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January 12, 2004

A Catch of Consequence - Diana Norman ****+

filed under reviews: fiction

So I picked up a book at the local small bookseller (Village Books in Fairhaven) because the cover and the cover copy appealed.

This is by no means a sure thing -- I've been fooled before. But what a find. A Catch of Consequence by Diana Norman (Berkley, pub date July 1, 2003, ISBN: 0425190153)

It reeled me in right away and kept me going. Really first rate historical fiction about a young woman in Revolutionary Boston who rescues a Tory and ends up fleeing for her life as a result. The love story is complex and the characters engaging. If I have any doubts about this novel, it's that the troubles that come along are broadcast a little too clearly right from the beginning.

Now here's the odd part. I was so taken by the writer's prose and storytelling that I went to look for more novels by her. There are some historicals but they are not available here (Norman is a Brit and is pretty well known over there, it seems), so I ordered a used copy of Vizard Mask from an on-line bookseller. (Penguin Books, pub date 26/10/1995 ISBN: 0140243267).

Two things: I liked this one as much, if not more than, A Catch of Consequence and here's the kicker: when the main character runs into the man who will be her lover on and off over the years, he gives her the nickname Boots.

Obviously I am in tune with this author. I hope her American publisher brings out her earlier titles here. I think she'd find a thankful audience.

January 12, 2004 05:40 PM

Comments

I am selling a copy of The Vizard Mask on eBay. The opening price was ��2.99 and the the lates is is ��12.50 plus p&p; (which isn't cheap as it's a heavy book)from a buyer in USA.
What is so good about this book?
K

Posted by: Karen M at June 16, 2004 10:41 AM

It's a well written, carefully researched historical with a great love story.

Posted by: sara at June 16, 2004 02:05 PM

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