Jenna Mindel's tale of suspense and suspicion reads very smoothly - so smoothly, in fact, that I sat down one evening to read a few chapters at bed time and, before I knew it, it was past midnight and I was still flipping pages. This is not an action-packed read, but there is just something about the story that kept me reading in spite of its flaws.
The novel opens as the newly married Lucinda Bronwell is leaving for her wedding trip with her new husband Lord Darrow, a kind, gallant gentleman who is old enough to be her father. As readers soon learn, Lucinda's blatant quest for a rich husband scandalized Society and, though marriages for money were not at all unrealistic for the time period, those close to Lord Darrow are uneasy about his marriage to a woman they see as openly greedy.
Tragically, Lord Darrow takes suddenly ill and on his deathbed gains a promise from his neighbor, Lord Grafton, to protect Lucinda - the older man fears for her saftey. Grafton, a man of his word, takes Lucinda home to his mother. However, it is obvious to Grafton that Darrow has been murdered by poison.
Lucinda, Darrow's beautiful young wife, immediately falls under suspicion for the death since she can have financial security and be free of the burden of an elderly husband. Grafton wants to be skeptical of Lucinda, but her quiet strength and kind heart make him question the rumors he has heard about her. Though his protection comes initially out of duty, Grafton soon finds himself wanting to take care of Lucinda and the thought of her leaving his home once her affairs are settled saddens him.
Since Lucinda is a very recently bereaved widow, societal conventions preclude her involvement with another man so soon after her husband's death and, for that reason, the romance between Lucinda and Grafton is quite subdued - but not nonexistent. Mindel does a good job of showing the growing attraction between the two, while acknowledging the conventions that constrain their behavior. Normally, such a slow-building and quiet romance would not necessarily appeal to me, but there is something sweet here that made me want to enjoy it.
While the murder mystery Regency has its detractors, this one is handled well. The aristocrat-as-detective theme goes a little too far in the second half of the book, but the timing of the suspense plot is generally well done. The tension builds throughout the book at a plausible pace and it adds to, rather than detracting from, the relationship between Lucinda and Grafton. The ending is a touch rushed, but the story is still quite enjoyable overall. Though not perfect, this tale is quite a good one and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quiet mystery-romance.
Sensuality: Kisses
Publication Date: 2005/11
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By the way, we watched Diner last night. In general, it held up wonderfully. Very fun.