The Riddle of Alabaster Royal

Perhaps I am partial to the Riddle of Alabaster Royal because it is the first Veryan book I read. But I really thought it was good. I suppose it is more of a mystery than a romance, but that doesn't make it a bad book. The story is of Captain Jack Vespa, a wounded soldier just returned home. Wishing to recover from his wounds in peace, he leaves the London and goes to a country estate left to him by his grandmother. The name of the estate is Alabaster Royal, and needless to say there is a riddle to solve about this home. The riddle has to do with a rock quarry, a dead painter, and Miss Consuela Jones, living in Jack's house when he gets there. And I can't forget Jack's friends Paige Manderville and Toby Broderick, who help him to solve the mystery. They are wonderful characters whom you can't help but love. I really recommend this book if you love a good mystery and if you love Veryan's other books. And once you get to the end you will want to move on to The Riddle of the Lost Lover which continues Jack's story. Now I wish Ms. Veryan would write some stories for Paige and Toby.

I really enjoyed this book. Great humor and character depth but I HATED the ending. Either the last chapters were left out or there needs to be an arrow pointed to the sequel to tell us about who's Jack's dad.Great writer who quit too soon or needs to add a preview of a sequel at the end. PLEASE.I had not read her books before and until the end it was great fun.

The Riddle of Alabastor Royal is a must for all Veryan fans. As usual, Veryan delivers humor, adventure, heart-breaking characters, and mystery. I had no clue as to the identity of the villain and I was stunned when I turned to the last page because there were so many things left unsaid and unresolved! No immediate happy ending for Consuela and Jack, either. Veryan leaves us hanging but I'll gladly wait for the next installment (as long as she brings back Paige and Toby!!!).

I LOVED this book! Billed as a Regency novel, rather than a Regency Romance, this is one of Patricia Veryan's very best. The "tragic, battle- scarred hero home from the war" scenario has always been a favourite theme of mine, and nobody does it better than Patricia Veryan. The story revolves around Captain Jack Vespa's return to England from the brutal Napoleonic engagements in Spain to recuperate and to claim his inheritance - a huge, once-beautiful estate left destitute for some time - and believed by the local people to be haunted. There is a murder mystery, suspense, schemes, plot twists, a ghost story, personal dilemmas, and of course an eventual love interest; but most of all there are those wonderful characters which only Patricia Veryan can bring to life and make you truly care about. Jack Vespa's self-depreciating personality, wit and charm will win your heart and those off-the-wall servants and village locals will have you grinning your way through the novel. But the two secondary characters - the encyclopaedic Toby Broderick and the dandy, Paige Manderville - you will adore. There were moments in Riddle where I laughed out loud at the expressions and banter of these two former military compatriots of Vespa (this can be very disconcerting for other people in the same room who are watching the latest tear-jerker movie!). There is laughter, mystery and suspense, yes, but I think you will probably shed a tear or two as well. I did. I am an avid reader of all genre and Patricia Veryan is one of my favourite all-round authors. I recommend Riddle of Alabaster Royal to anyone who enjoys witty, colourful, courageous, endearing characters; a haunting, suspense-filled atmosphere; a vivid backdrop and intelligent, fluid writing style. But be warned - Patricia Veryan's books are addictive! My only regret is that I will have to wait months, maybe even a year, for the sequel. Those two rogues deserve their own novel; and then there's the enigmatic valet/Jack-of-all-trades Thornhill; and, of course, Jack's...ahm, I'd better stop there. To those who have never read a Veryan, I would recommend Riddle as a wonderful introduction to a truly great story-teller. And to her loyal fans, need I say that you are in for a treat.

In 1813, Captain Jack Vespa returns to his English home after fighting against Napoleon on the Iberian front. Jack is looking forward to some R & R at Alabaster Royal, the home that he will one day inherit. When he arrives at the manor, he learns that his ancestral home is allegedly haunted. Worse yet to Jack is the visitors who insist on staying at Alabaster. The kooky Italian Duchess would be enough to send a man back to the front, but it is her granddaughter, Consuela Jones, that sends Jack's emotions soaring and destroying his sought after peace. Consuela insists to a skeptical Jack that her father was killed on this property. As she begins to investigate what happened, Jack cannot help but join her on her quest. Soon, he is convinced that her tale is true. Even more so, he finds himself falling in love with the feisty Consuela and she reciprocates his deepest feelings. Still, an unknown assailant wants Consuela to stop her meddling and will do anything, including murder, to assure that happens. Once the couple solves THE RIDDLE OF ALABASTER ROYAL, they might have time to explore their own relationship, that is, if Consuela can be persuaded to give her beloved a chance. Patricia Veryan is one of the leading writers of Regency romance today and her latest novel, THE RIDDLE OF ALABASTER ROYAL will augment her already merited prestige. The intriguing story line is humorous and exciting, and the characters are all lively and human. Added to the romance is the bonus of a brilliant mystery that could easily sell the novel as a who-done-it. Ms. Veryan has written one of the top three historicals of the year and is sure to gather awards for this splendid story. Harriet Klausner