Rating: 
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I won't recap the plot for you, since several reviewers have already done so. Suffice it say that everything they write about romantic Eustacie (whose primary requirement in a husband is that he ride "ventre a terre" to her deathbed); sardonic, inexcusably sensible Sir Tristam; romantic Ludovic; witty Sarah Thane and the host of supporting characters in this light, lovely farce is true. In some ways, I like this better than some of her Regencies, which eventually became formulaic, or at least stylized. In those, characters who desire adventure or romance are sometimes mocked. By contrast, The Talisman Ring perfectly balances sympathy for Eugenie with a tongue in cheek treatment of the adventure itself. My only criticism is the villain. I never feel that villains were Ms. Heyer's strong suit. I'm not sure why. Part of it may be her desire to make them ordinary; the other part may be her preference for associating effeminacy in men with villainy. That's a minor quibble, however, in a highly enjoyable tale.
Rating:
Summary: Heyer rings the bell
Review: I've read all of Georgette Heyer's more-than-50 books and this is still one of my 2 favorites (the other being Devil's Cub). After numerous reads, I still find myself thinking what a great movie the story would make. It has it all: romance, mystery, adventure, and of course that signature Heyer humour. Every one of the characters are absolutely delightful, from the naive and melodramatic Eustacie to the very down-to-earth Sarah who, despite her good sense, possesses a marvelous appreciation for the absurd; from the lovable rogue Ludovic to the stiff-rumped Sir Tristram, who beneath the prim surface, is a man of wit, humour, and romance; even the minor character of Sarah's absent-minded brother, Sir Hugo is a joy. The book begins a bit slow, but that's what you would expect from Heyer, because she never skimps when setting the tone and atmosphere of the book. After the first couple of chapters, however, the pace picks up and never slows. The dialogue is immensely witty and ridiculous....pure Heyer! This is a great great book, an absolute joy to read and recommended to anyone looking for a good laugh.
Rating:
Summary: This would make a great movie!
Review: I've read all of Georgette Heyer's more-than-50 books and this is still one of my 2 favorites (the other being Devil's Cub). After numerous reads, I still find myself thinking what a great movie the story would make. It has it all: romance, mystery, adventure, and of course that signature Heyer humour. Every one of the characters are absolutely delightful, from the naive and melodramatic Eustacie to the very down-to-earth Sarah who, despite her good sense, possesses a marvelous appreciation for the absurd; from the lovable rogue Ludovic to the stiff-rumped Sir Tristram, who beneath the prim surface, is a man of wit, humour, and romance; even the minor character of Sarah's absent-minded brother, Sir Hugo is a joy. The book begins a bit slow, but that's what you would expect from Heyer, because she never skimps when setting the tone and atmosphere of the book. After the first couple of chapters, however, the pace picks up and never slows. The dialogue is immensely witty and ridiculous....pure Heyer! This is a great great book, an absolute joy to read and recommended to anyone looking for a good laugh.
Rating:
Summary: My first Heyer, and still my favorite!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: The best !!! No other words could describe the wonderful talent in which Georgette Heyer wrote her book. Full of suspence, excitement and many witty remarks which complete's and makes the book such a sinful delight. I recommend this to anyone looking for a little pleasure, you will get your full with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Ride ventre รก terre to your Heyer supplier for this!
Review: The Talisman Ring is a marvellous piece of comedy, high drama, farce, romance and wit. If you find Regency drawing-room dramas slow-moving, but enjoy the beautiful writing, and want something to set your pulse racing and your excitement on end - buy The Talisman Ring. If you love mystery, this book is considered by some to be Heyer's masterpiece from her mystery writing career - probably because it is not a mystery in the strict sense of the word. It is a late 18th century story of snowdrifts, misunderstandings, disguises, humour, murder, and stolen rings. The book is very romantic, with one of Heyer's most likeable casts - Eustacie de Vauban, the romantic, strong-willed French refugee, Ludovic, Lord Lavenham, refugee of justice, smuggler and rogue, Miss Thane, as sensible as she is romantic and inventive, and Sir Tristram, one of Heyer's sardonic dark heroes. With Basil Lavenham, the oily dandy, a charming innkeeper, his deaf sister, a couple of bumbling Bow Street Runners, and Hugo Thane, Justice of the Peace, this is a happy, very fast-moving novel full of the sort of corruption that the reader can forgive, and it is just the right length for a beginner. Younger readers, in particular, should thoroughly be recommended to read this book to introduce them to the world of Heyer and its high drama, stylised manners and wonderful language.
Rating:
Summary: One of Heyer's funniest romps - read it!
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining
Review: This book as an entertainment value is good, although a bit slow at times. Some of the scenes seem very coincidental indeed and the main male protagonist is show having almost superhuman qualities. Don't look much further from entertainment though.
Rating:
Summary: Heyer rings the bell
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A good first Heyer
Review: This is a relatively early Heyer, a late 18th century adventure story rather than one of the Regency romances she established. Relatively short and light, but packed full of Heyer humour and action, it is a charming novel full of fast-moving dialogue, elaborate schemes, and highly comic moments. A mystery where you know who the murderer is almost from the start, is not a book that you would expect to succeed, but Talisman Ring does. What it lacks in actual whodunnit mystery, it makes up for in zest and gusto. The schemes by which the villain is to be unmasked, the mystery of where and what is become of the talisman ring, the developing double romance - all dished up with a liberal garnishing of comedy, secret passages and compartments, subterfuge, cross-dressing, inept 18th century policemen, plots full of a dozen flaws that can, and often do fall apart, yet do some good. It isn't Heyer at the very height of her powers, but it is Heyer when she was very, very good indeed. I highly recommend this book to the Heyer novice as a good starting point! Howl with laughter and cry, and admire the wonderfully dry, very witty, hopelessly romantic Sarah Thane - easily one of Heyer's greatest "older" heroines.
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