THE DASHING MISS FAIRCHILD

Author: Emily Hendrickson ISBN: 9780709082835 4/2009 (UK) HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE LTD.
Time Period: Regency

Rich and beautiful Claire Fairchild seeks diversion in Bath, desiring a change from her sister's children. En route someone abandons an infant in her carriage prior to her departure from a Marlborough inn. The mystery deepens when no parents or nanny can be discovered. What to do? Once in Bath, Richard Talbot, an old friend, offers his help to solve the mystery. But after they confront the suspected villain, they find their lives in danger. Following several assassination attempts, Claire discovers Richard's strength most comforting! Richard finds Claire even more enchanting than when they first met, and longs to make her his. Between the gossips of Bath and the danger of their quest, will they survive to make this possible?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

The premise about Miss Claire Fairchild and the infant placed in her carriage intrigued me. On the up side, THE DASHING MISS FAIRCHILD contains some relatively humorous dialogue, and the heroine is both smart and funny. But when I got further into this book, there were a few things that disappointed me.

From the very beginning of the novel, a neighbor and busybody sees an infant in Miss Fairchild’s arms (who is an unmarried spinster) and spreads the word. Despite Claire not realizing this woman had spotted her, she doesn’t seem to understand why she receives cold stares and the cut direct from strangers, even after time goes by. Never does Claire stop and think that hey, maybe someone saw me, an unmarried lady with a baby…

The most irritating thing about this story is that there is way too much mystery and no true passion. Sure, the hero and heroine share a few kisses, but I didn’t feel the zing between the two. Only a humdrum back story to a plot that resolves itself in the most boring, predictable way possible. That’s the reason why my review is so late; I was so bored, I put the book down several times.

If you like your romance sickeningly sweet with no passion, then THE DASHING MISS FAIRCHILD is the novel for you. However, if you want passion and great intrigue you just might want to pass. I know I would never read it again. Ever. And I don’t say that lightly.

Angela Arno