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FOOL'S GOLD
by Jane Jakeman
Berkley, February 2006
256 pages
$13.00
ISBN: 0425207773


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Elizabeth Anstruther feels the need to prove her ability to earn a living. While she enjoys staying with Lord Ambrose, she is worried about the rumors of the villagers. Rather than accept, Ambrose's proposal, she takes a post as a companion to Lady Jesmond at a nearby estate.

Shortly after her arrival, Lord Ambrose receives a disturbing letter. The household Elizabeth has joined is not peaceful and has unheard of tensions. When Lord Jesmond's doctor dies, Elizabeth is sure that it is murder. Lord Ambrose arrives to determine whether or not Elizabeth needs further protection and if a murderer is truly loose.

Then another murder occurs and Lord Ambrose sends Elizabeth back to his estate for her protection. He remains on hand to find the killer and make sure that no further victims are claimed. During his investigation, he finds deceptions and monetary gains that might make a murder seem as a minor inconvenience. Somehow, Lord Ambrose must reveal the truth before greed overcomes reason.

FOOL'S GOLD features many of the elements found in the other books in this series. Lord Ambrose, somewhat against his will, is forced to become involved in other people's problems. He is not one who likes public attention or society yet he is frequently forced to go out into it in order to bring about justice.

In addition, he uses his birth and his name in order to get things accomplished. As a noble, he has the ability to force others to assist him even when they would prefer to stay out of the situation. Lord Ambrose is a dark character and his actions do not always appear to be for the good. Luckily the outcomes of his investigations are usually beneficial, which makes up for any previous doubt held about his behavior.

Normally I am a huge fan of the series, but certain elements of FOOL'S GOLD are annoying. Lord Ambrose is so sure that Elizabeth is in need of protection that he watches over her constantly. Even though they are lovers, he guards her as one would a child, not an adult. While this might be common in the period that the story is set in, it is rather annoying to see in a character that occasionally holds 'modern' views.

Luckily Elizabeth is able to prove that she is not a child in need of protection but is able to rescue herself and others when the situation calls for such action. While it is good that Elizabeth is able to prove her own, it is still aggravating for a character to share ideas at odds with my own.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, April 2006

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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