To Catch a Rogue by Amanda McCabe

To Catch a Rogue Reviews

• 
  Stacy-Deanne Stacy-Deanne

  I really, really enjoyed this book! I loved the author's writing style, characters, plot and premise.
  
  Not to risk giving away too much, this historical read maybe quick but don't take it lightly. There's a lot of complex things that happen in this little book and I applaud Amanda for getting it all right! The book centers around Calliope Chase who is the eldest sister of the Chase Muses. The ladies were raised by their father and they have a deep interest in Greek Mythology and literature. The beginning of the book started a little slow but it was appreciated because it allowed us to see why Calliope and her sisters are the way they are.
  
  The Chase sisters are also members of the Ladies Society. While they usually sit around chatting about people they know, reading and playing piano and sipping tea, they decide to throw their attentions on something not only different but dangerous. Apparently there's a crook called The Lily Thief who is going around stealing antiquities, statues and paintings from the rich folks of London (many Calliope's family friends). The Lily Thief is crafty and seductive with the way he gets in and out of folks' homes and leaves a lily behind as his calling card.
  
  Calliope and her friends think they should try to trap the Lily Thief but it's not as easy for the prim ladies to do as they soon find out. They go to a series of balls and masquerade parties hoping to "sniff out" the thief. They come up short all the time which leads a desperate Calliope to seek out the help of Lord Westwood AKA Cameron.
  
  Cameron is half Greek and lived in Greece and is known as a man who's traveled the world and done many things. Calliope admires him and is attracted to him but they do not get along. Cameron is just as smitten with Calliope as she is with him but he hangs onto the charade of not liking her until she asks him to help her with trapping the thief. Cameron jumps to the chance because he can be close to her not knowing Calliope is just as in love with him as he is her.
  
  The two take on this task of finding the thief but other things get in the way such as their attraction for each other and the antics of a creepy duke who has his eyes on Clio, Calliope's younger sister. It just so happens that the duke is the owner of the Alabaster Goddess and Calliope believes this is the next item The Lily Thief will try to acquire so she takes her opportunity at the duke's party, to check out the guests, thinking one might be the thief. Unfortunately something horrible happens at the duke's party and from that moment, nothing is ever the same.
  
  I loved all the characters. This book was funny, a very easy read and I loved how Amanda incorporated Greek mythology and Greek history into the plot and personality of the characters. It made the book more unique and I couldn't wait to see how things panned out.
  
  The mystery leads to a surprise ending and I would have liked a better explanation as to why the thief did what they did because I found some of the reasoning unbelievable. But other than that, I loved this book.
  
  I think anyone who loves historical romances will enjoy this but it's an extra treat if you enjoy your books with a little mystery.
• 
  Helena

  Amanda McCabe has crafted a spell-binding, sensuous read grounded in Greek mythology. Filled with muses, romance, intrigue and mystery, this thrill-of-the-hunt regency historical, evokes visions of Aphrodite and Apollo amongst the ton setting.
  
  A refreshing plot with a compelling start from page one sets the course for this delightful read with perfect-pacing and well-developed characters that follow a Greek infused theme threaded throughout the book.
  
  The compelling, aristocratic Chase women - Calliope, Clio & Thalia - are regarded for their education and upbringing in Greek arts & culture thanks to their parents, Lord and Lady Chase. Known affectionately as the Chase Muses for their slightly eccentric ways, their oldest sister Calliope is the most reserved yet passionate about Greek antiquities which is exactly what life-long family friend, Cameron de Vere, Earl of Westwood likes about her.
  
  Himself of Greek descent, Lord Westwood returns to England after years of traveling the Mediterranean to assume his title and sets about returning his family’s collection of Greek artifacts to their home lands.
  
  An unknown thief apparently has a similar agenda: to retrieve artifacts believed to be ill-gotten. Known as the Lily Thief, he boldly steals precious artifacts displayed during these gatherings setting in motion a chain of suspicion, doubt and intrigue. Calliope cannot resist tracking down the bandit with the help of friends but she begins to suspect Cameron to be the thief even as her feelings for him grow and concern for Clio‘s well-being emerge.
  
  Drawn to the same events and venues that highlight ancient artifacts, Cameron spars regularly with Calliope sparking an undeniable attraction and mutual respect despite her distrust and fear that he may be the Lily Thief.
  
  Against a backdrop of British aristocracy, the cultured ton partake of the usual society events typical of ‘season’ but with a twist: ancient antiquities are a focal point. As the elite set about acquiring then showing off their garnered antiquities the reader attends cotillions, balls and meetings featuring the Society ladies and mercurial Lord Averton. Their romance blossoms along with the intrigue of this mystery and a unique plot twist that threatens to separate them, and unravel her family.
  
  In my opinion, McCabe has done a tremendous job of drawing the picture and placing the reader in it without too much back-story, dialogue or narrative making it a read to look forward to. It is so well-paced and description refreshing, it was truly a pleasure to read.
  
  Further, McCabe introduces such well-developed characters both primary and secondary - the reader yearns for additional books about them. And good news, two more are on their way!
  
• 
  Mary Craven

  Of course I picked up the second book in this series first, but thanks to my Kindle I am reading them in order.
  It will be interesting if Amanda McCabe will write a book for each of the nine Chase Muses in the series, she has started with only the first three so far.
  This first book sets the stage and even introduces us to more than just the Chase sisters. Only time will tell how a HEA finds them all.A good introduction to the Chase Muses. A lively story of nine sisters (only the oldest 4 appear in this story) with a scholarly father who is far too busy studying Greek and Roman ancient history to keep an eye on his blue-stocking daughters. Calliope is the eldest. She looks out for her younger sisters, but there is no one really looking out for her, until the Earl of Westwood comes into her life. They butt heads at first, but Cal slowly comes to realize that having someone to share her life with makes everything better.
• 
  The Book Coyote

  This book is fairly decent. There are a few really blatant historical anachronisms, but for the most part, this is a cute story with a bit of mystery. It's well written, and the characters are engaging - neither bland nor annoying. The characters could stand to be a bit more developed, however. We get a tiny bit of backstory on our main characters, but not really enough to feel that we know them. Still, this story is good for what it is, and an enjoyable use of an afternoon.
• 
  Jennifer

  I can see now that the Kindle Lending Library may not be such a good thing for my pocketbook.
  
  I borrowed this book, because it seemed like it'd be an entertaining read...and it was. The thing is, it's the first of a trilogy and the other two books aren't available to borrow. And I need to know what happens next, especially since the hero in the second book came off as such a creeper in the first book. I'm curious as to how the author redeems him.
  
  But...thank goodness for used books! I just found all three books used and they are now on their way to me.
  
  Anyway...back to this book. It's not anything particularly groundbreaking as far as historical romances go, but it's quite nicely done. The characters were charming, and the writing style was pleasant. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Calliope and her sisters. Cameron was a great hero. He was worried about the independent Calliope and her attempts to discover the identity of the Lily Thief, but he never tried to force her to stop investigating.
  
  I also like the Greek Mythology elements woven throughout.
  
  This was a nice, breezy read, and I look forward to reading the next two.
• 
  Melissa

  I haven't argued with a book aloud in a while. The characters were alright & the premise seemed good but I was disappointed in the story structure & excessive use of the !.
  
  This story seemed like it was trying to be historical romance mystery. Out of the three it nailed historical well. The romance was odd. The characters bickered & had good chemistry but then where the two got together in the story was abrupt & felt rushed. Then the last piece was the mystery which seemed to not hold up to a full length story & felt slapped together.
  
  This was a random library stack find & while I was not totally engaged with the story I did read the whole book.
• 
  Irene

  Either I was VERY inattentive, or they decided to have sex completely out of the blue without giving it any thought whatsoever for the previous 70% of the book. And believe me it felt quite the opposite for the previous 70% - they quarreled, fought. The heroine disliked the hero and for some reason she seduces him in the woods?! If author explained it with full moon or magical influence of the place and Goddesses or something it would be quite believable but alas it was like crossing everything that happened before and just following hormones or whatever. Twice!
• 
  Annii

  This book is fairly decent. There are a few really blatant historical anachronisms, but for the most part, this is a cute story with a bit of mystery. It's well written, and the characters are engaging - neither bland nor annoying. The characters could stand to be a bit more developed, however. We get a tiny bit of backstory on our main characters, but not really enough to feel that we know them. Still, this story is good for what it is, and an enjoyable use of an afternoon.
• 
  Harlequin Historical

  #1 of 3 in The Chase Muses series
  
  Great beginning to this series! I can tell the Muse girls are going to be a fun group of young ladies to follow. In this book, they are trying to stop the Lily Theif who is stealing artifacts from the homes of collectors. Ms. McCabe has a winning series filled with intrigue and humor. :)
• 
  MasterGamgee

  I finished this a few books ago so details are foggy in my mind but I do remember enjoying the banter between the hero and heroine and found the characters to be interesting and engaging. I also like the added bonus of the mystery of the art theft, though I figured out who it was at the beginning of the book, but not the 'why' of it.
  
  Will look for other books in this series!
• 
  Sehar

  Sigh!!! I can't seem to lay my hands on a good regency romance. This one was a sad caricature of the best regency authors like Judith macnaught n georgette heyer. The hero was likeable enough, but calliope chase makes u want to swat her on the head, frequently n hard.
• 
  Cristina Contilli

  Letto in italiano con il titolo "La dea d'alabastro"
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  Lesleya

  Enjoyed the characters and the historical details in this novel. This was my first Amanda McCabe novel and look forward to reading more of her work.