Customer Reviews

Virgin and the Unicorn (Thorndike Press Large Print Paperback Series)

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The book I read was a paperback which was published in 1995. The cover was a better depiction of the story than the hardcover pictured here.

I loved this story, as I usually do with most of Ms. Smith's works. Aside from the usual smart and lovable characters, entertaining battle of wits, and guessing-until-the ending mystery, this story also had very endearing father and son relationship and progressive development of hero and heroine's love relationship. I also felt I was reading a play where there was a constant entering and exiting of characters to the stage, at some point, I could even imagine as if there was a revolving door rotated actors/actresses around. I felt I was enjoying a comedy play... ( I wouldn't be surprised if that was Ms. Smith's intention, knowing that she is very knowledgeable of art and everything relate to it). Needless to say, there was never a dull moment. Another book to my bookshelf.

This is a Regency romance (the Virgin and the Unicorn) that I first read as a library book. I now own a copy and can read it as often as I like.

Miranda (Sissie) is visiting Ashmead, helping Lady Hersham repair old tapestries. The title refers to a tapestry hanging in Miranda's guest bedroom at Ashmead. Because of her interest in tapestry, Miranda is a frequent visitor to Ashmead. Lady Hersham is very fond of Miranda who shares her hobby.

The son of Lady Hersham and heir to Lord Hersham, Lord Rotham has returned for a visit at Ashmead. He has been serving as a diplomat at the Congress of Vienna. Rotham has brought home a mysterious locked trunk from his travels. His younger brother Pavel and Sissie (both the same age who behave like sister and brother) are consumed with curiousity. What is the secret in the trunk that is being guarded 24 hours a day? They devise ruses to get a peek in the trunk.

Pavel and Miranda eavesdrop, through a closed door, on an argument between Rotham and his father. Rotham has done something that is going to cause trouble and it has something to do with the contents of the locked trunk. Paval and Miranda are more anxious than ever to find out what is in the trunk.

The antics of Pavel, Miranda (Sissie), and Rotham are entertaining. Witty repartee, something which Joan Smith does deftly, can be found in this novel. Being thrown together with the spunky Miranda due the circumstances surrounding the contents of the trunk (hint: a tapestry of course), Rotham ends up becoming interested in Miranda who he had never considered in a romantic way before.

If you liked Joan Smith's "Drury Lane Darling" you will also enjoy this story too.