The Black Moth

The Black Moth

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  • Create Date:2021-10-21 06:51:02
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:Georgette Heyer
  • ISBN:1785152394
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Summary

GEORGETTE HEYER'S REMARKABLE FIRST NOVEL

'If Bridgerton whetted your appetite for Regency fiction, don't miss an eye-catching hardback reissue of The Black Moth' Sunday Express

'One of my perennial comfort authors。 Heyer's books are as incisively witty and quietly subversive as any of Jane Austen's' Joanne Harris

'Absolutely delicious tales of Regency heroes 。 。 。 Utter, immersive escapism' Sophie Kinsella

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Diana Beauleigh is caught between two men。

Seven long years ago, Jack Carstares, the Earl of Wyncham, sacrificed his honour for his brother and has been in exile ever since。

Returning to England, Jack pretends to be a gentleman named Sir Anthony Ferndale but makes his living in a most ungentlemanly fashion, as a highwayman and a gambler。

When Jack encounters his nemesis, the Duke of Andover, in the midst of kidnapping Diana Beauleigh, the two old enemies come to blows。

Can Jack save the beautiful Diana from rakes, kidnap and ruin。。。?
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'Georgette Heyer is second to none' Sunday Times

'Fabulously witty' Stephen Fry

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Reviews

Frances

Re-read many times but still brilliant It’s not many books that one can re-read without feeling a need to skip bits, but Georgette Heyer writes such delicious dialogue and such fascinating character portrayals that it’s not all about the plot, so there are always more layers of the onion to enjoy。

Theresa

I really loved this story once I got several hours into it。 It had a very slow very intricate plot。 I like the way it all rounded out in the end and it was very wholesome。

Audrey Mc

A rollicking adventure! Simple characters and rich historical setting, a whole lot of fun to read。

Giki

This is high melodrama。 There are dashing highwaymen with hearts of gold, dastardly dukes, cheating lords and blushing damsels in distress。 So much happens in this book I really don't know where I would start with a plot summary。 It's fast and it's fun, this novel never takes it self seriously。 Chock full of high emotion and regency romance stereotypes, it is like a parody of other Georgette Heyer novels (except, of course, it was written before)。 It is unrestrained and overwrought, it needs to This is high melodrama。 There are dashing highwaymen with hearts of gold, dastardly dukes, cheating lords and blushing damsels in distress。 So much happens in this book I really don't know where I would start with a plot summary。 It's fast and it's fun, this novel never takes it self seriously。 Chock full of high emotion and regency romance stereotypes, it is like a parody of other Georgette Heyer novels (except, of course, it was written before)。 It is unrestrained and overwrought, it needs to sit down in a darkened room for half an hour with a cold flannel pressed against it forehead, until it can compose itself for polite company。 It is not a badly written book, the language is a delight and this is wit and joy aplenty, but there is something hideous about it that I really love。 I found it hard to like any of he characters but really enjoyed despising them, especially jack, I don't think even he really knows who he is。 Lavinia and Tracey were ridiculously over the top in there shallow self contentedness, and Diana, the heroine, I suppose, she lacked the wit and fire of other Heyer heroines, repeatedly needing rescued。This was a fun read, diverting escapism, but I was glad when I was done。 。。。more

Natalie

Jane Austen-y without the plot spoilers because I didn’t know anything about the story! Delightful!

Kat Byrde

For a first novel, this was a pretty good book! I adore Jack。 He's such a dear。 For a first novel, this was a pretty good book! I adore Jack。 He's such a dear。 。。。more

Terry Grish

I really enjoyed this story。 The Honorable/dishonorable Earl is too good and the story full of characters villainous and charming。

David Parkinson

What a good tale😍Another excellent tale well told。 Each story is a joy。 Only problem is which to choose next。 Lovely problem to have 😏

Hilary Tesh

The first of Georgette Heyer’s books, adapted from a story she wrote for her younger brother which probably explains why the plot rests more heavily on the male characters than her later books。 Nevertheless there’s ample description of the fashions worn by Lavinia, sister of the Black Moth himself, Tracy Belmanoir, Duke of Andover and the self centred wife of Richard Carstares who allowed his brother Jack to take the blame for his cheating at cards six years before。 With Jack, now an Earl, livin The first of Georgette Heyer’s books, adapted from a story she wrote for her younger brother which probably explains why the plot rests more heavily on the male characters than her later books。 Nevertheless there’s ample description of the fashions worn by Lavinia, sister of the Black Moth himself, Tracy Belmanoir, Duke of Andover and the self centred wife of Richard Carstares who allowed his brother Jack to take the blame for his cheating at cards six years before。 With Jack, now an Earl, living as an outcast and playing at being a highwayman the scene is set for an action packed melodrama of kidnappings and swordplay - and of course romance。 N。B from two references in the text, it is possible to date the story - and the fashions - to 1751。 。。。more

LaurieAnn

As her first novel written when she was 17 and published in 1929, I really enjoyed this as an audiobook。 This is pure escapism and a lovely read from throw back times。 This is the first one I've read of hers and, looking at other reviews from fans of hers, it intrigues me to compare it to her other works。 As her first novel written when she was 17 and published in 1929, I really enjoyed this as an audiobook。 This is pure escapism and a lovely read from throw back times。 This is the first one I've read of hers and, looking at other reviews from fans of hers, it intrigues me to compare it to her other works。 。。。more

Jenny

This is only the second book I've read by Georgette Hayers, I didn't realise at the time, The Black Moth was the first book she wrote! I really enjoyed this book - Richard Carstares cheats at cards, but his brother John takes the blame leaving Richards reputation untarnished and free to claim the woman they are both in love with。 John becomes a highway man while Richard lives a far more difficult with with his wife Lavinia!! John is an Earl but stays away to protect Richard。 Eventually circumsta This is only the second book I've read by Georgette Hayers, I didn't realise at the time, The Black Moth was the first book she wrote! I really enjoyed this book - Richard Carstares cheats at cards, but his brother John takes the blame leaving Richards reputation untarnished and free to claim the woman they are both in love with。 John becomes a highway man while Richard lives a far more difficult with with his wife Lavinia!! John is an Earl but stays away to protect Richard。 Eventually circumstances bring them back together but not before plenty of adventure featuring some real rogues!We spend a lot of time in this book with Richard and Lavinia and initially I didn't like them a whole lot。 However, as the book progresses you can appreciate how they essentially got what they deserved and actually they didn't turn out too badly in the end! The style of writing is fantastic, with plenty of laugh out loud moments。 It's hard to believe this was written by a teenage Georgette Heyer。 Its insightful, funny, complex and has focus on relationships。 This book is being re-released for its centenary and it is a great read。 I'll definitely be reading others by this author! 。。。more

Emy

This is probably one of my least favourite of Heyer's historical, but I found that I enjoy it more as an audiobook oddly。 That said, there were a few odd pronunciations in the reading, notably "Cholmley" as written not as it is usually said, plus some that sounded odd when read aloud but not read on the page (e。g。 the affectation of using thé vs tea, and hearing Carstares as "Car-stare-es" when I've read that in my head as "Carstairs" all these years!)。This is a very long audiobook, and once the This is probably one of my least favourite of Heyer's historical, but I found that I enjoy it more as an audiobook oddly。 That said, there were a few odd pronunciations in the reading, notably "Cholmley" as written not as it is usually said, plus some that sounded odd when read aloud but not read on the page (e。g。 the affectation of using thé vs tea, and hearing Carstares as "Car-stare-es" when I've read that in my head as "Carstairs" all these years!)。This is a very long audiobook, and once the story speeds up, I'd recommend reading it as 1。25 speed - the slow narration style is great in the set-up, but I found it frustrating once the action kicks in。 。。。more

Julia O'Connell

Richard Carstares had not seen his brother John since the fateful night seven years ago when John took the blame for cheating after marked cards were discovered at a card party the two attended。 John’s sacrifice saved Richard’s reputation, allowing him to marry the beautiful but capricious Lavinia Belmanoir。 No one knew what became of John after Society turned its back on him for such dishonorable behavior。 That is, until Richard recognized his brother as the brigand holding him at gunpoint on t Richard Carstares had not seen his brother John since the fateful night seven years ago when John took the blame for cheating after marked cards were discovered at a card party the two attended。 John’s sacrifice saved Richard’s reputation, allowing him to marry the beautiful but capricious Lavinia Belmanoir。 No one knew what became of John after Society turned its back on him for such dishonorable behavior。 That is, until Richard recognized his brother as the brigand holding him at gunpoint on the side of the highway! Now that their father has died, John has inherited the title of Earl of Wyncham, but he refuses to give up highway robbery and clear his name at his brother’s expense。 Meanwhile, Richard is plagued by guilt but torn between continuing to live a lie or dragging his wife down with him were he to confess the truth。 It is Lavinia’s devilish brother, the Duke of Andover, who ultimately brings the two Carstares back together。 When the duke abducts the young lady John has fallen for, John must reveal himself and put everything on the line to fight for the woman he loves。 See my full review: https://www。thegothiclibrary。com/revi。。。 。。。more

Angelica

I think this book deserves praise for the fact that it was a debut novel by a young author。 It is great to go back and see the foundations of a great authors work。However, I find these books in general, difficult to follow。 I get lost with the language style and characters。 I love the idea of these types of books, I especially love the adventure angle of this one。 But I feel like my brain is not made for this writing style。I think all in all, fans of this genre and this author would get a kick o I think this book deserves praise for the fact that it was a debut novel by a young author。 It is great to go back and see the foundations of a great authors work。However, I find these books in general, difficult to follow。 I get lost with the language style and characters。 I love the idea of these types of books, I especially love the adventure angle of this one。 But I feel like my brain is not made for this writing style。I think all in all, fans of this genre and this author would get a kick out of this story。 。。。more

Vivienne

My thanks to Random House U。K。 Cornerstone William Heinemann for an eARC and to Penguin Random House U。K。 Audio Cornerstone Digital for a review copy of the unabridged audiobook edition, both via NetGalley, of ‘The Black Moth’ by Georgette Heyer。 The audiobook is narrated by British actor Stewart Clarke。‘The Black Moth’ was Georgette Heyer’s first novel, published in 1921 when she was nineteen。 She had initially written it when she was seventeen to read to her poorly younger brother。 This Centen My thanks to Random House U。K。 Cornerstone William Heinemann for an eARC and to Penguin Random House U。K。 Audio Cornerstone Digital for a review copy of the unabridged audiobook edition, both via NetGalley, of ‘The Black Moth’ by Georgette Heyer。 The audiobook is narrated by British actor Stewart Clarke。‘The Black Moth’ was Georgette Heyer’s first novel, published in 1921 when she was nineteen。 She had initially written it when she was seventeen to read to her poorly younger brother。 This Centenary edition contains an introduction by Philippa Gregory that places both the novel and Heyer’s historical romances in context。While Heyer is best known for her Regency romances, ‘The Black Moth’ is set in the Georgian period; likely the early 1750s based on historical references, including a mention of Madame de Pompadour。 So there are sedan chairs, card games, beautiful gowns, elaborate wigs for both men and women, and the occasional highwayman。 Heyer is well known for great attention to historical detail, though her focus was high society, the ‘haute ton’, rather than on social issues of the period。 The plot involves a beautiful woman and two men。 Yet it’s not a triangle given the honourable intentions of one suitor and the extremely dishonourable ones of the other。 Six years ago, Jack Carstares, the Earl of Wyncham, sacrificed his honour for his younger brother and went abroad。 He has now returned to England and assumed the false identity of Sir Anthony Ferndale, who makes his living as a gambler and highwayman (though a polite one)。 When he comes across the dastardly Duke of Andover in the midst of kidnapping the beautiful Diana Beauleigh, well of course he must intercede。 Yet will the Duke be deterred? Will Jack reclaim his honour and the heart of Diana?Given Heyer’s original intention of entertaining her brother it is an adventure-packed romp with emphasis upon fencing, duelling and definitely swashbuckling。 I naturally thought of the little boy in ‘The Princess Bride’ worried about there being kissing。 With respect to the audiobook, Stewart Clarke was brilliant。 He brought a great deal of enthusiasm to the reading。 With some of the more comic female characters, especially Lady Lavinia, Jack’s frivolous sister-in-law, he effected a high falsetto that had me in tears of laughter。 Indeed, his ability to adopt different voices for the characters was very impressive。 I am pleased that Penguin Random House is celebrating the Centenary of the start of Georgette Heyer’s writing career with beautiful new editions of her novels, including producing audiobooks narrated by noted actors。 It has given me the opportunity to rediscover the works of Georgette Heyer, who was one of my favourite authors when I was a teenager。 Overall, this was a wonderful, light-hearted romp that is certain to not only please her established fans but delight a new generation of readers。 Highly recommended。 。。。more

Nicki Markus

The Black Moth is an early work of Heyer's and in some ways that shows。 The pacing at the start is very slow and there are perhaps a few too many subplots taking away from the main action。 However, in this work we can see the seeds of what would become her trademark style, with excellent character portrayal and dialogue that is witty and also instrumental in helping to set the scene of the era in which the story takes place。 Once things did properly take off in the plot, I found The Black Moth a The Black Moth is an early work of Heyer's and in some ways that shows。 The pacing at the start is very slow and there are perhaps a few too many subplots taking away from the main action。 However, in this work we can see the seeds of what would become her trademark style, with excellent character portrayal and dialogue that is witty and also instrumental in helping to set the scene of the era in which the story takes place。 Once things did properly take off in the plot, I found The Black Moth an enjoyable read, with daring highwaymen and epic duels。 Plus, of course, a good dose of romance。 If you are already a Heyer fan, you'll want to take a look at this book。 If you are new to her works, I would recommend starting with one of her later, more accomplished pieces, coming back to this one later。I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Janet

Seven long years ago, Jack Carstares, the Earl of Wyncham, sacrificed his honour for his brother and has been in exile ever since。 Returning to England, Jack pretends to be a gentleman named Sir Anthony Ferndale but makes his living in a most ungentlemanly fashion, as a highwayman and a gambler。 When Jack encounters his nemesis, the Duke of Andover, in the midst of kidnapping Diana Beauleigh, the two old enemies come to blows。This was the author’s first book & it’s celebrating its centenary。 I l Seven long years ago, Jack Carstares, the Earl of Wyncham, sacrificed his honour for his brother and has been in exile ever since。 Returning to England, Jack pretends to be a gentleman named Sir Anthony Ferndale but makes his living in a most ungentlemanly fashion, as a highwayman and a gambler。 When Jack encounters his nemesis, the Duke of Andover, in the midst of kidnapping Diana Beauleigh, the two old enemies come to blows。This was the author’s first book & it’s celebrating its centenary。 I love the author's books。 I adored Jack who gave up all for his undeserving brother。 Diana is feisty & determined to avoid the Duke of Andover。 The characters aren’t as developed as the ones in her later books but they still have depth。 I loved this melodramatic rompMy honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read 。。。more

MaryBrigid Turner

Just as much fun as the first time I read this。

Helen

Written by teenage Georgette Heyer to entertain her ill younger brother, the novel is a swashbuckler much in the vein of The Mark of Zorro (Tyrone Power version) complete with unabashedly evil villain, noble hero, beautiful damsel, and plenty of alter egos。 It’s a fun read set in the Georgian period of England。

Pam Sartain

The Black Moth was Georgette Heyer's first novel, and is a well written book, with lots of intricate plot, and characters who you enjoy cheering on or booing。Jack Carstates is a highwayman, having been exiled by his family for cheating at cards, and lived abroad for years, but now he is back in England。  Diana Beauleigh is a beauty, and the Duke of Andover has decided that she should be his, and so arranges a kidnapping that a certain highwayman interrupts。I've loved Georgette Heyer since I disc The Black Moth was Georgette Heyer's first novel, and is a well written book, with lots of intricate plot, and characters who you enjoy cheering on or booing。Jack Carstates is a highwayman, having been exiled by his family for cheating at cards, and lived abroad for years, but now he is back in England。  Diana Beauleigh is a beauty, and the Duke of Andover has decided that she should be his, and so arranges a kidnapping that a certain highwayman interrupts。I've loved Georgette Heyer since I discovered her in my late teens。  They are books that sweep you off on adventures, and always have some form of misapprehension about someone's identity, or their intentions, and the Black Moth doesn't disappoint! The Black Moth  was first published in 1921, and so this is the centanuary edition, which was published on 26th August 2021, and is available from  Amazon ,  Waterstones  and  Bookshop。org 。Georgette Heyer wrote a great many regency romances, and also detective fiction, and so here is a link for her on  GoodReads 。If you've been enjoying The Bridgerton TV series or books, then I would highly recommend you try Georgette Heyer!I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to  Penguin Cornerstone 。 。。。more

Avril Hemingway

This is only my second book by this author and I have to say that it was a rather different sort of reading experience that was more challenging than the typical modern romance。 It isn't the language as being a brit i don't struggle with that it's the way it's written。 It doesn't concentrate on what should be the main character's as in a typical romance but spends just as much time on other character's such as the brother and the villain。 Indeed the title refers to the villain and has nothing to This is only my second book by this author and I have to say that it was a rather different sort of reading experience that was more challenging than the typical modern romance。 It isn't the language as being a brit i don't struggle with that it's the way it's written。 It doesn't concentrate on what should be the main character's as in a typical romance but spends just as much time on other character's such as the brother and the villain。 Indeed the title refers to the villain and has nothing to do with either of the people involved in the central romance。 It's a totally different style of writing to anything being written today。 。。。more

Cheryl

Audiobook review I realise that this is the earliest book in the author’s career, but I did wonder at why a person would absent himself from his family and country for seven years over a card game。 I could understand absenting himself to the country for the season but seven years? John was too noble for his own good and others needed to step up and be less selfish。 I did enjoy it, though and it does have a satisfying ending。 What really brought this book to life was the amazing narration。 Stuart Audiobook review I realise that this is the earliest book in the author’s career, but I did wonder at why a person would absent himself from his family and country for seven years over a card game。 I could understand absenting himself to the country for the season but seven years? John was too noble for his own good and others needed to step up and be less selfish。 I did enjoy it, though and it does have a satisfying ending。 What really brought this book to life was the amazing narration。 Stuart Clarke had such an easy voice to listen to and he used a variety of tones and accents for the different characters。 This was no mean feat as there were a plethora of characters。 I can say that this narrator is one of the best I’ve heard。 5 star narration。 。。。more

Jaffareadstoo

It's 100 years since the first publication of The Black Moth and it is safe to say that the Regency novels of Georgette Heyer are every bit as popular today as they were back in 1921 and to celebrate the event there is a beautiful 100th anniversary edition。It's been interesting to step back in time to revisit The Black Moth, which I first read far too many years ago when I was in my mid teens。 The story is as enticing as I remember with characters who leap off the page and with a Georgian settin It's 100 years since the first publication of The Black Moth and it is safe to say that the Regency novels of Georgette Heyer are every bit as popular today as they were back in 1921 and to celebrate the event there is a beautiful 100th anniversary edition。It's been interesting to step back in time to revisit The Black Moth, which I first read far too many years ago when I was in my mid teens。 The story is as enticing as I remember with characters who leap off the page and with a Georgian setting which is so reminiscent of the period it's as though Georgette Heyer is actually sitting writing at her escritoire in the mid-eighteenth century rather than the early twentieth。 The mood is captured instantly with the tale of two brothers, the elder, Jack Carstares sacrificed his own reputation in order to save the family honour and protect his younger and more irresponsible brother but when Jack, now Earl of Wyncham, returns from exile he discovers his old adversary, the Duke of Andover, is about to abduct, Diana Beauleigh a society beauty。 From card games, to sword fights and with a little swashbuckling highwayman in between, The Black Moth is a great romp through the great, and the good, of Georgian England。Interesting to think that Heyer wrote The Black Moth when she was in her early teens, ostensibly, to amuse her younger brother who was sick at the time。 It certainly sets the course for her future writing career which lasted until her death in 1974。 。。。more

Shawn

It took a bit for me to understand the English used, but was an enjoyable read, even if some of the characters are silly。

Amanda Scarborough

This had everything - evil dukes, scandal, highwaymen, lies, redemption。 I loved it。 And apparently, Georgette Heyer was only 19 when she wrote this! I loved the ending so much I wanted there to be another book。 I hate when I love a book and then find out that it ISN'T an established series of 27 books。 I want the Duke to have a book!This book is number 6 on my self-imposed curriculum of chronological Romance History, written in 1921。 This had everything - evil dukes, scandal, highwaymen, lies, redemption。 I loved it。 And apparently, Georgette Heyer was only 19 when she wrote this! I loved the ending so much I wanted there to be another book。 I hate when I love a book and then find out that it ISN'T an established series of 27 books。 I want the Duke to have a book!This book is number 6 on my self-imposed curriculum of chronological Romance History, written in 1921。 。。。more

Annarella

I read this book long time ago and thoroughly enjoyed it as I'm a fan of Georgette Heyer。 Even if it's her first book it's highly entertaining and well written。The language could be considered a bit date but this story also shows she was a master storyteller since the beginning。All the elements of her future novels are already present and I was happy to re-read it。The forewords was an interesting look at her work and at historical fiction。You can read this book as a delightful romp or as a histo I read this book long time ago and thoroughly enjoyed it as I'm a fan of Georgette Heyer。 Even if it's her first book it's highly entertaining and well written。The language could be considered a bit date but this story also shows she was a master storyteller since the beginning。All the elements of her future novels are already present and I was happy to re-read it。The forewords was an interesting look at her work and at historical fiction。You can read this book as a delightful romp or as a historical document。Highly recommended。Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine 。。。more

Mary Strand

Georgette Heyer's first novel! It's not without flaws, but it's a wonderful first novel。 Georgette Heyer's first novel! It's not without flaws, but it's a wonderful first novel。 。。。more

Alysa

Quite an achievement for a 17 year old’s first book! Quite over dramatic and always a sprinkling of racism but impressive nonetheless

superawesomekt

3。5 starsI reread These Old Shades recently and in the backnotes read that it was originally designed as a sequel to TBM, and while names and characters were eventually modified to an independent story, the roots are still very much obvious (once you know to look for them)。 With that information I simply had to reread TBM。I enjoyed it so much more with the idea of the Duke of Andover being the Duke of Avon (These Old Shades)。 Frank Fortescue must be Hugh Davenant, of course。 Lavinia is Fanny, bu 3。5 starsI reread These Old Shades recently and in the backnotes read that it was originally designed as a sequel to TBM, and while names and characters were eventually modified to an independent story, the roots are still very much obvious (once you know to look for them)。 With that information I simply had to reread TBM。I enjoyed it so much more with the idea of the Duke of Andover being the Duke of Avon (These Old Shades)。 Frank Fortescue must be Hugh Davenant, of course。 Lavinia is Fanny, but the Cartares brothers are the ones that really don't fit into These Old Shades (although Lavinia's and Dicky's dynamic maps very well with Fanny's and Edward's)。 Andrew is Rupert。。。 and I imagine the Merivales must be the heirs of Diana and Jack。 Anyway, it was fun to revisit it with a little more context。 Still not my favorite of Heyer's but still great, especially considering it was her first! 。。。more

Alison Cairns

Not my usual style but I was tempted at the reprint after a century。 A romp through Regency life in the upper classes。 Disgraced John Carstares takes himself off for years to avoid bringing disgrace on his family。 His adventures during that time are somewhat amusing, and of course, he is the hero "My Lord" of the novel。 I understand this was written when the author was a young teenager, for her younger brother and I imagine they would have been amused by the Highwayman antics, and the sword figh Not my usual style but I was tempted at the reprint after a century。 A romp through Regency life in the upper classes。 Disgraced John Carstares takes himself off for years to avoid bringing disgrace on his family。 His adventures during that time are somewhat amusing, and of course, he is the hero "My Lord" of the novel。 I understand this was written when the author was a young teenager, for her younger brother and I imagine they would have been amused by the Highwayman antics, and the sword fights, but swooning romance must have been a bit odd for a young boy to read。 I did enjoy the story once I got past the language of the time, and found it mildly amusing。 #theblackmoth #netgalley 。。。more