Not the Duke’s Darling: A Greycourt Novel

Hoyt (the Maiden Lane series) falters with this historical trilogy launch set at an English house party in 1760. It opens with a rousing chase, but that’s deceptive: matters proceed sluggishly among four plot lines and three perspectives. Christopher Renshaw, Duke of Harlowe, was best friends with Freya Stewart de Moray’s older brother, Ran, until a melee left Ran’s fiancée dead, Ran mutilated, Christopher banished, and Freya swearing vengeance on him. Freya became a member of the covenlike Wise Women. On their behalf, she has disguised herself as a dowdy companion to gentlewoman Arabella, covertly promoting feminist causes. She’s using the party to stalk Christopher and investigate a murder—as, for other reasons, is Freya’s childhood friend Messalina Greycourt. Christopher, meanwhile, is being blackmailed by another guest with his dead wife’s correspondence. Then there’s the urgent requirement to marry off Arabella, for whom spinsterhood looms. All this plot is worked through in just over 300 pages, and scant attention is paid to emotional and character development. (The remaining page count is a charming novella by Grace Burrowes.) The first kiss is worth the wait, but overall, it’s a forgettable outing by Hoyt. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House. (Dec.)