Marina Maxwell
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I read and review both historical fiction and non-fiction, but also enjoy biographies, crime and some contemporary fiction.
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Please note that unless stated that I have received these books directly from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review, I either purchase my own copies or source them from my local library service. 

​Links to Amazon, Book Depository or Dymocks Australia are only for the reader's reference.
(Due to some poor experiences recently with Booktopia, from 2023 I will no longer link to them.)

My reviews for Historical Novels Review, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society, can be found online here
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A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting

9/6/2022

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Kitty Talbot is the eldest of five sisters whose country home is in danger of being sold and her family broken up following the death of her parents who left behind massive debts. She’s pragmatic and decides the only course of action is to find herself a rich husband, and soon. To this end, she travels to London where she begins her quest.
 
Here are all the stock characters and basic plot of a Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer novel, i.e. wife and/or husband hunting in the parlours and ball-rooms of the London “ton” – or high society.
 
Kitty is a lively individual and her wit and banter with the men she sets her cap at are quite fun. Her younger, better-educated sister Cecily is a more serious foil. Aunt Dorothy has secret reasons to hide behind her fan at functions where certain gentlemen might recognise her and the somewhat reclusive Waterloo veteran Lord Radcliffe displays all his jaded and cynical dark-handsome-hero style with aplomb. Supporting the principal players is the usual cast or snobbish upper-crust mothers, cads and bumbling or sleazy suitors, plus assorted shrinking violets and jealous debs.
 
For the most part, the narrative kicks along at a good pace, but sags somewhat in the middle. Knowing from the outset how the story must end, it may require a bit of stamina to keep going and at least things do pick up in the last third of the book.
 
This is a lightweight, entertaining yarn that has a certain amount of charm. It is likely to appeal to fans of fluffy Regency-era fiction but it's not for those who prefer their history with more truth or grit.
 
Three stars
 
 
Amazon.co.uk
 
Amazon.com
 
Booktopia

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