Proper English

03 · Reader evidence

What the evidence says

What readers repeatedly liked

• Strong Plot. Murder/detection plot is tight with misdirections and tangled suspects; The Christie-esque murder mystery plot is fun and keeps readers on their toes, with every party member having secrets and motives; Both the mystery and romance aspects of the novel fully absorbed the reader. Supported by 4 sources (source 890, source 892, source 895, source 897).
• Complex Characters. Pat and Fenella are engaging and break free from societal stereotypes; Fen is revealed to have depth of character and an insightful mind beneath her vapid exterior, and Pat recognizes this as they spend time together; Nearly every character has a secret that could be exploited by a blackmailer, giving depth to the cast. Supported by 3 sources (source 890, source 892, source 897).
• Likable Lead. Pat’s awkwardness in romance is endearing and Fen shows strength by gently guiding their budding relationship; The reader enjoyed following Pat Merton’s perspective so much that she almost forgot it was a mystery; Pat is portrayed as very sensible and practical, and her falling in love with Fen while seeing through Fen’s frivolous performance is heartwarming. Supported by 3 sources (source 892, source 895, source 897).
• Genre Fans. Recommended for fans of cozy historic mysteries with erotic content; The reviewer, an avid mystery fan, finds the whodunit to be their cup of tea and recommends it on audio; Recommended as a starting point for readers who enjoy country-house mysteries and queer versions of genre tropes. Supported by 3 sources (source 890, source 892, source 897).
• Strong Chemistry. Pat’s first thought on seeing Fen is that she is the loveliest woman she has ever seen, and her observations turn into growing admiration; Pat and Fen have very different skill sets and approaches, and seeing them work together is brilliant. Supported by 2 sources (source 892, source 897).

What readers repeatedly flagged

No caution repeated across two substantive sources in the current evidence set.

Where reader reactions differ

The current sources did not support a recurring split that could be reported confidently.

Individual observations

• Strong Narration. Narrator Bella Lowe excellently differentiates a large cast of male and female characters and believably conveys a wide range of emotions in dialogue and narration.
• Character Growth. The reviewer praises the wonderful character development and interesting characters expected from the author.
• Flat Characters. Reader found a lack of depth in the characters.
• Hea. The reader has complete faith that the leads will live happily ever after.
• Satisfying Ending. The resolution of the mystery is very satisfying and worth the wait.
• Explicit Heat. Plenty of erotic content with explicit love scene excerpts.
• Explicit Comparison. The reader has already seen the couple’s future in the book Think of England.
• Slow Paced. Reader enjoyed the book but noted it was much slower paced.
• Uneven Pacing. The reviewer finds it strange that the murder does not happen until about two-thirds of the way into the book.
• Strong Prose. Author handles era and genre dynamics with skill and deep knowledge.

Reader sources

1. thelesbianreview.com – Independent review
2. allaboutromance.com – Independent review
3. jlgribble.com – Independent review
4. lesbrary.com – Independent review
5. Reddit discussion