Mischief [Paperback]

Amanda Quick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 1997

Imogen Waterstone has always prided herself on being a thoroughly independent young woman, but now she needs a man of implacable will and nerves of iron. That's why she invited Matthias Marshall, infamous Earl of Colchester, to her home in Upper Strickland. Who better than the legendary explorer to help her lay the perfect trap?



Her scheme is simple, really: She plans to let it be known that when she inherited her uncle's collection of antiquities, she also inherited a map to a fabulous ancient treasure. She's sure that her enemy would risk financial ruin in pursuit of the mythical artifact. And to make doubly sure the scoundrel took the bait, she wants Colchester to pretend that he's out to seduce Imogene so that he, too, could get his hands on her map.



Yet in all of her plotting, Imogene never anticipates Colchester's violent reaction to her request or her own electrifying reaction to him. Neither does she expect that a malevolent threat would emerge from the labyrinth of London--sinister enough to endanger her and Colchester's lives.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Innocent but intrepid Imogen Waterstone enlists the aid of the fearsome Earl of Colchester in her dangerous pursuit of justice and revenge. Unable to resist the challenge posed by the unconventional beauty, Matthias Marshall finds himself on the trail of a killer and long-lost treasure, but discovers love along the way. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Hell's teeth! Readers will no more be able to put down Quick's 12th Regency romance than Imogen Waterstone can fend off the delicious advances of Matthias Marshall, Earl of Colchester. From page one, Quick's contract with the reader is clear. Nothing is as it seems, and the plot teases until the happy ending. Of course, the earl known as "Cold-bloodied" Colchester will turn out to be a lamb and a love. Of course, the woman dubbed "Immodest Imogen" is a virgin beneath her heaving bosom. And there's no doubt that the two shall marry, for they make a great business of announcing all the reasons why they can't. But even if the romance is a sure thing, there's suspense enough. At great peril to themselves, Matthias and Imogen must unravel the identity of a pair of cunning murderers who have infiltrated high society. Quick, who is Jayne Ann Krentz writing pseudonymously, has created another golden link here in her long chain of bestsellers (Mystique, etc.). Her alchemical formula? Feisty yet feminine women, sublimely ironic men, amusing chat, hot sex and a sprinkling of period vocabulary and details?but not enough to make it feel like a history lesson. Major ad/promo.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (March 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553571907
• ISBN-13: 978-0553571905
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With a string of bestselling Regency and Victorian Era romantic-suspense novels under her quill, AMANDA QUICK (who also writes under the pen names JAYNE ANN KRENTZ and JAYNE CASTLE) entered the world of a highly secretive paranormal group, the ARCANE SOCIETY, with her novel SECOND SIGHT. The series moved into a contemporary setting when JAYNE ANN KRENTZ (Amanda's contemporary alter-ego) released the second book in the series, WHITE LIES.

This winter, the ARCANE SOCIETY continues with THE LOOKING GLASS TRILOGY. It begins with IN TOO DEEP by Jayne Ann Krentz this December. Amanda is working on QUICKSILVER, her Spring 2011 contribution is book 2 in the series. The trilogy will conclude when JAYNE CASTLE releases CANYONS OF NIGHT, the futuristic novel, in Summer 2011.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amanda Quick's most engaging book!, September 24, 2004

By 

Amanda Carrell "Erotic Romance Author" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mischief (Paperback)

I'm an avid Amanda Quick reader and usually can finish her books in two days while still functioning in life and doing the usual mundane day-to-day things. Such was not the case with _Mischief_, I absolutely *could not* put this book down -- I finished it in one day. Not only are the characters amazing, the plot moved along at such a wonderfully fast pace that I didn't even realize time was passing. I became absorbed in the story -- it was like I was watching a movie. The characters and scenery are so vivid that I felt like I was part of the story. It was as if I was peering over the shoulders of the main characters and experiencing the action right along with them.

As always, Ms. Quick created characters that are captivating and dazzling. Matthias is dangerous, dark and mysterious. There is an air about him that is fascinating. He is the very picture of a heart-stopping hero. Imogen is charmingly clumsy. She is headstrong and unconcerned what Society thinks. Watching these two together was not only enchanting but intoxicating. They have an outstanding chemistry that bursts into life whenever they're together. I loved the way that Imogen always insisted upon leading whenever they danced and how it amused and frustrated Matthias. Also, Imogen's insistence that Matthias has delicate sensibilities is extremely funny!

Unlike most readers, I had no problem with the talk of ancient Zamar. I saw it for what it was -- a plot device designed to move the story along and give the main characters something in common. I found lost Zamar quite interesting and bewitching and adored the added depth it gave to Matthias and Imogen's relationship. The very last scene will touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes!

_Mischief_ was an outstanding experience and I highly recommend this book for either the long-time Amanda Quick fan or the first-time reader. _Mischief_ is a choice example of what Amanda Quick does so well.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not as good, February 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mischief (Paperback)

I am a serious Amanda Quick fan, and the bindings have worn out of my copies of Ravished, Dangerous, Deception, and Scandal. These are the best Romance novels ever written, in my opinion. The story in Mischief is definetly good and entertaining. The problem is, however, that Ms. Quick is sacrificing the details that made her older books so engaging. I am worried that she may never again write characters as loveable as Harriet, Prudence and Olympia. Or as desirable as the Beast of Blackthorn hall, Mr. Chillhurst and the Fallen Angel. What is missing is the insight into the new characters. Since this author writes under 3 names, she turns out a LOT of books. Unfortunately, they are all suffering from the speed. This book needed another 50 pages to flesh it out. The depth was missing. I will be very sad if there are no new Amanda Quick books that I want to read over and over. Please, Amanda, let us know your characters again and care about them. No one creates as fun and sexy a story as you can. Don't make them over so soon.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mischief versus Deceptions, April 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Mischief (Paperback)

I had read one Amanda Quick story which was Deceptions and I enjoyed it so I thought I would get another to read.I might have been unfortunate to find the only other book in her collection which was almost the same story.
The heroines had the same*blue stocking* personalities,both raised by unconventional people.Both had written articles on antiquities and did not care for their reputations.Cold blooded Colchester is almost the same character as the the hero in Deceptions who lacks the Flamecrest fire.Both heroines talk about emotion and passion with logic and not feeling.
Both books have ancient languages that need to be translated.Plus a focus on ancient matriomonial customs ,,,,,,,I started to really wonder if this was the same book.There are also a pair of lesbian lovers thrown in to the equation which has turned up yet again in a third book by the same author, (Seduction).By now I was wondering if I was reading the same story.The heroes both have mortal enemies who can be persuaded to become amenable.The heroine is being pursued for her ancient treasure in both books.Overall I found 25 similarities between the two books,by that point I gave up counting.Reading Mischief on it's own would be best.