I nearly gave up a few times, but am glad I stuck it out to the end. I found the archaic spellings in this book to be a bit difficult to follow at times, but more annoying were the numerous French phrases tossed about by Pigalle with NO TRANSLATION.
Now, I'm a former French major and I understand a lot of French, but I was puzzled a few times. I hate when authors bandy about foreign phrases with reckless abandon. It smacks of pretentiousness and that doesn't sit well with me. Still, those phrases seemed to fade away as the book progressed and the last 75 pages or so had my on the edge of my seat. I couldn't stop reading until I was finished.
Overall, a good read, chockfull of history/historical characters which I like. I'd probably read more by the author should they fall into my lap.
Now, I'm a former French major and I understand a lot of French, but I was puzzled a few times. I hate when authors bandy about foreign phrases with reckless abandon. It smacks of pretentiousness and that doesn't sit well with me. Still, those phrases seemed to fade away as the book progressed and the last 75 pages or so had my on the edge of my seat. I couldn't stop reading until I was finished.
Overall, a good read, chockfull of history/historical characters which I like. I'd probably read more by the author should they fall into my lap.
Jamie B. (mrsb) -
Helpful Score: 1
It took me a bit to get into the book ... but once I did, I didn't want to put it down. There is a lot of British history, which seems to be pretty accurate and then there is the British history that is sorta mixed up with fiction that leaves you wondering if it "could" be true or not. I like that. It definitely had me guessing "WHO DONE IT" all the way until the end. I even chuckled out loud a few times as well ... the characters definitely have chemistry between them and I can't wait to read their next escapade ...
This is the first book of the Countess Ashby series, the second one is The Rival Queens ... the third one is The Ambitious Stepmother and the fourth one is Fortune's Slave.
This is the first book of the Countess Ashby series, the second one is The Rival Queens ... the third one is The Ambitious Stepmother and the fourth one is Fortune's Slave.
Charlie M. (bookaddicted) -
Helpful Score: 1
I was only so-so about this book. I found the Countess irritated me and while I don't mind slapstick humor in a mystery I just thought Morgan went out of her way to "yuk" it up. The plot was a bit convoluted and her writing style just didn't grab me.
Jamie B. (mrsb) -
Helpful Score: 1
It took me a bit to get into the book ... but once I did, I didn't want to put it down. There is a lot of British history, which seems to be pretty accurate and then there is the British history that is sorta mixed up with fiction that leaves you wondering if it "could" be true or not. I like that. It definitely had me guessing "WHO DONE IT" all the way until the end. I even chuckled out loud a few times at the slap stick British humour as well ... the characters definitely have chemistry between them and I can't wait to read their next escapade ...
This is the first book of the Countess Ashby series, the second one is The Rival Queens ... the third one is The Ambitious Stepmother and the fourth one is Fortune's Slave.
This is the first book of the Countess Ashby series, the second one is The Rival Queens ... the third one is The Ambitious Stepmother and the fourth one is Fortune's Slave.
Barbara B. (GrannyGamer) -
An absolutely hilarious "mystery" with some of the most interesting characters to come along in a long long time. Great sense of time and place, along with suberb writing.
I don't know if I'd call it a particularly accurate historical piece (though it probably is - the history isn't what the story is about though it drags in characters of the day) but it is quite a romp
Mary R. (greatdanelover) reviewed Unnatural Fire (Countess Ashby de la Zouche, Bk 1) on + 131 more book reviews
I was looking forward to a mystery with a hint of romance. Unfortunately, this story not that. I found myself turned off by the 60-year old countess with black teeth forging her way through the seamier side of London in the time of William of Orange in order to stay one step ahead of debtor's prison. Well written, but not my cup of tea.
Great fun...historical mystery set during reign of Charles II
THis is the hardback edition with the dust cover intact.
