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The Tyburn Trilogy #1
The Tyburn Waltz
Julie expects she will end up dangling on Tyburn gallows,
hanged as a thief.
Ned expects he will die on the battlefields of the Peninsula, hanged as a spy.
But then Julie takes on the trappings of a lady, and Ned
unexpectedly becomes an earl, both players in a deadly game
that will take them from the heights of London society to
the depths of the Regency underworld — a game in which
not only necks are risked, but hearts as well.
hanged as a thief.
Ned expects he will die on the battlefields of the Peninsula, hanged as a spy.
But then Julie takes on the trappings of a lady, and Ned
unexpectedly becomes an earl, both players in a deadly game
that will take them from the heights of London society to
the depths of the Regency underworld — a game in which
not only necks are risked, but hearts as well.
281 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2010
2 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Mackeever
46 books30 followersEver since I learned to read, I have loved books.
For almost as long, I have made up tales.
I’ve written horrible poetry, better short stories, adequate commercials, educational and industrial film narration, and very forgettable screenplays. Once I learned how to make a story last longer than a few paragraphs I moved on to novels, and there I stayed. I've written forty-three to date.
In addition to my website, I have a (sporadic) blog at http://maggiemackeever.wordpress.com/
For almost as long, I have made up tales.
I’ve written horrible poetry, better short stories, adequate commercials, educational and industrial film narration, and very forgettable screenplays. Once I learned how to make a story last longer than a few paragraphs I moved on to novels, and there I stayed. I've written forty-three to date.
In addition to my website, I have a (sporadic) blog at http://maggiemackeever.wordpress.com/
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 15, 2018
Read for the August prompt - 'read a book in series' - in the TBR Challenge.
Finding a book in a series to read for this month’s prompt proved a bit harder than I’d anticipated. Oh, I’ve got plenty of series books, but I realised that most were in series I’d either completed or not started yet, so my option was pretty much limited to picking up the first in a series. I was going back and forth on my Kindle trying to work out what I fancied reading and actually started one or two other books before finally settling on Maggie MacKeever’s The Tyburn Waltz. Ms. MacKeever has a fairly large backlist of traditional regencies, but this book – the first in her Tyburn Trilogy (which has yet to be completed) – dates from 2010 and is a little bit sexier and somewhat darker than her trads.
When she’s just fourteen – as near as she can guess, anyway – street urchin Jules is caught stealing some silver teaspoons, imprisoned in Newgate and will most likely hang for the crime. But she’s offered a deal; release in exchange for working for the infamous Cap’n Jack – the mysterious, seemingly omnipotent lord of London’s criminal underworld. It’s Hobson’s Choice; Jules agrees, and for the next four years, she lives comfortably, and is given lessons in refinement and deportment so that she can move easily among the upper classes.
Ned Fairchild, Earl of Dorset, is a rather reluctant earl, having come into the title upon the unexpected death of his cousin. Until then, he’d been an Exploring Officer (a spy of sorts) in Wellington’s army in Spain, a dangerous life, but one he’d relished. Back in England, he and his closest friend, Kane, Lord Saxe, are still working for the government – but mostly Ned is bored by the round of balls, parties, visits to clubs and his mistress that seem to comprise his life and longs for something more.
He returns home late one night to find his fifteen-year-old sister, Lady Clea, out of bed and waiting for him, proudly showing him what looks to be a young woman wrapped in a curtain and tied to a chair in his library. Clea explains that she – with the help of his batman, Bates - caught a housebreaker; Ned sends her to bed, intending to find out what he can about the young woman’s intentions, but she’s too quick for him, and knocks him over the head with an ornamental statue before absconding out of the window – with the statue, and without the curtain.
Shortly after this, Jules is manoeuvred into a situation as companion to Lady Georgiana Ashcroft. As Miss Julie Wynne, she accompanies her mistress to a number of society events, where she’s instructed to steal various items from the hosts. She has no idea to what end, just knows that she’s got to follow Cap’n Jack’s orders quickly and without drawing attention to herself. She’s engaged in stealing a glove from the bedroom of the wife of the French Ambassador when she’s confronted by the Earl of Dorset who idly wonders if she’s lost something. She tries to bluff her way out of it, but quickly realises its futile; he’s recognised her and he’s clearly not going to let her get away this time. She’s worried he’s going to report her to the authorities and is surprised when he doesn’t, instead asking her to meet him again so they can talk further. Ned quickly realises there’s more going on that meets the eye, and assigns Bates to keep an eye on Julie, to protect her from whomever has her under his control.
The romance between Ned and Julie is a fairly slow-burn, and the author does a great job of building the attraction that thrums between them from their very first meeting. They’re both extremely likeable; Ned is a terrific hero – handsome, clever and compassionate, he’s impressed by Julie’s tenacity and gumption as much as he’s attracted to her and is determined to keep her safe at all costs. Julie has an old head on her young shoulders – not surprising, considering she grew up on the streets – she’s quick-witted and independent, although she’s sensible enough to recognise when she needs help and to ask for it. Their interactions are lively and entertaining, they have great chemistry and their relationship moves at a good pace, while they’re also trying to work out exactly who Cap’n Jack is and what he’s up to. The mystery element of the novel is intriguing and unfolds gradually, with the reader finding clues and information at the same time as the characters, which certainly helps to build the suspense.
The story is set against the backdrop of the state visit which doesn’t really have a lot to do with the plot, although it does provide a number of events at which our heroes can interact, and allows the injection of a little light comedy in the forms of Lady Georgiana and Ned’s cousin, the dowager Countess, who are sworn rivals and always trying to score points off each other. There are some other intriguing secondary characters as well; Ned’s friend Kane is a notorious rake, his sister, Clea is clever, vivacious and has a Latin quote handy for every occasion, and the coolly collected and lovely French spy, Sabine worked with Ned and Kane during the recent war.
After all those positives however, comes the negative; the final quarter of the book doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the rest of it. The reveal about Cap’n Jack is weak and anti-climactic, and although everything is neatly wrapped up – and it’s not all rainbows and happy bunnies – the book seems to have run out of steam, and the author throws in a couple of plot points (like the one about Ned’s cousin pushing him to get married) which add little (if anything) to the story as a whole.
The Tyburn Waltz is, on the whole, a well-executed, funny and sensual romantic adventure story, and even with the reservations I’ve expressed, I enjoyed it and plan to read the other books in the trilogy.
Finding a book in a series to read for this month’s prompt proved a bit harder than I’d anticipated. Oh, I’ve got plenty of series books, but I realised that most were in series I’d either completed or not started yet, so my option was pretty much limited to picking up the first in a series. I was going back and forth on my Kindle trying to work out what I fancied reading and actually started one or two other books before finally settling on Maggie MacKeever’s The Tyburn Waltz. Ms. MacKeever has a fairly large backlist of traditional regencies, but this book – the first in her Tyburn Trilogy (which has yet to be completed) – dates from 2010 and is a little bit sexier and somewhat darker than her trads.
When she’s just fourteen – as near as she can guess, anyway – street urchin Jules is caught stealing some silver teaspoons, imprisoned in Newgate and will most likely hang for the crime. But she’s offered a deal; release in exchange for working for the infamous Cap’n Jack – the mysterious, seemingly omnipotent lord of London’s criminal underworld. It’s Hobson’s Choice; Jules agrees, and for the next four years, she lives comfortably, and is given lessons in refinement and deportment so that she can move easily among the upper classes.
Ned Fairchild, Earl of Dorset, is a rather reluctant earl, having come into the title upon the unexpected death of his cousin. Until then, he’d been an Exploring Officer (a spy of sorts) in Wellington’s army in Spain, a dangerous life, but one he’d relished. Back in England, he and his closest friend, Kane, Lord Saxe, are still working for the government – but mostly Ned is bored by the round of balls, parties, visits to clubs and his mistress that seem to comprise his life and longs for something more.
He returns home late one night to find his fifteen-year-old sister, Lady Clea, out of bed and waiting for him, proudly showing him what looks to be a young woman wrapped in a curtain and tied to a chair in his library. Clea explains that she – with the help of his batman, Bates - caught a housebreaker; Ned sends her to bed, intending to find out what he can about the young woman’s intentions, but she’s too quick for him, and knocks him over the head with an ornamental statue before absconding out of the window – with the statue, and without the curtain.
Shortly after this, Jules is manoeuvred into a situation as companion to Lady Georgiana Ashcroft. As Miss Julie Wynne, she accompanies her mistress to a number of society events, where she’s instructed to steal various items from the hosts. She has no idea to what end, just knows that she’s got to follow Cap’n Jack’s orders quickly and without drawing attention to herself. She’s engaged in stealing a glove from the bedroom of the wife of the French Ambassador when she’s confronted by the Earl of Dorset who idly wonders if she’s lost something. She tries to bluff her way out of it, but quickly realises its futile; he’s recognised her and he’s clearly not going to let her get away this time. She’s worried he’s going to report her to the authorities and is surprised when he doesn’t, instead asking her to meet him again so they can talk further. Ned quickly realises there’s more going on that meets the eye, and assigns Bates to keep an eye on Julie, to protect her from whomever has her under his control.
The romance between Ned and Julie is a fairly slow-burn, and the author does a great job of building the attraction that thrums between them from their very first meeting. They’re both extremely likeable; Ned is a terrific hero – handsome, clever and compassionate, he’s impressed by Julie’s tenacity and gumption as much as he’s attracted to her and is determined to keep her safe at all costs. Julie has an old head on her young shoulders – not surprising, considering she grew up on the streets – she’s quick-witted and independent, although she’s sensible enough to recognise when she needs help and to ask for it. Their interactions are lively and entertaining, they have great chemistry and their relationship moves at a good pace, while they’re also trying to work out exactly who Cap’n Jack is and what he’s up to. The mystery element of the novel is intriguing and unfolds gradually, with the reader finding clues and information at the same time as the characters, which certainly helps to build the suspense.
The story is set against the backdrop of the state visit which doesn’t really have a lot to do with the plot, although it does provide a number of events at which our heroes can interact, and allows the injection of a little light comedy in the forms of Lady Georgiana and Ned’s cousin, the dowager Countess, who are sworn rivals and always trying to score points off each other. There are some other intriguing secondary characters as well; Ned’s friend Kane is a notorious rake, his sister, Clea is clever, vivacious and has a Latin quote handy for every occasion, and the coolly collected and lovely French spy, Sabine worked with Ned and Kane during the recent war.
After all those positives however, comes the negative; the final quarter of the book doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the rest of it. The reveal about Cap’n Jack is weak and anti-climactic, and although everything is neatly wrapped up – and it’s not all rainbows and happy bunnies – the book seems to have run out of steam, and the author throws in a couple of plot points (like the one about Ned’s cousin pushing him to get married) which add little (if anything) to the story as a whole.
The Tyburn Waltz is, on the whole, a well-executed, funny and sensual romantic adventure story, and even with the reservations I’ve expressed, I enjoyed it and plan to read the other books in the trilogy.
May 10, 2022
I enjoyed this historical adventure/romance.
A girl raised to a life of crime is blackmailed into pretending to be a member of the ton so that a criminal mastermind will have a thief on the inside of society events.
An earl with a bit of an unconventional past and quite a few interesting connections takes notice of the young lady. Their encounters are entertaining.
The pace of the story kept up well. The dialogue is full of historical slang. The characters are engaging.
Violence. Vague sex scene and some make out scenes. Some swearing.
A girl raised to a life of crime is blackmailed into pretending to be a member of the ton so that a criminal mastermind will have a thief on the inside of society events.
An earl with a bit of an unconventional past and quite a few interesting connections takes notice of the young lady. Their encounters are entertaining.
The pace of the story kept up well. The dialogue is full of historical slang. The characters are engaging.
Violence. Vague sex scene and some make out scenes. Some swearing.
August 22, 2025
Being this my 2nd book of the same author, I am having some mixed love/hate for her books.
The thing is, her writing is excellent, very researched and very traditional. The rest, alas.
For starters, this book starts with the Prologue, where we get an introduction of the FML when she is 14 years old and in Newsgate, being scouted to be a sort of spy (she is actually a pickpocketer). This was good.
Then starts episode 1 with the hero in a very explicit sex scene with a prostitute. I almost dropped this damn "romance" book, I swear "romance" authors need to stop doing this with their main leads. What is the need? The outcome of this was, for me, to get to the conclusion that the hero is a hypocrite. When Julie is threatened to be sent to the brothel to be a prostitute, Ned is horrified because he knows firsthand how these poor women live. He knows bc he is a constant visitor/client. So he has always enjoyed the services of these women but if the virgin woman he likes has to suffer the same fate... the hypocrisy.
Next, all spoilers and some rant:
Also, Ned is in his early 30's, has 2 friends: Kane and Sabine. And he also has a younger sister, Clea, 15 years old. Sure, she acts maturely, but the flirting between her and that old bastard Kane (all very "clean" but then they have their own book! Book #3). I found Kane super creepy being attracted to Clea even if we consider the time of period.
What is worse, Kane has a crush on Sabine, who is a very handsome and cold widower. They are lovers but she is cold and wants nothing more (he is always detached as well but for the first time, he "feels" something). Turns out, Sabine had a baby years ago (that is Julie) and her baby is now a grown-up girl of 18 that Ned is resisting with all his might (not really, sometimes a someone cockblocks him) to "tumble" with.
Worse, Sabine married and had her baby with this guy who died but his brother, who is the villain of the book, is the one in the shadows that trained Julie to be a spy, under threads obviously. When she starts too spill his plans, he kidnaps her and tries to rape her, to "ruin" her so Ned would be disgusted to even lay with her. His own niece, wth.
Not that there aren't good stuff. I liked the scenes btw Toby and his "Maman". Always bickering, she is an alpha but there were times when he snapped and she got the vapors XD On the other hand, he was pitiful bc he liked to play the harp/piano and didn't want to get married nor into bed with women.. he just wanted to gamble and enjoy life on his own, not being the typical man society (and his mother) wanted of him. If he was gay/aro-ace.. poor boy!
My honest rating would be a 2 because many things gave me the ick and I wasn't particularly rooting for Julie-Ned. On their own they were cute and had lots of chemistry but thinking about their history... eeeeekkk. But the writing is really good and even after 2 "alright" books, I am still decided to give this author another chance.
The thing is, her writing is excellent, very researched and very traditional. The rest, alas.
For starters, this book starts with the Prologue, where we get an introduction of the FML when she is 14 years old and in Newsgate, being scouted to be a sort of spy (she is actually a pickpocketer). This was good.
Then starts episode 1 with the hero in a very explicit sex scene with a prostitute. I almost dropped this damn "romance" book, I swear "romance" authors need to stop doing this with their main leads. What is the need? The outcome of this was, for me, to get to the conclusion that the hero is a hypocrite. When Julie is threatened to be sent to the brothel to be a prostitute, Ned is horrified because he knows firsthand how these poor women live. He knows bc he is a constant visitor/client. So he has always enjoyed the services of these women but if the virgin woman he likes has to suffer the same fate... the hypocrisy.
Next, all spoilers and some rant:
Also, Ned is in his early 30's, has 2 friends: Kane and Sabine. And he also has a younger sister, Clea, 15 years old. Sure, she acts maturely, but the flirting between her and that old bastard Kane (all very "clean" but then they have their own book! Book #3). I found Kane super creepy being attracted to Clea even if we consider the time of period.
What is worse, Kane has a crush on Sabine, who is a very handsome and cold widower. They are lovers but she is cold and wants nothing more (he is always detached as well but for the first time, he "feels" something). Turns out, Sabine had a baby years ago (that is Julie) and her baby is now a grown-up girl of 18 that Ned is resisting with all his might (not really, sometimes a someone cockblocks him) to "tumble" with.
Worse, Sabine married and had her baby with this guy who died but his brother, who is the villain of the book, is the one in the shadows that trained Julie to be a spy, under threads obviously. When she starts too spill his plans, he kidnaps her and tries to rape her, to "ruin" her so Ned would be disgusted to even lay with her. His own niece, wth.
Not that there aren't good stuff. I liked the scenes btw Toby and his "Maman". Always bickering, she is an alpha but there were times when he snapped and she got the vapors XD On the other hand, he was pitiful bc he liked to play the harp/piano and didn't want to get married nor into bed with women.. he just wanted to gamble and enjoy life on his own, not being the typical man society (and his mother) wanted of him. If he was gay/aro-ace.. poor boy!
My honest rating would be a 2 because many things gave me the ick and I wasn't particularly rooting for Julie-Ned. On their own they were cute and had lots of chemistry but thinking about their history... eeeeekkk. But the writing is really good and even after 2 "alright" books, I am still decided to give this author another chance.
November 23, 2013
3.5 stars.
Maggie MacKeever has an extensive back catalogue of traditional Regencies but her newer books are Regency Romances, like the Tyburn Waltz.
Julie Wynne (age: 18) is a strong, resourceful and very likeable heroine who first meets Ned Fairchild (age: low thirties), an ex-soldier turned Earl of Dorset, when she is caught housebreaking into his library. Julie is an orphan and has grown up into a master pickpocketer and thief and is in the employ of Cap n' Jack, a mysterious underworld figure with an extensive network of spies, runners and underlings.
Julie goes undercover as a Lady's companion and here she gets a glimpse of London society far above her station. At those balls and gatherings she also frequently runs into Ned who is trying to figure her out, trust her and help her. She also completes tasks assigned to her by Cap n' Jack while in this guise and after dark when she sneaks all over London.
The interaction and sexual tension between them is great and keeps the story bubbling along as the book slowly builds to the climax, so despite the plotline dont expect an action-packed affair that flies at break-neck speed. In that respect the book could have done with a bit of tightening in the editing as the bulk of the book is comprised of (at times long-winded) conversations between people rather than action.
Maggie's extensive knowledge of the era is evident as writes with commendable command of the speech and slang of London's Eastend, many sayings of which I had no idea about. It also flows naturally and doesn't feel artificially crammed in with 'period speak' at all. Maggie also has a witty sense of humour too. Small annoyances were a few abbreviations which stilts reading such as Cap n' Jack is never spelt out as Captain Jack or Mme Morel and not Madame Morel.
The ultimate reveal of Cap n' Jack isn't as diabolical as I expected and his subsequent defeat was short and a bit flat. Call me blood-thirsty but I do like my villians to get some comeuppance, or at least die bombastically to be worth my while. God forbid anything so limp as falling-on-your-own-sword or the like (not the exact circumstance here but you get my gist).
Rating: 3.5 window curtains
Re-readability: For me, it was enjoyable but a read once kinda book.
Maggie MacKeever has an extensive back catalogue of traditional Regencies but her newer books are Regency Romances, like the Tyburn Waltz.
Julie Wynne (age: 18) is a strong, resourceful and very likeable heroine who first meets Ned Fairchild (age: low thirties), an ex-soldier turned Earl of Dorset, when she is caught housebreaking into his library. Julie is an orphan and has grown up into a master pickpocketer and thief and is in the employ of Cap n' Jack, a mysterious underworld figure with an extensive network of spies, runners and underlings.
Julie goes undercover as a Lady's companion and here she gets a glimpse of London society far above her station. At those balls and gatherings she also frequently runs into Ned who is trying to figure her out, trust her and help her. She also completes tasks assigned to her by Cap n' Jack while in this guise and after dark when she sneaks all over London.
The interaction and sexual tension between them is great and keeps the story bubbling along as the book slowly builds to the climax, so despite the plotline dont expect an action-packed affair that flies at break-neck speed. In that respect the book could have done with a bit of tightening in the editing as the bulk of the book is comprised of (at times long-winded) conversations between people rather than action.
Maggie's extensive knowledge of the era is evident as writes with commendable command of the speech and slang of London's Eastend, many sayings of which I had no idea about. It also flows naturally and doesn't feel artificially crammed in with 'period speak' at all. Maggie also has a witty sense of humour too. Small annoyances were a few abbreviations which stilts reading such as Cap n' Jack is never spelt out as Captain Jack or Mme Morel and not Madame Morel.
The ultimate reveal of Cap n' Jack isn't as diabolical as I expected and his subsequent defeat was short and a bit flat. Call me blood-thirsty but I do like my villians to get some comeuppance, or at least die bombastically to be worth my while. God forbid anything so limp as falling-on-your-own-sword or the like (not the exact circumstance here but you get my gist).
Rating: 3.5 window curtains
Re-readability: For me, it was enjoyable but a read once kinda book.
October 14, 2018
I rate The Tyburn Waltz at five stars for several reasons, but mostly because Maggie MacKeever has managed to infuse the story, even the dark bits, with brilliantly-rendered humor. The hijinx sprinkled into high-society pomposity and snobbery was delightful. And her ability to insult characters while preserving their believability made me feel like I was privy to inside jokes.
While I am an avid reader, I have never been a historical romance consumer. In fact, I had no idea what "regency" meant, much less as a fiction category. I read the book after a friend gave it to me. While I agree with other reviewers that the onslaught of unfamiliar words in the beginning pages was a bit overwhelming, it was also fascinating to know how much the English language has changed during the past 200 years. If I were transported back to 1810 in Dr. Who's tardis, would I be able to converse in my own language? The politics of the time was interesting to know about, as well -- in a "The more things change the more they stay the same" sort of way.
There was just the right amount of sexual tension between Ned and Julie. I enjoyed their confusion and the obstacles of class boundaries that should have kept them apart. As a reader, I was both rooting for them and afraid for them.
The bad guy was mysterious and awful -- soulless might be the word I want here -- which propelled me deeper into the book when I should have been sleeping. I just had to make sure that he didn't get his hands on any of the characters I cared about, which was nearly all of the rest of them.
I've since read 'The Purloined Heart,' the second book in the trilogy. Review to come. And I'm now reading the third book: 'The Judas Kiss,' in which Clea and Kane finally start to act on their attraction to one another. Yay!
Nonfiction has always been my favorite genre. Now, Maggie MacKeever has convinced me that I can enjoy my facts with my fiction.
While I am an avid reader, I have never been a historical romance consumer. In fact, I had no idea what "regency" meant, much less as a fiction category. I read the book after a friend gave it to me. While I agree with other reviewers that the onslaught of unfamiliar words in the beginning pages was a bit overwhelming, it was also fascinating to know how much the English language has changed during the past 200 years. If I were transported back to 1810 in Dr. Who's tardis, would I be able to converse in my own language? The politics of the time was interesting to know about, as well -- in a "The more things change the more they stay the same" sort of way.
There was just the right amount of sexual tension between Ned and Julie. I enjoyed their confusion and the obstacles of class boundaries that should have kept them apart. As a reader, I was both rooting for them and afraid for them.
The bad guy was mysterious and awful -- soulless might be the word I want here -- which propelled me deeper into the book when I should have been sleeping. I just had to make sure that he didn't get his hands on any of the characters I cared about, which was nearly all of the rest of them.
I've since read 'The Purloined Heart,' the second book in the trilogy. Review to come. And I'm now reading the third book: 'The Judas Kiss,' in which Clea and Kane finally start to act on their attraction to one another. Yay!
Nonfiction has always been my favorite genre. Now, Maggie MacKeever has convinced me that I can enjoy my facts with my fiction.
November 1, 2018
There is a lot of flotsam in this story which is a shame because the characters are marvelous. I am not one for this kind of trope but the heroine and hero are tremendously likable. My favorite character was the hero's sister Clea. I imagine her book is next pairing her with her brother's rakehell friend.
August 2, 2022
loved this fun read
A great adventure read with deception and spy intrigue and a cracking heroine in Julie. I liked the historical descriptions , they felt real and accurate and the ton society gossip raged. Romance, no sex - it wasn’t needed!
A great adventure read with deception and spy intrigue and a cracking heroine in Julie. I liked the historical descriptions , they felt real and accurate and the ton society gossip raged. Romance, no sex - it wasn’t needed!
November 11, 2010
Julie Wynne thought for sure she would die in prison. Luckily for her, a mysterious benefactor decided to take pity on her in exchange for her services. Julia finds herself the in the employment of Lord Ashcroft. Lord Ashcroft’s mother, Lady Georgiana is in need of a new companion.
Just like Julie, Ned Fairchild’s future did not look promising. Though, Ned finds himself the Earl of Dorset and one of the most popular men around. Now both Ned and Julie have found themselves in a world of mystery, intrigue and romance.
I have to confess that I have never heard or read anything by this author until now. At first when I started reading this book I got a bit lost as it jumped around very quickly. I felt that I was starting in the middle of the book. Once I figured out what was happening, I was able to really sit back and enjoy this book.
Julie blossomed before my eyes. She started out as a somewhat meek but as the story progressed, she grew more comfortable in her own skin and had spunk to her. I like that Ned was not stuck up like I imagine most Earls to be like. Ned was a charmer. The romance between Ned and Julie was anything but sweet. There was passion. In this story there was an assortment of crazy and intriguing characters in this story, besides the main leads. I plan to try check out other published works by Maggie MacKeever. The Tyburn Waltz makes me waltz with joy.
Just like Julie, Ned Fairchild’s future did not look promising. Though, Ned finds himself the Earl of Dorset and one of the most popular men around. Now both Ned and Julie have found themselves in a world of mystery, intrigue and romance.
I have to confess that I have never heard or read anything by this author until now. At first when I started reading this book I got a bit lost as it jumped around very quickly. I felt that I was starting in the middle of the book. Once I figured out what was happening, I was able to really sit back and enjoy this book.
Julie blossomed before my eyes. She started out as a somewhat meek but as the story progressed, she grew more comfortable in her own skin and had spunk to her. I like that Ned was not stuck up like I imagine most Earls to be like. Ned was a charmer. The romance between Ned and Julie was anything but sweet. There was passion. In this story there was an assortment of crazy and intriguing characters in this story, besides the main leads. I plan to try check out other published works by Maggie MacKeever. The Tyburn Waltz makes me waltz with joy.
November 10, 2010
From Romantic Times Book Reviews:
THE TYBURN WALTZ
by Maggie MacKeever
Genre: Regency Period, Historical Romance, England
Sensuality: HOT
Setting: Regency London
RT Rating: 4 1/2 stars
MacKeever expertly combines romance, humor, passion and mystery to create a gripping and entertaining novel. The primary and secondary characters are well developed and will elicit multiple emotional responses from readers throughout the novel. This book is a keeper you’ll want to re-read often.
Julie Wynne is not your average companion to a society matron. She is a criminal who’s being blackmailed into committing thefts for a notorious crime lord. However, she is in danger of being recognized by one of her former marks, Ned Fairchild, the current Earl of Dorset.
Since the little slip of a housebreaker got away, Ned cannot get her off of his mind. When he encounters her in one of London’s most fashionable ballrooms, he is intrigued. As Ned gets to know Julie, he becomes more enamored. Can Ned get her to trust him with her secrets and come to him for protection? (VINTAGE, Nov., 285 pp., $14.00)
Reviewed By: Keitha Hart
THE TYBURN WALTZ
by Maggie MacKeever
Genre: Regency Period, Historical Romance, England
Sensuality: HOT
Setting: Regency London
RT Rating: 4 1/2 stars
MacKeever expertly combines romance, humor, passion and mystery to create a gripping and entertaining novel. The primary and secondary characters are well developed and will elicit multiple emotional responses from readers throughout the novel. This book is a keeper you’ll want to re-read often.
Julie Wynne is not your average companion to a society matron. She is a criminal who’s being blackmailed into committing thefts for a notorious crime lord. However, she is in danger of being recognized by one of her former marks, Ned Fairchild, the current Earl of Dorset.
Since the little slip of a housebreaker got away, Ned cannot get her off of his mind. When he encounters her in one of London’s most fashionable ballrooms, he is intrigued. As Ned gets to know Julie, he becomes more enamored. Can Ned get her to trust him with her secrets and come to him for protection? (VINTAGE, Nov., 285 pp., $14.00)
Reviewed By: Keitha Hart
November 3, 2010
THE TYBURN WALTZ by Maggie MacKeever is a historical romance set in 1810 London. It is well written with details, depth, twists and turns.It has romance, suspense, intrigue, deceit, danger, humor, passion, love, spies, secrets, from high society London to the deadly underworld of London, and family. The characters are engaging, challenging, with some humor and wit. Julie, young, beautiful, a thief, falsely imprisoned, made to do things to survive, tough, strong, smart and an impressive young street urchin. Ned, an earl, ex-spy, handsome, caring for his young sister, strong, comes home to find Julie tied up by his sister as a housebreaker, is intrigued by her and determined to save her. They soon find they are drawn to each other. The truth will finally come to light about Julia's true birth. This is a fast paced story of intrigue, deception and years of lies. This book was received for the author for review and details can be find at Vintage Ink Press and My Book Addiction and More.
December 7, 2012
Jules, the leading female character, is a favorite of mine. She is so true to herself and courageous. I love the way she slips from the East London role to the West end role with such ease; sliding down drainpipes in one moment, to being a gentlewoman the next. brazen and colorful she makes this story come to life. The grim reality of London is also well depicted, something that does not happen often in regency period books.
The only discouraging thing I have to say about this book - which is still a good read; is that the ending gets told more than shown. I did not really find the same robust energy in the conclusion. But overall I would recommend this as an interesting, entertaining and fun read.
The only discouraging thing I have to say about this book - which is still a good read; is that the ending gets told more than shown. I did not really find the same robust energy in the conclusion. But overall I would recommend this as an interesting, entertaining and fun read.
November 12, 2010
This is my first Maggie MacKeever read and I have to say I'm addicted.
The book is intriguing from the get-go. Set in the period of 1814 where the known world has been in turmoil, McKeever introduces the reader to engaging characters. Her heroine, Julie, is a brave young woman forced by circumstances into committing thefts. She lives by her wits until she steals from the gorgeous hero, Ned, Lord of hot hunky chivalry.
This is a very experienced writer with a gift of setting a historical stage. I can't wait to read more of her work.
The book is intriguing from the get-go. Set in the period of 1814 where the known world has been in turmoil, McKeever introduces the reader to engaging characters. Her heroine, Julie, is a brave young woman forced by circumstances into committing thefts. She lives by her wits until she steals from the gorgeous hero, Ned, Lord of hot hunky chivalry.
This is a very experienced writer with a gift of setting a historical stage. I can't wait to read more of her work.
November 10, 2011
There is a good story here, but it's a bit overshadowed by awkward phrasing and a shifting PoV. For example, the word "too" is used oddly throughout the book. "Too she decided she hated the word "also."" It was jarring. Also, one paragraph the narrative is told with insights into Character A, only to shift clumsily to Character B in the next. I kept getting jolted out of the story because of it. But, like I said, there is a good story here. The H/h are unique and a refreshing change of pace and I look forward to reading Kane and Clea's story.
November 26, 2010
Review is up! Loved this Historical Romance Thank you MAGGIE! 4.5 stars! http://aisleb.tumblr.com/post/1687892...
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