TEST
The Unrepentant Rake features many elements of the classic Regency – there’s a noble hero and heroine and a house party setting of sorts. It also has a strong mystery subplot – the type that’s more commonly found in regency historicals. It’s a lot for one short book to handle, but for the most part, Melinda McRae pulls it off. There are a few bumps along the way, but it’s a pretty entertaining read.
Ariel Tennant has been visiting a relative, and she’s very eager to get home. So when snow starts to fall during her journey, she perseveres anyway. However, the snow quickly worsens, and her carriage slides into a ditch and breaks a wheel. They are miles from the nearest inn, so she and her chaperone are forced to take shelter at the home of Simon Thorson, Earl of Milford. Simon is a legendary rake who is reputed to have killed someone, and he already has a house party in progress – one that involves some scandalous people not accepted by the ton. Before the blizzard starts in earnest, more unexpected guests arrive, including a merchant and his wife, and three young n’er do wells. The steady snowfall ensures that all of them will be sharing Simon’s home for some time.
As the storm continues, the household is subjected to a number of pranks. Some of them are silly, and some are more serious. Simon eventually realizes that he is the target of the more vicious “pranks,” and it looks like someone is trying to kill him. Meanwhile, against all odds he feels himself drawn to the innocent Ariel, and as they work together to discover the culprit of the pranks, their attraction grows. But even if they do find the killer, will a confirmed rake like Simon ever feel worthy of Ariel’s love?
This is a fun book, with a lot of humor that helps lighten the darker elements of the mystery. A particularly funny passage takes place during the funeral of a dog that only an owner could love. Each of the guests tries to say something kind about the dog, and their condolences had me laughing out loud.
The mystery element of the plot is stronger than in the typical Regency, and it’s very well handled. As the pranks slowly escalate, the plot becomes more and more compelling. I have to admit that I was pretty sure who wanted to murder Simon – but I ended up being wrong about both the suspect and the motive.
Because it’s such a short book, characterization suffers a little bit. I liked both Ariel and Simon, but I didn’t get to know them as well as I would have liked to. Simon is more fully-developed; he’s a lot like Edmond in Mary Balogh’s similarly-named The Notorious Rake, though the plot of that book is very different. Ariel is an admirable heroine, though at times her actions seemed a little too unconventional for the time period.
Still, if you are a Regency fan, you will probably enjoy this one – especially if you like a good mystery. It may not be the deepest book in the world, but it’s a good, quick read.
Grade: B-
Book Type: Regency Romance
Sensuality: Kisses
Review Date: 05/03/99
Publication Date: 1999
I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.