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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended, January 1, 2003
This review is from: The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy: A Novel of Georgian England (Hardcover)
Elspeth Clayton and Gervaise Valerian share an inauspicious beginning with harsh words and embarrassment hot between them. Elspeth assumes Gervaise to be nothing but a quick-tempered dandy, little suspecting mutual need will sharply change her perceptions. But her determination to save her brother from the French gaol after his arrest for service to Madame Pompadour leads to her desperate plight. In exchange for aid to her brother, Elspeth volunteers to aid Gervaise. Gervaise's father, a fugitive from justice, must escape the country undetected. When his accomplice his injured, Gervaise forces Elspeth to take her place. Despite their mutual dislike, their common desire to aid loved ones leads to a rousing adventure on both sides of the Channel as unknown assassins pursue them. Of course, their plight draws this unlikely duo together in an emotional entanglement that will please romance devotees. Patricia Veryan pens a dazzling romantic intrigue in THE RIDDLE OF THE DEPLORABLE DANDY. On one hand, Elspeth's determination to save her brother despite the risks to her life and reputation results in a strong willed heroine who is the perfect match for Gervaise. On the other hand, Gervaise carefully conceals his truth worth behind a dandified exterior. Fraught with danger, betrayals, false identities, and near calamities, THE RIDDLE OF THE DEPLORABLE DANDY comes highly recommended.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Historical anachronisms drag reader from exciting romance, December 31, 2002
This review is from: The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy: A Novel of Georgian England (Hardcover)
When her brother is taken captive by the French, Elspeth Clayton knows she must rescue him--even if she must risk being 'ruined' to society and take up with Gervaise Valerian, a dandy who may even be involved in treason against the Hanover King of England. Pursued by British agents, French soldiers, and an assortment of cut-throats and assassins, Elspeth and Valerian set off across France on a rescue mission--for Elspeth's brother and for Valerian's 'aunt.' Author Patricia Veryan keeps the action moving, with adventure and swordfighting on almost every page. She also does a fine job developing the growing awareness and attraction between the two characters allowing Elspeth's initial unfavorable reaction to gradually transform itself as Valerian reveals his true qualities. Fans of historical fiction are likely to be jarred, however, by the numerous anachronisms that Veryan introduces into her story. The frequent references to the 'Guillotine' make no sense in a novel set in 1749, decades before Dr. Guillotine earned his fame at the start of the French Revolution. Elspeth's maid's reference to 'germs' seems prescient given that Louis Pasteur was in his 20s at the time and had not yet made his famous discoveries--prescient or simply a mistake. The finding of coffee, then a luxury beverage, in the cheapest taverns and Valerian's references to himself as a 'Milquetoast' after a figure of the early 20th century also work to pull the reader out of the history. Indeed, after finding these, I started looking for more--and found that I was paying more attention to historical errors than to the plot. Despite its research defects, THE RIDDLE OF THE DEPLORABLE DANDY is an enjoyable adventure with engaging characters and romance.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, a few anachronisms, March 9, 2003
This review is from: The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy: A Novel of Georgian England (Hardcover)
As already mentioned, there are a few "errors" in this book: words or concepts used in 1749 which didn't exist at that time (guillotine, clothing sizes). [As for "milquetoast," isn't it possible that the term milktoast or milquetoast was used in those days, and centuries later the character of Caspar Milquetoast created based upon it??] However, while noting this, I still profess that this is a pretty good book. All of Veryan's "usual" elements are included: plucky heroine, hero who is tremendously brave and honorable, a seemingly impossible mission, a cast of unusual characters (timid cousin, faux gypsy), and of course the obligatory favored animal/pet (Pixie). I was a bit disconcerted at the end, however, to learn about Vance's surprising inheritance, as it seemed a bit too handy and contrived, and we were never told anything about the benefactor, as if his name was of no consequence to us. On the whole, this is one of the better, if not best so far, of the "Riddle" series. I confess to being quite disappointed in the first few Riddle books, since they didn't have the same impact as the Jewelled Men books, and I wasn't drawn to the characters as I have been w/ other Veryan books. But the Deplorable Dandy shows a return toward the style of her earlier books (IMHO) and, while not one of her best, is a very enjoyable read.
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