Review: The Curiosity Keeper

The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd was an intriguing story with a startling ending. The characters were well thought out, the plot was surprisingly realistic, and the story was full of suspense. This book was set in the Regency time period, but it didn't read like Regency. It was more of a story set in that time frame instead of the time frame setting the stage for the story.

Camille Iverness has worked with her father in their little shop in London for years. Growing up without her mother in sordid Blinkett St. leaves Camille longing for the beautiful English countryside she grew up in with her doting grandfather. Fending off questionable characters while protecting her father's store as taken a toll on her, but when some one threatens her life she flees only to be rescued by a handsome apothecary.

Jonathan Gilchrist is the heir of Kettering Hall, but all he wants to be is the apothecary for the village. His family home means nothing to him, but when one of his father's priced collection goes missing, Jonathan is sent looking for it. While searching for the Bevoy, a priceless ruby, Jonathan lands at the Iverness Curiosity Shop at the same time a robbery is taking place. Saving Camille from the ruthless robber, Jonathan brings her to his home where he offers protection and compassion.

Camille accepts Jonathan's offer to journey to Kettering Hall, but she can't help but wonder if Jonathan cares for her or just for any information she has about the Bevoy. Will the ruby stand in the way of her happiness after all?

I really enjoyed this book. It was filled with mystery, complex relationships, struggle, greed, and love. The ending surprised me in a good way. I was happy to read a more true to life ending to a fiction story, but I do wish it was written better. Even though the overall picture was realistically done, some parts at the end weren't written as well. For instance, Camille's actions were very poorly done. It wasn't realistic, and I felt it was only done that way to add more drama to the story. That did bother me a lot, but it wasn't enough to ruin the whole book. I do recommend this book to any historical fiction fan and anyone who loves a good story. :-)

I was given this book free from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

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