emma and with Anthony's delightful family. One reviewer said: "There were a few laugh-out-loud moments (I've never laughed so hard during a love scene)." Well, I didn't laugh out loud, but I did smile. Some amusing scenes.
The heroine killed an English lord in self-defense a year before the book began and is living under an assumed name, disguised as a drab, and working as an undercover reporter. I like that kind of set-up -- a fairly common trope in QUICK-JAK's worlds.
Contents include 3 sex scenes (one is a fade-to-black scene). Minimal cursing or profanity, but there is some. No pejorative terms for female anatomy. Some violence, including bloody murder.
But she and Emma were both staunch advocates of the rational dress movement, which held that ladies should wear no more than seven pounds of underwear. As for corsets, the movement had wisely declared them to be injurious to women’s health." (So I figure we need a new movement — underwire bras hurt!).
This is a historical romance, narrated beautifully by Katherine Kellgren, and written by Amanda Quick, aka Jayne Anne Krentz (JAK), and Jayne Castle. A prolific author. This is a stand-alone novel, not part of the Arcane Series, and not paranormal. I often prefer Quick-JAK's stand-alone novels, even though some of her series pieces are quite good. A small fraction of JAK's books make it to my 5-star shelf, but most are 3 or 4 star stories. That's fine. I can always count on her for a snarky, sneaky, mildly steamy good time.
(But I do wish JAK would surprise me sometime. This plot? I pretty much guessed everything, right down to the Milton.)
Some heartwarming scenes with Louisa's dear friend Emma and with Anthony's delightful family. One reviewer said: "There were a few laugh-out-loud moments (I've never laughed so hard during a love scene)." Well, I didn't laugh out loud, but I did smile. Some amusing scenes.
The heroine killed an English lord in self-defense a year before the book began and is living under an assumed name, disguised as a drab, and working as an undercover reporter. I like that kind of set-up -- a fairly common trope in QUICK-JAK's worlds.
Contents include 3 sex scenes (one is a fade-to-black scene). Minimal cursing or profanity, but there is some. No pejorative terms for female anatomy. Some violence, including bloody murder.
March 3, 2024
What's not to love about a mystery set in London during the 1800s with a bespectacled book loving heroine and a dashing hero, served with a side of sizzle?
Another escapist read from Ms. Quick... A fun break for a stressed out reader from the 21st century!
(Reviewed 4-19-12)
Another escapist read from Ms. Quick... A fun break for a stressed out reader from the 21st century!
(Reviewed 4-19-12)
December 5, 2014
This was a fun story and I liked it, but without anything truly outstanding to raise it above the average. I liked Louisa. A lot. But Anthony was kind of Victorian standard—capable, worldly, rich, and prone to falling in love with strange, bookish women.
There were a few laugh-out-loud moments (I've never laughed so hard during a love scene), but also some real groaners with the villains. And yet again, I have to say I'm beyond tired of inserting sections from the viewpoint of the villains (particularly when said villains' motivations don't really withstand scrutiny).
Anyway, if you like historical romance, this one is a great choice.
A note about Steamy: A couple of explicit sex scenes of moderate length. So the middle of my normal range. I really enjoyed Louisa's mixture of adventurousness and timidity. And no, laughing didn't at all spoil the moment...
There were a few laugh-out-loud moments (I've never laughed so hard during a love scene), but also some real groaners with the villains. And yet again, I have to say I'm beyond tired of inserting sections from the viewpoint of the villains (particularly when said villains' motivations don't really withstand scrutiny).
Anyway, if you like historical romance, this one is a great choice.
A note about Steamy: A couple of explicit sex scenes of moderate length. So the middle of my normal range. I really enjoyed Louisa's mixture of adventurousness and timidity. And no, laughing didn't at all spoil the moment...
March 3, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
The River Knows is a standalone written years ago but just come to audiobook. Amanda Quick is a well known author whose Historical Romances I've enjoyed reading from time to time over the years and The River Knows is another good addition to that list.
Louisa is hiding in society; she has changed her name and occupation and with help of one of the ton she is able to get into places she wouldn't normally go in order to run down stories on the upper crust. Anthony lost his fiancé to suicide the year before. Convinced she didn't kill herself, he is looking for who could have possibly faked her suicide and bring them to justice. Two different pursuits put them in the same hallway one evening to share an illicit kiss as they pretended to be lost looking for privacy at a party. That is where it started but where it went from there Louisa wasn't expecting.
Anthony and Louisa, it ends up, have some common goals and as they pretend to be having an illicit love affair they go about trying to discover who murdered Anthony's fiancé and get a great story for Louisa. I enjoyed their banter and the chemistry between them. Louisa was a fun character even though I felt like I'd read her before from this same author. Still the story was interesting and the pacing was spot on. I did guess a few of the plot twists so it was a bit predictable for me but still enjoyable.
Anthony's family were one of my favorite things about the book. They were all unconventional and a breath of fresh air really from some of the upper crust I've read in the past. Louisa fit in with them beautifully. Overall a fun story with some intrigue and a mystery solved by the end.
Narration:
Ashford MacNab is a well known narrator to me and always does a fantastic job with the pacing and emotion in the story. All the characters seem like real separate people when he narrates and he brings a great performance once again to The River Knows. I was able to read this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
The River Knows is a standalone written years ago but just come to audiobook. Amanda Quick is a well known author whose Historical Romances I've enjoyed reading from time to time over the years and The River Knows is another good addition to that list.
Louisa is hiding in society; she has changed her name and occupation and with help of one of the ton she is able to get into places she wouldn't normally go in order to run down stories on the upper crust. Anthony lost his fiancé to suicide the year before. Convinced she didn't kill herself, he is looking for who could have possibly faked her suicide and bring them to justice. Two different pursuits put them in the same hallway one evening to share an illicit kiss as they pretended to be lost looking for privacy at a party. That is where it started but where it went from there Louisa wasn't expecting.
Anthony and Louisa, it ends up, have some common goals and as they pretend to be having an illicit love affair they go about trying to discover who murdered Anthony's fiancé and get a great story for Louisa. I enjoyed their banter and the chemistry between them. Louisa was a fun character even though I felt like I'd read her before from this same author. Still the story was interesting and the pacing was spot on. I did guess a few of the plot twists so it was a bit predictable for me but still enjoyable.
Anthony's family were one of my favorite things about the book. They were all unconventional and a breath of fresh air really from some of the upper crust I've read in the past. Louisa fit in with them beautifully. Overall a fun story with some intrigue and a mystery solved by the end.
Narration:
Ashford MacNab is a well known narrator to me and always does a fantastic job with the pacing and emotion in the story. All the characters seem like real separate people when he narrates and he brings a great performance once again to The River Knows. I was able to read this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
January 3, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
A classic Quick novel. Great writing and the plot's good enough. The MCs don't really stand out though and that's a pity. The reason the book isn't a solid 4 stars is because I feel that the mystery takes centre stage compared to the romance between the MCs. Overall, a good enough book to for the new year.
A classic Quick novel. Great writing and the plot's good enough. The MCs don't really stand out though and that's a pity. The reason the book isn't a solid 4 stars is because I feel that the mystery takes centre stage compared to the romance between the MCs. Overall, a good enough book to for the new year.
August 21, 2018
I do wonder if an author can be accused of copyright infringement when she copies her own books :)
It's a pretty silly question, but it's one that keeps popping up in my mind every time I read her books. :) (Here the scene in the garden plus all those in the study... Really deja read)
Yes, she's really a formulaic kind of writer and here there were quite a few bits of the scaffolding that were visible. Nonetheless I enjoyed reading this book and I keep reading her sooo. Shame on me I guess.
At 1.99$ it's the right price, go for it.
It's a pretty silly question, but it's one that keeps popping up in my mind every time I read her books. :) (Here the scene in the garden plus all those in the study... Really deja read)
Yes, she's really a formulaic kind of writer and here there were quite a few bits of the scaffolding that were visible. Nonetheless I enjoyed reading this book and I keep reading her sooo. Shame on me I guess.
At 1.99$ it's the right price, go for it.
June 7, 2019
Una historia entretenida, con algo de misterio, un poco de intriga y un poco de romance, en un ambiente de época. Donde la sociedad aún es marcadamente machista y las clases sociales protegen los criminales mas inconcebibles.
Es una excelente lectura y muy fácil de leer, sin embargo un poco predecible en algunos puntos.
Es una excelente lectura y muy fácil de leer, sin embargo un poco predecible en algunos puntos.
January 5, 2011
A year ago Joanna Barclay had to stage her own suicide in order to escape the noose, after killing a Lord in self-defence. She fashioned a new life for herself under the name of Louisa Bryce, living with the eccentric Lady Emma Ashton and working as a journalist.
Her current case is to find out the dark secrets of Mr. Hastings, who she thinks is financing a brothel. While searching the Hastings mansion for proof, she runs into Anthony Stalbridge and realizes he is after Hastings' dark secrets as well, albeit quite different ones; he suspects him of having killed his own wife as well as Anthony's fiancée a year ago. The two of them decide on a partnership and they soon find themselves in a very dangerous situation. But there is certainly time for the two of them to indulge in an illicit affair...
I loved this book. The characters, especially Louisa and Anthony (actually his entire family), were great and exchanged some very witty dialogue that made me grin throughout a big part of the book. The murder mystery started out with a few nice twists and turns, but after a while I could see the ending coming. That didn't take away from my enjoyment though.
This was my first Amanda Quick and I'm sure to pick up more of her work now.
Her current case is to find out the dark secrets of Mr. Hastings, who she thinks is financing a brothel. While searching the Hastings mansion for proof, she runs into Anthony Stalbridge and realizes he is after Hastings' dark secrets as well, albeit quite different ones; he suspects him of having killed his own wife as well as Anthony's fiancée a year ago. The two of them decide on a partnership and they soon find themselves in a very dangerous situation. But there is certainly time for the two of them to indulge in an illicit affair...
I loved this book. The characters, especially Louisa and Anthony (actually his entire family), were great and exchanged some very witty dialogue that made me grin throughout a big part of the book. The murder mystery started out with a few nice twists and turns, but after a while I could see the ending coming. That didn't take away from my enjoyment though.
This was my first Amanda Quick and I'm sure to pick up more of her work now.
April 27, 2021
Jedan malo podugački vikend-ljubavni roman, romantična priča smeštena u viktorijansko doba u Londonu. Pomalo i krimi priča, međutim predvidljiva. Ali, lako se i brzo čita, pa može poslužiti kao mali predah od ozbiljnijih knjiga.
May 22, 2020
my favorite (???) amanda quick novel
February 23, 2023
Not as enjoyable as I'd hoped. The story shows its age, with a lot of consent and manhandling issues for me between the romantic leads. Also, very much a regurgitated plot by this author, just the parts moved around a bit and character names changed, lol.
February 11, 2021
A pleasant somewhat run of the mill historical romance which is vastly improved by an initial sex scene that isn't entirely successful or mutually satisfying. The romance genre has a boring reliance on expecting a heroine's virginity to do the work of creating drama in sex scenes—which seems unfair— with all the patriarchy upholding work virginity is already tasked with, it's plate is full.
But at least when sexy times go bad or merely blah we can firmly place the blame on the hero because isn't that the deal? Socially constructed gender roles rely on the H knowing how to do this, her gift to him is ignorance and his gift to her isSTDs, babies, orgasms.
Anyways, watching how the hero handles a blow to his ego is a better than usual indicator of his character. In this case it was in doubt for a time but our hero managed, though it was a near thing, to redeem himself.
But at least when sexy times go bad or merely blah we can firmly place the blame on the hero because isn't that the deal? Socially constructed gender roles rely on the H knowing how to do this, her gift to him is ignorance and his gift to her is
Anyways, watching how the hero handles a blow to his ego is a better than usual indicator of his character. In this case it was in doubt for a time but our hero managed, though it was a near thing, to redeem himself.
November 24, 2021
Май не беше подходящ момент за исторически любовен роман, защото като цяло не успях да се съсредоточа. Слушах книгата в Сторител, прочитът беше на ниво, но вниманието ми - другаде.
Макар да имаше убийства, мистерии и изобщо всички предпоставки за добра криминална линия подплатена с доза любов, сюжетът ми беше блудкав, не особено интересен и да не кажа изцяло, но доста предвидим.
Скоро няма да си спомням нищо от тази книга и това допълнително занижава оценката ми.
Макар да имаше убийства, мистерии и изобщо всички предпоставки за добра криминална линия подплатена с доза любов, сюжетът ми беше блудкав, не особено интересен и да не кажа изцяло, но доста предвидим.
Скоро няма да си спомням нищо от тази книга и това допълнително занижава оценката ми.
May 10, 2018
Una historia de asesinatos, suicidios que no son lo que parecen y muchos misterios y secretos. Todo ello con una pareja protagonista que se une en la investigación (y en algo más...). Ha sido muy entretenido, quizá a veces con demasiada información...
Lo mejor: las conversaciones entre la pareja protagonista, en ocasiones curiosas e incluso divertidas y sorprendentes; me han parecido muy originales las "familias" de Louisa y Anthony, de sangre y de amistad; están formadas por unos personajes que casi merecen sus propias novelas; también ha estado bien el proceso de ir descubriendo la verdad, como van haciendo descubrimientos sobre los misterios que investigan y también sobre ellos mismos y su relacion.
Lo peor: al final se descubre todo muy rápido y también he echado de menos un buen epílogo, con un poquito de felicidad en la vida de la pareja.
Lo mejor: las conversaciones entre la pareja protagonista, en ocasiones curiosas e incluso divertidas y sorprendentes; me han parecido muy originales las "familias" de Louisa y Anthony, de sangre y de amistad; están formadas por unos personajes que casi merecen sus propias novelas; también ha estado bien el proceso de ir descubriendo la verdad, como van haciendo descubrimientos sobre los misterios que investigan y también sobre ellos mismos y su relacion.
Lo peor: al final se descubre todo muy rápido y también he echado de menos un buen epílogo, con un poquito de felicidad en la vida de la pareja.
April 4, 2025
okay… the first intimacy scene was REALLY bad, but the second one was okay, and the MANY murders mystery was fun, and okay fine, they were cute as a couple
September 18, 2016
To date, this is probably the Amanda Quick book with the most riveting mystery I've read--in my personal opinion, of course. I know a lot of other people might disagree. But I enjoyed every moment of this book and was actually quite in love with how the entire story unfolded. And I am always ever in love with how quickly books by this author jump right into the action, the excitement, and the intrigue.
When played right, the secret reveals in certain books work really well. And this was one of the instances I liked in particular.
The only unfortunate thing is that, like all the other Amanda Quick books I've read, The River Knows is not really all that memorable. I barely remember some of the little details, though I know there were certain scenes that made me laugh or feel happy about.
I barely remember character names within days of finishing the book (had to look them up) even though I know I liked the characters. Louisa was the standard Amanda Quick independent, feisty, resourceful heroine with a heart of gold. Anthony was the standard romance novel broody alpha male with motives... although if I were to be honest, he really wasn't as broody as I'm making him sound. In fact, I actually kind of liked his approach to the developing romantic relationship he had with Louisa. And I actually kind of liked the way some things happened for this couple, in contrast to how most romance novels develop the love story.
So I DID really enjoy reading this book and when I was finished, I gave it a high rating because of how much I enjoyed it, and how much I liked the way the story progressed, and how much I liked the characters and their interactions, and how much I liked the romance despite Amanda Quick's formulaic signatures which I have come to expect and will resignedly, but willingly wave on.
Here's to another non-Arcane Society Amanda Quick book that I thoroughly enjoyed. May there be more before I get tired of the same stories; although I am also a fan of "tried and true" for those times where I just need an enjoyable book of which employs said tried and true formulas, written well, with readily likable characters to keep me entertained.
I now decree Amanda Quick as one of my go to, absurdly addictive author for when I just need something to read to make me happy!
***
2016 Reading Challenges:
• Goodreads Reading Challenge
• BookLikes Reading Challenge
• COYER Summer Vacation 2016 -- Bingo Board Two | Square O7 -- Romance
When played right, the secret reveals in certain books work really well. And this was one of the instances I liked in particular.
The only unfortunate thing is that, like all the other Amanda Quick books I've read, The River Knows is not really all that memorable. I barely remember some of the little details, though I know there were certain scenes that made me laugh or feel happy about.
I barely remember character names within days of finishing the book (had to look them up) even though I know I liked the characters. Louisa was the standard Amanda Quick independent, feisty, resourceful heroine with a heart of gold. Anthony was the standard romance novel broody alpha male with motives... although if I were to be honest, he really wasn't as broody as I'm making him sound. In fact, I actually kind of liked his approach to the developing romantic relationship he had with Louisa. And I actually kind of liked the way some things happened for this couple, in contrast to how most romance novels develop the love story.
So I DID really enjoy reading this book and when I was finished, I gave it a high rating because of how much I enjoyed it, and how much I liked the way the story progressed, and how much I liked the characters and their interactions, and how much I liked the romance despite Amanda Quick's formulaic signatures which I have come to expect and will resignedly, but willingly wave on.
Here's to another non-Arcane Society Amanda Quick book that I thoroughly enjoyed. May there be more before I get tired of the same stories; although I am also a fan of "tried and true" for those times where I just need an enjoyable book of which employs said tried and true formulas, written well, with readily likable characters to keep me entertained.
I now decree Amanda Quick as one of my go to, absurdly addictive author for when I just need something to read to make me happy!
***
2016 Reading Challenges:
• Goodreads Reading Challenge
• BookLikes Reading Challenge
• COYER Summer Vacation 2016 -- Bingo Board Two | Square O7 -- Romance
January 25, 2021
I can always count on Amanda Quick and Jayne Anne to bring me back to my happy trading place. I chose to read this book because I have been hitting brick walls suffering through, not through (DNF) less than good regency romance novels written by folks who didn’t really have a good knowledge of the period or took to great of license in telling the story or just less than good writers (sorry).
This was a quick read with interesting characters, good storyline and even though I figured out The Who and what before we got to that point AND so what if ring a lot like some prior novels, it was well written and allowed some fun moments and the escape I look for in reading her books. It did pull to the forefront some issues such as “perceived privilege” as we still experience in today’s society and it’s not dealt with.... anyway good story. It didn’t disappoint.
This was a quick read with interesting characters, good storyline and even though I figured out The Who and what before we got to that point AND so what if ring a lot like some prior novels, it was well written and allowed some fun moments and the escape I look for in reading her books. It did pull to the forefront some issues such as “perceived privilege” as we still experience in today’s society and it’s not dealt with.... anyway good story. It didn’t disappoint.
November 28, 2019
This is a fairy typical Amanda Quick novel, in that it has a lot of elements she tends to use (not necessarily a criticism). A quirky family, woman more or less alone who has had to carve out her own employment, a thankfully not-that-tortured hero, a heck of a case of insta-love, a fairly loathsome set of villains...
Very little about this stands out, apart from some of the dialogue between the two leads. Them, I liked. And I liked them together, for all that it's a case of insta-love. That said, Louisa is interesting, in that she's intrepid and self-sufficient, but it isn't dialed up to a million (i.e. she doesn't take insane risks). Anthony is a bit more run of the mill, but he's charming in a fun way, and intelligent and resourceful, so I'll go with it. Any and all societal issues are a bit conveniently hand-waved away by "his eccentric family is too important to be scorned by society, so it's all good!" But as I said, they're charming enough that I'll overlook it. It's not like I read this for realism anyway.
Which is good, because the parade of sinister villains were a bit much. I started skimming their chapters. Also, That feels a bit much. I get that one was Louisa, but REALLY NOW.
I also eye-rolled a bit at the sheer level of quirkiness of quirky family. Although Anthony's dad, the eccentric inventor, was amazing. So it was kind of worth it. Also, they meant I was entertained by the resolution to a kidnapping plot! (I'd spoiler tag that, but percentage-wise, assuming a kidnapping is probably a safe bet for an AQ novel, regardless of which of her plots its using - I will spoiler tag the details.)
Entertaining. Good, but not great. Better than many I've read.
Very little about this stands out, apart from some of the dialogue between the two leads. Them, I liked. And I liked them together, for all that it's a case of insta-love. That said, Louisa is interesting, in that she's intrepid and self-sufficient, but it isn't dialed up to a million (i.e. she doesn't take insane risks). Anthony is a bit more run of the mill, but he's charming in a fun way, and intelligent and resourceful, so I'll go with it. Any and all societal issues are a bit conveniently hand-waved away by "his eccentric family is too important to be scorned by society, so it's all good!" But as I said, they're charming enough that I'll overlook it. It's not like I read this for realism anyway.
Which is good, because the parade of sinister villains were a bit much. I started skimming their chapters. Also, That feels a bit much. I get that one was Louisa, but REALLY NOW.
I also eye-rolled a bit at the sheer level of quirkiness of quirky family. Although Anthony's dad, the eccentric inventor, was amazing. So it was kind of worth it. Also, they meant I was entertained by the resolution to a kidnapping plot! (I'd spoiler tag that, but percentage-wise, assuming a kidnapping is probably a safe bet for an AQ novel, regardless of which of her plots its using - I will spoiler tag the details.)
Entertaining. Good, but not great. Better than many I've read.
May 13, 2018
#RitaJACK #RetoRita2
3,5- 4 estrellitas
Me he llevado una sorpresa con Amanda Quick. No había leído nada de ella y esta primera incursión en sus libros me ha encantado.
Lo primero que hay que decir es que no es propiamente un libro romántico. Hay una historia de amor, sí, pero tiene menor protagonismo que la historia de suspense que es hilo conductor del libro. La narración es ágil, de capítulos cortos, lo que no hace pesada la lectura.
A pesar de ser un libro de suspense, más que romántico, la historia de amor no desmerece y se cuece rápido. Surge incluso antes de que empiece a contarse la historia en sí (quien lea el libro me entenderá). Me ha sorprendido y gustado la relación de los protagonistas. A pesar de ser un libro de época, la relación de los personajes es directa y franca, sin impedimentos (salvo uno, que se resuelve a final) y sin los malentendidos típicos de este tipo de novelas. Son personajes atípicos, por su oficio, por su manera franca de tratarse, por la manera de vivir su amor, y por su familia (maravillosamente atípica también), que merecen libro aparte. A destacar sus diálogos, que son ciertamente maravillosos.
En cuanto a la trama de misterio, está muy bien llevada, descubriendo cosas poco a poco, y aunque puedes imaginar por dónde van los tiros, la trama es lógica y bien contada.
3,5- 4 estrellitas
Me he llevado una sorpresa con Amanda Quick. No había leído nada de ella y esta primera incursión en sus libros me ha encantado.
Lo primero que hay que decir es que no es propiamente un libro romántico. Hay una historia de amor, sí, pero tiene menor protagonismo que la historia de suspense que es hilo conductor del libro. La narración es ágil, de capítulos cortos, lo que no hace pesada la lectura.
A pesar de ser un libro de suspense, más que romántico, la historia de amor no desmerece y se cuece rápido. Surge incluso antes de que empiece a contarse la historia en sí (quien lea el libro me entenderá). Me ha sorprendido y gustado la relación de los protagonistas. A pesar de ser un libro de época, la relación de los personajes es directa y franca, sin impedimentos (salvo uno, que se resuelve a final) y sin los malentendidos típicos de este tipo de novelas. Son personajes atípicos, por su oficio, por su manera franca de tratarse, por la manera de vivir su amor, y por su familia (maravillosamente atípica también), que merecen libro aparte. A destacar sus diálogos, que son ciertamente maravillosos.
En cuanto a la trama de misterio, está muy bien llevada, descubriendo cosas poco a poco, y aunque puedes imaginar por dónde van los tiros, la trama es lógica y bien contada.
December 18, 2025
This late Victorian romantic suspense title follows Mrs. Louisa Bryce and Mr. Anthony Stalbridge. They meet in the upper hallway of Elwin Hasting's home when they are both intent on searching his bedroom. Louisa wants information about the whorehouse he owns. Anthony is looking for proof that Hastings murdered his fiancée. A close encounter with a guard leads to a heated kiss.
Louisa is under the impression that Anthony is a high-class jewel thief and wants to hire him to help her break into Hastings's safe. Anthony in not a jewel thief but has the advantage of his father having invented the safe where Hastings's secrets are held.
Anthony stashes Louisa in his carriage and returns to the house to open the safe where he discovers his fiancée's necklace and some papers. The papers are evidence that Hastings was, among other things, a blackmailer and fraudster.
The pair teams up to find the information each needs and find themselves in danger from Hastings's henchmen. They fall in love while trying to solve their mysteries. But Louisa fears that Anthony could ever love her since she is holding a terrible secret of her own.
This was an entertaining mystery with interesting characters and a great setting.
Louisa is under the impression that Anthony is a high-class jewel thief and wants to hire him to help her break into Hastings's safe. Anthony in not a jewel thief but has the advantage of his father having invented the safe where Hastings's secrets are held.
Anthony stashes Louisa in his carriage and returns to the house to open the safe where he discovers his fiancée's necklace and some papers. The papers are evidence that Hastings was, among other things, a blackmailer and fraudster.
The pair teams up to find the information each needs and find themselves in danger from Hastings's henchmen. They fall in love while trying to solve their mysteries. But Louisa fears that Anthony could ever love her since she is holding a terrible secret of her own.
This was an entertaining mystery with interesting characters and a great setting.
May 26, 2017
3.85 stars
September 26, 2025
3.5*
Listened to the audio narrated by Ashford MacNab. Still 3.5 for the story, 4 for the narration. This author's work feels really formulaic and somehow old fashion these days.
****
A fairly typical Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz plot, but still very enjoyable. Quick/Krentz doesn't develop the romances in her books quite as much as I'd prefer, but she writes good characters and decent mysteries. The mystery in this book was well done and kept me guessing. Picking up a book by Krentz under any pen name is guaranteed to be an enjoyable read for me. (Mar.'11)
*Re-reading Sept 2011 for book club.
Listened to the audio narrated by Ashford MacNab. Still 3.5 for the story, 4 for the narration. This author's work feels really formulaic and somehow old fashion these days.
****
A fairly typical Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz plot, but still very enjoyable. Quick/Krentz doesn't develop the romances in her books quite as much as I'd prefer, but she writes good characters and decent mysteries. The mystery in this book was well done and kept me guessing. Picking up a book by Krentz under any pen name is guaranteed to be an enjoyable read for me. (Mar.'11)
*Re-reading Sept 2011 for book club.
February 10, 2012
While this was very well read by the reader, I'm afraid I may have read too many books by this author. This humorless pair wasn't any different from her other heroes and heroines, and the hoops Quick jumps through the make so many of her heroines virgins masquerading as worldly women is getting on my nerves.
February 19, 2014
O.M.G I loved this book so much there was a lot of different angles that were being played and it all worked out perfectly. I am happy that Louisa got her happy ending... I was even more happy when Anthony n his family loved her even tho she had a big secret.
October 19, 2020
Louisa Bryce sebenarnya adalah jurnalis yg memakai nama samaran I.M. Phantom. Dia melarikan diri krn membunuh suaminya. Sedangkan Anthony Stalbridge sedang menyelidiki siapakah pembunuh mantan tunangannya. Di tempat Hastings, yg mereka curigai sbg dalang kejahatan, mereka bertemu dan saling jatuh cinta dlm penyamaran.
Misteri dibuat agak pelik dgn melibatkan rumah pelacuran yg dikepalai Madame Phoenix. Semua kematian yg susul-menyusul membuat Louisa dan Anthony makin menyelidiki keterlibatan silang sengkarut antara Hastings dan Phoenix ini. Siapakah dalang yg sebenarnya?
Plot cerita spt biasanya madame author yg satu ini sungguh lamban dan membosankan. Misteri yg ditampilkan cukup mudah dan tidak mengejutkan siapa sebenarnya dalang tsb. Yang makin kacau adalah relationship Louisa dan Anthony. Louisa adalah wanita penuh misteri tapi Anthony tampaknya terlalu yakin Louisa adalah wanita baik-baik dan tidak ada niat utk menyelidikinya. Saya juga kurang paham apa yg mendasari dan motif kuat Louisa utk membunuh suaminya, yg cuma spt latar bhw Louisa wanita kuat. Padahal menjadi wanita kuat gak perlu hrs menghabisi nyawa suami yg jahat sekalipun kaleee.
Novel ini cukup sangat lama saya butuh waktu utk menyelesaikan membacanya. Sejujurnya memang tipe gaya penulisan dan alur cerita author memang kurang kompatibel dgn saya. Tidak ada greget maupun keistimewaan karakter. Malah terkadang saya berpikir karakter Louisa kontradiksi dgn apa yg diperbuatnya. Louisa bukanlah tipikal wanita berdarah dingin yg bisa membunuh dan menyembunyikan identitasnya semudah itu. Malah ceritanya lebih kpd Louisa yg terlalu kepo, bersemangat dgn penyelidikannya hingga tidak menyadari ada jebakan yg mengintainya. Kontradiktif kan?
Misteri dibuat agak pelik dgn melibatkan rumah pelacuran yg dikepalai Madame Phoenix. Semua kematian yg susul-menyusul membuat Louisa dan Anthony makin menyelidiki keterlibatan silang sengkarut antara Hastings dan Phoenix ini. Siapakah dalang yg sebenarnya?
Plot cerita spt biasanya madame author yg satu ini sungguh lamban dan membosankan. Misteri yg ditampilkan cukup mudah dan tidak mengejutkan siapa sebenarnya dalang tsb. Yang makin kacau adalah relationship Louisa dan Anthony. Louisa adalah wanita penuh misteri tapi Anthony tampaknya terlalu yakin Louisa adalah wanita baik-baik dan tidak ada niat utk menyelidikinya. Saya juga kurang paham apa yg mendasari dan motif kuat Louisa utk membunuh suaminya, yg cuma spt latar bhw Louisa wanita kuat. Padahal menjadi wanita kuat gak perlu hrs menghabisi nyawa suami yg jahat sekalipun kaleee.
Novel ini cukup sangat lama saya butuh waktu utk menyelesaikan membacanya. Sejujurnya memang tipe gaya penulisan dan alur cerita author memang kurang kompatibel dgn saya. Tidak ada greget maupun keistimewaan karakter. Malah terkadang saya berpikir karakter Louisa kontradiksi dgn apa yg diperbuatnya. Louisa bukanlah tipikal wanita berdarah dingin yg bisa membunuh dan menyembunyikan identitasnya semudah itu. Malah ceritanya lebih kpd Louisa yg terlalu kepo, bersemangat dgn penyelidikannya hingga tidak menyadari ada jebakan yg mengintainya. Kontradiktif kan?
July 29, 2020
This is just another formulaic romantic, Victorian thriller by Amanda Quick, but I enjoy reading these. They are a great escape and a fun way to spend a few days. This one pairs Louisa, a companion to Lady Ashton, with Anthony, the son of a respected Society family. They both have secrets they are keeping from each other as they pursue the truth behind several river suicides. The Stalbridge family are eccentric as society families, but they are a refreshing change from the usual social machinations.
June 2, 2019
3.5 stars. The interesting thing about these later Amanda Quick books is that, while still romance novels, the mysteries are actually pretty good, and at least as important (if not more so) to the story as the romance.
April 24, 2025
Historical fiction with a mystery and a bit of romance.
I really loved Louisa and Anthony. They had great chemistry and she was independent but it was realistic for the time period. I also loved Anthony’s family.
Fun, quick read.
I really loved Louisa and Anthony. They had great chemistry and she was independent but it was realistic for the time period. I also loved Anthony’s family.
Fun, quick read.
December 2, 2019
What can I say...it's my version of watching one of those housewives reality TV shows...
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