Spoiler alert! The criminally under-estimated Freddy Standen doesn’t rate his own intelligence very highly, but he certainly manages to deploy his common sense to excellent effect, plucking plans from thin air and smoothing Kitty’s path through society during their pretend engagement. But remember, he’s not kind-hearted! Oh no, heaven forbid, he’s …

Spoiler alert! Sir Gareth Ludlow’s life is turned upside-down in the space of a few hours when his long-standing friend Lady Hester Theale turns down his very flattering proposal, and he finds himself taking charge of the beautiful and ruthless runaway Amanda. Up against this diminutive but cunning strategist, Sir Gareth is led a merry dance around…

Spoiler alert! Captain John Staple is one of the easiest of Heyer’s heroes to like. Maybe it’s his all-round goodness, but maybe it’s just because he’s so very large. We’re all powerless to resist apparently. Nell Stornoway certainly doesn’t manage it for long, and we don’t blame her. There’s a whole host of fantastic characters in this story, from…

Spoiler alert! Annis Wychwood and Oliver Carleton are two of our more mature Heyer characters. For the readers that means we can enjoy watching two honest and articulate people unpick what it takes to give up their comfortable ways of life and walk into the unknown - throwing in their lot with another person. But where’s the risk really? Annis is b…

Spoiler alert! How lovely that muscular thighs are guaranteed when your hero is a Corinthian. But it’s not just his legs that make Sir Richard Wyndham such a dashing figure - no, it’s also his romantic streak, intelligence and sense of humour. Plus he even seems capable of giving a pretty good haircut while spectacularly drunk. And who could possib…

Spoiler alert! And trigger warning. Early on in this episode we talk about the horrors of war, including rape and murder, so do please skip past this episode if that’s not what you need to hear about right now. We also talk about the impact of a novel being based on real people, with details drawn from their memoirs. Take Juana for example… do we t…

Spoiler alert! In this episode we wax lyrical over Sir Waldo. Handsome, charming and kind, an expert in the art of flirtation and a man who’d never abandon his Wretched Brats. No wonder Ancilla Trent falls head over heels for him, despite her best intentions. And just as much as we hope Sir Waldo and Miss Trent will make a match of it, we’re desper…

Spoiler alert! In this episode we kick things off by discussing whether Sir Maurice and Cleone were reasonable in wanting Philip to change his ways. Is he being asked to put aside his real identity and conform? Or do they want him to broaden his horizons before slipping prematurely into old age? And what about Cleone? A young woman who gets engaged…

Spoiler alert! In this episode we talk about a very dysfunctional family and deep-rooted resentments that might prove deadly. There’s intrigue, danger and mystery galore, plus delightfully prosaic heroine, Drusilla, who knows just where to place a problematic epergne. Our hero, St Erth, faces multiple attempts on his life, and perhaps even more fri…

Spoiler alert! Heyer pulls off quite the feat in An Infamous Army - capturing the horrors of war through the love story of dashing Charles Audley and rebellious Barbara Childe. While Heyer’s research into the Battle of Waterloo has long been respected, we also take a moment to appreciate how she builds an atmosphere. We’re right there with the ton …

Spoiler alert! Have you ever been tempted to slap someone with a glove à la Sir Anthony Fanshawe? While we’d never condone violence, to be honest we do see the appeal. In this episode we talk about the magnetism and audacity of the Old Gentleman, the all-accepting love of the Large Gentleman, the stoicism of Prudence, and the Princess Bride levels …

Spoilers ahead! Why does it take so long for Viscount Desford and Henrietta Silverdale to get together? We’ve got theories… They’ve both enjoyed a few years of freedom and frivolity of course, which makes a nice change. Des’s father is still alive and kicking (and perfectly capable of a delivering a fine trimming) so there wasn’t any need for Des t…

Spoiler alert! It’s cold and dark here in London so the perfect time to get a little gothic with Cousin Kate. It doesn’t seem to be a universally popular novel, but we tapped into our inner torment and really enjoyed it. We will acknowledge however that this isn’t the most comfortable of reads - what with all the violent deaths and animal cruelty. …

Spoilers ahead. It’s time for a very domestic story in this episode as we quietly cheer on the growing closeness between lovelorn Adam and the ever-practical Jenny. Jenny might be the least likely heroine in the Heyerverse but she marries a man hopelessly in love with another, just because it’s the only thing she can do to help him. That makes her …

Spoilers ahead. Poor Lady Bellingham! Running a profitable yet respectable gaming house is harder than it appears. Especially since her niece refuses to form a connection for such a base purpose as financial security. And then there's the cost of green peas to consider. If only there was a handsome green pea farmer for Deb to marry, but sadly it's …

Spoilers ahead. Kit's got quite the moral maze to navigate in False Colours - pretend to be his AWOL twin to avoid offending his possible-future-wife's grandmother, but without accidentally letting possible-future-wife fall in love with him before his twin returns. It's a good job he's got some serious diplomatic chops, and that Cressy Stavely is q…

Spoilers ahead. Possibly the most romantic of all Heyer novels, in this episode we fall under the spell of Dameral - a young Classics nerd turned rake, rejected by his family and society; and Venetia - pragmatic, brave, witty and kind despite a lifetime of loneliness. Theirs is an uncommon love, and we absolutely luxuriate in it. But it's not all a…

Spoilers ahead. A deathbed marriage, Bonaparte agents, a secret stairway, and Bouncer the much-maligned guard dog all play a part in this high-stakes adventure. We wonder if Elinor would have found herself embroiled in it if she wasn't making decisions when hungry. Perhaps she should have had some of Dr. Ratcliffe's Restorative Pork Jelly - it seem…

In this episode we talk about how Horry and Rule - two charming and capable individuals - are made even more likeable because of their vulnerability when it comes to affairs of the heart. It’s a vulnerability that allows our trio of villains (with distinct Dangerous Liaisons vibes) to interfere in their path to happiness. But there’s nothing like g…

Smugglers, murder plots, punch ups and a priest hole - it's quite the Famous Five adventure for Sir Tristram, Sarah, Ludovic and Eustacie (and Sir Hugh to make up the numbers). In this episode we talk about the morbid flights of fancy of teenage girls, the allure of athletic gentlemen, and the skill required to shoot candelabras. Su also demonstrat…

Imagine if a relative foisted a coat-wearing monkey onto your household? It would be an absolute scene, but despite such an egregious start we just couldn’t help but fall under the spell of the ruthlessly kind-hearted Sophy, or the buttoned up, yet sexy, Charles. We also find time to admire the nap-loving Queen of eggs Marquesa de Villacanas, and t…

We’re back! After a year-long lockdown hiatus, we’re here to talk about Regency Buck... High-handed Lord Worth meets headstrong Judith and sparks fly. Young Peregrine comes perilously close to death on multiple occasions, but eventually just discovers a love of yachts. Along the way we meet lecherous royals, boxers and Beau Brummell himself. And th…

Don’t you wish Heyer wrote sequels for more of her novels? Especially when that means you can catch up with the legendary Rupert! Fighting and flirting abound as we career across France with star-crossed lovers Vidal and Mary. There’s drunk horse riding, gunshots, bar room brawls and a heroine with a very pragmatic attitude to food. We talk about t…

Voyons! We’re full of admiration for These Old Shades - it balances to perfection a riotous adventure and a genuinely touching love story. Avon - the man with a dark past, red high heels and determination to prove worthy of his love. Leonie - wise beyond her years, haunted by loneliness, but with an indomitable spirit and ability to get herself out…

In this episode we talk about how reasonably intelligent people can mess up their love lives so very spectacularly. We thrash out the character flaws of Serena and Rotherham, and come to a greater appreciation of Fanny and Major Kirkby's gentler souls. And we even spend a little time admiring the brass neck of young Gerard Monksleigh - master of th…

Plenty of fiendish plots and kidnap attempts in this episode, but also talk of macaroons and Daniel Craig's laser blue eyes. We discuss Gilly's approach to problem solving - an unusual mixture of violence, arson and friendly chats. We consider Belinda and her propensity for wandering off with 'gentlemen', and we invent a new Bond villian - Newt Sca…

Lufra and Charis send us into a pronunciation tailspin in this episode, but we still find time to discuss whether we'd drink warm milk from cows in Green Park, and if it's possible for Charis to be that beautiful. We also consider setting up our own YouTube channel dedicated to us trying to replicate different styles of neckcloth, from the Mathemat…

Bravely setting aside our long-held dislike of April Lady, we pick it up after many years to see if our opinions have changed. Spoiler: Yeah, we like it a little bit more than we used to. This episode also sees Su use the euphemism 'night-time adventures' and Rach take us into some conversational cul-de-sacs. "Can you pay my bills "Can you pay my t…

What a romance! Carriage rides together, intimate heart to heart conversations, and soulful looks - and that's just Mr Beaumaris and Ulysses. Meanwhile Arabella, social justice warrior, puts her privilege to good use saving urchins, dogs and Mr Beaumaris from a life of fashionable ennui. And then there's the infamous Leaky Peg - kind-hearted slatte…

We've got romance brewing in a snowbound inn. We've got a brief jaunt to France with a side helping of casual French-bashing. And we've got a whole lot of affection for young Tom Orde. We also ask how much involvement is it appropriate for a mother to have in her son's love life. And if you're looking for a peerless Regency chat-up line, we're your…

In which we enjoy the company of gentleman - Ferdy and Gil to be precise, and object to Miss Wantage's demotion from Hero to Kitten. With a classic denouement and a nemesis on the loose, we've only got one question for you... Do YOU know a bishop? "You know what I think? Fate! That's what it is fate! There's a thing that comes after a fellow: got a…

We're going Georgian in this episode with The Black Moth. Dashing highwaymen, eyebrow stencilling, and a flexible legal system. Plus answering the question: just how villainous do we want our villains? Let's make an elegant leg and get stuck in. "You are like a, like a fish, with no more love in you than a fish, and no more heart than a fish." Inst…

After the high adventure of The Unknown Ajax we turn to a more romantic story - Black Sheep. We talk invalidish ladies, lovesick teens, dastardly fortune hunters, career opportunities for former sex workers, and Austen similarities. 'Talking to you is like, like talking to an eel!' 'No is it? I've never tried talking to an eel. Isn't it a waste of …

How do you pick the first Heyer book to discuss? You give it very little thought and just plunge in with a solid one. So here we are with The Unknown Ajax. You’ll hear us discuss the magnificent Lady Aurelia as a role model for modern women, fangirl over the peerless and mistreated Claude, and ponder Sean Bean’s height. Also, Rach makes a Michael G…

Hoping for an educational and informative podcast about the queen of Regency romance? This isn’t that. This is two old school friends talking about a different Georgette Heyer book every episode. Giggling at anyone called Fanny, mispronouncing Marquess, and making appalling attempts at accents. It’s not researched or professional, at all, but it is…