A wonderfull Heyer read, in the tradition of Detection Unlimited, this rollicking mystery will keep you guessing wildly till the last page! Charming new characters are introduced to complement familiar friends, Superintendent Hannasyde and Sergeant Hemingway once again being called on to solve a baffling double murder. Absolutley delightfull!! Youll love Terrible Timothy, Pretty Paul and Dashing Dermott.

This is one of my favourites; it is a mystery as well as a light- hearted comedy of manners. And Georgette Heyer has managed to mix the two genres so that the result is something quite special.

Having survived the Napoleonic Wars, Gervase Frant returns home to a hostile stepmother and half brother, both of whom feel resentful he has survived the wars and that he is now the new Earl of St. Erth. Gervase has to contend with open hostility and challenges to his authority. Adding to all this are the attempts on his life! But Gervase sails through all this with the quiet civility, good humour and charm which define the Georgette Heyer hero and which fans have come to expect in her work.

In Gervase Frant we have the classic Heyer hero, and he is evenly matched with the quintessential Heyer heroine, Drusilla Moreville, a quiet, sensible and very capable young lady.

I enjoyed reading this book for the first time 20 years ago, and I still enjoy rereading it, There's nothing that quite compares with a good Georgette Heyer novel, especially during bleak winter nights.

G. Heyer at her best! Will the young St. Erth escape being murdered by his jealous brother? A great almost-murder mystery with a light romance and plenty of period charm (of course!). The perfect book by a cozy fire on a cold winter night.

Georgette Heyer is probably one of the most unappreciated humorous writers of romances. Georgette Heyer may not be as good as Jane Austen, but she has the same tongue-in-cheek wit and ironical gaze.

Pistols for Two, a collection of short stories, is not as funny as Heyer's novels. The stories are very short and lack the space necessary for the unraveling of Heyer's wit. They are, however, quinessential Heyer plots. (In fact, you can pretty much learn all of Heyer's romance plots from reading Pistols for Two.) Consequently, Pistols for Two is a fun, relaxing read. I regret that Heyer didn't (to my knowledge) write more short stories.

Recommendation: See if you can find it used in paperback before settling for the hardcover version. It's a thin book and shouldn't cost too much.

This is a collection of short stories. Each has the trademark Heyer humor. I often re-read this book when I don't have a lot of time. I can read one or two stories really quickly. Like all her books, this one is great. I think this would be a good introduction to her books. Try this and if you like it, try a longer novel next.

This book is a wonderful collection of short regency titles that will surely touch your heart and have you re-reading them again and again. From calf-love to mature love, you are sure to enjoy the eclectic collection written in the typical Heyer-style and full of humor, sensitivity and a wonderful insight into interpersonal human relationships.

Don't miss this book.

Georgette Heyer was extremely fond of the lethargic, intelligent, sarcastic male character; it was inevitable that she will make such one into a hero in one of her novels. Both the hero and the heroine are extremely appealing characters; the plot is rather simplistic for a Heyer novel (even for her romance), but the characterization of the hero (see above) and of Penelope more than make up for it. Penelope is indeed one of my favorite Heyer females; she is intelligent, charming and innocent, and is believably appealing for such a character as the hero to be (finally) a woman whom he can fall in love with. A gender switch confusion adds to the fun (though it's not made too much of). Strongly recommended.

This was the very first Georgette Heyer book I ever read and probaly the best. I fell in love with her strong yet real characters. They can make you forget your ho-hum life and transport you to Regancy England with the turning of a few pages, where everything and everyoone is beautiful. This book made me go to all 9 libraries in my county looking for more. Thank you whomever decided to bring Georgette Heyer back to print. If you love a good romance and do not want to read a story filled with more sex then story I recommend this book you will be hooked too.

Georgette Heyer's "The Corinthian" starts off deceptively simply. One of London's foremost Corinthians [fashionable sportsmen], Sir Richard Wyndham, is walking home drunk, and brooding despondently on his forthcoming betrothal. Suddenly, from an upper window, a young stripling drops into his arms. He quickly discovers that the young stripling is a actually girl dressed as a boy who is escaping from her Aunt's house and determined to return to find her childhood sweetheart.

Pen Creed, the cross-dressing heroine of the piece can't dissuade Sir Richard from coming along with her and she happily leads him into a labyrinth of problems. From that point Sir Richard is thrown into a series of increasingly twisted, confusing and hilarious events. In between stolen diamond necklaces, suspect looking pick-pocketing coves, an eloping couple and a pursuing Aunt this has to rate as one of Heyer's more complex plots. Numerous stories converge and overlap - and to try to explain it would be a bit like trying to explain the plot of the Marriage of Figaro - impossible.

Needless to say Sir Richard's wit and good humour along with Pen's sense of the ridiculous coupled with her solemnly-uttered naievetes makes this one of Heyer's funniest and most enjoyable books

Its an easy read and make be a good introduction to Heyer for first time readers.

Regncy Heyer at her best, (along with the very different, proto-feminist Grand Sophie, that is!) Not unusually for the times, the young aristocratic hero has inherited crushing debts and can only redeem these by sale of the ancestral lands. Or perhaps marriage to an heiress, again a not-unusual situation of the times. Reluctantly our hero takes the latter course, to the daughter of the immenseley rich and vulgar merchant Crawleigh. The daughter, though undoubtedly not aristocracy is not vulgar however, nor is our hero a complete unknown to her.... This is, I think, the only Heyer Regency novel with a married heroine, and a real heroine she is too! These books are for fun, but my goodness the research is good and the writing is compelling. This is not Mills & Boon, this is an author! And I am not ashamed as a feminist to love her stuff. Georgette Heyer, RIP, you have provided generations of us, feminist or not, with real pleasure

Georgette Heyer is known for having invented the 'Regency Romance' genre. Generally this is regarded as light escapist reading, and many of her books are exactly that. A Civil Contract, however, is different--in my opinion, it rates up there with all of Jane Austen's books. A Civil Contract is the one Heyer book I know of that allows the main characters to develop, grow, and mature. An excellent read for anyone, anytime. Holly Shalt

Don't get me wrong. I love the swashbuckling air of Georgette Heyer's more usual Regency romances: the controlled, half-concealed violence of her Duke of Avon and her Earl of Rule--the lace and steel. I also love Georgette Heyer's usual clever dialogue: those heroes' biting irony and their wicked wit. It just happens that 'A Civil Contract' is not like that.

Here, instead, we have an essentially gentle story, with a hero who, though a soldier, never speaks an unkind or angry word. Financial adversity forces Lord Lynton to give up the woman whom he loves with a passion, and who idolises him as a dashing soldier, and to make a marriage of convenience with the daughter of the rich but unspeakably vulgar Jonathan Chawleigh. But despite all that it is a nice and eventually happy story, in which everyone ends up getting, not perhaps what they want, but, better yet, what makes them happy.

The Talisman Ring is one of Georgette Heyer's best novels - funny, fast paced, with wonderfully witty dialog and a few surprises.

Most of the action takes place at a smuggler's inn, with characters like Eustacie (young French girl who escaped the Revolution), Sir Tristam Shield (is he a murderer or love interest?), Sarah Thane (spinster with nerves of steel) and her brother Sir Hugh Thane (justice of the piece or smuggler's friend?), Ludovick Lavenham (smuggler and cheat or wronged gentleman?) and more.

A great introduction to her work for new readers, and a must-read for Regency fans. Three thumbs up!

My mother read this to me when I was a young girl back in the late 60s. I'd had minor surgery, and she picked this to read to me during my recovery. Even at such a tender age, I fell in love with this book and cannot remember how many times I have read it.

Heyer was a master at creating unforgettable characters, and those in The Talisman Ring are no exception. Eustacie is a hoot. She wants a life of adventure, putting me in mind of Austen's Catherine Morland. However, Eustacie is not quite as naive nor as humorless as Miss Morland. She is lucky enough to have fallen in with Sarah Thane, one of the more delightful characters I have "met" over the years (she actually reminds me of an older Lizzy Bennet). Ludovic's earnestness and desire to clear his name are adorable, and Sir Tristram's maturity and level-headedness still make this old heart of mine go pitter-pat. Basil is wonderfully smarmy, and the completely befuddled Sir Hugh never fails to put a smile on my face.

I must confess that I didn't guess the identity of the murderer right away, but was not surprised when his identity became known. All in all, this is a wonderful, entertaining read.

This has to be one of my all time favorite books by Georgette Heyer (and I have most of them). From the interplay between the so-romantic Eustacie and the hopelessly prosaic Sir Tristam to Sarah Thane and her brother, Hugo, the whole book is a delicious romp. It has something for everyone, even a choice of heroes between the dashing highwayman, Ludovic and the sardonic Sir Tristam. Heyer never lets the pace drop and if you're looking for a terrific book to read by the fire, this is the one! Definitely a must read, and one that other authors would do well to emulate. It's simply the best.

This is one of the earlier Heyer romances and, while it displays many hallmarks of her signature style -- the language, the references to current styles, the immersion in the period -- and begins delightfully, the parts don't quite come together. Lord Rule makes a charming hero but, in the end, Horry is too childish to make a satisfying romantic heroine. The material -- young bride with improvident brother tries to salvage her whirlwind marriage to an older man -- is handled more successfully in April Lady. A more satisfying child bride is Hero Wantage of Friday's Child (a book which boasts one of the great opening scenes of all time, plus a terrific screwball finale). Read this one for the hero, not the heroine.

I have read and re-read all of my Georgette Heyers every few years since 1973,and shall probably continue to do so for the next 30 or more years.Her dry,acerbic heroes,spirited heroines, and the not-too-bright characters who confuse everything and hence contribute to the plots,all add up to a great read.

I have a long list of Heyer favourites,but the Convenient Marriage tops the list.The Earl of Rule is a perfect hero,Horry isn't such a perfect heroine but very likeable all the same,but the stars of the book would have to be Horry's brother Pelham, and his singularly inept friend Sir Roland Pommeroy,who gamely try,and fail,to rescue Horry from her various scrapes.

Highlights for me are the drunken scene in Half-Moon Street and subsequent confusion at Lord Lethbridge's house;also when Pelham,Sir Roland,and Captain Heron take to the high toby,particularly when Sir Roland attempts to buy a horse from a very irate victim;and when Sir Roland invites Rule to a card party.This last is worth a quote:-
(Sir Roland has gone to Rule's house in a desperate bid to keep him away from a party in Vauxhall Gardens,using a card party,for which he needs a fourth player,as his excuse)
'Now don't say you cannot come!Can't play whisk with only three people,my lord.Most awkward situation!'
'I am sure it must be,'agreed his lordship sympathetically.'And I expect you have tried everyone else.'
'Oh everyone!'said Sir Roland."Can't find a fourth at all.Do beg of your lordship not to fail me!'
.....The Earl appeared to meditate.'I am of course very fond of whisk.'
Sir Roland breathed a sigh of relief.'Knew I could count on you!Beg you will dine first-five o'clock.'
'Who are your other guests?'inquired his lordship.
'Well,to tell you the truth-not quite sure yet,'said Sir Roland confidentially.'Bound to find someone glad of a game.Have it all fixed by five o'clock.'

and a stammering heroine! As always, Heyer's dialogue is spot on, her characterisation warm and powerful, and her characters very strongly drawn. The Convenient Marriage is considered in some circles to be one of the finest ever examples of a romance that portrays a flawed and unorthodox heroine, with its portrayal of the stammering, plain Horatia, and her marriage of convenience to the extremely handsome Earl of Rule, thus releasing her sister from any obligation to marry Rule. How Rule discovers the truth of his heart, and that he loves his funny, extravagant little wife, makes for moving reading, whilst Heyer gives us abundant humour in her portrayal of the mincing, petulant dandiprat Crosby Drelincourt; and in the escapades of Horatia. It is all the greatest of great good fun, and one of Heyer's most easily accessible books - its readability, exuberance and humour make it an excellent book for a potential introduction to the world of Georgette Heyer. However, this book is NOT a Regency Romance, but a Georgian Romance, and if you don't think it's as historically accurate as she usually is, consider that it is set in 1770 - about 50 years earlier than usual! It's still a lot of fun.

As a teenager, this was one of the few Heyers I possessed. I loved the glimpse into a more elegant world. Over the years I have read it more times than I can count.

The plot and characters are well-described here, so I won't repeat that. They are as familiar as old friends.(I always feel a bit sorry for poor Maria, who means so well--but I'm not sure I'd want to live with her!) Annis can sometimes come across as hard, Mr. Carleton as overbearing, but the relationship between them I love: the shared sense of humor, the quick understanding. This is what a meeting of kindred spirits might actually be like--if it's not "mawkish" to say so;) Certainly I can picture them being happy together.

Fairly recently, I discovered Black Sheep, which parallels Lady of Quality in several ways: The older, self assured heroine who has no need to marry; the slightly disreputable hero; the younger girl; the old maid companion; the staid, disapproving brother. It's by no means a carbon copy of Lady of Quality, though the similarities are strong, but I tend to prefer this one.

One thing I have a problem with is Mr. Carleton's reputation as a womanizer, which is treated as an attractive feature by the author, if not by Annis' relations.

This doesn't quite wash with me. Not because I expect a man of his age to be celibate. It's the idea of buying women of the poorer class for use as "convenients" that bothers me. Remember, these are women he'd never introduce to women of his "own" class, let alone marry.

I mention it because it recurs again and again in Heyer novels, with the heroine always accepting it cheerfully. Granted, for women of Heyer's (or Annis') generation, being open-minded about this was their version of sexual liberation. I personally, however, would prefer a hero who has his affairs with women he considers equals.

What is a lively, intelligent woman in her twenties to do, if she is bored by the various suitors who have shown an interest in her and she doesn't want to dwindle into a spinster aunt living with her brother and his family? Well, she sets up her own establishment, in Bath, much to the dismay of her family - her prosy brother immediately procures a distant cousin to act as companion and chaperone - or, more accurately, to bore Annis to tears!

So when, one day, our heroine, Annis Wychwood, encounters a young couple who have suffered a carriage accident, she is only too delighted to help. The young woman involved, Lucilla Carleton, is running away from the threat of an enforced marriage; her accomplice in this endeavour is none other than the young man her guardian wishes her to marry! Having got to the bottom of this story, Annis invites Lucilla to stay with her, and writes to Lucilla's aunt and guardian to obtain permission.

And these events result in Lucilla's *other* guardian, Oliver Carleton, commonly known as the rudest man in England and who, apparently, cares nothing for other people, descending on Annis to check her out and ascertain just what is happening. And at their first meeting sparks fly.

Though Annis knows she should be appalled by Oliver Carleton, she can't help but find him amusing. After all, he's the first man who seems capable of rousing her to temper, but then teasing her out of her annoyance; he makes her laugh, and she can talk to him for more than ten minutes at a time without being bored rigid. His disregard for convention - as it concerns everyone else but Lucilla, of course! - should shock her, but Annis finds that she's continually biting back laughter. The appalled reaction of her ever-tedious companion, and of her brother, only serve as even more of a contrast to the enjoyment she finds in Oliver's company.

As ever, Heyer has an array of entertaining secondary characters. You will roll your eyes at Maria, the companion; you'll smile at the earnest Ninian, Lucilla's childhood friend - and perhaps even agree with Annis's sister-in-law's prediction for their future; and you'll enjoy the Bath setting of this charming, amusing book. Definitely a Heyer classic!

I love this book. I pick it up every couple months (maybe even more often, if I'm in a crabby mood)and read through a couple chapters or even the whole book. The story is entertaining, the characters are definite individuals, and the reading is very enjoyable.

I'm an avid Georgette Heyer fan, & I'll say this of her-among all the Regency authors, she's the best!! With her its not just romance alone, but humour,sarcasm,wit all get combined to produce a novel to captivate the reader. This book tells about the vivacious heroine Judith Taverner & her battle(of wits)against Lord Worth. It also has a little pinch of mystery- who wants Peregrine dead? But if i tell u the answer to that, u won't read it, will you? so i'll keep mum, & go ahead, buy this book. You won't regret it!

I have read all of Georgette Heyer's books, and Regency Buck remains my favorite -- after a few dozen readings! The mysterious plot, the wonderful dialogue, the splendid Regency settings, the chemistry between the impulsive heroine and the sardonic hero -- all these add up to a Regency masterpiece and the ultimate rainy night comfort read! (I did not, however, enjoy the audio-book version read by Flo Gibson; she makes all the characters -- even the magnificent Lord Worth -- sound odiously prissy).

The antagonism between the %th Earl of Worth and his ward, Judith, starts off early in the book. An unfortunate meeitng, and bad first impressions. All this of course doesn't seem so good when Judith's brother seems to be the target of some conspiracy. Who profits most from his death? a dark horse of a cousin, and whoever weds Judith. Does the Earl have any dark designs? I can't give this one away. It's a read-it-yourself. Of course the conversation sparkles, the characters are real, and the descriptions stand before you. Cant miss it.

The dead butler was not the only one who did it.

Central to the plot is the femme fatale Shirley Brown. Unlike her uncharacteristic name, Miss Brown has caused quite a stir at two manor houses in an otherwise quite English countryside. Because of her, three people have been murdered, and she herself was a near victim. Needless the say, she has induced the Upstairs and Downstairs subjects, two dogs, and the local constables in a highly excited and distracted state of mind. All except Frank Amberley,of course.

This delightful Heyer mystery has the youthful barrister, Frank Amberley, sleuthing for clues as to the personage of Shirley Brown and the reasons behind the homicides.

Justice was meted out to the just and unjust. Shirely Brown has received hers all because of Frank Amberley's devotion to duty. And the latter couldn't have done it without the assistance of his butler, Peterson.

A lot of fun, written tongue-in-cheak. Not the way most mysterys are done, but this one works. Cocky young barrister on his way to visit family finds a young woman standing next to car with a dead butler in it. The plot involves him solving the murder but only after he is begged by the local police. Good fun.

To find out, you'll just have to read the book! A typical Heyer, with a delicious hero, resourceful heroine, and an happily resolved ending, with a few murderous twists on the way. A must-read for any Heyer addicts.