Oh my. Well, the book started out good enough with a believable protagonist and interesting cast of supporting characters. There was a teaser: who is that woman with the limp and why did she start with fear when she saw our young gentleman? Add to this the Little's trademark humor and as a reader, you think you are set. Unfortunately the whole thing sort of dissolved by the end into a messy heap. I understand that this was the Little sisters' last book and maybe they were just sick of writing. Certainly don't start reading their work with this book - it is not a good example of what they were capable.