It's by Elizabeth Peters, so of course I enjoyed it - but when compared to the rest of her books that I've read this one seemed a little...lacking.
As a mystery it is merely passable. And, really, it does mystery the best.
As a historical fiction (like almost all of Ms. Peters' books are) it is devoid of much information.
As a romance it is lackluster at best and the heroine starts treating the hero vastly different as soon as she realizes she's in love with him.
As an adventure it is distinctly adventureless.
As a gothic (and most of her books have levels of this) is it bloodless.
As a melodrama ... actually, it hits this one out of the park. (There's even a scene wherein the heroine watches a movie and it parallels the story and romance of our main characters almost perfectly.)
The ending is abrupt with little to no closure.
All in all, I'm severely disappointed and had this been a book by anyone else, the rating would have probably been even lower. But, like all Ms. Peters' books, this one does show hints of brilliance.
