Monday, October 10, 2016

The Gilded Cage by Lucinda Gray

It's 1821, and an unexpected inheritance brings Katherine Randolph and her older brother, George, from their farm in Virginia all the way to England. It's not an easy transition, but Katherine is working hard to learn the rules of etiquette and how to act as a proper lady. Her cousins, Grace and Henry, are there to help. And George. But then, the morning after their introduction ball, George is found dead. Drowned. Every one thinks it's a tragic accident, but Katherine believes someone killed him. And her insistence that her brother was murdered soon puts her own life in danger.


While Katherine falls in love a little too quickly for my tastes, she's also a spunky and determined heroine. I liked how she never gives in to her two cousins, or to anyone else. After all, Katherine isn't a delicate English maiden; she's a fearless Virginian farm girl who knows how to shoot a gun and defend herself. Her own brother calls her Wildcat. I only wish I could have gotten to know her brother better; I suspect I would have liked him, too. And while it was pretty obvious who was behind George's death, there is a twist at the end that I wasn't expecting. Overall, this YA mystery is a fun read. I did find myself wishing that the author had fleshed out certain scenes and characters more than she did though. At only 245 pages, this story sometimes felt a little thin and rushed. But then, if it had been over 400 pages, I'd probably be complaining that it was way too long and needed editing. Isn't that the way it goes?

Happy Reading!

14 comments:

  1. I think there's a happy medium somewhere! I do get that feeling of books either being too long or too short fairly often, though.

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    1. It's sadly true, isn't it? Some authors have way too much to say, and other authors need to learn to say more. That's why it's SO nice when you find the perfect book. (Which doesn't happen as often as I'd like it to.)

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  2. Ha! Yep. I complain when books are too short or too long as well. Each book has it perfect length...I just wish they could find it. This one sounds fun.

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    1. :) I wish all books could find their perfect length, too.

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  3. What a great review! I love that her brother calls her Wildcat. : )

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    1. It's a fitting nickname for this lively heroine.

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  4. Ooh, sounds interesting! I prefer long to short books, but some books that are less than 300 pages feel longer--in a good way. If I feel that I've entered that world and been satisfied with the story, I'm OK.

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    1. I completely agree. The really well-written books never seem too long.

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  5. I agree with your statement about wishing all books would find their perfect length. That is so true.

    This sounds like it has a good premise, and had some good things going for it, even mixed with the not to great. I think I'd like Katherine.

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    1. I liked Katherine a lot. I think that's why I wish the author had written just a little bit more about her.

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  6. Katherine sounds like a great character and the story sounds interesting too! I'm fine with the word length and I think too lengthy will sometimes kill a story. ;)

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    1. A book being too long is a definite drawback for me these days. :) And it's a quick, fun read.

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  7. I like historical mystery fiction and the blurb sounds good-- but insta-love ugh-- and also a rushed plot... I'm not sure about that. If I find it in my library sometime I'll read it, though. Thanks.

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    1. It's a quick read, so if you do happen to run into it you could easily read it in a weekend...but you're not missing out on a fabulous read if you decide to skip it.

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