Review: A plot with too many views
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 08 27, 2013
MUCH ADO ABOUT DUTTON is Claudia Dain's newest in the Courtesan Chronicles series. I have read and enjoyed Dain's other novels in the series, but this was a disappointing entry. The courtship farce of Dutton and Anne has been ongoing through the series and culminates here. Much of the couple's backstory has already been told in the series. It is repeated in the plot for the new reader. Dain fleshes out the pages with an array of other couples and side stories. Dain's witty and sophisticated dialog (5 star worthy) cannot save a plot (1 star worthy) that careens from  elegant drawing room to ballroom with a cast too unwieldy to showcase the main historical romance storyline. The addition of a Greek chorus in the form of Louisa, Jane, et.al, only added to the confusion.This novel appears to be the set up for the continued adventures of Lady Sophia and family. Dain left at least two stories incomplete at this novel's end. The author usually displays a more deft hand at mixing modern mores (Women who know what they want and are not virgins on their first wedding night) with historical romance. I gave the book  3 stars for Dain's sharp dialog. However, the witty repartee hides a plot not strong enough to hold this readers attention without a struggle.