Lady Evangelina was lovely, the daughter of a marquis, and the reigning beauty of the London season. Of course she was deluged with marriage offers...but how could she ever be sure that her suiters were sincere?

Determined to find a husband who would love her for herself, Angel decides to pose as her Uncle's poor relation on her Lake Country Holiday. Impetuous and never at a loss for a scheme, the irrepressible beauty soon found herself playing matchmaker as well, seeking mates for her bluestocking Cousin Catherine and shy Lady Elizabeth Markham. But Angel had no way of knowing that there was more than one disguised aristocrat in the neighborhood that summer-and what a very permanent effect he would have on her heart.

The book "Angel" presents itself as a romance, yet the courageous Angel character in the book extracts different attention. I enjoyed this book because I feel it delightful to grip my hands on a book that focuses not only on romance, but invites action and insecurity, as if the characters were here in real life. I recommend this book to any person who enjoys reading books with a slight mid-evil day flare and love for a taste of adventure.

Angel is the perfect example of the under dog coming out on top. I really enjoyed this novel, because the hero, Angel, is everything women have been brought up to believe men should be. He's strong, noble, courageous and very sexy. When he gets out of prison everyone is against him because he was a convicted killer. Though this is the background given to the character, it's hard to believe Angel could kill in cold blood. It comes as a relief at the end of the novel that he really is how we the readers think him to be. He is shown to be a courageous and noble man who went to prison in order to protect his sister. It's a very sweet story in which a hardened "criminal" is given a second chance at life because of a good woman's love. All in all this novel is a compasionate tale in which good once again overcomes evil.

The romance aspect of this book is a bit slim, because most of the story involves intrigue about smugglers, and it isn't until the last few pages that the hero and heroine figure out they love each other. There are two other secondary romances--one between the heroine's cousin Julia and a political activist, and one between the housekeeper and a smuggler. By the way, in this book, the smugglers are neither bad, nor dangerous, and the main characters are actually cheering for the, which made for an interesting perspective. What made the book most enjoyable was the gradual revealing of the characters' personalities, the fun dialogue, and the playing out of the plot. I laughed out loud when the heroine, Octavia, accidentally becomes "foxed" by drinking spiked cider. There was humor and mystery in this novel, combined in an effective way. It isn't so much a "romance" novel as it is a novel with a bit of romance. A great light read to entertain for several hours. It is long enough to allow for good development of character and plot, but not weighty at all. Highly recommended! I wish the author would write more like this one.

I thought this book was quite enjoyable. Julia and Octavia are cousins, Julia being tall, rich, slender and beautiful while Octavia is plump, poor, and somewhat homely. But the two cousins have huge hearts and they are wonderful. Julia is ready to accept the marriage proposal of a wealthy and suitable caring, young man until she falls in love with Octavia's best friend, a poor young man with not much to offer but his love. Well, when Julia's parents find out how she feels, they forbid her to see him and send her off to stay at a house far away and they send Octavia with her. From there, the light romance starts as they run into smugglers and have an adventure of their own. All the while, Julia is striving to push away the feelings she has for her beloved but she is just too true to her heart. Octavia comes out of her shell and starts to be the charming young woman she has kept hidden. But soon, things will start to fall into place. I recommend this book as a great vacation read. It is quite unlike any book I think I have ever read and I loved every minute of it.

I was a little hesitant to pay a bit more to get a copy of this out-of-print romance, but it was worth it. The heroine, Mimi, is half Indian(her grandfather is a rajah). She is unique and it is entertaining to follow her through her escapades as she tries to find a suitor for her friend Harriet, the vicar's daughter. Everyone is after Mimi for her dowry, so isn't looking at Harriet. The hero is also similarly plagued--he is a lord, and heir to wealth, but has had his heart broken by a fortune-hunter, and is unappreciated by his family. So, the lord goes in disguise, and it takes a kiss from "Princess" Mimi to set him free from his spell. The secondary romance between Harriet and her eventually successful suitor(won't spoil it by letting you know who it is!) adds a nice touch and it is like getting two romances for the price of one. Highly recommended!

This is a beautiful and well-written romance with a great storyline. I have read it numerous times over the past 10 years, and it always gets better. It might be the romantic in my speaking, but I love it. There is nothing inappropriate, but the charms of the book are found in the proper romance, which I would find appropriate for anyone over 10. If your looking for a worthwhile romance, check this one out, it is well worth it. :)

Mayhem and Miranda is a wonderful book. The characters in the book are very unique. It is a great book to just sit and escape into. Miranda help the nephew write a book and falls in love in the process. THere is also a little dog who helps to aid the process on. A person would not be able to put this book down once they start it. A must read.

If you love good historical romance, you will love this book! This is a great book, Carola Dunn is very knowledgable about the fashions, social graces, and manners of the eara. The story is good, and the characters are warm and unique, they aren't the cookie-cutter characters typical of so many historical books. I have read many historical love stories, and this is one of the best I have found. Dunn has a strong writing style which I really enjoy. Her writting reminds me alot of Jane Austin (Sense and Sensibility, Emma), very enjoyable and good-quality. If you like Austin's writtings, you will like Dunn. I have just finished reading "My Lord Winter" for the second time, and it was even more enjoyable this time around. This is one of my favorite books!

In 1924 England, the separation between the social classes was so wide, most citizens believed that one should marry within one's class. Deputy Constable Alec Fletcher is not so sure that perspective is incorrect, but he cannot give up his fiancee Daisy Dalyrmple just to satisfy conventional wisdom. The honorable Miss Daisy does not give a fig about social class distinctions as she plans to marry into the middle class.

Unlike most blokes of the period, Alec appreciates Daisy's independence and fully supports her need for a career writing magazine articles. However, at the same time he wishes she would stay outside of his homicide cases. Daisy wants to comply, but fate seems to keep pushing murdered bodies along her path. She currently works in the London Museum when she finds the corpse of the Keeper of Mineralogy impaled on a dinosaur bone. Daisy later learns that a fortune in jewels is also missing. Unable to resist, Daisy starts snooping, which places her in danger from the killer and sends Alec towards a potential stroke from her latest involvement.

The eighth installment in the Daisy Dalyrmple series, RATTLE HIS BONES, contains the humor of a sitcom that makes it more enjoyable than the entertaining previous seven. Daisy and Alec are an adorable couple, whose enlightened outlook helps them transcend the loud objections to their relationship. The era and the crime scene provide an ideal locale for Carola Dunn's first class story line while the ending is perfect for those readers who relish a well designed puzzle. The author has done historical mystery fans a big favor with this wonderful tale.

Harriet Klausner

Romantic flirtations, tomboyish pranks and absurd twists and entanglements. Do read the first 'Miss Hartwell's dilemma' and then 'Two Corinthians'. They are both guaranteed to entertain and leave you smiling.

In 1923 London, a desperate Lord John Frobisher visits his sister-in-law Daisy Dalrymple to ask for her help. Someone has sent John an ugly unsigned letter filled with profanity, that accuses the aristocrat of having an affair with a widow, Mrs. LeBeau. John acknowledges that he in deed did have a dalliance with the woman, but that it ended. John wants Daisy, who has had success with solving mysteries, to come to his hometown of Kent to uncover the identity of the perpetrator. Even knowing that Daisy's fiancé works for Scotland Yard and fears for her safety, John refuses to go to the police because he does not want to hurt his family.

Daisy, accompanied by her fiancé's daughter, travels to Kent where she quickly learns that the anonymous author has written similar letters to many of the local citizens. However, before she can determine who the culprit behind the crippling correspondence is, Daisy finds the murdered corpse of the Vicar's brother.

The seventh Dalrymple amateur sleuth historical mystery is an entertaining entry in a well-written series. The cozy-like story line moves forward though the motive for the letters seems too stretched for such a campaign. Still Daisy retains her freshness and the support cast makes readers feel they are visiting the decade following WW I in England. Though far from Carola Dunn's best entry in an overall wonderful series, STYX AND STONES remains an enjoyable novel.

Harriet Klausner

Daisy's brother in law Johnny has a major problem. Some years ago, when he was recovering from an horrific injury incurred in WW I, he had a one night affair with a local woman. He is now getting poison pen letters and fears that his wife Violet will find out. Apparently he isn't the only victim, and when the local vicar's brother is killed by a falling statue, all of them are suspects.

As usual, this is a really entertaining mystery. Daisy and Alec solve the mystery with a few twists and turns and arguments. A quick read as usual!

I have enjoyed this series ever since I read the first book, "Death at Wentwater Court". I really think that Ms. Dunn has the Dorothy Say- ers, Marjorie Allingham, Agatha Christie thing down pat. She gets my vote as the bst choice for being heir to the abovesaid Ladies.

Daisy Dalrymple is on the way to Scotland for another article in her stately home series. She encounters a tiresome acquaintance from school and her equally unpleasant relatives. They are all on their way north to convince their grandfather and his twin brother(who is also on the train) to change their wills in favor of one or another of them. Alec's daughter Belinda has run away from home and is stowing away on the same train. Fortunately, she finds Daisy who buys her a ticket. Belinda befriends Uncle Albert and his protegee, Dr. Jagai. The elderly man is murdered and Bel finds the body. The train is full of suspects. Alec is called in to solve the crime.

This is a good addition to the series. Most of the suspects are pretty unlikable and snobbish. This makes Daisy, Alec, and Co. all the more likable. I admit that the mystery was easy to solve, but as usual with Dunn's books, the process is thoroughly enjoyable.

Set in 1923 England, this series follows the adventures of the Honorable Daisy Dalrymple, a young woman who has defied convention by choosing to make her own living (as a journalist) rather than let her aristocratic family support her. Her friendship with Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, a widower, has progressed to the point that Daisy has been to his home to meet his disapproving mother and his doting young daughter, Belinda.

In this, the fourth of the series (preceded by "Requiem for a Mezzo" and followed by "Damsel in Distress"), we find Daisy taking the London-to-Edinburgh express, where she runs into an old school friend and her contentious family, all squabbling over the distribution of an impending inheritance. On top of that, Daisy must contend with Belinda, who has stowed away on the train after a fight with her grandmother. When Belinda discovers one of the cantankerous family members dead in his compartment, Daisy has her hands full watching over the young girl and trying to solve a murder.

One of the things I love about this series is the way Dunn avoids the traps that plague so many series writers. In particular, the "set up" of each mystery, and how Daisy AND Alec get involved, feels very genuine, not contrived at all. I dread mysteries where the heroine and the cop keep bumping into each other through a series of unlikely coincidences. Having Daisy call Alec and asking him to get involved is practical and realistic.

I also enjoy that Daisy is interested in solving the mysteries without being a nosy busybody; she simply finds herself in the middle of it all. She relies on Alec (rather than thinking she can handle things herself). He trusts her input (rather than dismissing her ideas).

I'm a fan of the entire series, and this one has a solid plot that keeps you guessing.

This was the first of the series that I had read -- and I didn't feel that somehow I'm missed out on the character development. Admittedly, the plot is a bit creaky for 2002 -- but it certainly harkens back to the golden heyday of mysteries in 1923, the time in which the story is set. It was a fun read. So much so that I'm going to get all the others, too. I'm just sorry I didn't discover Daisy Dalrymple sooner.