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bookselle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
amalgamawesome's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jeannine's review against another edition
4.0
Two things came to mind while I was reading this book: Andrea Penrose doesn’t hide information from the reader. When the characters learn something, the reader knows it. There are lots of mystery writers who obscure discoveries until a big reveal. She doesn’t and I appreciate it. Also, I liked that she packs action into her books. This installment of the Lady Arianna series had characters in Scotland, at balls, the Royal Institution, in balloons (balloons!). It was a fast read because of all the action.
I usually like when sleuthing couples stick together in a story, but Arianna works alone at parts of this story (and sometimes with another woman…don’t want to spoil that) and I loved it.
The chocolate obsession is still woven in the dialogue, but there’s a point when characters are actually joking about their preoccupation with sweets.
I’m enjoying this series!
I usually like when sleuthing couples stick together in a story, but Arianna works alone at parts of this story (and sometimes with another woman…don’t want to spoil that) and I loved it.
The chocolate obsession is still woven in the dialogue, but there’s a point when characters are actually joking about their preoccupation with sweets.
I’m enjoying this series!
krisrid's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story!!! Arianna is back to her origins in this book, and it is delightful!!
I adored book one in this series, where Arianna is introduced to us in all her unorthodox, independent and infuriating [to the men around her] glory! Then in book two, she settled down a bit, which I understood, but wasn't my favourite aspect of her character, so book two was good, but a little tame for my liking.
In book three, Arianna once again throws caution to the winds - literally! - and flings herself headlong into the new investigation the secretive Lord Grentham drags Arianna and Sandro into.
I try to avoid spoilers in my reviews, so I won't get into details, but suffice it to say there is excitement, there is drama, there is danger, there are secrets, and there are balloons! - really, what more could a reader ask from a murder mystery.
This author has a wonderful way of combining mystery and mayhem, with moments of quiet contemplation and gently sweet romance in her characters lives, and I adore her writing style!
This whole series is a definite favourite and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy the Regency era, strong female characters and plenty of historical excitement around murder mysteries. Oh, also, there is chocolate! Plenty of chocolate - hooray!
I adored book one in this series, where Arianna is introduced to us in all her unorthodox, independent and infuriating [to the men around her] glory! Then in book two, she settled down a bit, which I understood, but wasn't my favourite aspect of her character, so book two was good, but a little tame for my liking.
In book three, Arianna once again throws caution to the winds - literally! - and flings herself headlong into the new investigation the secretive Lord Grentham drags Arianna and Sandro into.
I try to avoid spoilers in my reviews, so I won't get into details, but suffice it to say there is excitement, there is drama, there is danger, there are secrets, and there are balloons! - really, what more could a reader ask from a murder mystery.
This author has a wonderful way of combining mystery and mayhem, with moments of quiet contemplation and gently sweet romance in her characters lives, and I adore her writing style!
This whole series is a definite favourite and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy the Regency era, strong female characters and plenty of historical excitement around murder mysteries. Oh, also, there is chocolate! Plenty of chocolate - hooray!
murderbydeath's review against another edition
4.0
Recipe for Treason is the third in the series and pretty much non-stop action (for a cozy/historical mystery). I was a bit disappointed by the lack of character development in this book, although I enjoyed reading about the budding friendship between Arianna and Sophia. The point of this book is the ongoing pursuit of the master spy Renard and I can point at precisely the moment the author gave away the clue that had me guessing Renard's identity. I won't though, so as not to ruin it for the rest of those readers out there. :) Still, I thought it was very cleverly done and Ms. Penrose did an excellent job with red herrings and diversions too.
Each chapter has a chocolate recipe, although most seemed a bit to involved for my limited attention span in the kitchen, they looked delicious!
Each chapter has a chocolate recipe, although most seemed a bit to involved for my limited attention span in the kitchen, they looked delicious!
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