The Mystery Kiss (Zebra Historical Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

The longer length allowed in this book (labelled a 'historical romance' by the publisher) allows the author to develop plot and characters more expansively than would be possible in the shorter length. Hooray, I say!

All the conventions of a Regency romance are present here: the stigma of being from 'trade', the war in Europe, the process of making her 'bows to Society' by a young miss of good breeding, all gleefully mixed together in the very original, very special way of this gifted author who seasons everything so well with her own unique brand of humor and absurdity. The extra 'spice' this time is a mystery involved with espionage.

The main love story is a real treat! A widow, with two adult step-children, accompanies the younger to town, in spite of her tendency to awful travel-sickness. And sure enough, the carriage must halt beside the road, where it is encountered by a passing stranger. Fleur, Lady Marston, is in the throes of 'mal de coach' being comforted by her step-daughter Althea, when Lord Hartshire arrives on the scene. A fellow sufferer, he insists on sharing his own remedy for the ailment; a set of beads worn on the wrists, a sort of acupressure treatment, which he acquired from a Chinese seaman, somewhere in his past various travels.

Hartshire, known to many as The Spectre, is intrigued by the woman he aids. Fleur, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with him, believing as she does that having once been known as the Shipbuilder's Daughter and a scourge on Society, she will be denied the entrance to that same Society that she wants more than anything else in the world, but this time for her charge, Althea.

Even though this is called a historical novel, there are no love scenes within. What there is are several enchanting love stories, with enough sexual tension to please everyone and make the various match-ups sensible. Of course, there is the author's trademark brand of humor, and excellent writing. Not to mention characters so real, you expect them to walk right out of the pages and into your room. More, please.

Positively scrumptious!

Fluer, Lady Marston, had been married off by her father, a shipbuilder, to Lord Marston who was not only penniless, but who was also a very cruel and brutal man. Life with Marston was hellish, and if that was not bad enough, Fleur also suffered greatly at the hands of the rather snobby English ton who had condemnend her as an 'encroaching mushroom' and who used every opportunity to snub her soundly. The only bright sparks in Fleur's life are her two sepchildren, Malcolm and Althea, whom she loves dearly, and who return her care and affection. And now that Marston is dead, and Althea is of an age to make her debut, Fleur has summoned the courage to brave society again and to bring Althea to London for her comeout.

Atticus Charles Howard, the Earl of Hartshire, is a widower with a rather mysterious and dashing past, also known as the Spectre, he has in the past tangled with spies and radicals seeking to destroy the Crown. Atticus first meets Fleur on the road to London -- she is suffering from a horrendous case of carriage sickness. He is able to help her. However something about Fleur reminds him of his dead wife, and when he reaches London, he asks about her, and learns of her cruel treatment at the ton's hands. Atticus decides to help her, openly and secretly. For all the ton to see, Atticus is at Fleur's side at social functions, while he secretly sends her notes of advise under the guise of 'Montague' and whispers bits of encouragement from behind potted plants and bookshelves. Atticus's campaign works and Fleur is soon accepted by the ton and even has her own little court of admirers. But how Fleur wishes that Atticus and her mysterious 'Montague' were part of her court, for her heart is quite torn between the two. But who is Montague? And if push came to shove, would she be able to choose between them? As for Atticus, while he has fallen in love with Fleur, he cannot bring himself to court her, so sure is he that she will reject such a great lump like him! Will Atticus be able to overcome his misgivings and court Fleur before she accepts someone else's proposal of marriage?

There are so many wonderful things to rave about in this novel -- the manner in which Fleur blossoms from shy and demure to someone with a lot more confidence, to Atticus who doesn't seem to realise that his kindness and general good humour completely transcends his lack of good looks. As is usual with most of Judith Lansdowne's novels, there are a few other subplots. And this is where things become a little out of sync. The romance subplots with the secondary characters were a little rushed. And there were two characters, Celeste, a mysterious dressmaker, and Davis, Fleur's abigail, whom I wished had figured more prominantly in this novel as I found them to be really interesting characters - but that is just my own private bias. As for the subplot involving a murder and intrigue -- I'm an avid mystery reader, and so was quite disappointed that this subplot was somewhat marginalised. But such was the satisfaction that I gleaned from reading about Fleur and Atticus, that all my quibblings seem almost insignificant! This is a truly beautiful love story, and one that I will definitely read and reread again!

Memories of her late husband's physical and mental abuse still haunt Fleur's sleep, even though Marston has been dead for more than a year. Despite her ill treatment at the hands of her husband and London society, Fleur plans to take her stepdaughter Althea to London for the season, introducing her to a "most intriguing and delightful sort of world." By chance, she encounters Atticus Charles Howard, the Earl of Hartshire, along the way.

London society does not tolerate those who wish to ingratiate themselves in their midst. Fleur, the daughter of a shipbuilder, knows very well the rude remarks, snide comments, and cruel gossip. Nevertheless, she risks her dignity, despite disparaging comments comparing her to an "encroaching mushroom", to provide Althea a coming out. Little does Fleur suspect that someone watches, admiring her strength of spirit, until a few whispers at the appropriate moments help her to secure just the right tone to hush the tongue wagers thereby substitute admiration for the accustomed viciousness.

A widower with a mysterious and exciting past, Atticus confidently tangles with spies and radicals seeking to destroy the crown even as he lacks the same confidence in his personal life. The chance meeting with Fleur captures his imagination, and when he arrives in London after a four year absence, Atticus can't resist inquiring about her. Soon he seems to magically appear at just the moments Fleur most needs encouragement, whether it be in person, or through illusion and the appellation "Montague". Though Fleur's heart and desire becomes torn between the two, it only takes a single magical kiss to convince Atticus of his growing feeling for Fleur. Yet he fears trying to court her, for Atticus can't imagine her wanting such a lump as him.

I admit to being captivating by the myriad details that make THE MYSTERY KISS so extraordinary. The homeopathic cure for motion sickness, the design of Fleur's riding habit, even the comparison of Fleur to a mushroom create a truly delightful tale. It's refreshing to read a novel of the regency not built on extreme youth and misunderstandings; thereby replacing the predictable and ordinary plot with one that's sharply invigorating. And Henry, the tickler dormouse who loves Atticus' pockets, makes an original pet. Unfortunately, there are a few details that do undercut the strength of THE MYSTERY KISS. Language choices do not always feel appropriate especially the not infrequent use of "ain't". Further, the subplots, while intriguing, need further exploration. Nevertheless, THE MYSTERY KISS is delightful, and comes highly recommended.