The
Blackstone Key
A
Mary Finch Mystery
Rose
Melikan
Touchstone
(Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-4165-6080-7 (1416560807)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-6080-7 (9781416560807)
Publication Date: August 2008
List Price: $14.00
Synopsis (from
the publisher): Mary Finch is a young woman of wit, courage, and
straitened circumstances. When invited to meet her wealthy uncle and
end a family estrangement, therefore, she sets off immediately for
White Ladies, his estate on the Suffolk coast. Yet soon she is
embroiled in an adventure beyond any she could imagine, for the year is
1795, and England is at war with Republican France. When she arrives at
White Ladies she learns that her uncle has died, leaving behind
evidence of a treacherous plot. Enemy agents have obtained military
secrets that would give France a decisive advantage, but who is the
source of this information, and how can he be stopped?
Mary is not alone in her quest to solve the mystery, but the men who
profess to help her are not quite what they seem. From Suffolk the
traitor's trail moves finally to London. There Mary learns the true
meaning of the Blackstone key, but has the treasure it secured already
been lost?
Review:
Rose Melikan’s debut novel, The
Blackstone Key,
is a mystery based in eighteenth century England. It is a slow moving,
very laid back, relaxing novel. This is a generally pleasant story with
a typical gothic heroine, Mary Finch. She is brave for a young lady of
the time period and blushes at every little thing. She is a sweet young
maiden but she is also very bright. A very likable young lady.
Mary is going to see a long lost uncle at his estate called White
Ladies. He has left her an inheritance that will give her the life of
leisure that she longs for. Along the way she meets excitement that
includes a coach crash and an injured fellow who seems to have a
connection with her uncle as he has the same design watch that matches
one her deceased father left her. There is also an interesting key. As
he lay dying, breathing his last, he had whispered a cryptic warning to
her.
As the story progresses she eventually arrives at her uncle’s
house and is attacked by smugglers but is saved by a stalwart fellow
who seems to be someone she can trust. She meets many more people who
seem to want to help and yet if she makes the wrong choices she could
lose her life. Mr. Deprez is very attractive but a bit too attentive;
Mrs. Tipton is a bit too protective; and Mr. Hicks is a bit too
helpful. They are all aware that she is about to become an heiress.
War and intrigue of spies and smugglers provide a background that adds
some interest to this sleepy little story.
As the plot in The Blackstone Key
slowly moves along it is an easy to put down this book. It has a few
fast moving spots but all in all I would not recommend it if you are
looking for a fast moving, exciting read. It did not hold my interest
and was very glad to see it finish.
Special thanks to guest reviewer M. Hanna for contributing her review of The Blackstone Key and to Touchstone Books for providing a copy of the book.
Review
Copyright © 2008 — M. Hanna
— All
Rights Reserved
Reprinted with Permission
Have you read The Blackstone Key? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series …
The Blackstone Key
Touchstone (Trade Paperback), August 2008
ISBN-10: 1-4165-6080-7 (1416560807)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-6080-7 (9781416560807)
Omnimystery
keywords for The Blackstone Key
...
Location(s) referenced: London, England.
