His at Night

Kate Reading's smart, subtle performance makes this seemingly lighthearted romance into something quite memorable. Lord Vere has perfected his reputation as London's biggest fool, obscuring his real role as the Crown's most adept secret agent. But nothing can prepare him for the trap set by the desperate--and irresistible--Elissande Edgerton. Though her male characters seem a little overworked, Reading navigates the novel's complicated emotions with impressive skill. Her droll delivery perfectly captures the humor of Vere's carefully orchestrated buffoonery, but she also thoughtfully emphasizes the subtle terror of Elissande's predicament. Elissande herself comes across as a strikingly resolute young woman, and listeners will find themselves drawn into the unexpectedly moving romance between her and the hero. B.E.K. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

April 26, 2010
Thomas employs grand misunderstanding (as she did in 2008’s Private Arrangements) to motivate this Victorian romance, which is replete with perfect period touches. The marquess of Vere fakes stupidity so no one will suspect he’s investigating Edmund Douglas for fraud—and murder. Douglas’s niece, Elissande, is thoroughly fooled and plots to snare the marquess and escape her vicious uncle. Through a comedy of accidents involving rats, spicy Victorian parlor games, and sneaking around hallways at night, Elissande tricks Vere into marriage. As attraction grows, she wants to admit her motivations, but Vere shuts his conniving bride out as Douglas swears revenge. Though both story line and misunderstandings feel contrived at times, Thomas writes with genuine wit and sympathy, and when hero and heroine actually connect, the humorous, graceful writing transcends a creaky plot.