Like the previous two books in the series, we have a plodding narrative with little action and lots of repetition. The repetition in this case occurs between Jessica – the narrator – and Jake, the so-called gypsy. In the second half of the book, they have the same type of conversation every time they meet, which grows more annoying each time. The same occurs in the previous novel with the male & female lead characters.

Certain themes from this story, especially adultery, are repeated from the previous three books. This shows a lack of originality. By now, The Adulteresses of England would make a more fitting title for the series.

The first half of the novel, however, features several quality scenes. This led me to believe this would turn into a gripping read, but it goes downhill fast after the gypsy returns.

Of the characters, I rate Dickon as the strongest creation. He stars in several previous novels, but unfortunately, he isn’t featured as prominently in this one.

In short, this is an average volume in the Daughters of England series. ( )

Read during Fall 2002

As the cover says, 'Phillippa Carr, who is also Victoria Holt' and it is clearly by the same author as all my vaugely Victorian romances. However, this is a Regency and is actually set in a real time, the years 1805 thourgh 1815 and historical events impact the characters. Does it make it a better novel? Not really. The writing can get stilted and the characters one-dimensional. There is the implausiblity of a 20 year old man falling so hard for a barely 12 year old girl that he comes back after 7 years transportation to Australia to seek her out. But that is just the start! We have gypsys and houses of ill repute and Luddites and shady, mysterious characters and an unwed mother and a mysterious death and many amazing coicidences and, yet, somehow, there is the happy ending. It picked up speed as it got moving and I was somewhat amazed at the frankness about adult relations but I guess the Regency is a different time. We'll see what the next Phillippa Carr brings.