The Reluctant Thief (Signet Regency Romance, No 9468)

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, but let down by poor attention to accuracy
Review: April Kihlstrom's books are certainly entertaining, and after reading two in her Westcott series I am certainly interested in reading the remainder. This book features a credible hero and a heroine who is certainly no simpering, empty-headed Regency miss. Hugh and Rebecca's romance by no means runs smoothly, and the tale certainly holds the reader's interest.

However, what is disappointing about this and the other book in the series I have read is the occasional errors Kihlstrom makes. She has certainly researched the Regency era, and English manners and dialogue, well - better than a number of other American Regency authors. This is what makes the inaccuracies quite so disappointing.

For instance, in this book there is a character called Sir Geoffrey Parker, whom Ms Kihlstrom refers to as Sir Parker throughout. Baronets' titles attach to the Christian name and not surname, and therefore the character would be Sir Geoffrey. This is not something which would have been very difficult for Ms Kihlstrom to ascertain.

The other mistake which jars is Ms Kihlstrom's use of some Americanisms in dialogue. I don't object to Americanisms in narrative; after all, she is an American writing for an American audience. But when she has English Regency characters saying things like 'gotten', or 'the both of us', it is so inaccurate and unbelievable that it distracts the reader's attention from the story. 'Gotten' is not, and has never been, used in British English, and so no Regency lady or gentleman would have used it. 'The both of us' is grammatically inaccurate as well as not being part of British vocabulary.

If Ms Kihlstrom could make a little more effort to avoid these mistakes, her books would certainly be considered aming the better few in American Regencies.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!!
Review: This book just drew my heart in as I watched Lady Rebecca and Hugh's love grow, even as the gentleman masqueraded as a servant to help catch a ring of thieves. They are both such special people and all of the supporting characters are just marvellous. Kihlstrom is a fantastic author, regardless of any inaccuracies that there might be; her heart is definitely in the right place, and this is my favorite of the Westcott books.