Review: Brilliant Rakehell Detective
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 10, 2014
Third in a series, a review intrigued me and the sample pages hooked me, so of course, I'm reading these out of order.  I was easily able to follow the connections but as soon as budget allows, I'll read the other two for sure!I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters.  Societal expectations was a quiet backdrop instead of a glittery framework.  Conflicts were circumstance and event based, relying on the premise a widow had more freedom but less grace if she fell.  I thought the family handled things plausibly as well as compassionately, even if it did feel like a spork in the eye several times.  Her instinct to run was not too stupid to live, though a little tardy, but she was living on the assurances of others while trying to re-develop her own.The writing was sharp, dialog engaging and intelligence celebrated in a manner that was not "rebellion" or "anti-society" for a refreshing change.  I was delighted characters that were supposed to be brilliant actually fulfilled that expectation for the most part.  St. John was believable and his gentling, not humbling, came from his own recognition, not at Eleanor's expense or prodding.  She wasn't trying to change him; he wasn't trying to fix her or the world.  Remarkable!  The secondary characters supported the story without taking over.  Scenes in the courtroom were fascinating and seemed reflective of the time.  The villain and machinations were poignantly believable.  The secret St John kept was dark enough to qualify him for the rakehell title without all that messy ex-mistress' swanning about cwap.Focus was determinedly on the present and future.  While that will surely work for most readers; I personally felt disappointed by this.  It was not enough to count it a quibble.  Enough to wish for a bit - just a wee bit - more of how a woman locked up and deprived of every comfort and many necessities for ten years managed to cope so very well in society with little more than a few months spent in the country.  She struggles with closed doors and windows but that is the only lingering difficulty we really see.  How her mind wasn't mush from the deprivation of books, friends, even interaction with servants ... and could match wits with a brilliant intellectual wasn't really covered except by the hand wave of determined, valiant and brave spirit.  Okay, maybe it is a quibble, but a mini one.  There was a great deal packed in to this book and for the respect to time that Ms. Kane gave the couple, allowing friendship and romance to develop, instead of overwhelm, I shall let my mini-quibble go.Those that prefer a more involved plot can find it here; those that prefer more witty dialog and humor can also find that.  It is a very satisfying blend of the two. I recommend this book for an enjoyable afternoon or early evening read.  Do Not start this book an hour before bed time and think you won't be roughing it the next day at work!Read my complete review as well as others at Page Traveler E-Book Reviews on Blogspot