Daughter of the Game

Oh, boy, this is my kind of book. I loved it. Fantastic Regency mystery. Fast-paced, intense dialogue, all kinds of twists and turns and lots of surprises.

Charles and Mélanie Fraser's son has just been kidnapped from his own home. In the search for a priceless heirloom, which is the key to getting him back, the Frasers have to trample in places that no self respecting member of high society would ever be caught dead in.

In their course, the Frasers unearth secrets that have been long buried. The dialogue that ensues is as harsh and honest that you'll ever see between a married couple.

The characters are intriguing and you never know who's hiding what. You never know who's around the corner ready to do someone in. People aren't what they show more appear to be. And there are moments that will just outright shock you.

This is the perfect regency, no doubt about it. You can see and just about smell the world you're reading. The descriptions are just right, not overdone.

I recommend this to any historical mystery lover. show less

This novel (previously published as Daughter of the Game) unites some interesting literary elements: it's part mystery, part spy novel, and part family drama, set in the Regency period. Melanie and Charles Fraser seem to have the perfect lives: they are wealthy, have a prominent position in society, and are unfashionably fond of each other. But their peaceful existence is shattered when their son Colin is kidnapped, and in order to get him back, they must each revisit painful experiences from the past. They find themselves on the trail of a legendary ring, a Spanish family heirloom that both the French and British are trying to obtain and use as a weapon. Along the way, many secrets are revealed, most of which threaten Charles and show more Melanie's marriage, and some of which threaten their lives. I thought this novel was well-written and extremely exciting. The plot's twists and turns are completely improbable, but if you suspend your disbelief you'll quite enjoy it. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. show less

Rich, handsome and respected, Charles Fraser survived the Napoleonic Wars and now has it all: two healthy children, the love of his beautiful and intelligent wife Melanie, and a burgeoning political career. But then his son is kidnapped, and Charles can only save him by plunging into society's underbelly and the bloody past he tried to repress.

Only a few chapters in, a Huge Secret is revealed. Most of the time, Huge Secrets are either the end of a novel or are forgiven/forgotten after a single touching scene. But here, the characters deal with the repercussions for the rest of the novel. I really enjoyed watching them work through the consequences and renegotiate their relationships. Charles and Melanie are a little too show more anachronistically enlightened to be believable, but I'm glad Grant made the attempt.

SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT!
Melanie was a French spy and for the first few years of their marriage, stole papers and info from Charles and their English friends. Moreover, their son is actually Melanie's with her spy master, Raol. AND Raol in in fact Charles's father as well. AND Charles's younger half-brother Edgar is the villain. Why make Raol father Charles? Why have Edgar be evil? Half the twists are unnecessary. show less

Very interesting series, but the author wrote the books in random order so the three books I have in my hands Vienna Waltz (chronologically first of the three), Daughter of the Game (retitled Secrets of a Lady and the third) and Beneath a Silent Moon (second of the three) are related and I suppose could be read in any order, but my sense of order does not like that idea so much. I would recommend the chronological approach, but the stories and the histories of the characters are pretty convoluted(and fascinating) so it may not matter at all. Just enjoy the ride.

A fun read - I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story as well as the adventure.Very well researched and full of interesting surprises. Very entertaining and highly recommended.

Intrigue, sharply-drawn characters, unanticipated motivations -- this is a very nice first novel and I look forward to future works by this author.

Started this book last night