This is the third book I've read by Cindy Anstey. They exist within the same world, but you definitely don't need to read any of the previous books to understand this one. If you do read the other books (I think there are four others? I've read two; SUITORS AND SABOTAGE and CAROLS AND CHAOS) then I think you just get to see more stories like these. ...so yeah, just read books. They're pretty great.
An amazon summary, "1833. A near-fatal carriage accident has deposited an unconscious young woman on the doorstep of Hardwick Manor and into the care of young Lord James Ellerby. But when she finally awakens, it is with no memory of who she is or where she came from.
Beth, as she calls herself, has no identity; the only clue to her circumstances is a recurring nightmare of a hummingbird, blood dripping from its steel beak.
With the help of James and his sister, Caroline, Beth tries to solve the mystery of her own identity and the appalling events that brought her to their door. But nothing could prepare her for the escalating dangers that threaten her and the Ellerby clan. From the hazardous cliffs of Dorset to the hostile streets of London, Beth will fight to reclaim her past, hunted by a secretive foe with murderous intentions.
Fans of Cindy Anstey's previous novels won't want to miss The Hummingbird Dagger, a dark and twisty new offering that blends romance, danger and mystery." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE
Young Lord James Ellerby's younger brother takes a ride out and ends up crashing another carriage off the road, carrying a young woman of character. They whisk the woman to the manor to recover from the trauma of the accident (she fell into the ditch), and send for a doctor. When the young woman wakes up, she has amnesia and simply can't remember anything about herself. She has all the manners of a woman of good breeding, but not a clue as to who she is. She seems a bit attached to the name Beth, so they decide to call her Beth until her memories return.
James and his sister Caroline, quickly take her into the fold and treat her as family. James finds Beth to be quite charming and unlike anyone he's ever met (amnesia included). He endeavors to try and find her proper family while also jostling a political obligation to vote on legal pirating (and to abolish it). His younger brother is always snooping about for trouble it seems, so James has a bit on his plate at the moment. Caroline is quite brilliant and makes for a very good companion to Beth in the midst of her memory loss. She guides her through some of the social pleasantries while being a steadfast friend.
The most puzzling and disturbing thing are Beth's nightmares. She dreams of a hummingbird with blood dripping down it's beak, and wakes up screaming in the middle of the night. It's a recurring nightmare, and Beth is worried about what it may mean about her past.
That's enough summary.
This book took a lot longer to read than the other books. It felt much more drawn out, and always had an edge of menace to it rather than the more light hearted romps I've come accustomed to expect.
However, I did still enjoy it.
I wish there had been more of Caroline, but hopefully she'll get her own book in the near future. I also didn't really care for the Ellerby brother's relationship, but it also made since as their father had just died and James was becoming accustomed to being the head of the household without his mother beside him to guide him (she essentially went on vacation).
I also wish there had been more....frippery? Yeah, I'm going with frippery. It seemed to draw out the amnesia aspect for too long, and didn't give enough spotlight to frippery.
If you like books along these lines, you'll like this.
Happy reading!
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