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There are currently 23 member reviews
for A Certain Age
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Sharon R. (Deerfield, IL)
A Modern Day Romance
As in all of Beatriz William's novels you are transported and immersed in the period, this one being the Roaring 20s.The war is over and new industries are springing up, machines and airplanes are rapidly evolving and inventors are making more money than they ever dreamed. The "New Money" crowd and the "Old Money" crowd come together in this wonderful novel where you can feel the heat, smell the cigarette smoke and hear the jazz band as you sip your first cocktail. The characters are dressed in glitter, jet beads and lipstick. For the older crow it is a lark, a way of life and for the younger set it is a way to break free from the constraints of being poor, prim and proper. Morals and principles be damned, there is fun to be had, drinks to explore and men to meet. All of these themes, plus murder and adultery are included.
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to historical fiction lovers, romance believers and mystery solvers alike.
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Gail
A Certain Age
Beatriz Williams borrows freely from the opera Der Rosenkavalier while she modernizes the setting to 1920s Manhattan. On page one, she invites us to relax and read "in the comfort of our armchair," as we meet the cast of characters in her captivating, jazzy style of prose. Who would not want to know more about high society Mrs. Marshall of a Certain Age, the deliciously handsome Mr. Octavian Rofrano, the nouveau riche Patent King and his daughters? And the Trial of the Century? Carry on, Dear Reader! You're in for a treat!
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Rebecca J. (Knoxville, TN)
A certain age
This historical novel was based on an opera with which I was unfamiliar, that said, A Certain Age was a compelling read about a murder trial and an unexplained disappearance of a family 20 years earlier. The strands of the story slowly came together in an intriguing way. Characterization was very strong with I, as the reader, feeling sympathy for both women and the man in the love triangle. Good depiction of the Roaring 20's. Great combo of history and romance!
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Mary M. (Omaha, NE)
A Certain Age
I loved this book!!!! If you are a fan of Beatriz Williams you will love this book. If you are new to her you will become a fan after reading A Certain Age. Every character is real, you want to know more about them, even the worst ones have redeeming qualities. Hated for it to end but it does have the most perfect ending.
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Joan W. (Orion, MI)
Great Read
Another great read from Beatriz Williams. Story of the Jazz Age - Theresa, Sophie and Octavian, a war pilot returned from the Great War. People with money who don't know what to do except party. Love and murder. She always puts in a twist or two in her stories. I love her books and enjoy every single one. Highly recommend this one as well. Can't wait for the next one!
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Dorothy M. (Maynard, MA)
This book should definitely be in your beach bag
With a plot based on Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier with a murder thrown in and set in NY during the early 1920's among the rich and well pedigreed, this is a delight. The soldiers are coming back from the war, airplanes are becoming a thing, jazz is the music of the day, speakeasies are making a mockery of prohibition and at least a few women are thinking there must be an alternative to looking for a man to take care of them. Love and scandal among the upper classes is always fascinating, the writing is excellent and the author keeps several surprises to throw to you at the end. Highly recommended. Be sure to read the quotes before each chapter - they are a hoot.
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Susan W. (Leesburg, VA)
A good read
I did enjoy this book and feel that it id a good summer read. I was confused at first because I thought it was a murder mystery, but what it really is a love story. A story of how certain relationships can heal brokenness which then allows love to happen. The three main characters are well done, I do wish that there was more development of the older sister. But maybe that character will get her own story.