Something Wicked (Paperback)

by Jo Beverley (Author) "I'm going to miss you..." (more)
Key Phrases: bodice dagger, scarlet lady, powdered hair, Lord Walgrave, Elf Malloren, Walgrave House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
At 25, Lady Elfled Malloren is considered to be "on the shelf" by everyone but her family. After seeing her twin brother off on another adventure, Elfled decides to seek some experiences of her own. She disguises herself as "Lisette" and visits the Vauxhall Gardens Masquerade, where she finds a lot more excitement than she bargained for. After inadvertently overhearing a plot of treason, "Lisette" is captured by the Earl of Walgrave, the Malloren family's most hated enemy. But hate quickly turns to love and she gives herself to Walgrave in a night of unforgettable passion. Alas, Elfled just can't stay away and must experience "something wicked" again.

Review
Wickedly, wonderfully sensual. -- Mary Balogh --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Topaz (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451407806
• ISBN-13: 978-0451407801
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #703,418 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, January 24, 2001

By	"poujn" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This was my first Jo Beverley book, being difficult to please, I really enjoyed the book. I regret that I found out later it was part of a series of books. I've read three of the five books on the Malloren story and this is by far my favorite. I could not put it down. I recommend the entire series: #1 My Lady Notorious #2 Tempting Fortune #3 Something Wicked #4 Secrets of the Nigt and #5 Develish. The fist 2 are not in print currently but are available via auction. The characters are strong, the plot and storyline is definetly wicked if you are familiar with the etiquette of the era and the trials are awesome. I've read it twice in one month, which I never read a story twice.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wicked Pleasure, May 18, 2000

By	Leslie Tramposch "PNR Reviewer" (Moon Township, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thoroughly enjoy the work of best-selling author Jo Beverley. Something Wicked the third of five in this Georgian series about the Malloren family is not only my favorite book of the series; it is my favorite Beverley book over-all.

Lady Elf Malloren 25, and her twin Lord Cynric are the youngest of the Malloren siblings. Her only sister Hilda, two years her senior, had been safely married off in her teens. Somewhat wilder for being allowed to join in her twins adventures Elf finds herself on the shelf. No doubt some of this is due to her over protective older brothers, least of which is the imposing Marquee of Rothgar. At times Elf has found their hovering a bit stifling.

When the opportunity presents itself Elf takes fate into her own hands. Her twin has just married the scandalous Chastity Ware and her remaining siblings are all away from home. She attends a masquerade at Vaux Hall hoping for some excitement. While wondering one of the secluded paths designated for clandestine meetings she overhears a dastardly plot. She is discovered and pursued, her only recourse is to trust herself to the care of the one man who has reason to hate her family most.

Fortitude Ware has no love for anything Malloren. We get a glimpse of his cruel upbringing in My Lady Notorious the first book of the Malloren series. His sister's marriage to Elf's twin has not softened his attitude. In fact it is at their wedding that he is forced into an action that makes him hate the Mallorens with a passion.

The reader gets the impression that Elf has always been intrigued by Fort and as she puts it, it is not surprising that twins should have similar tastes. She had gotten into the habit of baiting him at every meeting.

The masked Elf introduces herself as Lisette, knowing Fort would have nothing to do with her if he knew of her true identity. Fort, intrigued by her audacity, rescues her and offers her a tantalizing proposition as he is currently without a mistress. Elf manages to elude his attentions but then has second thoughts. If she is to die and old maid, she would take one night in the arms of the man she desperately wants. She claims a night of passion with the Earl of her dreams but insists on remaining masked.

Fort indulges her. Their night of love becomes perilous as the two are captured in their sleep by those Elf had overheard plotting treason. They awaken imprisoned in a dark basement with no means of escape. Not knowing their fate, Fort bares his soul to the woman he is already becoming deeply attracted to. Danger fuels their passion as well.

Their rescue is both a blessing as a curse for Fort learns of the identity of his lover. He is furious at being duped and devastated at exposing his vulnerability to his enemy.

The treasonous plot proceeds with both Mallorens and Ware playing heroes. Fort is injured and during his convalescense Elf does everything within her means to win him over. His pride will not allow it, though deep down he's softened a bit. He determines to marry another, anyone suitable, rather examime his turbulent feelings for Elf. Even Elf's brothers will do nothing to aid her in her battle. Rothgar goes as far as to lecture her on the perils of using people.

Though she cannot believe that she could love so deeply and not have the love returned, she concludes that loving Fort means putting his happiness above her own. She resigns herself to letting him find his own way even if it means she will lose him. Will the next masquerade determine her fate?

I do so love a dark and wounded hero. This story was pure wicked pleasure.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read - but could have been better!, October 18, 2004

By	J. Brennan (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I usually do not like books where the heroine is the main character - I prefer it to be the male. And I did not expect to enjoy Elf so much. At 25 she was bored with her life and wanted an adventure. Always under the thumb of her very protective brothers - they were all out of town and she wanted an adventure. Well, she certainly did that - and the adventure part of the book - and her seduction of Lord Walgrave - her brother in law -- who thought she was a Frenchwoman because she was behind a mask. Well, this part of the story was perfect. I felt the connection between Elf and Fort in earlier books and just knew they would be a great couple. However, the book bogged down in the end - after the adventure was over and Fort realizes that it is Lady Elf that he has seduced - he is not pleased. Well, he thinks he is not pleased. The latter part of the book drags with the coming together of these two rightly as a couple. I could definetely have done with more romance and sizzle in the last quarter of the book. Again I will stress the need to read these in order - there was so much that I would not have understood had I not read My Lady Notorious first, followed by Tempting Fortune second and this book third. So much more enjoyable - this is a great series!!!