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I often save Julia Quinn books for when I'm reeling from reading a particularly mind-bending science fiction or grimdark fantasy but this is the year of Covid 19 and comfort reading is the thing, so I thought I'd read all Julia Quinn's four Smythe-Smith books back to back. I mean – four Regency romances in a row – what's that all about? This is the third Smythe-Smith book and concerns Hugh Prentice – seriously injured (ruined leg) in a duel in one of the previous books – and Lady Sarah Pleinsworth. Sarah hates Hugh on principle. The duel caused Sarah's cousin, Daniel, to flee the country for three years, and she blames the scandal on her lack of success at finding a husband. There's a large houseparty for the weddings from the first two Smythe-Smith novels and Sarah's best friend Honoria (one of the brides) tasks Sarah with keeping Hugh company, since he limps so badly that he can't join the other gentlemen for their fun (sporting) pursuits. Yes, you've guessed the ending already, but it's the journey to the end that's interesting.Dec. 31st, 2020
I often save Julia Quinn books for when I'm reeling from reading a particularly mind-bending science fiction or grimdark fantasy but this is the year of Covid 19 and comfort reading is the thing, so I thought I'd read all Julia Quinn's four Smythe-Smith books back to back. I mean – four Regency romances in a row – what's that all about? This is the third Smythe-Smith book and concerns Hugh Prentice – seriously injured (ruined leg) in a duel in one of the previous books – and Lady Sarah Pleinsworth. Sarah hates Hugh on principle. The duel caused Sarah's cousin, Daniel, to flee the country for three years, and she blames the scandal on her lack of success at finding a husband. There's a large houseparty for the weddings from the first two Smythe-Smith novels and Sarah's best friend Honoria (one of the brides) tasks Sarah with keeping Hugh company, since he limps so badly that he can't join the other gentlemen for their fun (sporting) pursuits. Yes, you've guessed the ending already, but it's the journey to the end that's interesting.
Richard Kenworthy has less than a month to find a bride – though we don't know why until quite a way into the novel. He heads for London during the season. At the annual Smythe-Smith musicale he fixes his attention on Iris, gritting her teeth and playing her 'cello through the ordeal of performing in the worst quartet ever to torture willing listeners. Iris, pale skinned and pale haired, is used to being ignored, so when Richard pays her some attention she's flattered but suspicious. Then he proposes after barely a few days, and immediately (before she's even said yes) compromises her so the wedding will have to go ahead, and quickly. She freely admits to herself that she would probably have accepted the proposal, but she's miffed at HAVING to marry – just because of a kiss. Anyhow marry they do. Richard whisks Iris off to his country estate in Yorkshire and proceeds to be charming, but without consummating the marriage. Yes there's a reason. It's pretty bonkers and Iris eventually solves the problem. No spoilers. This does fit into the Smythe-Smith quartet, but the first three were woven in and around each other and this one is tagged on to the end and is pretty much a standalone. It's a light, fast read and up to Julia Quinn's usual standard.
A short story.
Max, Markham and Peterson are on a jump to investigate Victorian Christmas customs when Peterson manages to twist his ankle. Taking refuge frpm the snow in a nearby country house, they are given shelter by the Harewood family… but it transpires that the husband must undergo solstice night in a haunted room before he can claim his inheritance… the same haunted room that killed his father the previous year… Well, there's a Christmas custom that's too good to pass up, a good old locked room mystery/ghost story. Max poses as Peterson's sister – to make them seem respectable and Markham is supposedly Peterson's gentleman's gentleman, but this time it's Markham who solves the mystery - once again proving to be one of my all-time favourite St Mary's characters.. Another Christmas short story featuring the disaster magnets of St Mary's. This time their Christmas jump is not an illegal one, but it does have consequences.
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