Customer Reviews

Murder Will Speak

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read the two editorial reviews above concerning this book and was totally amazed at how different they were. One negative and sniping the other positive and complimentary. It left me with only two options, either pass or take a chance and order the book. I obviously decided to order it and I'm quite glad I did. The review from Publishers Weekly gives the entire plot of the book so I am free to just go straight to my comments on how this novel struck me.

This is my first time reading a Joan Smith Regency Romantic Mystery and I enjoyed it so much I have ordered a second book featuring the Berkeley Brigade. Naturally, as is sometimes the case in a work of fiction, some of the situations do not strike us as possible or even probable. This does not mean that the book cannot be enjoyed. It was published in 1996 but because of the very, very understated romantic aspect it seems to have been written much longer ago. The hero takes the heroine in his arms, but in a time of crisis. Even though he wants the time to be romantic, she does not give him enough encouragement for the episode to go any further. Corrine deCoventry and the Marquess of Luten have a history together and their friends know they love each other even if it has never been acknowleged. The next time Luten comforts Corrine they kiss. Compared to today's standard romance novel kisses this one passes almost unnoticed.

My take on this novel is to read it for the mystery, the Regency setting, and the unusual grouping of characters who make up the Berkeley Brigade. The romance does play a huge part in the novel but it is not the only aspect of this book to concentrate on. I am honestly looking forward to reading my next Joan Smith Regency mystery to see how this "mystery club" gets involved in their next case and how they go about solving it. Don't be put off by the snide comments from Publishers Weekly. Obviously those of us who read novels set in Regency times are well prepared to deal with the "sneering" characters that reviewer saw protrayed here.

it would be nice if the reviews that were printed didn't give away the entire plot of a book that is supposed to be a mystery unravelled by the reader. otherwise, joan smith is always a fun read.

The positive aspect about this book is its supporting characters hands down: Coffen Pattle & Sir Reginald Prance. These two are hilarious by being ridicously technical with each other that their bickering goes off tangent from their original topics.

Smith's developing story to find out the murderer was cleverly done. Only due to the mystery of this book did i not put the book down to figure out who was the criminal. I unraveled the murder just before half way of the book but not the mystery of why the murderer "stole" the necklace till the end.

Lastly, if one is looking for romance in this book, it's a real disappointment...at least to me. I really don't see what Marquess Luten see in the widow, Lady Corinne Decoventry. Luten is the usual hero: tall, dark, handsome, clever. Eventually, I got tired of him when his insecurities surfaces up a few times by him being jealous of other single male characters with Corrine & feels triumphant when she prefers his company. Yeesh. The heroine: Lady Decoventry is even more tiresome. Despite of her often-talked beauty, I find her character insipid, sort of impulsive & careless towards the 2nd half of the book (when she falls for the same trap twice & even Luten is exasperated by her naviete).

I gave it two stars because of the ill chosen characters of the protagonists in this book. If there was more exposure to the supporting characters and the protagonists took a back seat, then more stars.