The book begins with the hold-up of a carriage of society people, including magistrate Sir Robert Foster, Lady Winters and her daughter Louisa, by the notorious highwayman known as 'The Crimson Cavalier' due to the red scarf he wears. What few people know is that he is a she and she is Miss Georgiana Grey, an independent young woman running her own household in London's Cavendish Square.
The next night,The Crimson Cavalier sets out again, only to discover the body of Sir Robert on the Bath Road not far from the site of the recent hold-up. Unfortunately she is witnessed looming over the body and before she knows it, the whole country thinks Sir Robert was killed by The Crimson Cavalier. It is imperative that Georgiana discover the real murderer and so clear The Crimson Cavalier's name.
There are many suspects as Sir Robert was not a popular man; one of Georgiana's footmen was wrongly sent to prison for a year by him; a tenant of Sir Robert blames the poor upkeep of his home for the death of his wife; Sir Robert's son who hoped to inherit and even Georgiana's very proper brother Edward, who gained Sir Robert's job as a magistrate.
Awkwardly for Georgiana it is her brother who is leading the hunt for The Crimson Cavalier.
Georgiana's investigations involve her forming a closer acquaintance with the Winters family and this brings her into the company of Max Lakesby, Louisa's guardian. Subsequently it seems Georgiana can't turn around without tripping over Mr Lakesby and their meetings are full of delicious banter.
/The Crimson Cavalier/ is part adventure, part romance and a complete delight to listen to. Georgiana is spirited and shocks her chaperone by her frankness but at the same time amuses the listener. The mystery of who killed Sir Robert left me at sea until the final confrontation; I was suspecting one person after another. The period setting is well conveyed but the details and language are not overdone which makes for an easy listen. Anne Cater narrates very well, giving distinct voices for all the characters and makes Mr Lakesby sound quite charming.
I thoroughly enjoyed /The Crimson Cavalier /and I hope there'll be more from this author soon
-----
Karen Meek