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About the Book:
Less than a hero’s welcome…
Returning to his family seat from Waterloo, Gervase Frant, seventh Earl of St Erth, could have expected more enthusiasm for his homecoming. His quiet cousin, stepmother, and young half-brother seem openly disappointed that he survived the wars. And when he begins to fall for his half-brother’s sweetheart, his chilly reception goes from unfriendly to positively murderous.
One of Heyer’s most suspenseful Regency romances, The Quiet Gentleman combines an ingenious mystery plot with her signature witty style and effervescently engaging characters.
About the Author:
The late Georgette Heyer was a very private woman. Her historical novels have charmed and delighted millions of readers for decades, though she rarely reached out to the public to discuss her works or personal life. She was born in Wimbledon in August 1902, and her first novel, The Black Moth, published when she was 19, was an instant success.
Heyer published 56 books over the next 53 years, until her death from lung cancer in 1974. Her work included Regency novels, mysteries and historical fiction. Known also as the Queen of Regency romance, Heyer was legendary for her research, historical accuracy and her extraordinary plots and characterizations. Her last book, My Lord John, was published posthumously in 1975. She was married to George Ronald Rougier, a barrister, and they had one son, Richard.
My Opinion:
The new Earl of St. Erth finds that upon arrival at his castle that his remaining family would have preferred him to have died while fighting Napoleon. Happily for him he survived to claim his title as the seventh Earl. His half brother Martin had been treated as the heir and is quite put out that he is not! But is he put out enough to murder?
The Earl’s cousin Theo has been taking care of the estate since his uncle took him in as a young boy and he has done very well as its steward. Theo worries that Martin will do harm to St. Erth and watches him like a hawk. Also living at Stanyon Castle are the dowager duchess and a visiting friend, Drusilla Moreville.
The tale is full of the witty dialog for which Ms. Heyer is so famous. It rolls along like a bright, sparkling creek. The plot is a good one including romance in unexpected places, murder attempts, secret passageways and loyalties misplaced. The dowager duchess is a marvel of self absorption – except when it comes to her “perfect” son, Martin. She can see past herself for him. But ONLY for him. She provides much comic relief in the midst of the tension.
This is my second book by Ms. Heyer and it has only whet my appetite for more.
What a way to celebrate! So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Sourcebooks and buy yourself a present in honor of Ms. Heyer’s birthday tomorrow. What better way to beat this summer’s heat than with a light, frothy Regency romance?
Disclosure: I received a copy of The Quiet Gentleman from Sourcebooks gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.