laurenjodi's review against another edition
2.0
A Buccaneer at Heart
2 Stars
The saga of the missing residents in the British Colony of Freetown, Sierra Leone, continues with the arrival of Miss Aileen Hopkins, who is determined to learn the truth behind her brother's disappearance. During her inquiries, she encounters Robert Frobisher, who has been sent by the British government to further the investigation begun by his brother.
Series note: The events in this installment continue from where the previous book left off. As such, it is crucial that this series be read in order.
Stephanie Laurens' writing has never been the most scintillating, but she is certainly skilled at creating interesting characters and conveying a compelling story. So far, this series has missed the mark.
Even though Aileen and Robert have more intense interactions and better chemistry than Declan and Edwina, they do not actually meet until 1/3 of the way into the book. Despite the relatively long exposition, their characters are woefully underdeveloped. Aside from being a member of the seafaring Frobisher family and having a mysterious history as a sometime diplomat for the British government, readers learn next to nothing of Robert's past and the type of man he is.
Likewise, Aileen's background is provided in very broad strokes - she is the only daughter in a family of 4 children and her brothers are all in the navy - and...? Moreover, her behavior is completely anachronistic. No reputable young, unmarried woman in the 18oos would be able to travel unaccompanied across London much less across an ocean to Africa without suffering serious social consequences.
Although there is some progression in the ongoing mystery of the abductees, it is very minimal and there is much less excitement and action than in most of Laurens' other works. The writing is also tedious, repetitious, and wordy even by Laurens' standards.
In sum, the original setting and intriguing mystery cannot compensate for the sluggish writing, poor characterization and average romance.
2 Stars
The saga of the missing residents in the British Colony of Freetown, Sierra Leone, continues with the arrival of Miss Aileen Hopkins, who is determined to learn the truth behind her brother's disappearance. During her inquiries, she encounters Robert Frobisher, who has been sent by the British government to further the investigation begun by his brother.
Series note: The events in this installment continue from where the previous book left off. As such, it is crucial that this series be read in order.
Stephanie Laurens' writing has never been the most scintillating, but she is certainly skilled at creating interesting characters and conveying a compelling story. So far, this series has missed the mark.
Even though Aileen and Robert have more intense interactions and better chemistry than Declan and Edwina, they do not actually meet until 1/3 of the way into the book. Despite the relatively long exposition, their characters are woefully underdeveloped. Aside from being a member of the seafaring Frobisher family and having a mysterious history as a sometime diplomat for the British government, readers learn next to nothing of Robert's past and the type of man he is.
Likewise, Aileen's background is provided in very broad strokes - she is the only daughter in a family of 4 children and her brothers are all in the navy - and...? Moreover, her behavior is completely anachronistic. No reputable young, unmarried woman in the 18oos would be able to travel unaccompanied across London much less across an ocean to Africa without suffering serious social consequences.
Although there is some progression in the ongoing mystery of the abductees, it is very minimal and there is much less excitement and action than in most of Laurens' other works. The writing is also tedious, repetitious, and wordy even by Laurens' standards.
In sum, the original setting and intriguing mystery cannot compensate for the sluggish writing, poor characterization and average romance.
ssejig's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Aileen Hopkins is looking for her brother Will. He disappeared into the jungle and no one seems to be worried about finding him. She is pushing the issue but is unaware of the danger she is putting herself in.
Captain Robert Frobisher sees that danger. He knows that people have been disappearing from the local town but is trying to be more circumspect in figuring out what is going on. Together, they get to the next step in trying to uncover a massive plot that won't be solved until two more of the Frobisher brothers get involved.
Like other books in this series, it could have been shorter but both Aileen and Robert are well developed.
Captain Robert Frobisher sees that danger. He knows that people have been disappearing from the local town but is trying to be more circumspect in figuring out what is going on. Together, they get to the next step in trying to uncover a massive plot that won't be solved until two more of the Frobisher brothers get involved.
Like other books in this series, it could have been shorter but both Aileen and Robert are well developed.
helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - A fitting continuation of the series, as the second Frobisher takes on his part of the Freetown mystery. It's cleverly handled and the characters have time to develop. There is also continuity between the books with many of the same characters, meaning that you get the chance to understand the motives of the characters and it keeps you guessing at who is involved with the disappearances of people.
Genre? - Historical / Mystery
Characters? - Robert Frobisher / Aileen Hopkins / Will Hopkins / Caleb Frobisher
Setting? - Freetown (Africa)
Series? - Adventurer's #2
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 17/20
Genre? - Historical / Mystery
Characters? - Robert Frobisher / Aileen Hopkins / Will Hopkins / Caleb Frobisher
Setting? - Freetown (Africa)
Series? - Adventurer's #2
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 17/20
awhite1554's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ocanning105's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
violavalenza's review
2.0
Liebesgeschichte etwas enttäuschend, da zu sehr im Hintergrund, und auch die "Detektiv"-Geschichte seehr lang gezogen und mit offenem Ende...
valeehill's review against another edition
3.0
Performance: 5 Stars
Story: 1 Star
Overall: 3 Stars
If it weren’t for Steve West’s exceptional narrating talent this would have been a DNF. The story was weak and had excessively ridiculous descriptions. My finishing it is a testament to exactly how highly I regard his abilities.
Story: 1 Star
Overall: 3 Stars
If it weren’t for Steve West’s exceptional narrating talent this would have been a DNF. The story was weak and had excessively ridiculous descriptions. My finishing it is a testament to exactly how highly I regard his abilities.
bookwyrm_lark's review
3.0
Wavering between 2.5 and 3 stars. Reasonably entertaining, but lacks the fire and intensity that make Laurens' early Cynster books so compelling. For one thing, there's little or no romantic tension; any tension or suspense stems from the mystery they're involved in solving. On the whole, it's really more of an adventure story, during the course of which the two main characters fall in love. (They don't even meet until almost 1/3 of the way through the book, but there aren't any obstacles in their relationship. Their physical attraction precedes their emotional attachment, but both are pretty quick and proceed without hitting any snags.) I may post a longer review later.