The Dark Earl by Virginia Henley (Decadent Duke #3)
Historical Romance
September 6, 2011
Trade Paperback
NAL

Reviewed by May

Favorite Quote: “and are you offering your firm hand? What makes you feel so cocky? Keeping your hand in your pocket all day?”

The Dark Earl (aka Thomas Anson, Earl of Lichfield) while the title character of this book, plays a much smaller part than he should. Also, I didn’t find him especially dark, he’s just a man who is trying to right the wrongs of his father. Whether it’s because of the distant narrative tone set by this book, or simply the outrageous females of Lady Harriet “Harry” Hamilton’s family that set him to the back I’m not quite sure. What is clear is that these ladies are indeed outrageous, and unlike any from this time (1850’s) that I’ve read of before.

Harry (as she insists on being called) is getting her London season with her sister, and she’s out to slay the men and find herself someone with a home that she is in love with. That’s right – she tends to be more interested in homes and history then the men themselves. Nevertheless, the immature maiden sets out to take London by storm. On her first night out she comes across the Earl of Lichfield, whom she had met years before when she was just a child and he a humiliated son of an Earl with a gambling problem selling off all he could.

What happens next is kind of a love story between the two, with a number of other suitors, side tales for her sisters, and a full cast of characters crowding into the pages. The writing style put me off – there was just such a disconnected tone to the tale, such a lack of emotion that it didn’t have the warmth and heat that I like in a romance.

The conversations never failed to entertain though, especially this one where Lady Harry and her siblings are being told how to behave for an upcoming social event:

“Well, I assume the Irish expression you wish me to refrain from using is shyte. I believe there is a classic Anglo-Saxon verb that begins with the letter f. Would that be acceptable?”

“Depends on whether you’re saying it or doing it.”

What the book did have, and what made it enjoyable for me was a family that delights in saying exactly what they think, being shocking, even a lady getting a small tattoo! They had me on my toes, laughing, and really enjoying the first part of the book.

Unfortunately I had a hard time finding much good to say about the story itself, and direction of the plot. It read more like a family saga instead of a focused romance and I never did quite come to feel invested in the very predictable outcomes. Still, it was an entertaining and memorable read and I enjoyed my time with Lady Harry and her family.

Grade: C+

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