Customer Reviews
Enjoyable romp - By: Helen Hancox, 22 Nov 2008 
Georgette Heyer's writing was of course almost always excellent. She wrote in several genres & 'The Reluctant Widow', although apparently a Regency Romance, has many elements that remind the reader that Heyer also wrote mysteries. The story revolves around Elinor Rochdale, a young woman who boards the wrong coach & finds herself in the middle of a strange family drama. Eustace Cheviot, a dissipated & troubled young man, is dying; Elinor finds herself persuaded to marry him so that she can inherit from him when he dies. The persuader is Eustace's cousin Ned Carlyon, a rather enigmatic if friendly figure.
After Elinor agrees to the marriage she finds herself a widow by the next morning - & then discovers that someone is trying to break into her new home. Aided (or possibly abetted) by Ned's younger brother Nicky & his rather overeager dog, finding hidden staircases & dealing with various uninvited houseguests, Elinor finds herself embroiled in an international spy ring.
There are no real surprises in this story, it's more of a great romp with various semi-gothic events in the unusual house. The hero can be slightly frustrating as he keeps things close to his chest & the romance is reallly rather secondary to the story, but it's a very enjoyable tale with alll Heyer's usual quality of writing & historical research to add to the feel of the story. Those who enjoyed 'The Talisman Ring' will no doubt also love this book.
Originallly published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
Pure frothy, frivolous fun! - By: Roman Clodia, 16 Jun 2008 
This is the first of Heyer's non-romances I have read & while I wasn't completely sure about it in the first chapter, the book improves enormously once alll the preliminaries are out of the way.
Elinor gets into the wrong chaise & instead of arriving at her new governess job, she instead finds herself in a gothic & run-down mansion where a well-dressed & spoken gentleman persuades her to marry his dying cousin so that Carlyon himself cannot be accused of wanting him dead to inherit his estate. Elinor does it (without quite knowing why) & by morning finds herself a widow with an old house & an estate.
It's from here that the plot reallly takes off: Carlyon's university-age brother Nicky (who accidently murdered Elinor's husband!) discovers a secret staircase into the house & a nest of French spies desperate to find a hidden memo detailing the Duke of Wellington's battle plan & romps in to solve the mystery adopting Elinor as cousin along the route while protecting her with his large & very disobediant dog.
Carlyon & his brother John also take it upon themselves to find the document, while Elinor & her game old nurse Beccy act suitably female alternating between scolding the men & articulating their fear. The arrival of Francis Cheviot, another cousin, who might, despite his fear of colds & care of his clothes, be involved in the French plot only adds to Elinor's problems.
The plot romps along merrily with assorted spies, murders, people being hit over the head, hidden letters & hiding places with a bit of romance thrown in too & an obligatory happy ending. This won't surprise you or win any prizes but it will make you giggle on a wet Sunday afternoon with a feel-good, old-fashioned & yet still funny story.
Enjoyable. - By: FAMOUS NAME, 31 May 2006 
'Reluctant Widow' is the first novel I have read by Georgette Heyer. Whilst I found the plot & ending disappointing, the novel was very readable, & certainly encourages one to seek more books out by this author. Whilst the hero & heroine of the story were less impressive, I found the character 'Nicky' more than witty & amusing in his fumbling adventurous child-like behaviour, & warmed to him far more than I did alll of the other characters put together.
one of my favourites - By: M. Ambrose, 23 Jun 2005 This is one of my favourite Heyer books. I loved the adventure! Nicky is a brilliant, from his first burst into the book - & his arguments with John are fantastic. And the kite! Once you have read it you'll understand. The motives of Lord Carlyon seem odd, to say the least & Elinors reasons for searching for a job as a governess seems strange. You'll have to read the book to find out what they are. However alll ends well in the end & this lighthearted romp took me away from reality for a day. Since I first read it five years ago, after picking it up from one of my Granny's shelves, I have read it several times. I recommend it to alll Heyer fans!
Unbelievable funny plot. - By: , 18 Sep 2001 Romance comes a good second in this book; & the hunt for a mole & missing documents first; but you won't be disappointed. The 'baddie' gets off a bit too lightly though.
