A couple of months ago I bought five Amanda Quick novels from a charity shop. I'd never read anything by her before but I'd heard good things about her historical romances. The first two novels I read (Scandal and Deception) I really enjoyed, but this one left me a little cold.
Antiquities expert Leo Drake lives alone in his gothic mansion, Monkcrest Abbey. He married young, his sons have gone off on their Grand Tour, and he spends his free time chasing highwaymen. Despite having a fearsome reputation, he's not only bored but starting to feel his age (actually only 39, I think). His life livens up considerably when Mrs Beatrice Poole arrives uninvited, demanding his help in tracking down some mysterious rings - keys to a mythical treasure.
With This Ring is a homage to 18th century gothic novels. I loved the characters of Leo and Beatrice. They are older than the usual hero and heroine - late thirties and late twenties - and the author had fun cracking jokes about their 'great' age. There are some good suspense bits, where the characters' lives are in jeopardy, and the writing is fine - but I couldn't get on with the plot. The whole searching London for mysterious rings, in between attending the usual balls and parties, was just too far-fetched for me. (Deception is equally far-fetched, but somehow that worked!)
So in conclusion, while there's nothing wrong with With This Ring, it just wasn't for me. The right reader would probably love it!
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