The Unusual Story of the Silent Duchess by Emma Linfield

The Unusual Story of the Silent Duchess Reviews

• 
  Elizabeth Connor

  I received an ARC of this book so I hope that most of the errors I encountered have been fixed by the time of its release. There are quite a few seedy characters in this book, not only villains, but also just rotten people who are almost incidental to the story. In Chapter 20, I learned something I had never heard before. Apparently, in the cheap boarding houses, “Those who arrived after all the beds had been claimed were forced to spend the night standing up, fastened between two tight pieces of cord. In the mornings, the owner would yank free one of the ropes, and the line of slumbering people would be rudely whisked awake, a noise that rose every other person in the boarding house.” Additionally, some preferred to sleep that way because the beds were so infested with fleas, bedbugs, and other vermin. Horrifying. I’ve thought it many times while reading an historical fiction, but I am really thankful I didn’t live through those times (that I know of).
  
  There were multiple mysteries transpiring as I turned the pages of this book, and at times I thought I might not be able to keep up with the intrigue. In the end, however, everything is explained and all of the loose ends are tied up neatly. It’s a good story, though not Emma Linfield’s best in my opinion. Still, it is worth reading.
• 
  Anne Wingate

  Not a Regency Novel
  
  Linfield needs to learn what is and is not a Regency novel--which this definitely is not. Some writers seem to believe that all historical fiction taking place England before the 20th century are Regency novels. I suggest looking up the Regency, which in fact covers only a part of the 18th century and no part of the 19th.
• 
  Gerri Johnson

  I'm sorry but I found this book boring.
• 
  Candy Briggs

  It starts with her running thru the rain after just escaping a carriage. She falls to the ground and is unconscious(Mary-Ann). The Duke of Rutland, Neil Arnold, has the care of his five-year-old daughter and his mother, Phyllis Arnold, she forgets things. He could hear yelling at the front of his estate and went to look into it and he was informed that they had found a woman passed out at the front of the estate. They take her upstairs and let her warm up and sleep. It really starts to get complicated from here. There is murder, mayhem, intrigue, and lies. Julien is awful and he is , he crooked and wants all the wool under his control but his biggest rival the Seton's actually beat him at his own game.
  I love where the little girl is loved by everyone in the house. Mary Ann (Emily), thinks she is wonderful and she likes playing with the child and help to care for her grandmother. Mary Ann came from an orphanage and had no idea about her parents.
  I thought the author did a great job of keeping all the little pieces together. She wrote in a smooth manner, it was well constructed and easy to follow. It made a cohesive story and I enjoyed it very much. I will be looking out for more of her books.
  I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
  
• 
  Space Cowgirl

  Go Silently🙊 Into That Good 🌙Night
  
  Traumatized by her own attempted murder in the middle of a violent thunderstorm, Mary-Anne💃💋, leaps from a moving carriage and runs through the woods and eventually finds herself at the country estate of Neil🐺🍆🌋🔪🔫, The Duke of Rutland. She is so scared she loses her voice.🙊
  With reservations, the hermit Duke🐺🍆🌋🔪🔫 takes her in. When He sees how good she is with his slightly demented grandmother👵, and also his five year old daughter👩, he relents and makes her part of his servant staff.
  
  For her part, Mary-Anne💃💋 is happy to hide out at the Duke's estate. Someone has been making her life a living hell for years and she hopes she can leave them behind.
  
  Soon, the Duke 🐺🍆🌋begins to develop romantic💕 feelings for her. His wife and parents were killed in a rollover carriage accident five years before, and he has barely existed since then. Mary-Anne💃💋 has made him feel alive again, even though she is a mute🙊. Her loving💕 and caring personality shines through.
  
  ARC Received from Bookfunnel💨
  I also got The book📙 with KU.
  
  I absolutely loved this book! There is a lot of detail throughout the book📙 and the story, which partly revolves around a criminal in the Duke's employ, is fascinating!
• 
  Elsbeth

  History is not solely made by dukes and the like. And neither is this story. It isn't just about the duke and the woman who steals his heart. There are many more colourful characters in different occupations and stages of life. And that makes it such a great book!
  I would only change the title into something like: The Unusual Story of the Mysterious Servant Girl. Since she only becomes a duchess in the epilogue...
  I received a copy and chose to review it.
• 
  Wendy Tavenner

  Just finished the story. Love the story line. A heart broken Duke over the deaths of his parents and wife 5 years ago trying to raise his daughter. All of asunden a mystery woman who appears to be mute is found lying in the rain on the Dukes (Neil’s) property. MARY-Anne was running from her abductor and was found by the Dukes man! Upon recovering in his home she realizes she has lost her voice and his too scared to write down her identity. A great read with intrigue, danger, a villain, love and a new lease on life!
• 
  Stavroulam

  insurance fraud but make it sexy
  
  (nope)
• 
  Emma

  This is a suspenseful, action and adventure story. From the very beginning, the author invites you into a world of danger and a crossing of social status romance. The excitement only builds from that point on. I love the fact we have a strong heroine, Mary-Anne/Emily in this story and a brooding sad hero, Neil Arnold, the Duke of Rutland. He had a five-year-old precocious daughter, Kaitlin, who was constantly running away from her governess and music instructor. The Duke's grandmother, Phyllis, was slowly losing touch with the present and more and more living in the past. It was touching how the author addressed her behavior by having everyone around her treat her normally, with respect and would indulge her memories. This is a wonderful story and I highly recommend it.
• 
  Laila Viking

  A well written story with nice storyline and plot. Likeable characters who are well described and develops nicely through the story. The author has made this romance true to the time period. I like when the author has made her research.
  This story is very emotional and strong written. I was caught from the first chapter. The writing style and use of words made it a very passionate and heartwarm story. A instant attraction romance with a nice pace and some issues before the couple have their HEA. They have to change both themselves and their past. At times I was confused because of all the characters and twists but suddenly it all fit together.
  A historical romance with a bit of drama and action as well as romance and sweet scenes.
  Enjoyable and engaging read.
• 
  Kaye

  ONE INCREDIBLY THRILLING READ!!!
  Oh man, talk about your friends close and enemies closer. This is one action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, smooth flowing, page turning bombshell that's as riveting as it is captivating. A whirlwind of emotions and events that bring all the drama, fear, lies, danger and suspense along with tension. All the twists and turns, ups and downs, along with a few unexpected circumstances and unpredictable surprises around every corner make for thrilling experience. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this bad boy together beautifully. The scenes are so graphically detailed it's easy to picture each scenario as they play off one another perfectly. Emma did an excellent job bringing this read to life. Great job Emma, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
• 
  Sharon

  Mary-Anne is chased through a severe storm where she collapses at Duke of Rutland, Neil Arnold's doorstep. When she wakes up she cannot speak. Neil's grandmother, Phyllis starts calling her Emily and appoints her to be her companion and to take care of her. Neil's young daughter takes an instant liking to Mary-Anne. After a while Neil finds himself drawn to her.
  
  Who is this mysterious woman who showed up at Neil's doorstep during a storm?
  
  This is a great book, and I really enjoyed it. I was given a copy of this book. This is my true and honest opinion.
• 
  Dee Jay Blaylock

  Mute terror..
  
  Mary-Anne escapes from being abducted to find that when she finds safety, her voice is gone.
  The Duke of Rutland provides shelter while she recuperates and then allows her to help with his grandmother and his daughter.
  Mr. Bastrade.
• 
  Cyndi

  I recieved an ARC copy of this book . This is my review .
  
  There were so many characters that the twists and turns with each page I read , had me wondering where these nasty buggers fit into the story .
  They all end up playing a part in the final picture which all is revealed and you have the " ahhh-haa" as to where they fit in.
  It did take me longer to read this one as it wasnt one of my favored reads by Emma this time , but all in all its still a good story.
• 
  Heidi Meaton

  Flimsy at best.
  
  Well I have to say that was a very tedious read. At times it was difficult to discern who was the main character. Too many main characters and not enough support staff.
  The rivalry between merchants was poorly explained and very long winded.
  Poor Randolph deserved a better end whilst Oliver was over indulged.
  Neil could have been developed better and Emily\ Mary-Anne was hardly in the story frame to credit her with title credits. The best character was great grandma. But even she was under developed.
  A poorly constructed novel which made for a difficult and disjointed read and a wholly disappointing one.
  Better editing needed here. Plus better developed story lines. Too many under developed lines and altogether too many lines which were poorly brought together.
• 
  Lady Bonny Reading

  It was so-so
  
  Where to start? The story is told in third person. Our heroine doesn't speak due to a traumatic experience so the staff at the Dukes manor call her Emily. When the staff is talking to or about her she is Emily, but in the narration she is always MaryAnne. Gets a bit confusing till you get used to it.
  
  The writing wasn't exactly bad, but it wasn't good either. No issues with grammar, punctuation or spelling (that can ruin a good story). But the writing was long-winded ... pages of ramblings of insignificant activities that had no real bearing on the story. I found myself putting the book down out of boredom only to pick it up again a week later (my OCD of having to finish a book kicking in). I finally found myself skimming through pages to get to the meat of the story to see how it ended.
  
  There was also something lacking in the characters, they weren't completely flat but there was something missing, especially from the h and H. The H wasn't exactly my idea of an alpha H...not even a broken one. Broken H's are usually brooding and/or rude, but always strong.. This one was neither, in fact, he was almost too nice and then broke down in tears when our heroine is suspected of stealing from him. Anger would have been a more appropriate reaction.
  
  The author should have spent more time rambling about their emotions and feelings than the insignificant activities...might have connected better with the h and H. As it is, I didn't feel what they were feeling so their reactions seemed hokey at times.
  
  This could have been a really good story, I just didn't feel invested in the characters.
  
  
  
  
• 
  Michele

  This is definitely an engaging Historical Romance that will keep you turning the pages. What I found highly unusual was that after the happy ending--you are invited to click over and read an extra short epilogue which will tell you what happens after the story ends. I love this idea!!!!
  
  A girl is abducted and manages to escape on a rainy and stormy night--she is so frightened that she becomes mute. She makes her way somehow to to Duke of Rutland's home and is taken in. She ultimately becomes part of the household helping with the Duke's senile Grandmother and befriending his young and rambunctious daughter.
  
  Calamities happen--and through it all the Duke starts falling for this young women even though he has no idea who she is--and she starts to fall for him--
  
  Then the man who originally abducted her decides to steal her away--his scheme is horrendous!
  
  Can the Duke save his lady love from the clutches of this person? Does the Dutchess ever regain her voice?
  
  If you love Regency Historicals--this book is for you!
  
• 
  Crazychriss889

  Quite an unusual story
  
  Quite an unusual writing style. Kinda had to read parts of the dialogues in a Scottish accent, can't explain why, though. Guess cause the dialogues were quite authentic for an earlier time?
  Anyways, there are a lot of POVs in this book and I must admit that it's quite hard to follow the storyline as it shifts from one place to another. A bit distracting, to be honest... Plus, the characters' actions are sometimes a bit too abrupt and we don't really get an explanation for why they acted a certain way...
  So, not so sure about this one yet .
  
  Alrighty, so I finished it and gotta say, I did like it. Yeah, the ending was a bit predictable and yes, this is def. not a regency novel as it takes place later than that period but it was an interesting read.
  I liked the plot: mute heroine running from something or someone meets the duke who is still grieving.
  Both MCs were a bit difficult to grasp, unfortunately... They just werent really the MCs in this book as there were simply too many other side characters whose POVs were also in there.
  
  Anyyyways, all in all, still not a bad one (although not a regency novel)
• 
  Cheryl Rosenwald

  Liked the story about Mary-Ann who ran through the forest during a severe storm running away from an evil man. When she awoke she couldn't speak. With an attraction to the Duke Mary-Ann couldn't tell the Duke of her feelings. The evil man saw her from a distance and wanted her so he came up with a plan to get her out of the Dukes house so he could get her out of the country and get the money left her by her father (which she didn't know about). Does he get ahold of Mary-Ann or does the Duke and Mary-Ann get together.
• 
  Debra Everett

  A Duke trying to be there for his daughter and mother after losing his wife. Also trying to run his property and be there for his tenants. It was a miracle that the lady was able to escape to safety and meet the Duke of her dreams . It's hard to communicate ones true feelings when they can't speak. Sadness,loss, of microbes and business adventures.to rise above it all. I give it a 5++++ I was given a chance to read this book for a honest review.