The Talisman Ring (Regency Romances)

While this has always been my favorite Heyer, this particular version is awful: misspellings, incorrect words, large tracts of dialogue left out - and believe me, I checked it against my falling-apart hard copy. The result is I shall be sticking to my falling-apart hard copy in the future.

Not being a reader of "Romance" novels, I have read some Heyers books: Grand Sophy, Reluctant Widow, Nonesuch, etc. However, strongly felt this was dribble that could have been dredged from a 14-year-old's fantasy diary. As much as I struggled through it (having paid for it) just COULD NOT finish. It was as bad as I could imagine a "bodice ripper" to be. Live and learn.

This is a lighthearted and amusing novel, filled with romance and adventure.
Ludovic Lavenham was accused of murder and had to flee England or be hanged. He becomes a smuggler and meets his french cousin Eustacie, who was brought to England to escape the French revolution by her grandfather. Eustacie, who was to make a marriage of convenience with her cousin Tristram, decides to run away instead, and during her escape she meets Ludovic and his smugglers.
The only way to clear Ludovic's name is to find his Talisman ring, and with help from a delightful cast characters, the search is on.
Results: this is an absurd adventure, but it's so much fun that it's easy to suspend disbelief, and sit back and enjoy the ride.

Eustacie is promised to Tristram. Her dying grandfather made the two of them promise to marry in order to keep her safe. After thinking it over and realizing he is not her true romantic hero, she runs away. She plans to have an “adventure”. Eustacie has been happy to share various fantasies about what her life could be. Tristram is a very down to earth and practical man who has no time in his life to deal with either fantasy or adventure.

As she runs away, Eustacie is captured by a smuggler. It turns out that the smuggler is her cousin, Ludovic. He has been banished because he is accused of murder. He is a romantic figure who has lived for several years hiding and dealing in smuggled French brandy. Ludovic is shot and wounded by men trying to prevent smuggling. The two cousins make their escape to an inn which is owned by a friend.

At the inn, they meet Sarah and her brother who are travelers just passing through. Of course, Sarah decides to become a part of the adventure. And that is just the early part of the story.

This story is a mystery, a romance, an adventure and most of all a comedy.

I think this is the best Georgette Heyer book I have read.

The goal for each character in the story is to find an heirloom ring which can prove that Ludovic did not commit murder. Who has the ring is not exactly a mystery. How to retrieve the ring and prove Ludovic's innocence without anyone getting killed or arrested, is the difficulty.

Trying to keep Ludovic hidden as he recovers from his wound becomes a large task for everyone. He believes he is capable of saving himself and challenging any villain who is after his life.

The story is wonderfully plotted and paced. There is no time when something interesting is not happening. The dialog is witty, humorous and quick. The development of characters is so well done that the reader feels as if they know each person up close and personally.

Ludovic is flamboyant and ready to be impetuous at the drop of a hat and that makes Eustacie fall in love. Sarah is a funny and intelligent woman who likes the idea of teasing Tristram. He is a serious man and not about to get himself drawn into any silly escapades.
In spite of his intentions, he is sucked right into trying to save Ludovic's life and the family's reputation.

If you want to laugh as you read, this is the book for you. If you want an “adventure” that will lead you to danger, mystery, humor and a wonderful story, this is the book for you.

I'm learning to understand Ms. Heyer's writing style which often includes a storyline set up with a good foundation including well drawn out characters before the reader is immersed into the actual plot. In this book, we are attendant at the soon-to-be passing of Sir Tristam Shield's Uncle Sylvester, where Tristam will hear out and bear the burden of Uncle Sylvester's deathbed requests. Chief among these requests is one that would have Tristam wed Sylvester's granddaughter, the redoubtable little French gal - Eustacie de Vauban. Originally, Sylvester had intended Eustacie for his grandson, Ludovic. However, since Ludovic has been missing for two years, Sylvester seeks a promise from Tristam that he will wed Eustacie in Ludovic's place. Eustacie is young, fanciful and romantical, focusing her mental energies on fantasies in which her life will hopefully become one of high adventure with the end result being that her imaginary true love will mourn her dramatic death. Sir Tristam is 31 years old to Eustacie's 18 years and he is anything but fanciful. In fact, one could quite imagine him to be a Mr. Sobersides, especially when set up next to the adorable Eustacie.

This reader was under the assumption the storyline would develop towards a sweet little romance between the stiff Tristam and the somewhat bubble headed Eustacie. But, that was not to be. It seems that Ludovic's disappearance includes a cloud of a suspicion of murder related to the mysterious and priceless Talisman Ring which was in his possession at the time of his disappearance. Amidst all this intrigue is another nephew - Man of Fashion, Basil (Beau) Lavenham - who is next in line to inherit Uncle Sylvester's title and accompanying entailed possessions if Ludovic is indeed found to be dead. Uncle Sylvester passes away after having passed on his last requests to Sir Tristam not knowing whether Ludovic is dead or alive.

When Eustacie, not quite satisfied with Tristam as a future husband, decides to take her life into her own hands and escapes in the middle of the night, she unexpectedly falls into the hands of a dashing young smuggler. She is immediately captivated with the turn her adventure has taken and strikes up an infatuation with the young man who just happens to be her cousin, Ludovic, who is very much alive and doesn't even realize his grandfather has died. Ludovic has been on the run for the past couple of years because of the murder charge against him without any way to prove he is innocent. In fact, he no longer has the Talisman Ring and must have it back.

All the parties in the story soon converge on the Red Lion Inn where Ludovic hides out from the law, Eustacie plots and plans with her new found friend, Miss Thane - who was in search of some high drama in her own life. Then there is Miss Thane's brother Hugh, who is passing time at the inn because of their marvelous cellar which contains the best strong drink he has come across in many a day - courtesy of the smugglers' relationship with the owner of the inn - Mr. Nye. There are several minor characters, including Nye, who must confront Bow Street Runners hired by Basil, all the while trying to keep the somewhat uncooperative Ludovic safe down in the cellars. It's time for Ludovic to return to the land of the living, but he must needs clear his name which includes finding the Talisman Ring. How can he fail with the help of Eustacie, Miss Thane, his smugger friends and Sir Tristam to continually keep everyone sorted out.

Fun story - not a lot of romance, but still a great read. I was laughing out loud during some of my reading time.

How this slipped past me in my ongoing Georgette Heyer orgy, I cannot say. I've never read The Talisman Ring. I suppose I was discouraged by the suspense plot that figures prominantly, but based on reviews here I decided to give the audiobook, read by Phylidia Nash, a try and I loved it. Loved the plot and its twists and turns, loved the main characters, it has a fairly large cast, though it is essentially a drawing room farce set in and mostly taking place within the walls of a roadside inn.

An insufficient plot summary: while pursuing a life of skullduggery-in-exile, Lodovic, a young man and heir to a barony risks life and limb to return to Sussex to find proof of his innocence for a murder he stands convicted of. Someone killed the man who won Ludovic's prized talisman ring gambling and framed him for it. Ludovic returns just at the time that Tristram, one of Ludovic's two older uncles, alienates a hyper-romantic young French emigree/heiress betrothed to him by the dying baron. ('Would you ride like the wind to be at my deathbed?' she asks dramatically only to have him reply reasonably that she is unlikely to die before him.) On the baronial estate also lives the other uncle, a society beau, who would inherit the barony if not for Ludovic. The frenchwoman runs away and meets by chance a very droll spinster and her Justice of the peace brother, Sir Henry at an inn where Ludovic ends up hiding out to avoid the law and whoever is trying to see him captured.

Who is the true villain, who can be trusted, and will the fugitive Ludovic be discovered are the issues juggled deftly throughout the story, with many near misses and funny, funny moments of inspiration as everyone tries their damnedest to keep the hell-raising and somewhat stupid (or young and heedless) Ludovic from thrusting his own head into the noose. There's a cat and mouse game, sneaking around in the dark, brawls and traps set while the search is on for Ludovic's elusive talisman ring.

The young and heedless Frenchwoman and Ludovic find in each other true soul mates and Tristram finds in the witty spinster a woman after his own droll heart. This is more a 'who's doing it' than a romance but it works as both because you sense clearly who's suited for whom and why even as the mathem unfolds.

The reader, Phylidia Nash, performed the young Frenchwoman's voice, the droll older men and women, the local innkeeper, Bow Street runners, servants and smugglers with unbelieveable precision, giving everyone a specific, funny and individual personality. This is G. Heyer at her wryest, dryest best. A very entertaining story brought to life by a very talented performance.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
I had two problems with Phyllida Nash.

1. Her breaths were annoying and distracting. When talking to someone in person one does not hear breaths. Throughout the book I’m thinking when is the next breath going to come? They interrupted the story. Narrators: PLEASE listen to the recording of yourself and if you hear your breaths, use a different microphone - or stand farther away from it.

2. She has a haughty British tone. She does not read with wonder and interest. It’s like she does not enjoy what she is reading. I also did not like her voice for 18-year-old Eustacie. It was irritating and shrill.

THE STORY:
The story was pretty good. It reminded me of young people taking chances and doing crazy things because they want the thrill of adventure. There is a killer and a stolen ring. An innocent man was accused. Several friends want to help find the ring and catch the killer. There is not much romance, but there is a pleasing romantic attachment at the end. This is a light hearted romantic comedy (kind of slapstick).

DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 9 hrs and 25 mins. Swearing language: none. Sexual content: none. Setting: 1793 England. Book copyright: 1936. Genre: historical mystery with some romance.

OTHER BOOKS by Georgette Heyer:
My favorite books are: These Old Shades, Cotillion, and Friday’s Child. My second favorites: Devil’s Cub, Lady of Quality, The Convenient Marriage, The Foundling, and A Civil Contract.

This book appeared early in the author's career but after she had hit her stride and had established her reputation as a writer of light, highly enjoyable historical fiction. All of her books include an element of humor, but this was the first one in which she pulled out all the stops. It's largely a detective story, too, with a strong flavor of "The Thin Man," but also with elements of P. G. Wodehouse, and even the Keystone Cops. The story begins in 1793 with the demise in Sussex (where Heyer lived, in fact) of the elderly Baron Lavenham, whose last act is to try to provide for his half-French teenage granddaughter, Eustacie, by marrying her off to her thirty-year-old cousin, Sir Tristram Shield, who needs an heir. It would be a marriage of convenience and both of them agree, but that's before their other two cousins get into the act. Young Ludovic, heir to the title, was accused three years before of the murder of an annoying neighbor and was hurried out of the country to avoid prosecution. He was supposed to lie low on the Continent but instead took up smuggling and now he's back to look into things. The other family member to become involved is Basil ("the Beau"), who lives in the Dowerhouse on the estate and would be next in line after Ludovic. He's easygoing and friendly but none one else trusts him. And then there's Miss Sarah Thane, passing through the neighborhood with her brother, Sir Hugh. They're staying at the Red Lion Inn, a smugglers' haven, where much of the action takes place. Said action revolves around the search for the heirloom ring which Ludovic had lost gambling with the neighbor and which disappeared with his killer -- and recovery of which will show who the real murderer is.

Yes, it's a complicated plot which would require another five pages to explain coherently, so I shan't try. I'll only say that Heyer's characters are marvelous. The romantic Eustasie and Sarah are anxious to take part in an adventure, Ludovic is getting tired of hiding out in the innkeeper's secret cellar (he doesn't have much sense of self-preservation anyway), the Bow Street Runners are blundering about and shooting holes in storage closets, Sir Hugh doesn't really track what all is going on (and doesn't care, as long as the Madeira keeps coming), the Beau is getting nervous about people poking around his wainscoting, and Sir Tristram is just trying to keep everyone out of trouble. And he and Sarah are becoming involved, as are (of course) Ludovic and Eustasie. Dialogue, especially when it involves Eustasie is often laugh-out-loud funny and the action is frequently frenetic. And even though whodunit is pretty obvious from early in the story, it's the journey getting there that provides the fun.

So funny I was crying with laughter. This is such a witty romance. The dialogue and the repartee are perfection. My sides hurt from laughing so hard. No one wrote Regency to compare with Georgette Heyer. This has to be one of the best of her works. Others may do spoilers. I can only write that you mustn't miss this wonderful story. It has romance, intrigue, mystery and romance blended into a truly wonderful romance with 2 unbelievably funny young characters and 2 more mature characters trying to keep them from disaster. This is truly a delightful story. Read, too, "The Black Sheep-" for another wonderful romance..

Heyer really enjoys herself in this tightly woven tale of comedy, adventure and a touch of mystery thrown in. There are all the main elements of an eighteenth century bodice ripper - only no bodices get ripped and it is much more satisfying. Heyer knows how to play with characters and the elements to get the best out of it all. Her characters are wonderfully light and witty and the whole tale is just so difficult to put down.
First off there is Eustacie who is an escapee from the French Revolution (although well before there was any danger thus breaking her romantic heart that she wasnever a romantic figure going to her death in a Tumbril). She is being set up for an arranged marriage with her cousin Sir Tristram - whose greatest wish is not to marry her at all. To escape this marriage she flees at night (despite terrible tales of the headless horseman which roams the nearby woods). In her flight she comes across a band of smugglers and her 'romantic' cousin Ludovic.
There is the missing 'Talisman Ring' of the title of this book which will release Ludovic from years of exile as an accused (but naturally innocent) murderer.
This book has one of my favourite Heyer heroines, the unshakeably prosaic Sarah Thane who steps in to help Eustacie clear her cousin Ludovic of murder and thus make them able to at last marry. In the meantime Sarah must work around the even more prosaic Sir Tristram.
Heyer manages to turn the most ordinary events into wonderfully farcical situations. She has a coterie of secondary characters to support this - for instance the two sincere but bumbling Bow Street Runners, as well as Nye (the inn owner) and his deaf daughter. There is also a lovely turn by Sarah's self-contained brother who, despite being a stern upholder of the law being a JP, only cares seem to be food and good smuggled wine.
The trouble with writing reviews is it never captures the essence of the humour and it is high in this one - I think Talisman Ring is one of Heyer's best. It was written in 1936 just before Heyer began her obsession with Regency Drawing room comedies - but this has the lightness of touch which her later Regency's such as Frederica, and The Grand Sophy have. It is all light and airy good fun. If you haven't read this one, then add it to the top of your Must Read list.

Georgette Heyer had the lightest of touches and an amazing ability to confound expectations; never expect the heroine to be the girl introduced promisingly on page one, never expect the hero to be anything but charmingly exasperated. The Talisman Ring is, in my opinion, one of her best novels. The humor, mystery and tension are high and the protagonists are wonderfully witty, smart and tart. This is not a novel to miss if you enjoy light romantic comedy.

It begins at a brooding mansion where the patriarch is dying and his nephew, Sir Tristam Shield, has come to see the old man off and collect his new, soon to be, bride, Eustacie, the old man's French granddaughter. Eustacie finds Shield old and without any conversation. She swiftly decides to run away, but her escape is hampered by a wounded smuggler and Shield himself. She is aided by a chance met acquaintce who seems to find the whole situation amusing. But there's more to Shield, the smuggler and family secrets than any of them yet know...

It sounds like a gothic romance, but in reality, Heyer brilliantly spoofs gothics in this novel and it quickly descends to an interesting and VERY funny mystery.

I was introduced to Heyer by my mother as a child and haven't turned back since; she is also, btw, the most likely source of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Jeopardy questions I've ever encountered. As an English teacher and SAT tutor I can also highly recommend her on the basis of her vocababulary, I was shocked to realize as a high school student that I could trace my knowledge of almost all "SAT" words to her novels-I got a 780 almost purely on the basis of my Heyer reading. I now have students read them for that reason. As one reviewer noted, though I'll paraphrase, if Heyer's world suits you, you'll settle down for a lifetime. I have quite happily. There are few of her books that I haven't read several times over the years and appreciated on each re-reading. She is often compared to Jane Austen and would probably have something of her standing had she been writing of contemporary events. She is considered one of the best "historians" of social conditions during the regency period. She's being re-released in the US at long last- though she has always been in publication- so buy now.

Georgette Heyer has an eye for the ridiculous and in this wonderfully hilarious romp she let fly her full range of comic and romantic notions.
Eustacie, a romantically inclined and altogether very young French girl is given in marriage by a death-bed promise to Sir Tristram - mild reluctance turns quickly into distaste for the scheme on both sides - Eustacie is shocked to find that Sir Tristram will neither ride ventre a terre to her deathbed, nor does he find the imaginative vision she conjures up of herself alone, and dressed maybe in white, being drawn in a tumbril to the guillotine, at all affecting.
Realising the cause is hopeless, Eustacie runs away and gets caught up with a gang of smugglers, which happens to include her very wildly irresponsible cousin Ludovic - he promptly gets shot by Excisemen and...... well, writing about it here it all sounds vastly dramatic and far-fetched but Heyer writes with her tongue firmly in her cheek and she lets us in to the joke as well.
She has such a light touch that the most seemingly ridiculous situation is never taken too seriously - you can truly suspend your disbelief and enjoy the story. Indeed, she does that with a great deal of irony for Sir Tristram is the least imaginative hero you might imagine. Were he to live now he would most definitely have belonged to the Skeptics Society.
Events move to a local inn where a we meet the resolute and sparkling Sarah Thane, surely one of the most wonderful heroines Heyer has every created. Along the way we must solve a old crime that will clear Ludovic's name, search an old house for priests hole, escape numerous scrapes and help Sir Tristram mend his broken heart.
A charming, funny, romantic mystery and full of great scenes to remember.

The Talisman Ring is a marvellous piece of comedy, high drama, farce, romance and wit. If you find Regency drawing-room dramas slow-moving, but enjoy the beautiful writing, and want something to set your pulse racing and your excitement on end - buy The Talisman Ring. If you love mystery, this book is considered by some to be Heyer's masterpiece from her mystery writing career - probably because it is not a mystery in the strict sense of the word. It is a late 18th century story of snowdrifts, misunderstandings, disguises, humour, murder, and stolen rings. The book is very romantic, with one of Heyer's most likeable casts - Eustacie de Vauban, the romantic, strong-willed French refugee, Ludovic, Lord Lavenham, refugee of justice, smuggler and rogue, Miss Thane, as sensible as she is romantic and inventive, and Sir Tristram, one of Heyer's sardonic dark heroes. With Basil Lavenham, the oily dandy, a charming innkeeper, his deaf sister, a couple of bumbling Bow Street Runners, and Hugo Thane, Justice of the Peace, this is a happy, very fast-moving novel full of the sort of corruption that the reader can forgive, and it is just the right length for a beginner. Younger readers, in particular, should thoroughly be recommended to read this book to introduce them to the world of Heyer and its high drama, stylised manners and wonderful language.

I must have missed something. Barely a thread of attraction in the story- this should have been classified as a humorous mystery. The “slap-stick” humor fell short for me. It was a light, quick read but did not hold me captive. I listened to part of it on a trip and did enjoy the narration, but finished it by reading the kindle because listening goes so much slower than reading and I wasn’t very invested in the story.

Delightful and witty The Talisman Ring sparkles with outrages plans of the half-French and half-English eighteen-year-old Eustacie de Vauban as she runs away to find "romance" and "adventure", the kind she has read about in romance novels of her day. Intrepid but naïve about the ways of the world outside of her sheltered life, she soon has the countryside throbbing with intrigue.

Having agreed to marry Eustacie to please his dying uncle, thirty-one year old Sir Tristram Shield sets out to find her and send her to his mother until they wed. Wealthy, unemotional, cautious, and steeped in the habits of a bachelor, Tristram has no patience with reckless ventures, but when he finds Eustacie he also finds himself embroiled in a family tangle that demands his attention until it is unraveled and the rightful man inherits his uncle's estate and title.

The conglomeration of characters that play havoc with Sir Tristram Shield's orderly life run the gamut of society. The foppish Basil Lavenham (the Beau) and free trader Ludovic Laveham, both relatives who have agendas of their own, drag Tristram into finding the truth about a murder more than two years old. Sarah Thane, a single lady that befriends Eustacie, her self-centered brother Sir Hugh Thane, the Innkeeper Nye, along with Bow Street Runners and servants take part in the "adventure" Eustacie and Sarah are bent on having a part in.

Abel Bundy, a country fellow who works with Ludovic Laveham, says, "It ain't no manner of use trying to keep out of trouble if so be you're born to it. For why? Because if you don't look for trouble, trouble will come a-looking for you...", a statement that tells much about the motivation for many of the characters.

Georgette Heyer, known as the Queen of Regency, has a writing style that bubbles with humor, charm, understatement, and comedic timing. The subtle growth of two relationships during all the hullabaloo of searching for the Talisman Ring giving the novel a special richness that is so indicative of this author's novels.

The Talisman Ring is a keeper for Regency Romance readers and readers who enjoy humor and subtle wit. It is splendid reading!

[...]

This is a wonderfully rich novel, full of excellent secondary characters which lots of charm and wit. Sir Tristram has promised to marry his cousin Eustacie, But Eustacie, passionate French girl that she has has decided that Sir Tristram will never ride Ventre Terre to her rescue and so she must escape and find her glamourous cousin Ludovic who has had to flee from the country house as he has killed a man over cards. All rather romantically passionate.

Sir Tristram is not impressed at all and in his practical capable fashion goes back to retrive her, only now he ends up in a country hostel, ver probably a msugglers den with highwaymen, a Justice of the Peace and his redoubtable sister, Sarah Thane. And further more, he gets dragged into the plans by Eustacie and Sarah to prove Ludovic's innocence.

It is hilarious good fun, Heyer's sense of the ridiculous is utterly to the fore in this one. It has so much good humour - very reminiscent of The Corinthian. Sir Tristram begins as a rather dour character, but is lifted up by his engaging battles with Sarah.

This is a guaranteed enjoyable read, good first novel for Heyer fans, and although not strictly regency period (more Georgian) one of her best humoured works

Ms. Heyer is a very talented writer. The story was compelling and well plotted. She doesn't fall into the trap that some writers do of allowing their characters to merge into one. Each character keeps their own personality clear through the book.

The only criticism I have is that I would have like to see a bit more of the characters' development in conjunction with the story, but it was still good. Highly recommended.

Usually Georgette Heyer's novels feature fabulous characterizations with humorous verbal sparring and romantic complications. In The Talisman Ring the heroes and the villain are obvious, so the primary focus is an interesting plot which features an inheritance, an old murder, and wicked duplicity. The unusually fast pacing and excellent tension provide an amusing diversion in the always entertaining Georgette Heyer Regency Romances.

I enjoyed this book. It was difficult to put down. My favorite character was actually, Sir Hugh as he reminded me of the british actor Bruce Nigel. I was laughing out loud while reading this story. What a fun sense of humor did Georgette Heyer have. I have ready only abut five of the Regency Romance series that Heyer wrote and by far this is my favorite.

The plot is straightforward but the characters are a joy to behold! I have an old 1967 edition of this novel and I cringed at the romance-looking cover (bare-chested male, swooning female) and the blurb on the back, but the actual romance in the story is with another (and far better!) pair entirely. Nothing embarrassing in the least, with touches of Austen's wit and practicality. Heyer, I think, did better with the concept of spoofing bad romances than Austen did in Northanger Abbey. I found myself laughing out loud and thoroughly enjoying this book. For a bit of light fun, go for it! :)

Be patient with a slightly slow start, which is typical of Georgette Heyer as she introduces her characters. Once she lets lose there is no end to the fun to be had with laugh-out-loud characters and circumstances with plenty of adventure and romance to be had. As usual, great characters. A must read for Georgette Heyer fans.

Love Georgette Heyer. This was a great mystery as well as a romance. One of the reasons that Heyer is so remarkable as a writer is that she is a masterful storyteller. She evokes strong feelings without resorting to any lewdness. You know that characters are drawn to one another without any sexual innuendo. Since I am a clean romance fan, she is great.

Although this is not one of my absolute favorite Heyer books, it is up there in the top 10.
The characters are lively and their characterisations are a lot of fun - and true to their ages.
Although the pace falters in some places, and the plot is - at times - frankly outrageous, Georgette Heyer brings it all together with her usual mastery: and makes no apologies at all for the outrageous plot devices.
Not a book for a first time Heyer reader, but definately one for those readers who want to bridge between her Mystery and Regency genres to read.

This is a sparklingly witty book that had me laughing out loud nearly constantly. The audio version, narrated by Phyllida Nash, is delightful. Her characterizations are wonderful, from the irrepressibly flighty Eustacie to the oblivious Hugo Thane. Best of all, she conveys the characters' own sense of the absurdity of the situations in which they find themselves embroiled. I loved every minute of the production, and am sorely tempted to start over again immediately from the beginning. Highly, highly recommended.

This is a sparklingly witty book that had me laughing out loud nearly constantly. The audio version, narrated by Phyllida Nash, is delightful. Her characterizations are wonderful, from the irrepressibly flighty Eustacie to the oblivious Hugo Thane. Best of all, she conveys the characters' own sense of the absurdity of the situations in which they find themselves embroiled. I loved every minute of the production, and am sorely tempted to start over again immediately from the beginning. Highly, highly recommended.

The Talisman Ring is my favorite book by Georgette Heyer (followed closely by The Reluctant Widow) because it has a perfect blend of romance, adventure and, especially, humor. There are several times throughout the book, no matter how many times I read it, that just make me laugh out loud. And the two couples juxtapose each other very well; one couple is young and brash and fun, and the other is older and more mature. Seeing the older couple's relationship grow is, in my opinion, one of the story's highlights. And the dialogue between characters is great- there is a lot of chemistry between the fairly large cast of characters, and even the secondary characters are VERY memorable. If you like Regency romances (without the physical action), then Heyer is for you. And if you like Heyer, then The Talisman Ring is definitely for you.

heyer is a wonderful read.........and even great to read again and again........she takes some getting used to........she uses the terms and jargon of england in past times........but if you hang in there you'll get a wonderful story......and what you think will happen isn't always forthcoming.........she also has historical novels......those i don't like so much........but if you are a history buff......she is very thorough.........

book came on time........as advertised......

THE TALISMAN RING by Georgette Heyer is considered by many to be her masterpiece of Regency England. It takes place in the rough world of outlaws and men cheated of their inheritance.
Eustacie, a refugee from France wants adventure instead of a safe marriage with an unwilling bridegroom. In the dark of night she encounters a smuggler who gives her more of an adventure that she had in mind.
Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS and WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS.

Enjoyable romance by Heyer. It involves a silly French girl and a dutiful cousin. It quickly involves others in this adventure and romance. The characters are fun, especially the Sally. It adds up to a very fun couple of hours!

Georgette Heyer made a name for herself by writing historical romances and mystery stories. The Talisman Ring belongs to the historical romance category but set in the 18th century. It makes a good read as it is strong on plot and a little short on historical detail. There's enough detail for the reader to be aware of the period that serves as the setting, not so much as to get in the way.
The talisman ring that has been lost during an unsolved murder serves as the focus of the plot. Some of the characters come across strong and clear such as Sir Tristam Shield, Sarah Thane and her brother Sir Hugh Thane and the reader will feel as if he or she knows them from other Heyer novels. Others such as the principal lovers, Ludovic Lavenham and Eustacie, seem rather shallow and undeveloped.
The book is exciting although perhaps not as captivating as her very best. It still reads well if put down and reread after three or four years.

I have most of the novels of Georgette Heyer, and this is one of my favorites. Heyer stuffs her books with period detail and language, but it's never heavy going -- she writes like a light screwball comedy in hoopskirts. I particularly enjoy the characters and conversations in The Talisman Ring. The ingenues (Eustacie and Ludovic) make for sparkling comic relief with their enthusiasms, but it's the mature lovers (Sarah and Sir Tristram) who shine in their witty courting dance. Adventure, romance, a lost heir and murder most foul -- what more could you ask for?

Easily one of the best of Georgette Heyers books and one of the most humorous. Instead of a great manor house where her stories usually take place, the majority of this story takes place in an "inn". I would have a hard time selecting my favorite character in this book, Tristan,Sara Thane,Ludovic, Eustacie and even Joseph Nye the innkeeper all contribute mightily to this story and move it along with humor and romance. I almost forgot! I think my favorite character would be "the old Lord Sylvester", who promptly dies at the beginning of this tale but as the protagonist, if it was not for him along with his disagreeable personality and his disquieting ability to "hit the nail square on the head" when opining on the character traits of his relatives and heirs is priceless. Enjoy this!

The best !!! No other words could describe the wonderful talent in which Georgette Heyer wrote her book. Full of suspence, excitement and many witty remarks which complete's and makes the book such a sinful delight. I recommend this to anyone looking for a little pleasure, you will get your full with this one.

This is one of my favorite Heyer novels. Her hero starts out dark and brooding and emerges as alternately: frustrated, confused, amused and insightful. Her heroine(s) are funny (one intenetionally so), brave, and have ingenuity to spare. The situations keep cropping up in this novel and, as usual, the secondary characters often steal the show. Heyer's wit and eye for the very subtle clue are at the fore here. Highly recommended.

The Talisman Ring is one of Georgette Heyer's best novels - funny, fast paced, with wonderfully witty dialog and a few surprises.
Most of the action takes place at a smuggler's inn, with characters like Eustacie (young French girl who escaped the Revolution), Sir Tristam Shield (is he a murderer or love interest?), Sarah Thane (spinster with nerves of steel) and her brother Sir Hugh Thane (justice of the piece or smuggler's friend?), Ludovick Lavenham (smuggler and cheat or wronged gentleman?) and more.
A great introduction to her work for new readers, and a must-read for Regency fans. Three thumbs up!

I stumbled on this website by accident, I thought I was the only person in the world to read Georgette Heyer novels! I am amazed that people in America read them as well, I did not think taht they would transplant at all well. None of my friends read them, but I have since I was a teenager. Her Regency novels are my favourite, in England the dust jackets had an almond green cover with a small pastel painting in the middle, very pretty. I once painted the living room in my flat (sorry apartment) almond green, my favourite colour in honour of her books. Georgette Heyer was well known enough to have had a biography written about her after she died about 20 years ago. I love her books they are soul chocolate, perfect to read when feeling down in the dumps, beautifully written, witty and observant. Anyone for Georgette Heyer trivia? She was born in Wimbledon,in south London of all places, and her father was called George Heyer, he was a benefactor of Kings College Hospital, (a teaching hospital in S. London) I worked there for a while and stumbled on his name in the hospital chapel, carved on the wall. Georgette Heyer only had one son, he is a High Court Judge in the UK, Mr Justice Rougier (Rougier was her married name)quite well known and been involved in some high profile judgements. She was also half or quarter Russian. Ho hum what else can I add, hope this of interest to collectors of Georgette Heyer trivia!

This is definitely one of the funniest Heyer I have read so far. I think this is probably because there are two heroes and two heroines, and their chemistry with each other is just sparkling! If I have to compare it with The Grand Sophy and Venetia (both excellent!), the laughter index here is higher.

This is my favorite Heyer. I laughed so hard that tears streamed down my face. All of her inn stories are great and this one which spends the most time in an inn is the best. Two wonderful heroines - so it is a double treat.

This book as an entertainment value is good, although a bit slow at times. Some of the scenes seem very coincidental indeed and the main male protagonist is show having almost superhuman qualities. Don't look much further from entertainment though.

Volatile survivor of the French terror Eustacie desires a romantic husband but her dying grandfather has chosen a decidedly unromantic man. She decides it would have been better to go to Madame Gioulltine, but instead runs away into the night into the arms of a dashing and handsome nobleman turned smuggler. Her happiness at stake, Eustacie and her new friend Sarah Thane will stop at nothing to clear his name.

Mostly wanted to just leave a rating rather than a review.

Looks like I am going to be the odd man out here. I have read many GH books and, for me, this one was just not one of her better stories.

So funny I was crying with laughter. This is such a witty romance. The dialogue and the repartee are perfection. My sides hurt from laughing so hard. No one wrote Regency to compare with Georgette Heyer. This has to be one of the best of her works. Others may do spoilers. I can only write that you mustn't miss this wonderful story. It has romance, intrigue, mystery and romance blended into a truly wonderful romance with 2 unbelievably funny young characters and 2 more mature characters trying to keep them from disaster. This is truly a delightful story. Read, too, "The Black Sheep-" for another wonderful romance..

heyer is a wonderful read.........and even great to read again and again........she takes some getting used to........she uses the terms and jargon of england in past times........but if you hang in there you'll get a wonderful story......and what you think will happen isn't always forthcoming.........she also has historical novels......those i don't like so much........but if you are a history buff......she is very thorough.........

book came on time........as advertised......