Book Review: A Clandestine Affair

Author: Sally James
Title: A Clandestine Affair
Publisher: Coventry Romance
Publish Date: Sept 1980
Rating: 3 Stars
Book Blurb: Lovely Mary Wyndham had just about given up the notion of true love when she met Sir Ingram. That she failed to see this was due in part to Teresa, a spoiled chit of a girl (and her brother's latest amour), who insisted that Sir Ingram was trying to kill her for her inheritance. Mary found Sir Ingram very handsome. Disturbingly so. She also found him a trifle arrogant, but hardly sinister. That is, until another accident befell Teresa. And this time, Mary could not be so certain...

Review: This was a cute book. Not the greatest storyline but definitely not the worst. The secondary storyline between Mary's brother Matthew and Teresa was actually more amusing than the main storyline with Mary and Sir Ingram, mostly because nothing seems to be going on between those two, even though it is obvious that Sir Ingram fancies her.

Matthew and Teresa are constantly trying to elope because Teresa thinks her cousin, Sir Ingram is trying to kill her for her inheritance though there really is no proof that he's responsible for any of the attempts. It is up to Mary and Sir Ingram to keep them in line, which should be easy but as any reader will see, it isn't.

It is hard to believe sometimes how foolish Matthew is as a man in his early twenties. Teresa is only 17 so it makes sense that she's a bit over dramatic.

The book has some really funny moments too, especially with Teresa's pet parrot, who seems to learn the worst possible words.

Then there is is the vicar who is out to win Mary's heart, even though she feels nothing for him.

It seems like there is a lot going on at times in such a short book and perhaps there is, because it really doesn't feel like there's much closure. It is a cute read though, but it is nothing too rave about.