A Shadow's Bliss (Tales of the Jewelled Men, Vol 4)

From BooklistIn this fourth volume of the Tales of the Jewelled Men series, Veryan sets the scene in a woeful village in Cornwall. Here Jonathan, perceived as the village idiot for his refusal to raise a hand in self-defense and his spells of forgetfulness that impel him into manic activity, falls madly in love with the schoolmarm, who happens to be the lady from the castle. August Falcon and Lieutenant Morris arrive on the scene in pursuit of the Jewelled Men (highly placed conspirators against the Crown of England). Jonathan is called upon to help track down evidence and in doing so regains his identity, for, it seems, he was also a victim of these evil conspirators. Veryan outdoes herself in creating a complete work of fiction that is also a spellbinding piece within the whole series. Denise Perry DonavinProduct DescriptionThe fourth volume in The Tales of the Jewelled Men, set in Georgian England, tells of young Jack, generally considered a craven idiot, who shows his true colors when his love is threatened by the League of the Jewelled Men.From Publishers WeeklyVeryan's fluid prose and skill at plot development again distinguish this fourth volume in the Tales of the Jewelled Men series, set in Georgian England. Washed ashore in the South of England, Jonathan awakens with amnesia except for the memory of a deed for which he must do lifelong penance. Though it's obvious from his speech and demeanor that he is an educated man, he is called Crazy Jack by most of the residents of the Cornwall village and is scorned and beaten by its unemployed miners. Only a few people befriend him: Widow Newlyn, a suspected witch, one-handed Noah Holsworth, who gives him work, and Jennifer Britewell, the the local schoolteacher (and daughter of the local patrician landowner). Jonathan secretly loves Jennifer, who is being harassed by Lord Hibbard Green, a hateful man who seeks her hand in marriage because he covets the Blue Rose Tin Mine on her father's property. As Jonathan's protection helps Jennifer rebuff Green and her growing attraction to him helps Jonathan slowly recover his memory, the two find themselves caught up with the League of Jewelled Men, who have been accused of a treasonable conspiracy against the British government. Veryan's attention to historical details enlivens a colorful romantic tale.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.From Kirkus ReviewsAlthough Veryan provides less ton tattle and fan flirting than in other volumes of her League of Jeweled Men series (Time's Fool, 1991, etc.), this tale of an amnesiac gentleman demoted to village idiot in the wilds of Cornwall circa 1746 has action fast and sure, as well as the usual beset and besotted lovers. Believing he was responsible for many deaths, the handsome punching bag known to more sadistic villagers as Crazy Jack has taken an oath to content himself with humble toil and nonviolence. But Jack, whose memory returns in fits and starts, has the accents of a gentleman, a fact not lost upon lovely Jennifer Britewell, only daughter of Sir Vinsom of Castle Triad. Jack becomes the castle coachman, and love flares amid danger. Jennifer is pursued by a repulsive lord, while Jack sniffs out dirty deeds aborning in an abandoned mine, where the League of Jeweled Men--those toffs out to take over England--are about to make their next move. Hairbreadth escapes and chases enliven the finale, which features some old acquaintances from the earlier Jeweled Men adventures. Veryan's Regency romance fans should not ``fly up i' the boughs.'' They may weary of Crazy Jack's martyrdom in the sticks, but Cornish ghost appearances and a few surprises will probably revive their flagging interest. Regulation Veryan. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Author: Veryan, Patricia

Publisher: St Martins Pr

Binding: Hardcover

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0312105436

ISBN-13: 9780312105433