Customer Reviews

Mr. Malcolm's List

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I started this book last evening. I finished this book last evening. What a great way to spend a few hours! Fans of Lauren Willig or Georgette Heyer will, I think, love this book.

Mr. Malcolm is a bit reminiscent of Mr. Darcy...stiff and unbending...in the beginning. He is very sought after in the ball rooms of Regency England and developed a defense...a list of qualifications for the right woman. A list of characteristics that is almost impossible to meet. However, a scorned debutante has a friend who is almost perfect for Mr. Malcolm and sends for Miss Dalton to become the instrument of her revenge.

This is a light tale of romance with laugh out loud moments.

I started reading this one night in the midst of insomnia hoping that eventually fatigue would set in but quite the opposite happened. The book completely entrapped my hyperactive brain and I finished it that night; well actually in the wee hours of the next morning. I loved it and my title of "Delightful" is my one-word pick for multi-faceted impressions. There is so much wit and humor in the author's writing that you actually feel your intellect is engaged. I am an avid reader & devoted Jane Austen fan but never gave "regency" style romances a chance. The book is light-hearted, fun & thoroughly romantic. And it had the wonderful quality of great story telling, the kind that helps you picture every scene, face & mood. I laughed out loud several times and when I was done reading all I could think is "I hope she writes more." But until she does I plan on reading this again, it was that delightful.

I guess the other reviewers of this book have said what I am going to say also. It's a slight book, but it is charming, delightful, funny, well written and a great way to pass an hour (two, if you're a slow reader). I've ordered Incognito, which I see is even slighter, but am hoping is just as charming and funny.

I was taken by surprise by this book. I had never heard of it until the author posted a comment on one of the Jane Austen/Pride & Prejudice Communities. Her comments were full of common sense, and had such a positive tone, that I decided to take a look at the reviews. And I agree with many of the other reviewers. I had difficulty putting this book down once I started. If you like Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer, you will totally enjoy this book.

The main character is a likable woman who becomes embroiled in a friend's act of retribution. She is asked to visit London by a former acquaintance and is delighted by the idea, although surprised as her former school friend could be quite capricious in her friendship. In truth, her school friend is inviting her as a decoy....she has created a plot to "punish" a gentleman she had hoped to be enamored with her--but who was not. She invites her friend with the idea that she will entice her to "pretend" to fall in love with Mr. Malcolm. When that happens, the plot will end with him being rejected and feeling the same sense of mortification.

Only that is not exactly what happens......Boy meets Girl. Girl has preconceived image of boy. Does that image change? Does Mr. Malcolm's list come in to play? No hints from me, but really this is a delightful story, with twists and turns. Treat yourself to a great night by reading it---start at 9:00 p.m. and stay up until 2:00 a.m. on a work night. I did!!! (Note: For more late night, addictive reading, check out the author's other book, Incognito, which is also really well done.

What a treat this book was. Another review called it delightful and that is exactly what it is. It was a light hearted, charming and FUNNY book. The characters are diverse, the dialogue is witty, and the story is romantic. After reading several intense and serious historical romances this was a lovely change. I read it quickly and I laughed out loud over several scenes. I hope to read more by this author and I strongly suggest others discover this treasure of a book.

It's a pity that Georgette Heyer wrote such few books and that the likes of Clare Darcy, Patricia Veryan and Fiona Hill are so hard to find. I was hoping this book would line up with the writings of the authors I just mentioned, and it tries to do so. Sadly, the attempt seems to be too hesitant, or too earnest and the prose feels little stifled, a little less than comfortable.

This seems to be a self-published book. And one must applaud the author for entrepreneurship and intrepidity. The writing shows promise, however, the author hasn't quite discovered her voice yet.

The dialogue could be witty, except it tends to get a trifle too ponderous or a little too crass. Too many answers to questions begin with the word "Well", as if they are trying really very hard to explain themselves.
Let's say I was asked why I sent someone a gift, I'd reply: "I thought you'd like it." Or "Do you not like it?" And one could use either answer, depending on how I want to depict my character. On the other hand, most characters in this books are most likely to say "Well, I thought you would like it."
(The dialogue/ scenario is completely made up).

That would be easily overlooked had the plot been stronger, or if it had some twists. Or if the characters had been less forgettable. (Caveat: Cassie is a well-drawn side character).

Ultimately, it feels that the author means well and has a lot of promise, but the writing isn't quite there yet. The books seem to be focused more on telling rather than showing. We are told that Selina is a very honest person but we see little of that. Not wanting to trick someone is not enough. It is not the same thing as not participating in a plot to trick someone. Here, it seems she was ready give in to peer pressure and trick the hero until she fell in love with him and discovered a backbone.

There is so much potential in this book, but I can't give it more than three stars. I wanted to like it. Or at least I wanted to have a book I'd look forward to getting back to whenever I left off. The saddest thing is that I was left completely disinclined to care. With about 80 pages left, I stopped reading.

My enthusiasm for this book is a little overboard -- perhaps in a more rational moment I would have rated it a 4 rather than a 5, and would have been more organized and thoughtful in this review. But I stand by my 5 at this moment mostly because of a sense of overwhelming relief and gratitude in encountering:

1. a light yet enjoyable novel of manners very close in tone (but not in complexity) to the novels of the late Georgette Heyer (the undisputed queen of this genre), and
2. one without the inclusion of gratuitous sex/sensuality that pervades and cheapens the genre in so many Regency novels today.

Honestly, I had given up on finding an author (apart from Heyer and Clare Darcy), who could communicate the reality that wit, charm, and personality -- and physical attraction expressed more by hint than by description -- are more captivating than the shallow characterizations excused by nothing more than animal attraction (yes and sex) which comprises much of the trash called Regency romance today.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy reading novels that get a bit "warm" if they are well written -- but I wish there were more writers along the line of Suzanne Allain as she wrote in this novel.

What would have brought this review down to a 4 or 4.5 (in a less grateful moment) would have been a desire to see more depth of characterization and a bit more intricate plotting, but I hope that subsequent writing by this author may show signs of those.

If anyone can give me the names of any other writers that truly approach the style of Heyer or Darcy, please comment to this review and tell me about them. I have been disappointed in some that claimed that distinction, and am becoming disillusioned.

Set in London, 1818. The Honorable Jeremy Malcolm, second son of the Earl of Kilbourne, is considered to be the biggest catch of the season, but he has earned a reputation as a heartbreaker. Lord Cassidy "Cassie" is Malcolm's friend and decides to let him know the title he has received. Cassie's cousin, Julia Thistlewaite, believes it to be true. Malcolm had escorted Julia to an opera (once) and she has waited for him to call ever since. Julia feels humiliated when Malcolm does not come courting. Family loyalty has Cassie asking Malcolm about it. This is how Cassie learns that Malcolm has a list of qualifications for a bride. Malcolm has been escorting ladies to events or dancing with them at parties in order to test each. None of the ladies, including Julia, has met his qualifications. The biggest mistake Cassie ever makes is when he tells Julia about the list.

Selina Dalton was a paid companion to Mrs. Ossory. When Mrs. Ossory died, she left Selina a comfortable settlement that guaranteed her an independence the rest of her life. Selina is just getting ready to return to her parents' home when she receives an invitation from Julia to spend time with her in London. Selina accepts, excited at some time in town. Yet upon arriving, Selina learns that Julia only invited her to help humiliate Malcolm. Julia wants to present Selina as the perfect woman he is looking for, then allow him to discover that SHE has a list and he fails to meet her qualifications. But by nature, Selina is open and very honest. Even though Julia threatens to send Selina away should she refuse to help, Selina decides to spend some time with Malcolm to see if he really is one to play with ladies' emotions or if Julia is simply a spoiled brat with wounded pride.

Selina and Malcolm meet by accident in a library, during a party. Selina has no idea it is Malcolm and finds her time with him pleasant. Malcolm is soon paying calls to Selina. Then the nephew of Mrs. Ossory, Henry Ossory, meets up with Selina and gives Malcolm some competition, which irks Julia to no end. Malcolm invites them all to a house party at his estate, Hadley Hall, in Kent. Let the plots and schemes commence!

***** A lovely Regency Romance with witty dialogues and the ever important happy ending. This cast of characters has a wide variety of personal attitudes ranging from meek to hardheaded. The clashes between the personalities keeps things hopping almost as well as Julia's schemes. There is only once or twice that pride keeps a character from listening to an explanation, thus keeping things from easily being solved. Whenever I find myself wanting to smack a character it lessens the enjoyment of the story for me. Do not be disheartened though, this only happens once or twice and it actually fits with the character's personality. Highly recommended for all fans of the Regency genre. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This a humorous revenge story, with the revenge being all in good fun-no harm, no foul. It's a charming older work, lovely for a rainy, dozy afternoon. If you're a fan of regency romance fiction, you'll enjoy this light classic.

Just finished Incognito and Mr. Malcolm's list. What a delight! I enjoyed these books because they were witty, sweet and so romantic. I enjoyed the Author's top ten reason's to buy Mr. Malcolm's list found on her website! Fun!
I'll be looking for more kindle books from this Author in the future.