The Talisman Ring Paperback – Import, 7 March 1991

Love this book! The humour, the romance and the period, so exquisitely written. I have been a Georgette Heyer fan for years.

First published in 1934 and set in 1793, I think The Talisman Ring is one of Miss Heyer's wittiest novels. It goes without saying that her research and use of English is of the highest standard. I remember being told by my wonderfully eccentric English teacher that whilst Georgette Heyer and Barbara Cartland were equally as good when it came to their exemplary usage of English grammar only one was worth reading - Georgette Heyer. I've forgotten what punishment she threatened us with if we were ever caught reading Barbara Cartland but it worked, I've never read anything she wrote and I have read all Miss Heyer's historical fiction many, many times. It's perfect comfort reading.However due to severe arthritis it is several years since I've been able to read an actual book and it takes time and money to replace all my favourites onto Kindle. Especially as I had recently replaced all my Heyer novels in paperback. My New Year's resolution was to replace all her historical novels with Kindle editions and I am getting there. The Talisman Ring was one I had not read for some time and I had forgotten just how funny it was. The scene at the end of chapter 7 where amongst other things Sir Hugh Thane and Ludovic dispute the exact number of candles some 'fellow' shot out at Mrs Archer's has me crying with laughter. Sir Hugh is insistent that it was 15, Ludovic says 16. Sir Hugh continues to dispute this even though it was Ludovic who did the shooting. Coupled with Sir Hugh's rather cavalier attitude towards crime - housebreaking is definitely illegal and should be condemned, smuggling good brandy and Chambertin is not a crime, it is a public service! And he's a JP.I never considered this to be a 'romance' and if you are looking for a traditional romance then The Talisman Ring will disappoint. It is a comedy of manners with a crime and murder to be solved. Set, mainly, in a country inn in Sussex there are no glamorous gowns, no balls, no morning calls; the story relies on the author's ability to keep the reader entertained without recourse to the normal 'society' doings of the Bon Ton. With such a claustrophobic background only an excellent writer can hold the reader's interest. Miss Heyer ensures there is never a dull moment. Her dialogue is superb, the relationships between the two sets of lovers well defined, as are the interlocking relationships between the landlord Nye, his barman Clem and Ludovic (they are all freetraders). Then we have the villains; Basil 'Beau' Lavenham, Ludovic's cousin and heir after the death of Sylvester the Machiavellian head of the family (and the original Beau who is affronted that the 'Beau' of today is a travesty). His valet, an oleaginous toady who does Basil's dirty work for him plus a miscellany of hired hands, Bow Street Runners whom you wouldn't trust to find a dead rat in a trap and the hard pushed revenue men. Who has sympathy for them in those times?All contribute to the humour that runs through the book although my favourite has to be Sir Hugh whose only concern is the quality of the smuggled liquor and whether he may buy some (and that the alcohol is handled correctly). The romance between Ludovic and Eustacie, Sylvester's half French granddaughter is glaringly obvious. Both are very young and seeking adventure and it is a 'coup de foudre' on meeting. Personally, I dread to think of their marriage 15 years down the line! Tristram and Sarah's romance is very different - slow burning, built on mutual humour, respect and understanding. I would have no qualms about their relationship 15 years down the line.All in all The Talisman is a gloriously funny book. There is never a dull moment and yet all the action takes place within a 5 mile radius of the Red Lion, Joseph Nye's inn. There is precious little physical action, a few punches, gunshots and that's it. To Eustacie's everlasting disappointment there is no riding 'ventre a terre', no final ride on a tumbril to the guillotine (wearing white muslin). The book relies on Miss Heyer's beautifully depicted characters and her dialogue. If you can read this without laughing out loud at least once I would be amazed.Do buy this wonderfully funny novel. It's as good a place to start as any Georgette Heyer, and better than some. You will not be disappointed and, if you have never read any of her books before then you have the pleasure of many hours of happy reading to come. I envy you but, I know that with each re-reading I discover something new. Enjoy.

I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed 'Venetia' and 'Faro's Daughter'. It brims with interesting farces and humour which can keep you awake all night, turning page after page until you have reached the end and you sort of HAVE TO go to sleep. The two romance couples are interestingly in contrast. On the one hand, the young, hot-headed and foolish couple of Eustacie and Ludovic, weaving wild scenarios with themselves as main character; on the other hand, the quieter, more mature and cleverer couple of Sarah and Tristram, keeping themselves in the background but very much the actual main characters of the novel. Sarah's last performance for Eustacie is adorable. I will never forget the expression 'ventre à terre' used by Eustacie to render the image of the romantic male lover who comes at full speed (ventre à terre) to his lover's deathbed. Highly recommended to romantic women endowed with a rich sense of humour.

I usually love her books and give them 5* ratings. However, this one was a great disappointment. I just couldn't stand one of the heroines, she irritated me so much. It was so obvious, from the beginning, who would fall in love with who and how the plot would unfold, that I just couldn't be bothered. I'm glad I only wasted 99p on it.

More a farce than a story, characterisations ridiculous. No one could be that stupid. If I had not read other GH novels I would think she had a very low opinion of her own sex.

This was such an amusing comedy I only wish that it doesn't end so abruptly, I refuse to provide spoilers if you are a GH fan this is a must if you are a new GH reader this is a smut free book with excellent English and fast paced without repetitive descriptions or dialogue