The Talisman Ring

Smugglers, an emigree from the Terror of France in 1790 and an unsolved murder preventing the rightful heir from claiming his inheritance! All exciting, fast-paced ingredients you expect from a Georgette Heyer novel. One of her best adventure stories with well-rounded characters that you can easily identify with, plenty of twists and turns in the plot, witty and, of course, a smattering of romance. Very well written and highly plausible, one that I always come back to when I want a satisfactory read. My daughter read this at 14 years old, but I would not recommend all of Heyers novels as suitable for this age-group.

Georgette Heyer had the lightest of touches and an amazing ability to confound expectations; never expect the heroine to be the girl introduced promisingly on page one, never expect the hero to be anything but charmingly exasperated. The Talisman Ring is, in my opinion, one of her best novels. The humor, mystery and tension are high and the protagonists are wonderfully witty, smart and tart. This is not a novel to miss if you enjoy light romantic comedy. It begins at a brooding mansion where the patriarch is dying and his nephew, Sir Tristam Shield, has come to see the old man off and collect his new, soon to be, bride, Eustacie, the old man's French granddaughter. Eustacie finds Shield old and without any conversation. She swiftly decides to run away, but her escape is hampered by a wounded smuggler and Shield himself. She is aided by a chance met acquaintce who seems to find the whole situation amusing. But there's more to Shield, the smuggler and family secrets than any of them yet know... It sounds like a gothic romance, but in reality, Heyer brilliantly spoofs gothics in this novel and it quickly descends to an interesting and VERY funny mystery. I was introduced to Heyer by my mother as a child and haven't turned back since; she is also, btw, the most likely source of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Jeopardy questions I've ever encountered. As an English teacher and SAT tutor I can also highly recommend her on the basis of her vocababulary, I was shocked to realize as a high school student that I could trace my knowledge of almost all "SAT" words to her novels-I got a 780 almost purely on the basis of my Heyer reading. I now have students read them for that reason. As one reviewer noted, though I'll paraphrase, if Heyer's world suits you, you'll settle down for a lifetime. I have quite happily. There are few of her books that I haven't read several times over the years and appreciated on each re-reading. She is often compared to Jane Austen and would probably have something of her standing had she been writing of contemporary events. She is considered one of the best "historians" of social conditions during the regency period. She's being re-released in the US at long last- though she has always been in publication- so buy now.

The events in this book take place a little earlier than the Regency era one typically finds as the setting in a Heyer novel. The story is set in Sussex rather than London, and the lack of high society "glitter" combined with the pre-Regency time period make for a nice change.The main characters are artfully drawn, as usual. I disagree with the earlier review in one respect -- Sir Tristram and Lady Sarah Thane ARE the main characters, not Ludovic and Eustacie. The secondary characters contribute to the story rather than acting as filler, as with many authors, and the fist two Bow Street runners the reader encounters have to be among Heyer's best drawn third tier characters.There are two Heyer novels that always make me cry, no matter how many times I've read them, and this is one of them. Even though I've read it at least half a dozen times, I finished it -- again-- today, and I laughed so hard I cried during Sarah's encounter with the Runners. Absolutely entertaining!

Georgette Heyer made a name for herself by writing historical romances and mystery stories. The Talisman Ring belongs to the historical romance category but set in the 18th century. It makes a good read as it is strong on plot and a little short on historical detail. There's enough detail for the reader to be aware of the period that serves as the setting, not so much as to get in the way.The talisman ring that has been lost during an unsolved murder serves as the focus of the plot. Some of the characters come across strong and clear such as Sir Tristam Shield, Sarah Thane and her brother Sir Hugh Thane and the reader will feel as if he or she knows them from other Heyer novels. Others such as the principal lovers, Ludovic Lavenham and Eustacie, seem rather shallow and undeveloped.The book is exciting although perhaps not as captivating as her very best. It still reads well if put down and reread after three or four years.

I have most of the novels of Georgette Heyer, and this is one of my favorites. Heyer stuffs her books with period detail and language, but it's never heavy going -- she writes like a light screwball comedy in hoopskirts. I particularly enjoy the characters and conversations in The Talisman Ring. The ingenues (Eustacie and Ludovic) make for sparkling comic relief with their enthusiasms, but it's the mature lovers (Sarah and Sir Tristram) who shine in their witty courting dance. Adventure, romance, a lost heir and murder most foul -- what more could you ask for?