An Unassuming Hero Finds Himself Voluntarily Embroiled in an Unexpected Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Suspense with some Romance
THE PREMISE: With his recent retirement and his family’s eagerness to marry him off, Captain John Staple finds himself still thirsting for adventure. And it just so happens adventure and intrigue find him as he travels through Derbyshire and encounters a missing gatekeeper, a cousin overstaying his welcome, and some criminal activities…
MY THOUGHTS: I went in wanting and expecting some adventure with this story – and I definitely got it! Captain Staple is just terrific – he is brave, quick-witted, kind-hearted, and exceptionally level-headed. I love his decided opinions about love and matrimony, and how he keeps very much to his own counsel. And while he is definitely a huge part of this story – there is a wonderful array of new characters to encounter – with classic Heyer eccentricities, cants, and quirks. I loved Sir Peter, the Squire, with his feistiness, Rose and Mr. Lydd with their protectiveness, and Mr. Chirk with all his tough and soft contradictions.
This story is mostly about John Staple – it is told from his prospective and follows him through the adventure and intrigue he encounters. Right away readers witness Captain John’s selfless consideration for others and dependability. He cannot resist helping those in need. But they also can observe his talent for keeping calm under pressure, facing opposition fearlessly, and being completely unbothered when the plan goes awry. I quite loved and admired him. And I especially loved his interactions with Lady Nell Stornaway – their flirty banter was so cute! But oh-my-goodness did their romance run apace!! A little too close to insta-love and a little too secondary for my liking. But that is because the intrigue takes center stage.
While I craved a bit more romance, I did enjoy all the mysterious elements of this story. Why is the gate keeper missing? Where did he go? What really brought Lady Nell’s cousin and his vile friend to cool their heals in the country for so long? The intrigues and the unraveling mystery were compelling to follow. And I loved all the thrilling action and twists – John is so fearless and determined. However, there were some parts of the story that felt slower with a lot of talking and retelling. I wouldn’t have minded more development – maybe even with other characters.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
👌🏼 From army captain to gate keeper to undercover investigator – Captain John Staple is a bang up cove no matter his profession!
📖 ‘Pon rep it is always a delight to encounter Heyer’s creative and colorful characters whether they be rattlepates, whipsters, or dicked in the nob!
🌳 A captivating sojourn in the quietest of Derbyshire hamlets – replete with gabsters, gammons, giants, and gold!
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For the past eleven years I’ve made it a tradition to post a review near/on Georgette Heyer’s birthday (August 16th) in celebration of our birthdays! (and yes, I know I’m 5 days late this year…but work last week ended up being so brutal that I didn’t get much reading time 😣)
I’ve read several Heyer novels not during August too, you can find all my reviews below:
Arabella I Black Sheep I Cotillion I Devil’s Cub I Faro’s Daughter I Frederica
Friday’s Child I Lady of Quality I Sprig Muslin I Sylvester: Or The Wicked Uncle
The Black Moth I The Convenient Marriage I The Grand Sophy I The Masqueraders
The Unknown Ajax I These Old Shades I Venetia
I loved Georgette Heyer books and in my 20s had all of them I could find. Now I need to go to Half-Price Books and see if I can find them.
I have a bunch of old Georgette Heyer paperbacks that I bought used decades ago. They were very well used then and after I have read them a few times over the years, they are downright falling apart now. I still love them.
I love her books… I have read almost all of them and have them in my collection… my favorites are , Sprig Muslin, Venetia and The nonesuch….
It’s been a few years since I’ve read any of Georgette Heyer’s books. Now I’ll have to go back and find a few to dig into as my appetite has been whetted. I remember “Venetia” being pretty romantic. That might be a good one for next year’s review.
She did write some that were more historical in content — I would recommend “An Infamous Army” as worth consideration.
I’m so glad you chose to read Toll-Gate! While it’s true that the romance is secondary, John is a powerful leading man, the mystery is first rate and the characters are fantastic. The use of cant speech is masterful and hilarious. I love how Heyer tied this mystery to a historical event of the theft.
For future reference, Cousin Kate uses disturbing domestic violence to advance the story. It’s the only Heyer that I don’t recommend and will never read again.
I’m the opposite and this is one of my favorites as is The Reluctant Widow and The Quiet Gentleman with all the mystery. LOL, more romance would definitely be one of her Regency RomComs, for sure.
I also enjoyed the Tollgate, especially with all the cant and adventure. Which book has the twin boys in it? I can’t remember the title but that one was very funny. My favorites are Black Sheep and Talisman Ring and Cotillion. Georgette is great, what a treasure of stories she left us!
The twin book is False Colours. One of my favourites.
I’m so glad you chose this one. I loved it and have read it many, many times as I have all her books. For your next read you should consider Regency Buck, The Corinthian, Bath Tangle, April Lady or False Colours.
I was a bit disappointed for you that this Heyer won out because I thought you might enjoy The Talisman Ring more. That one has mystery as well but the romance has a larger part in the story. I like The Toll Gate but it’s more mystery than romance, and there are hints of a more brutal element in it , particularly with some of the deaths.
This is one of hers that I have not read. She just has so many. Thanks for the review.
Hi Meredith! Happy Birthday!
Have you received any austenesque for your special day?
I’m glad you enjoyed ‘The Toll Gate’ and I write it down for future readings. You’ve read so many Heyer’s books! It’s amazing