The Deception (Mass Market Paperback)

by Joan Wolf (Author) "IT BEGAN WITH THE DEATH OF MY FATHER..." (more)
Key Phrases: old groom, Lady Mary, Sir Charles, Lady Greystone (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
What with the resurgence of interest in Jane Austen, Regency romances are enjoying a renewed popularity. Veteran novelist Wolf (best known for her prehistoric The Reindeer Hunters), turns in her own delightful addition, one that combines sensuality and passion with a spirited first-person narrative. When Kate Fitzgerald's horse-trader father is killed, she's placed with her malicious uncle, who spitefully maneuvers her into marriage with Adrian, Earl of Greystone. Waterloo hero Greystone accepts the unfortunate situation, but Kate falls deeply in love. Against the colorful racetrack background of the running of the Guineas at Newmarket, she schemes to entrap the aristocrat who murdered her father. One caveat: Kate is wonderful, though a bit dense; it takes her forever to realize Adrian cares for her.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Compromised and tricked into marriage by the sadistic machinations of her uncle, Kate Fitzgerald and Adrian Woodrow, Earl of Greystone, try to make the best of things. Murder and mystery add suspense to this romance, which features characters you enjoy (despite the heroine's somewhat illogical jealousy and not-always-credible reactions), some nice subplots, and an occasional glimpse of the darker side of Regency life. The heroine's first-person narrative provides a somewhat Gothic touch. Returning to the Regency period after a foray into other literary areas, Wolf (The Reindeer Hunters, Onyx, 1995) delivers a lively, sensual story that her fans will be waiting for. Readers may also find romances by Amanda Quick and Julie Garwood of interest.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446602752
• ISBN-13: 978-0446602754
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,268 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joan Wolf Surpasses Herself, December 6, 1998

By	Nancy J. Silberstein (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love, and reread, all of Joan Wolf's first person romances, but The Deception is my very favorite. A tall, blond hero of Waterloo is forced into marriage with a horse trainer's daughter, the heroine is wrenched out of a poor but (relatively) happy existence to be married to a peer of the realm, the hero's younger brother is charming, the villian is thoroughly villianous. This story has everything. Our heroine has spunk, our hero desires her against her will, our hero's brother lurches from escapade to escapade as he tries to emulate his brother. And weaving through the story is a weak mystery - just enough to keep the plot moving - and a wealth of fascinating detail on dressage and the wonderful horses that perform it. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Regency Era Romantic Suspense, December 28, 2004

By	ellejir "ellejir" (Virginia, United States) - See all my reviews

This is a thoroughly enjoyable romantic suspense tale by Joan Wolf set in the Regency period. The tone of the story is light and the action a bit improbable, but it is a fun story with an engaging hero and heroine. The story is told in the first person past-tense, reminiscent of an old Victoria Holt novel.

The heroine is Kate Fitzgerald, granddaughter of a viscount but daughter of an Irish horse trader, who has been raised poor but happy by her nomadic father. Kate is a typical regency heroine--young (18 years old), spunky (this is "romance novel code" for idioticly reckless), beautiful and charmingly unaffected. She is also horse-mad and a fabulous rider (seemingly a prerequisite for a Joan Wolf regency heroine.) After her father's death, Kate is sent to live with her villainous uncle Martin, the current viscount, and unwittingly is used by him to trick his arch-enemy, Adrian, the Earl of Greystone into compromising her and thus an unwanted marriage.

Adrian is a fine hero--handsome, rich, noble and a hero of Waterloo (he is also good with horses!), and Kate soon finds herself falling in love with her husband. The familiar "Doomed to a Loveless Marriage" and "Big Misunderstanding" plot devices are trotted out--of course, both Kate and Adrian mistakenly think that the other is in love with someone else and are afraid to confess their growing love for each other.

This book has plenty of action--kidnappings, murder, sword fights, an incognito visit to a gaming hell, and two *very* evil villains. Kate is charming but a bit gullible--she is constantly needing to be rescued by Adrian or his brother, Harry.

In summary, this a fun historical romantic suspense story--well-written and very entertaining. If you like this book, definitely read "The Arrangement" and "The Pretenders"--also by Joan Wolf.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A light, enjoyable romance, November 16, 1998

By A Customer

Joan Wolf has been a favorite of mine ever since I read the regencies she wrote years ago. This latest book seems like a return to her most successful style of writing -- a high-spirited heroine, an aristocratic hero and the Regency period. Kate is a really engaging heroine and writing the story in the first person made it accessible.