The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy: A Novel of Georgian England

As already mentioned, there are a few "errors" in this book: words or concepts used in 1749 which didn't exist at that time (guillotine, clothing sizes). [As for "milquetoast," isn't it possible that the term milktoast or milquetoast was used in those days, and centuries later the character of Caspar Milquetoast created based upon it??] However, while noting this, I still profess that this is a pretty good book. All of Veryan's "usual" elements are included: plucky heroine, hero who is tremendously brave and honorable, a seemingly impossible mission, a cast of unusual characters (timid cousin, faux gypsy), and of course the obligatory favored animal/pet (Pixie). I was a bit disconcerted at the end, however, to learn about Vance's surprising inheritance, as it seemed a bit too handy and contrived, and we were never told anything about the benefactor, as if his name was of no consequence to us.On the whole, this is one of the better, if not best so far, of the "Riddle" series. I confess to being quite disappointed in the first few Riddle books, since they didn't have the same impact as the Jewelled Men books, and I wasn't drawn to the characters as I have been w/ other Veryan books. But the Deplorable Dandy shows a return toward the style of her earlier books (IMHO) and, while not one of her best, is a very enjoyable read.

Elspeth Clayton and Gervaise Valerian share an inauspicious beginning with harsh words and embarrassment hot between them. Elspeth assumes Gervaise to be nothing but a quick-tempered dandy, little suspecting mutual need will sharply change her perceptions. But her determination to save her brother from the French gaol after his arrest for service to Madame Pompadour leads to her desperate plight. In exchange for aid to her brother, Elspeth volunteers to aid Gervaise.Gervaise's father, a fugitive from justice, must escape the country undetected. When his accomplice his injured, Gervaise forces Elspeth to take her place. Despite their mutual dislike, their common desire to aid loved ones leads to a rousing adventure on both sides of the Channel as unknown assassins pursue them. Of course, their plight draws this unlikely duo together in an emotional entanglement that will please romance devotees. Patricia Veryan pens a dazzling romantic intrigue in THE RIDDLE OF THE DEPLORABLE DANDY. On one hand, Elspeth's determination to save her brother despite the risks to her life and reputation results in a strong willed heroine who is the perfect match for Gervaise. On the other hand, Gervaise carefully conceals his truth worth behind a dandified exterior. Fraught with danger, betrayals, false identities, and near calamities, THE RIDDLE OF THE DEPLORABLE DANDY comes highly recommended.

While I rather enjoyed "The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy" -- Patricia Veryan is one of my favourite Georgian/Regency romance authours, and I've loved most of her novels -- honesty compels to admit that with this latest "Riddle" installment, the adventure-intrigue subplot has been developed at the expense of the romance subplot. The novel begins, excitingly enough, with the capture of Vance Clayton, a soldier of fortune and a courier, by the French authorities. Because of his family's reduced financial circumstances, Vance has been forced to become a soldier of fortune (so that he can support his mother and sister), and his current assignment is to act as courier to Madame de Pompadour (the French king's mistress). Madame has a penchant for interring in matters of state, and her enemies at court and the government would give anything in order to obtain proof of her interference. And because the English government is reluctant to interfere in this matter, it is beginning to look as if Vance will be executed as a foreign spy. Not however if his sister, Elspeth and his friend, Nicholas Evans, have anything to do with it. Together, they begin to plan a rescue operation in order to liberate Vance from the French. However things go spectacularly wrong when first, Nicholas is injured thus rendering useless for the rescue mission, and when Elspeth has another disasterous run-in with Gervaise Valerian that almost curtails her rescue attempt!Elspeth and Gervaise have already met and run afoul of each other, and neither have a really good impression (nor are they too keen) of each other (in fact it is Elspeth who labels Gervaise as the 'Deplorable Dandy'). Imagine their shock then when each discovers that their reasons for making the trip to France are actually tied together, and that they actually need each other in order to ensure the success of their missions. Readers who are fans of the "Riddle" series will remember Gervaise from "The Riddle of the Shipwrecked Spinster" and know why Gervaise is so keen to get to France. However, for the sake of maintaining the suspense, I'll leave out what Gervaise's mission is so that readers who have not yet read that installment will still be able to enjoy this novel -- all is explained after a couple of chapters anyway. Now, Gervaise and Elspeth must put aside their private opinions of each other and join forces in order to ensure the success of their missions. Will they be able to do so? Or will the Deplorable Dandy's autocratic actions prove too much for Elspeth?Story-wise, "The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy" was quite the read -- esp if you enjoy swashbuckling Georgian novels. Patricia Veryan did her usual masterful job in allowing for the 'action' and the story to develop at an even and swift pace, mainataining the supsense, and in allowing for her characters to evolve and come to life. Only two things marred the overall pleasure my enjoyment of this novel. 1) that the romance subplot did indeed suffer because

The two times that Elspeth Clayton and Gervaise Valerian meet, they exchange heated words. The Georgian miss thinks he is nothing but a dandy who is interested in fine clothes and society gossip. She is more absorbed in finding a way to save her brother Vance who is arrested in France while work for Madame la Pompadour, the king's mistress. The lord holding Vance demands he hand over the incriminating letter that, if revealed, will force the king to break off with his mistress.Elspeth appeals to a childhood friend for help and he arranges for a certain gentleman of quality to help them. On the night they are to leave for France, Elspeth arranges to meet her champion only to shockingly learn it is Gervaise. He is smuggling his father out of England before he is arrested as a Jacobite sympathizer and if she helps him, Gervaise swears he will free her brother. While in France their lives are constantly threatened and the danger comes from a third partly neither Elspeth nor Gervaise knows about.Patricia Veryan is the queen of romantic intrigue and her latest Riddle book is jam packed with just that wrapped inside plenty of action. The heroine refuses to let society's conventions interfere with saving her brother. The hero is a complex individual on the order of the Pimpernel as he is quite adept at hiding his inner self from a world that judges only on appearances. He and the heroine make a perfect match.Harriet Klausner

This book was a little different from the style of romance I usually go for. Lindsey, Rogers, Graham, and one of my latest reads by Cynthia Simmons,"Anything, my Love" But different though it was I loved it and it was very well written.