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The Regent Mysteries #2
A Most Discreet Inquiry
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00927UQGK
It all started quite innocently when Lady Daphne Chalmers's duchess sister came to her sleuthing sibling for help in retrieving love letters she wrote to Major Styles, now deceased. But as Daphne and her own lover, Captain Jack Dryden of His Majesty's Hussars, join forces to track down the letters, they follow a trail of treachery and murder that threatens the entire kingdom.
It all started quite innocently when Lady Daphne Chalmers's duchess sister came to her sleuthing sibling for help in retrieving love letters she wrote to Major Styles, now deceased. But as Daphne and her own lover, Captain Jack Dryden of His Majesty's Hussars, join forces to track down the letters, they follow a trail of treachery and murder that threatens the entire kingdom.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2012
About the author
Cheryl Bolen
154 books1,503 followersSince being named Notable New Author for 1997, Cheryl Bolen has published more than 35 books with Kensington/Zebra, Harlequin, Love Inspired Historical, Montlake, and independently. She has broken into the top 5 on the New York Times and hit the USA Today bestseller list. Her 2005 One Golden Ring won Best Historical, Holt Medallion, and her 2011 My Lord Wicked was awarded Best Historical in the International Digital Awards, the same year her Christmas novella was chosen as Best Novella. Her books have been finalists for other awards, including the Daphne du Maurier, and have been translated into eight languages. She’s also been the number 1 bestselling historical romance author in Germany.
She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and English from the University of Texas and a master's degree from the University of Houston. Her favorite pursuits are reading diaries of dead English women, traveling to England, and watching the Texas Longhorns play football and basketball. She and her recently retired professor husband are the parents of two sons. One is an attorney, the other a journalist.
Website: www.CherylBolen.com
Blog: www.cherylsregencyramblings.wordpress.co
Facebook: http://fbl.ink/Facebook
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 28, 2020
This is second in a series and I think it needs to be read in order. Events in the first are still playing out (mostly in their relationship and family) and I think it'd be uncomfortable jumping in here.
This was a pretty big disappointment on pretty much every level. The plot was stuttery with a lot of casting about fruitlessly. Worse, it's pretty clear that duc d'Arblier is being setup as a super villain and that he's going to forever escape on wings of authorial manipulation. And I'm really not a fan of the kidnapping/threatening as late-stage emotional enhancer that looks like it'll be the pattern as well.
But what I really hated was the games Bolen plays with their relationship. I mean, it was bad enough that she manipulated things so that their marriage (which happens pretty early) isn't consummated until the epilogue due to one interruption after another. That just got tired. The worst was having Daphne tell lies to her husband and him finding out and getting all distant and cold. Neither one had the courage to actually talk to the other and that is just stupid in a relationship that is supposed to be singularly strong and based on mutual respect and honesty.
In other words, it became clear with this story that Bolen wasn't going to take the story seriously and was going for hijinks in a Regency setting. The cook that can't cook, the post-boy turned coachman/amateur spy, the twins who tell each other everything (except when they don't). Bah. And don't even get me started on Jack turning down titles and promotions (the latter of which he actively earned) and Daphne's dowry for heaven's sake. Like living in London is going to be a cakewalk on just his captain's salary? He's really going to support the daughter of an earl on his "honor"? As if that idiocy had anything to do with honor and not just self-satisfied pride.
Anyway, I'm officially off the series and won't continue. It's 2½ stars for mostly-competent writing and nailing the setting and I'm not going to round up because I see literally no reason to justify it.
A note about Chaste/Steamy: This sells itself as "sweet". That's as much a lie as it was with the first. Yeah, there's no explicit sex, but the yearnings and the openly sensual conversations, not to mention the skimpy nighty and Jack ruminating over her, er, attributes (without euphemisms). Yeah, not chaste. I don't think it quite qualifies for the steamy tag, but it's definitely not chaste.
This was a pretty big disappointment on pretty much every level. The plot was stuttery with a lot of casting about fruitlessly. Worse, it's pretty clear that duc d'Arblier is being setup as a super villain and that he's going to forever escape on wings of authorial manipulation. And I'm really not a fan of the kidnapping/threatening as late-stage emotional enhancer that looks like it'll be the pattern as well.
But what I really hated was the games Bolen plays with their relationship. I mean, it was bad enough that she manipulated things so that their marriage (which happens pretty early) isn't consummated until the epilogue due to one interruption after another. That just got tired. The worst was having Daphne tell lies to her husband and him finding out and getting all distant and cold. Neither one had the courage to actually talk to the other and that is just stupid in a relationship that is supposed to be singularly strong and based on mutual respect and honesty.
In other words, it became clear with this story that Bolen wasn't going to take the story seriously and was going for hijinks in a Regency setting. The cook that can't cook, the post-boy turned coachman/amateur spy, the twins who tell each other everything (except when they don't). Bah. And don't even get me started on Jack turning down titles and promotions (the latter of which he actively earned) and Daphne's dowry for heaven's sake. Like living in London is going to be a cakewalk on just his captain's salary? He's really going to support the daughter of an earl on his "honor"? As if that idiocy had anything to do with honor and not just self-satisfied pride.
Anyway, I'm officially off the series and won't continue. It's 2½ stars for mostly-competent writing and nailing the setting and I'm not going to round up because I see literally no reason to justify it.
A note about Chaste/Steamy: This sells itself as "sweet". That's as much a lie as it was with the first. Yeah, there's no explicit sex, but the yearnings and the openly sensual conversations, not to mention the skimpy nighty and Jack ruminating over her, er, attributes (without euphemisms). Yeah, not chaste. I don't think it quite qualifies for the steamy tag, but it's definitely not chaste.
September 11, 2020
It was fine
There was so much going on in this novel that nothing ever settled in. Daphne and Jack spend most of it apart, emotionally if not physically. It was a quick read, which is good because I spent some of the time wondering if it was worth continuing to read it. Again, it felt like something that might have been amusing to watch but got boring and shallow to read.
CW: casual racism and fat shaming
Again there’s passing discussion of borrowing from “the Jews” which again came to nothing and could so easily have been left out.
I forgot to mention this in my review of the first book, but there is so much fat shaming in this series. Fat people are ugly, lazy, immoral, etc. So is having hair that’s too gray or going bald. And it’s not good to care too much about your appearance.
There was so much going on in this novel that nothing ever settled in. Daphne and Jack spend most of it apart, emotionally if not physically. It was a quick read, which is good because I spent some of the time wondering if it was worth continuing to read it. Again, it felt like something that might have been amusing to watch but got boring and shallow to read.
CW: casual racism and fat shaming
Again there’s passing discussion of borrowing from “the Jews” which again came to nothing and could so easily have been left out.
I forgot to mention this in my review of the first book, but there is so much fat shaming in this series. Fat people are ugly, lazy, immoral, etc. So is having hair that’s too gray or going bald. And it’s not good to care too much about your appearance.
June 17, 2020
After reading the first book, I immediately bought the second and have just finished it. I am so engrossed, I feel as though I am there with them all the way, going from mystery to mystery. I love their characters, charm, wit and the way they relish adversity together. I am so looking forward to the next chapter in their (our) lives, that at 12.45am, I have just downloaded books 3 and 4, although usually I never pay these prices, especially as book 3 is only 50+ pages. I really hope it lives up to my expectations, as there are less words to draw me in and engage my total concentration......... Here goes........
July 16, 2020
Wonderful series !
Can't say enough good things about this series. The mystery is well thought out,the romance just enough and the characters are well written. I highly recommend this series and this author.
Can't say enough good things about this series. The mystery is well thought out,the romance just enough and the characters are well written. I highly recommend this series and this author.
August 16, 2021
Lovely, intriguing, suspenseful
Loved this book as much as Book 1. Lots of suspense and intrigue, dialogue was delightful, with few typos. Characters were very likeable and relatable. Lots of humour and emotional content. Great read.
Loved this book as much as Book 1. Lots of suspense and intrigue, dialogue was delightful, with few typos. Characters were very likeable and relatable. Lots of humour and emotional content. Great read.
February 5, 2022
loved it!
I loved this book. It was well written, great plot and had plenty of Swashbuckling action in it to keep my attention. It has a most sensuous love story without being overboard with it.
I loved this book. It was well written, great plot and had plenty of Swashbuckling action in it to keep my attention. It has a most sensuous love story without being overboard with it.
June 17, 2018
Saving England
The Drydens are now the Regents favorite spy couple. To the peninsula and back. The evil duc is still trying to get Jack and Daphne to become a wife.
The Drydens are now the Regents favorite spy couple. To the peninsula and back. The evil duc is still trying to get Jack and Daphne to become a wife.
January 18, 2021
An adventure with romance on the side. A frustrating romance for both Lady Daphne and Captain Jack. Enjoyed the introduction of more side characters, especially Andy.
February 15, 2021
Another engaging regency romp! Solving mysteries one at a time....5 out of 5!
September 3, 2012
What a wonderful series this promises to be! I only hope there are more to come. I have been anxiously waiting for this second installment of The Regent Mysteries since I read With His Lady’s Assistance. I was not disappointed; A Most Discreet Inquiry was as much fun to read as the first book. This story picks up the adventures of Captain Jack and Lady Daphne as their wedding approaches, but they are soon off catching traitors, spies and other villains. Ms. Bolen does a wonderful job of combing humor, romance, mystery and adventure while incorporating historical figures such as the Prince Regent and the Duke of Wellington. Highly recommended!!
October 24, 2013
This was not quite as much fun as the first book (that one would be hard to match) but still a very enjoyable read. It was really interesting to see if Lady Daphne and Jack would ever get to consummate their marriage. It seems that there are just too many mysteries that only they can solve and that is what keeps getting in the way.
Fun series. Hope Cheryl Bolen keeps writing so I can keep reading.
Fun series. Hope Cheryl Bolen keeps writing so I can keep reading.
June 27, 2014
A Most Discreet Inquiry
The newlyweds try to help the Regent and run into all kinds of danger. they never find time for their married life to begin.They even had to involve her brother in their solving who killed the messenger that was to deliver the papers with the traitors amongst them.
The newlyweds try to help the Regent and run into all kinds of danger. they never find time for their married life to begin.They even had to involve her brother in their solving who killed the messenger that was to deliver the papers with the traitors amongst them.
March 12, 2013
This is a silly book. Pretentious, under-plotted and just not worth the time. Another 'good deal' on my Kindle that really wasn't. No noticeable plot-line, predictable, with a 'sexual overtone' subplot that was just downright laugh out loud.
February 3, 2014
Sadly disappointing when compared to the first book. This one started off well but by 4th or 5th chapter became predictable and boring with the usual schemes to make pointless drama.
February 13, 2014
Excellent read. Really enjoying this series.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews