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Top reviews from the United States

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Another home run for the Captain Lacey series

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2018

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Okay, I really, really liked this book, but there were also things in it that disturbed me. The plot is great, the mystery suitably mysterious, but (and I hope I'm remembering this right, because I read like four of these books back-to-back-to-back-to-back), I thought Grenville was in his 30's, and something happens that makes that impossible. Maybe I just didn't catch it, and I admit, I did not go back and check the first book for Grenville's introduction, but I'd been picturing him 8 or 9 years younger than Lacey. With the way that the author has changed the eye color of a couple of characters, and evidence that she relied on Spellchecker a little too heavily in a couple of books (words spelled correctly, but not the right word), I'm not willing to concede that she didn't change Grenville's age.

This book introduces a new antagonist for Lacey, and I hate him all ready. I can see that this issue won't be resolved speedily, and I'm looking forward to the next books to see how it unfolds. I also am very much enjoying the complexity being reveal in James Denis' character. It's easy to hate a villain. It's harder to hate a villain, who helps a good cause, even though it is for his own selfish reasons.

All-in-all -- another great book in the Lacey series!

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2016

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Book 8 in the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries. Another excellent adventure for Captain Lacey and crew!!!

Again -- no Brandon's in this book -- I am happy to report. They are just mentioned.

A new Bow Street runner is introduced in this book. He is out to make a name for himself and is bent on bringing down James Denis -- and he's going to try to convict Lacey of something in order to bring Denis down. Not sure what his convoluted logic is regarding that, but -- we'll see how he works out.

Grenville is prominent, of course as is his mistress Marianne. I'm not sure how they are going to resolve this, so the coming books will be interesting to follow. The two obviously love one another and I'm not sure the mistress relationship is going to be satisfactory for either of them, but how will they manage to work out a marriage if it comes to that. A great reason to continue to read the series!! We also learn who fathered Marianne's child -- but it doesn't play a prominent role in anything -- just another piece of information as we get to know her.

Captain Lacey and Lady Breckenridge get married. She definitely has to be one intrepid lady. As soon as they are married, he's off putting himself in danger again.

Marianne's friend has disappeared and she comes to Captain Lacey to find her. It is the evening before he is to leave for his wedding. Of course, he ends up in trouble, captured and beaten -- but he makes the wedding.

The bad guys in this book are certainly unexpected and if you guess who they are, it won't be until close to the end anyway. Good mystery and suspense. Twists and turns.

All-in-all -- another great book in the Lacey series!

D A Bale

Casting Call for Editors on This Installment

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2014

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Lacey and Donata are finally married, but their honeymoon is cut short when Lacey is dragged back to London to face the magistrate himself. We're introduced to a cut-throat Bow Street Runner who will do anything to take down James Denis - and will blackmail and frame Lacey in order to do it.

I personally couldn't stand the new guy, but we've got ourselves a new antagonist in the form of a Bow Street Runner and his underhanded tactics. Felicity also threw me here, and I'm not quite sure I like her very much (not sure if I ever really did). Marianne makes somewhat ridiculous demands on Lacey as well, and right on the eve of his wedding. Grenville makes a complete bear of himself by breaking off his acquaintance with Marianne and Lacey - and once again, Lacey gets caught in the crossfires of the two lovers. It almost felt like a trip back to high school at times, as characters I usually enjoy got on my last nerves almost. The mystery rather took a backseat too, which was a bit frustrating.

In the past couple of books, I've also been noticing a rather disturbing trend of editing - or really, the lack thereof. This novel especially needs a heavy hand of an editor for very silly mistakes and duplications.

Which is why I'm downgrading my usual ratings for this series to a 3 1/2 star.

Top reviews from other countries

gimmielinda

The saga continues - what a wonderful world.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2016

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This is book eight in the Captain Lacey series and is as enjoyable as all the others. I love AG's scene setting and character building - she's definitely done some sound research on 19th century England (London in particular) its people, customs and behaviours and manages to depict the raw and dangerous aspects of life. In this novel the restless and reckless Captain investigates a missing actress at the request of the ever-demanding Marianne. The story takes him into the theatre in Drury Lane and out of London to the elegance of Bath. Alongside the mystery we get the continued development of Lacey's complex relationships with his supporting cast, he is now married to Donata and has the responsibility of his newly discovered daughter who is in England for a season, he also has the ever present Mr Denis to contend with and there is a new character in the mix - the deeply unpleasant runner Spendlove whose investigative methods leave a lot to be desired. Lovely stuff.

Alison10

Captain Lacey solves another crime!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2018

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I loved being back in the world of Gabriel Lacey and his friends. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, and as always with this series I am rarely anywhere near working out who the culprit it.

Ashley Gardener writes lovely prose and it is a pleasure to read her books. But, please, Ms Gardener, do not use the word 'gotten' - it absolutely jars in your carefully crafted Regency atmosphere.

purplemay

another brilliant book in this series

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2014

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These stories engage you from the first page. Gabriel is a well rounded out character as are is friends and enemies. His stage is well set and represents the period very well. Nothing jars you out of the context. The plots are a beautiful mix of simple believable motives and the complex difficulties in uncovering them. The sleuthing is realistic and paced just right.

I started from the beginning of this series intending to pace myself, savor each book and make them last. Unfortunately they are addictive and I read them all one after the other. I couldn't put them down for long. I hope there is another soon and then another .... and another ....

sand

great

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2019

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i love these books . when you fancy reading something a little different for a change then these books are for you . hugely enjoyable

Nigelartdeco

Lacey outshines again

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2017

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I love these Captain Lacey books and this story doesn't disappoint either.Great pace and all the characters make you smile or cringe. These books would make a cracking tv series. Hurrah for a first class hero

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