Rating: 
Summary: Nobody creates heroes like Patricia Veryan!
Review: And Jack Vespa is one of her more sympathetic heroes. So much so, that the ending of the book left me wanting to know more about how Jack would handle the emotional shocks he is handed as the riddle is resolved. While Jack held my attention, it was (as usual) one of Veryan's minor charactors who won my heart: Paige Manderville, the Dandy of Mayfair. No doubt Paige will earn his own book at some future point. Overall, I thought this book to be well-crafted, and is perhaps Veryan's most intriguing mystery. In comparison with other Veryan books, this one did not seem to contain as much humor, nor are the lovers star-crossed (unless you count the incident where Jack is popped upside the head with a skillet), but this should not lead other Veryan fans to think this is not one of her better books. Jack ranks third among my favorite Veryan heroes, only just behind Roland ("The Dedicated Villain") and Tony ("Love Alters Not"). Wait a sec, did I leave out Camille ("Love's Duet")? And how could I forget August Falcon ("The Mandarin of Mayfair")? And Kit ("Mistress of Willowvale")? A wealth of riches... Obviously I am a huge fan of Veryan's work. I delight in her depictions of honorable gentlemen who suffer greatly in their struggle with evil, down-to-earth heroines who aren't always raving beauties, and mysteries that I can't solve by page 50. The lady just can't write'em fast enough to suit me. I'm already anticipating her next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not the best
Review: As a long time fan of Patricia Veryan (all the way back to The Lord and the Gypsy) I have always enjoyed her books. Her characters manage to never take themselves too seriously, and the lighthearted moments make her books a wonderful read. Alabaster Royal was not one of her best efforts, however, as always she has delivered on creating a marvelously wicked villian (a man you can really love to hate), a feisty heroine in Consuela (who is, on occasion, a bit too impetuous), and a calm competent hero in Jack. His two feckless companions, Toby and Paige, add much to the story and the dialogue is filled with humor and wit. Although this was not one of Patricia Veryan's best efforts, it still made for a lot of humor, and adventure. As always, she delivers! Now, will someone explain why her books are so hard to obtain?
Rating:
Summary: More of a mystery than a romance
Review: I am a little puzzled why this book was marketed as a romance. The plot mostly involves a mystery set in a possibly haunted house. There is no expression of love or commitment between the male and female leads--not even a kiss. Also, I didn't feel the book stood very well on its own. Several of the characters have little to do in this story and are obviously being introduced for some other purpose in the later books in this trilogy. I thought this could have been handled more plausibly than simply having several of the hero's old war buddies show up at his haunted house in the country for very little reason. I also thought the ending was lacking. Several plot points were left unresolved, once again obviously to be dealt with in the sequel. However, I don't think these characters or story were interesting enough to warrant reading further in this series. Despite the emphasis on mystery and adventure, I never believed the characters were in any real danger. The book did have some strong points, however. The author's writing style was smooth and fluid, she seemed very skilled at description, the book was well researched, and it did transport me back to another time and place. I just wish the story had been more compelling. This is the first Patricia Veryan story I've read--perhaps I'll read one of her earlier novels to see why she's so acclaimed. This book to me bore the earmarks of an obviously capable author who is burned out from writing the same kind of story too many times.
Rating:
Summary: Good read but lacking her usual humor
Review: I am an avid reader of Veryan who after Georgette Heyer is the "best" of the genre. This book is different from most of her others in several ways. Even though it had the usual cast of nutty characters, it seemed to have a darker tone, without the usual hilarity. I found the flawed father theme disturbing. And this is the only book of hers that I have ever read where I was not sure who the hero was going to marry in the end. The other reviewers seemed sure it will be Consuela--I'm not so sure. Watch out for Marietta in future books. I can't say I was disappointed--I finished it in almost no time as I didn't want to put it down. But I did find it different from her usual froth and hilarity. I loved Corporal, and I'm glad she included the usual dauntless pet. My favorite Veryan book to date: Feather Castles. My least favorite: the one where Kit married Josie. I was never a fan of Josie's but I loved Kit. (err, I think her name was Josie, been awhile since I read it.)
Rating:
Summary: not her best
Review: I had a hard time getting into this one. The way she developed several of her characters bothered me, especially Consuella. The plot was okay, but I had figured out who the ringleader was long before it was revealed. I love Patricia Veryan's books, but I think she needs to leave the mystery genre alone. I was eagerly waiting on this book and I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Patricia Veryan has done it again!
Review: I LOVED this book! Billed as a Regency novel, rather than a Regency Romance, this is one of Patricia Veryan's very best. The "tragic, battle- scarred hero home from the war" scenario has always been a favourite theme of mine, and nobody does it better than Patricia Veryan. The story revolves around Captain Jack Vespa's return to England from the brutal Napoleonic engagements in Spain to recuperate and to claim his inheritance - a huge, once-beautiful estate left destitute for some time - and believed by the local people to be haunted. There is a murder mystery, suspense, schemes, plot twists, a ghost story, personal dilemmas, and of course an eventual love interest; but most of all there are those wonderful characters which only Patricia Veryan can bring to life and make you truly care about. Jack Vespa's self-depreciating personality, wit and charm will win your heart and those off-the-wall servants and village locals will have you grinning your way through the novel. But the two secondary characters - the encyclopaedic Toby Broderick and the dandy, Paige Manderville - you will adore. There were moments in Riddle where I laughed out loud at the expressions and banter of these two former military compatriots of Vespa (this can be very disconcerting for other people in the same room who are watching the latest tear-jerker movie!). There is laughter, mystery and suspense, yes, but I think you will probably shed a tear or two as well. I did. I am an avid reader of all genre and Patricia Veryan is one of my favourite all-round authors. I recommend Riddle of Alabaster Royal to anyone who enjoys witty, colourful, courageous, endearing characters; a haunting, suspense-filled atmosphere; a vivid backdrop and intelligent, fluid writing style. But be warned - Patricia Veryan's books are addictive! My only regret is that I will have to wait months, maybe even a year, for the sequel. Those two rogues deserve their own novel; and then there's the enigmatic valet/Jack-of-all-trades Thornhill; and, of course, Jack's...ahm, I'd better stop there. To those who have never read a Veryan, I would recommend Riddle as a wonderful introduction to a truly great story-teller. And to her loyal fans, need I say that you are in for a treat.
Rating:
Summary: Patricia Veryan has done it again!
Review: I LOVED this book! Billed as a Regency novel, rather than a Regency Romance, this is one of Patricia Veryan's very best. The "tragic, battle- scarred hero home from the war" scenario has always been a favourite theme of mine, and nobody does it better than Patricia Veryan. The story revolves around Captain Jack Vespa's return to England from the brutal Napoleonic engagements in Spain to recuperate and to claim his inheritance - a huge, once-beautiful estate left destitute for some time - and believed by the local people to be haunted. There is a murder mystery, suspense, schemes, plot twists, a ghost story, personal dilemmas, and of course an eventual love interest; but most of all there are those wonderful characters which only Patricia Veryan can bring to life and make you truly care about. Jack Vespa's self-depreciating personality, wit and charm will win your heart and those off-the-wall servants and village locals will have you grinning your way through the novel. But the two secondary characters - the encyclopaedic Toby Broderick and the dandy, Paige Manderville - you will adore. There were moments in Riddle where I laughed out loud at the expressions and banter of these two former military compatriots of Vespa (this can be very disconcerting for other people in the same room who are watching the latest tear-jerker movie!). There is laughter, mystery and suspense, yes, but I think you will probably shed a tear or two as well. I did. I am an avid reader of all genre and Patricia Veryan is one of my favourite all-round authors. I recommend Riddle of Alabaster Royal to anyone who enjoys witty, colourful, courageous, endearing characters; a haunting, suspense-filled atmosphere; a vivid backdrop and intelligent, fluid writing style. But be warned - Patricia Veryan's books are addictive! My only regret is that I will have to wait months, maybe even a year, for the sequel. Those two rogues deserve their own novel; and then there's the enigmatic valet/Jack-of-all-trades Thornhill; and, of course, Jack's...ahm, I'd better stop there. To those who have never read a Veryan, I would recommend Riddle as a wonderful introduction to a truly great story-teller. And to her loyal fans, need I say that you are in for a treat.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not the best
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Great humor and character depth but I HATED the ending. Either the last chapters were left out or there needs to be an arrow pointed to the sequel to tell us about who's Jack's dad. Great writer who quit too soon or needs to add a preview of a sequel at the end. PLEASE. I had not read her books before and until the end it was great fun.
Rating:
Summary: great humor - ending not given
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Great humor and character depth but I HATED the ending. Either the last chapters were left out or there needs to be an arrow pointed to the sequel to tell us about who's Jack's dad. Great writer who quit too soon or needs to add a preview of a sequel at the end. PLEASE. I had not read her books before and until the end it was great fun.
Rating:
Summary: Caution - not a self contained story
Review: I'm a long time reader of Patricia Veryan - I enjoy her wit, unusual characters, intrigue and, of course, romance. This book had all of the characteristics. However, it was also like reading the first 2 acts of a 4 act play. While I have enjoyed Ms. Veryan's series, I also saw each as a self-contained story. This book had a deliciously frustrating ending.
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