Point of Honour

Or perhaps it's a murder-mystery, spy-thriller, historical-romance alternate history. Difficult to say which aspect is the most important! Robins' Regency England is not quite ours - there's a Queen Regent rather than the Price of Wales being named regent, and a few other political and social differences as well. Since part of the plot hinges on the actions of the Queen Regent and of the Prince of Wales, this is an important item. If you're someone who reads historical novels for their accuracy, be aware that this will NOT fit into Napoleonic wars of Patrick O'Brien's books, or the parties at the Prince Regent's Brighton pavilion, or other bits of history that many readers look for. Even the demimonde that is the setting of much of the book is not quiiiiite the same. It should also be pointed out that it's not really a romance - not in the same sense that books marketed as Regency romances are. While there's a love interest, and it's the Regency period, there will be relatively little of the pleasantly trivial dialogue and naive double-entendres that readers of the usual Regencies expect. It's not about the young ladies making their comings-out, and the balls and country house parties, or even about the governesses and the whole servant thing, that provide the background for many romances. In fact, the rather frank settings in both our heroine's aunt's brothel and others, may turn off those who are looking for the usual light romance. That said, if you are prepared for the differences, this is a top-notch book. Looking for the minute differences that make it an alternate history provides an enjoyable challenge; they political intrigue and murders are as fascinating as any historical novel and better done than many. Our main character is a strong person who makes you want to know more about her (and there is a second volume in the series, Petty Treason.) And the ending is done in a classic murder-mystery style that is satisfying whether it's in Agatha Christie's countryside, or a city a century earlier, or in modern-day settings. The mystery plot line (which I won't rehash here, since other reviewers have already told you enough about it) is the strongest part of the book, and that's saying a lot given how interesting the other aspects are. If I had to try and draw a comparison, I'd say this is closer to the historical vampire novels of Chelsea Quinn Yarbro than any other single comparison I could name, even though there are no fantasy elements in this book. The sense of depth of the settings, and the author's emphasis on the personality of the characters, are similar in their intensity. I will be awaiting a third volume; I only wish authors could write 'em as fast as I read 'em!

As a fan and collector of historical mysteries, I appreciate solid research and a well-constructed plot. As a fan and collector of historical romances, I appreciate well-imagined characters and realistic action. This title (also its sequel, "Petty Treason") has all these qualities. Highly recommended for readers of both genres.

Madeleine Robins, author of THE STONE WAR (Tor 1999), introduces us to Miss Sarah Tolerance, Investigative Agent, in this historical, swashbuckling novel. Filled with intrigue and murder, romance and royalty, suspense and swordsmanship, we are transported to the world of Regency London where things aren't always as straightforward as they appear to be. Or are they? A clever combination of Jane Austen, Sherlock Holmes and Errol Flynn, Sarah Tolerance is a Fallen Woman. She ran off with her brother's fencing master, an unpardonable act within the social order of the early 1800's. Sarah explains, "Society offers women like myself very few choices, my lord. Some become whores, some madams or hatmakers. I became an investigative agent." (p. 26). We're invited into her cottage, where she's talking with her dear friend, Matt, an attractive, effeminate young man in the employ of Sarah's aunt, the elegant madam, Mrs. Brereton. We soon realize Sarah to be an independent and intelligent, compassionate and kind, lady. Just as quickly as she endears us to her, the great mystery of the novel is revealed. Sarah heads off to Tarsio's Club, a usual haunt. While pondering a recent, successfully closed case in the Club's Salon, Lord Trux appears and springs a "task of a private nature" upon her. Acting as the agent of an undisclosed employer, he commissions Sarah to locate and retrieve an Italian Fan. Sarah stealthily searches for clues and leads. She meets with Deb Cunning, and discovers whether or not she's as wily as her name implies. With a brilliant small-sword and dressed in men's clothing, Sarah navigates the cobblestone streets of the city, hires hackneys to travel to seedy brothels and rides in an unmarked carriage. While seeking Fanny Virtue and Mrs. Cockbun, she meets an array of characters, some less savory than others. A trail of grisly murders follows Sarah on her search. Who are Sir Walter Mandif, Count Verseillon, Dr. Hawley, Lord Folle, and Blackbottle? What do green peas, vines and letters to a papist cleric have to do with anything? Through brothels, an Italian lexicon and the great houses of London, we gain knowledge of the object of desire. With whom will she fall in love? Where is the enigmatic Italian Fan? To what lengths will Sarah go to maintain her honor? The characters are as engaging as the setting is vividly descriptive. Slight variance from historical fact serves well to heighten our enjoyment of the novel. Unraveling the tangled yarn of trickery, deciphering subjects of duplicity, witnessing the flash of the skillfully wielded small-sword, and solving the mystery of the Italian Fan with Miss Sarah Tolerance, is an adventure you won't soon forget. True North, GWN Reviewer / April 2, 2005

I really can't praise this book enough. Not only does the author interweave Jane Austen's Napoleonic era neatly with a female P.I.'s life--she also tosses in great fight scenes, heart-rending portraits of poverty, perfect dialogue, vicious political sceming and beautiful characterizations. Four characters of special note are her wistful but capable heroine, a loony botanist who inadvertently provides a major clue, a serene ex-farm girl turned sucessful courtesan and the heroine's aunt, a ruthless yet forward-thinking madame. Can't wait for the next in the series, especially now that the Prince of Wales owes our heroine a big favor.

Aristocrat Sarah Tolerance gave away more than just her name and reputation when she romantically ran off with her brother's fencing master. When her beloved dies, Sarah looks at her options, her family not truly being one as she brought scandalous shame on them already. The adage of 1810 England is that Fallen Women always at some time turn to the only profession the Ton allows for them, whoring. Sarah vows she ill never sell her body.Instead she becomes an "investigative agent" handling "private matters" where discretion and finesse count, traits Bow St. lacks. Her work means no direct references from her wealthy clients, who will expect silence while employing her. Lord Trux hires Sarah, claiming he represents a nameless friend, to recover a family heirloom fan that was given with youthful enthusiasm years ago to Mrs. Deborah Cunning. Though he says little else, the case seems simple enough to Sarah, but that is before she finds competitors willing to kill her to obtain the fan and her rivals seem to know her every move.This exciting Regency investigative tale provides the audience with a different look at the era than typical of romances or mysteries set in that period. The story line grips the reader from the first observation made by the heroine about options available for Fallen Women. The plot moves forward rather quickly as Sarah goes about her job while trying to stay alive. Sarah is a delightful intelligent sleuth whose adventure will make Madeleine E. Robins a sub-genre favorite.Harriet Klausner