1: Not one of her best. . .
. . .which still makes it better than a lot of the tripe that people write.
I finally got around to reading this book because I've loved all of Veryan's other Georgian romances (starting with the Mistress of Willowvale and the Wagered Widow, which while not technically a part of any series, involve some of the same characters you meet in the Golden Chronicle and the League of Jewelled Men). I was delighted when I saw that Piers Cranford was FINALLY getting his own book after playing second fiddle to most of Veryan's other leading men from Love Alters Not on forward. So the book was worth reading to me just to see Piers finally happy (and as a bonus, we find out who Florian really is, that Fiona and Roly have just had a baby, and that August and the Smallest Rossiter are about to announce their betrothal).
That said, I found it disappointing. The final unveiling of the "baddies" seemed clapped together at the last minute to explain away a series of poorly described misdeeds. Plus, the motive for everything they did seems so paltry in comparison to the grand conspiracies of the older books.
It was kind of like getting together with old friends, and finding that you hadn't anything to say to one another after the superficial business of "catching up." I'm going to go reread the old books now, just to remind myself why I used to be such a fan.
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3: Not part of the Riddle series
Okay for those not aware. The Riddle series is part of the Regency period. In traditional Patricia Veryan style she's decided to throw a curve. I noticed right away this was a Georgian Romance, not a regency. I have though, read the other Georgian series, which for those not aware, is The League of Jeweled Men series, (not to be confused with The League of Frighted Men by Rex Stout).This is the story of Piers, Perry's twin brother. Those who have read The League of Jeweled Men know, that Perry lost in his leg during the Jacobite rebellion, his twin saved him and helped him not to lose his mind, and with his cohorts that he met during his book uncovered the leader and no more League. This book is just absolutely wonderful. For those who have not read any of her Georgian series, find them and read them. Patricia Veryan knows how to write in any time frame. Piers takes center stage in this book, falling in love with Mary Westerman, but told he has to marry Cordelia Stanbury. Of course he ends up marrying Cordelia but how he (and Florian, who is a riddle himself, also from Sir Perry's book) get there is the Riddle. There's also a riddle about Mary Westerman and of course the woman he's sent to marry, but to tell that story would ruin it. Get the book, even if it's Georgian. Then if so inclined get her other books from the Georgian period. In the hardback copy, there is a list of her books starting with most recent till I presume the first. I can't say enough about this book. Don't let it bother you that this is not a continuation of the Riddle series, because it is. It's a riddle why she put this in the middle of her regency series. Maybe it's a prequel. Who cares. Just sit back and let the Georgian time take you away.
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5: Delightful
Patricia Veryan doesn't know how to write a bad book. She is a master at plots and characterizations, and her latest effort is up to her usual excellent standards. She is adept at keeping the reader guessing about the villain until the last page, and in the meantime, she creates people that the reader cares about, all the while infusing her novels with a wry humor that makes them a joy to read. My advice: Read this, and anything else by her that you can get your hands on. You won't be disappointed.
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