I love a novel with adventure, romance, and mystery, and A MOST INELIGIBLE SUITOR has it all. Marjorie Mayweather is a debutante with an offer of marriage on the table. She's not sure about her potential fiancé, so before she gives an answer, she takes off for Italy, with her elderly cousin along as chaperone. Marjorie finds excitement everywhere, in the town and with the various characters staying in the same house. She is both intrigued and annoyed by one of the guests, Captain Edward Grainger; they just can't seem to get along.

Edward isn't in the bed and breakfast on holiday; he's there to catch a jewel thief. He has information that it's one of the other guests, so he just has to keep a close eye on everyone until the burglar makes a move. Trouble is, he's having a hard time watching anyone but the irritating Miss Mayweather.

I enjoyed author Sarah Richmond's descriptions of the Italian town and fashions of the day, and it's always fun to put the clues together in a mystery. The only thing I didn't like about this novel was the whodunit. The identity of the thief just didn't make sense to me, and Richmond doesn't give a detailed enough explanation of how the criminal fit the clues. Other readers may not have the same questions that I had, especially those more interested in the romance than the mystery.

A MOST INELIGIBLE SUITOR is appropriate for older teens as well as adults interested in Victorian or historical romance.

Book Summary

On a grand tour to Italy with her cousin, wealthy heiress Marjorie Mayweather is braced for the adventure of a lifetime. After all, this is her chance for one last fling before surrendering herself to Frederick Clive-Bickerton, the well-heeled bachelor intent on marrying her.

But Frederick is the last thing on Marjorie’s mind when she meets the dashing yet chilly Captain Edward Grainger, a fellow resident at the Pensione Ferretti. Vexed by his indifference and enchanted by his ice-blue gaze, she finds herself magnetically drawn to this strangely private gentleman.

Edward must keep his distance, no matter how alluring he finds Marjorie to be. For he’s not really a military captain at all—he’s an undercover agent in pursuit of a notorious jewel thief reported to be staying at the pensione. Can Edward maintain his ruse long enough to nab the criminal among them…or will the affections of a young debutante unravel his entire investigation?

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