jjares reviewed on 6/4/2021 + 3316 more book reviews

Because so many Regencies written lately seem to be too similar (same plotlines), I decided to try a Regency that was also a mystery. The story begins with a tragedy -- the loss of a brig off the Cornish coast. There are only three survivors from the ship Minerva. The captain, Judas Caldicott, was lost at sea but his body was recovered and buried locally (close to the place of death).

This leaves his wife, Nell, and son in a difficult situation. They have barely been able to make ends meet and now they find out that things are much worse than suspected. On one hand, Nell is relieved; Judas was a wife-beater. She had given up her previous (wealthy) life to marry him; her family would not take her to its bosom now that she was destitute.

This story is realistic because Nell faces terrible choices once her provider is gone. Nell is also conflicted because she loves the life they lived early on before Judas changed. Yet, she understands that she is better off emotionally without such a difficult person in her life.

I didn't give this very interesting story the top score because of the coincidences that made things just a bit too pat. However, it is a great story that flows. I liked that the characters have meaningful conversations that carry the plot along. Overall score = 4.5 stars.


Silver Linings Mystery
0. The Clerk (2019)
** 1.The Widow (2019)
2. The Lacemaker (2019)
3. TheApothecary (2019)
4. The Painter(2020)
5. The Orphan 2020)
6. The Duke 2020)

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details