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Book Review By M. Cole
Black Moth by Georgette Heyer

When Jack Castares takes the blame for his brother's dishonesty when playing cards, he is disgraced in the eyes of the world. He is not longer accepted in London society, so he leaves for the Continent, where he remains for seven years, acting as a Robin Hood type of highwayman.

Upon his return to England, he meets with his solicitor who tries to convince him that he must come out of hiding and take control of his late father's estate, which he has just come into. Jack refuses, saying that his brother is welcome his title and considerable wealth.

Meanwhile, Jack continues to dabble in highway robbery, until he himself is held at gunpoint by the occupant of the carriage he is robbing. He discovers that the man is his old friend, Sir Miles O'Hara, a Justice of the Peace. Miles decides to take the masked man to his house where he can conduct an interview. Upon arrival, he unmasks Jack, and upon recognising him, greets him joyfully. Miles convinces Jack to remain at his house, but after some time, Jack feels he must leave. He does so, but en route to the meeting with his valet, he witnesses a young woman being kidnapped by his old enemy, the Duke of Andover, who feels he has finally fallen in love – with the one person who won't accept him, even with his wealth. Jack rescues the beautiful Diana, sustaining severe injuries in the process. Diana brings Jack back to her house, where he begins the long road to recovery. Slowly but surely the two fall in love, but when Jack realises this, he quickly packs his bags, believing he can't hurt his love by making her marry a disgraced man. Bewildered, Diana is left alone, until the Duke comes to visit. Can Jack save Diana her latest escapade before she is ruined?



Plot & Themes
Time/era of story
Forbidden/mismatched love? Yes
How mismatched?
If one lover chases another... - they alternate
In love with caretaker or teacher Yes
Falling in love with - Homecaring friend

Main Male Character
Profession/status:
Age/status: - 20's-30's

Main Female Character - a teen
Profession/status:

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Misc setting - castle

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
What % of story is romance related? - 70%
Weird Victorian/Shakespearean English? Yes
Focus of story - Him
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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