Review: Petty Treason by Madeleine E. Robins

[alfreda89]

Petty Treason: A Sarah Tolerance Mystery by Madeleine E. Robins



This is also an alternative world fantasy, for although it’s during the Regency period of England, it’s Queen Charlotte who is the Regent, not her eldest son – and her poor health leads to a lot of scheming, back stabbing and in-fighting amongst the princes for the role of the next regent.

Officially, our heroine, Sarah Tolerance, deals little with royals. She is a Fallen Woman (and in this history, that’s all most people care about her. She should go be a whore and get out of the sight of decent folk.) What would Elizabeth Barrett have done if she’d fallen in love with a man, left with him – and he’d died before they could be married? Sarah has no desire to be a whore (even with an aunt who runs a high-class bordello) and seeks another path. She is an agent of inquiry, the only one in London. Lost trinkets, misplaced spouses, adult children needing shepherding? Miss Tolerance can oblige. She is shrewd, intelligent, and quite good with a blade (her paramour was a fencing instructor.) In a strange no-man’s land, Miss Tolerance has carved out a tiny world for herself, and hangs onto her rung with vigor.

I have not read the first novel about this character, but this one is truly a mystery, a Regency Noir, if you will. The book is written in a lovely, formal manner that reflects the thought processes of its heroine. The details and depth of this London intrigue give us a much seamier side than Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen ever shared with us. There is a touch of potential romance suggested, although historically I do not see any way it could happen, short of elevation to the peerage, which could at least make it possible for a married Tolerance to remain in London.

The murderer seemed obvious to me (because all the tiny clues added up properly, not because of thin plotting) but the number of bodies turning up to cover many crimes will keep you watching up to the last page. I found this very readable, and finished it in one day (my poor eyes!) Recommended.


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The next review should be Althea, and then Jaydium.

Comments

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

I love both of the Sarah Tolerance books! Sadly, it seems they didn't do well enough for there to be any more. I'm guessing that a lot of regular Regency fans might have reacted poorly to the alternate-history angle.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I believe Madeleine has sold a third to a small press! As you say, some Regency fans may not have cared for the fantasy or the reality of the Sarah books. But I have one published one yet to read, and am looking forward to it!