Rating: 
Summary: Not Veryan's best, but still worth reading
Review: I wanted to give this book 3 1/2 stars, but the choices are 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (no halves). I opted to give it a full four rather than 3 because Patricia Veryan is a big favorite of mine, and I did enjoy this book, overall. But does anyone else wish that Veryan would return to her previous technique, which was to place more emphasis on romance, and less on mystery? This book is certainly worth reading; Veryan has not written a bad one yet. However, since the story is told almost entirely from the perspective of the male lead, Hastings Adair, the reader is distanced from the love interest, Cecily Hall. I personally did not feel like I knew this young woman when I had finished the book. I knew and liked Adair, but something is lacking when the romance seems so underdeveloped. WHY did Adair fall in love with Cecily? What was she thinking? We are never told, or shown. I put the book down feeling like I didn't care what happened to her. Enough with the criticism. As already stated, I do recommend this book. It displays Veryan's usual light touch, and features interesting supporting characters. There are several surprises, lots of mystery, and some good dialogue. I just wish more of Cecily's story had been told. THEN, you might have seen a five-star review.
Rating:
Summary: a Moderate tale from Veryan
Review: I'm rating this book only four stars because you can't just pour praise on everything lest it all merges. Her Riddle series really isn't as enjoyable as some of her (I belive) later work such as the League of the Jewelled Men or the Georgian ones. However, they are still yards and leagues above any of the paltry regency paperbacks that abound on the market, from authors such as Mary Jo Putney, etcetera etcetera.
They have CONTENT!!! First read her better novels, then read this series, and then go for a second round with the Jewelled Men and so on - Particular favorite of mine is the Wagered Widow.
Rating: 
Summary: Great regency mystery
Review: In 1814, Colonel Hastings Adair faces a court martial board that accuses him of dereliction of duty for abducting an unmarried woman of quality, Miss Alice Pryor. The verdict of guilty is a forgone conclusion even though Adair vows he is innocent of any wrongdoing. Though he is not hung, he is drummed out of the service, leaving his family filled with dishonor and loathing towards him. Before leaving his family, he informs them he will uncover the conspiracy of lies that will prove his innocence. He travels to Alice's home where he insists on speaking to the woman who failed to show up at his hearing. Alice's brother Rufus and her cousin Cecily Hall attack him, demanding to know where he hid Alice. As he continues to make inquiries with the help of his friends, he constantly runs into Cecily. However, as Hasty gets closer to the truth, Cecily starts to believe the aristocrat is innocent. They begin to work together and fall in love. Still, Bow St. wants Adair to explain where he buried the still missing Alice, leaving his future very bleak. THE RIDDLE OF THE RELUCTANT RAKE is more of a historical mystery with romantic elements than a Regency romance. The story line centers on an intriguing who-done-it that brings early nineteenth century England into clear focus. Readers will enjoy the antics of the lead characters as an attraction between them begins. The supporting characters include the return of heroes from the first two "Riddle" tales that complements the amateur sleuthing of Adair with warmth and continuity. Ms. Veryan deserves a cross reader audience with this exciting romantic mystery. Harriet Klausner
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