Customer Reviews
Return of the Black Sheep - By: Helen Hancox, 26 Apr 2008 
'Black Sheep' is one of Georgette Heyer's later Regency novels & shows alll her skills as a writer, including her much-praised historical accuracy for this period. The 'Black Sheep' of the title is Mr Miles Calverleigh, a gentleman who was sent to India twenty years before after shaming his family. Unfortunately for Miss Abigail Wendover, the absent Mr Calverleigh's nephew Stacy is apparently trying to beguile her spirited niece Fanny in order to get his hands on her fortune. Abigail & her sister Serena have stood as parents toward Fanny for many years but Abigail begins to discover that Fanny has grown up enough to want to rely less on her aunt & more on her own heart.
It is into this situation that Miles Calverleigh steps, having finallly returned from India. The first scene between him & Abby, a case of mistaken identity, is a wonderful example of Heyer's skill in writing two spirited & interesting characters. Abigail tries to get Miles to help separate his nephew from her niece but she finds herself thwarted by his apparent lack of interest in the cares of others & his apparent wish to thwart her own strict views on being a support to her own sister which may prevent her from following her heart.
There are some similarities between this book & 'Lady of Quality', also written late in Heyer's career, not least in the age of the heroes & heroines who aren't the youngsters of 'Friday's Child' or 'Cotillion' but are mature people who may perhaps feel that the opportunities in life have passed them by. As usual the side characters are excellent in this story, including the very amusing Mrs Clapham & even the straighlaced James Wendover. This book seems to contain less of the cant phrases that can render some characters in other books almost incomprehensible but the overalll standard of dialogue is excellent. 'Black Sheep' makes an excellent introduction to Heyer's Regency novels & can be enjoyed again & again.
Originallly published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
gorcious - By: lady, 22 Apr 2008 This is much alike the lady of quality. At some place I died with laughter. There are nice turns in the plot which takes you aback. See it for yourself. Lovely read, highly recommended.
Loveable Tanned Rake, Mischevious Noble Lady - Another Heyer Addiction! - By: HistoricalRomanceFan, 17 Jul 2007 I love reading, & if ever I want a book to take me out of myself after a long day, I reach for Georgette Heyer...
On my list of GH favourites, Black Sheep has to rate fairly high. Not only does it capture the feeling of beautiful Regency Bath so well that I feel I am taking a turn about the famous Pump Room & elegant streets myself, but it brings together two infectious characters that I immediately warmed to. Abby the heroine, described by herself as a 'staid old aunt' when in fact she is a stylish witty woman in her late twenties, has never been attracted to any man enough to relinquish her single status. Until, that is, the arrival of the indolent, rakish Miles, the 'Black Sheep' of the noble Calverleigh family banished to hot climates years before for his wild ways. The tale centres on the love story of these two whilst Abby struggles with the guardianship of her wilful, pretty niece, who is heiress to a tidy fortune & being pursued by the slimy if artful Stacy Calverleigh, Miles's impoverished nephew.
A wonderful story with a good mix of humour & some nice little twists provided by cheeky Miles. Get comfortable, open the book & enjoy!
One of Heyer's best - By: Roman Clodia, 22 Oct 2006 
I've only recently discovered Heyer & am slowly reading my way through them - & have to say this is one of my favourite's so far. She's been likened to jane Austen, which I've always thought was a sad over-estimation, but here I can see the relationship. The charcters are witty & fully-rounded, the situation intriguing & ripe with possibility, & the hero just enough of a rake to make him sexy & interesting! Turn off the phone, get out the wine & chocolate & enjoy!
All the excitement of sky-diving in period costume! - By: , 05 Jun 2001 This book has it alll. You reallly are introduced to the characters to the extent where you care what happens to them & my stars, what does happen to them!
It's probably worth reading the whole book (it's not that long) just for the ending which I enjoyed so, so much. It is the ultimate in cheesy romance.
