‘Stranger at the Grove’ is a very compelling Regency Romance penned by Mary Kingswood. At first glance, it seems to be the love story of an impoverished gentleman and a lady’s maid. However, Marie, the French lady’s maid, is not who she says she is. There is an aura of mystery about her. Malcolm Gage has returned to Great Maeswood after sixteen years. He left when his brother, Lawrence, married the love of his life, Catherine. His relations with his estranged brother are still not cordial. Unexpectedly, Malcolm is entranced by Marie. He sees beyond the façade of a servant. Nevertheless, even he could not imagine the true identity of the lady’s maid.
Who is Marie? Why is Marie hiding her identity? Will Malcolm be able to discover Mary’s true self? Will Malcolm and Marie overcome their pasts and fall in love?
All these questions are answered in Mary Kingswood’s delightful novel, ‘Stranger at the Grove.’
Kingswood is a prolific author. She weaves a tale of mystery and romance that keeps the reader enthralled till the end. Her engrossing writing style makes the reader feel like a character in her novel. Her apt choice of words enables her to create an atmosphere perfect for a Regency romance novel.
Mary Kingswood creates three-dimensional characters. The portrayal of Marie truly intrigued me. Till the very end, the story kept us wondering why Marie disguised herself. The mysterious vibe hooked me till the end. It added an edge to the story. I loved how Malcolm and Marie fell in love with each other. Neither cared about the other’s status in society. The dialogues in French between them made the milieu all the more romantic. The way they trusted each other and shared their deepest darkest secrets with each other touched my heart. I have to mention that the author portrayed the reconciliation of Malcolm and Lawrence, in a touching and realistic manner.
There is one more character who deserves a special mention. Though Catherine was not alive during the events of the book, her presence was felt. Even after death, she managed to wedge a distance between the brothers. I would have truly liked to know what convoluted thoughts really went through her head. The way she hid behind a mask even in her own diaries both bewildered and interested me. The author should be commended for creating such complex characters.
The book does not have any shortcomings. It was nothing short of perfect. Even the editing is professional.
Overall, ‘Stranger in the Grove’ is a unique Regency Romance that keeps the readers on edge till the very last sentence. Keeping everything in mind the pros and cons, I would be more than happy to award this engrossing read a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. I can’t wait to read the next book in the ‘Strangers’ series. I recommend this book to fans of Regency Romance novels with a dash of mystery. People who like reading about complex characters would like this book as well.
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