Cut to the Quick [Import] [Hardcover]

Kate ROSS (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Viking (1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340595426
• ISBN-13: 978-0340595428
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mystery + Georgette Heyer + Scarlet Pimpernel=Great Book, January 8, 2001

By 

drdebs (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cut to the Quick (Crime, Penguin) (Paperback)

As a teenager I devoured every regency romance ever written by Georgette Heyer and have wondered why there aren't any Regency period mysteries. A friend directed me to Kate Ross's Julian Kestrel series, and I am hooked.

Julian Kestrel is, like most of the heroes in Georgette Heyer's romances, a dandy with a difference. Behind his suave and witty exterior lurks a serious young man with great intelligence and compassion. It's that compassion that gets him involved with Hugh Fontclair, who he rescues from a gaming club. After this act, Fontclair invites Kestrel to his home to serve as groomsman at his wedding. Once there, Kestrel meets the family (all of whom have secrets, a la Anne Perry), and discovers a dead woman in his bed. Suspicion turns from Kestrel to his wonderful servant Dipper (a reforming Cockney thief also saved by Kestrel) before turning to the possible connections the lady might have had with members of the family.

If you like the regency period, the Scarlet Pimpernel, or Georgette Heyer I think you will love this book and the others in the series.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why didn't I read this one sooner!, February 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cut to the Quick (Crime, Penguin) (Paperback)

As most of you, I read all the time and keep books "in reserve" so I am never without one. For a recent trip to London, I wanted to have a mystery set there, and stumbled onto this one. I bought it, but just wasn't sure about it, and kept putting it aside, reading other things. Eventually I ran out of others, and picked it up. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG? I was captivated immediately by the historical details and the character of Julian. He is interesting, as is his manservant. I was CRESTFALLEN to learn that Kate Ross died recently of cancer. That makes the other three books left in the series ones to cherish. I agree with everyone who reviewed this: buy them all and read them all. I am now on the second, trying to savor it, but it, like this one, is so good it is hard to pace yourself! Enjoy.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Love Affair, December 5, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cut to the Quick (Crime, Penguin) (Paperback)

Upon discovering Julian Kestrel and Kate Ross, I was in love. The writing style is for readers who want an intellectual experience with their mystery. The hero is historically interesting ( an English dandy) and emotionally interesting as well ( certainly not the typical private eye). The outcomes of all four Kate Ross books make sense, there is no gratuitous violence, and the writing does not insult your intelligence. I never write reviews, but I wanted other mystery readers to discover this under-valued writer.