London, 1885
Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in The Marriage Gazette. When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple's blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe―a grieving widower and a member of Amelie's book club.
Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is captured by her innocence, beauty, and her quick mind.
When a woman's body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the woman's husband―Harold Radcliffe―of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe's innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they trust each other, and the more they realize they are a good team, maybe the perfect match.
They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret, and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to this case before the woman he loves comes to harm.
Rorie's Review:
I suppose if I had any complaint about this story at all, it would be that we don't find out what year it takes place. Maybe we do and I just missed it? That's highly likely. Yes, that is a very silly complaint, but I like the know all of the little details that don't really matter in a story. I'm weird like that. The rest of it though? (You know, like the actual story...) It was hard to put down. Really, the only reason I didn't finish this book in one day is because life is in full swing around here and I actually need to get some things done. Plus, I get up way too early, so whenever I sit down to read, I tend to fall asleep, no matter how engaging the book is. I should, perhaps, get more sleep just so I can stay awake when I'm reading. :)
The author tends to write books with strong female characters, and this one was no different. Amelie was strong-willed and independent, but she was also somewhat naive, a combination that didn't always end well for her. It did introduce her to Detective Baker though, which was definitely not a bad thing.
This story had just the right amount of romance and suspense all mixed together. I found it way too easy to read "just one more chapter" even though I really needed to put the book down and get some things done. (No surprise at all where my kids get THAT trait from.) I hope we get to read future stories with some of the side characters in this book. Winston was a strong side character, still somewhat of a mystery at the end of the book. His story would be fun to read.
Andrea’s Review:
I really enjoy the Proper Romance Line and was excited to read Nancy Campbell Allen’s latest novel. The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart is a good addition to the line, even if it isn’t my favorite of her stories.
It was well written and I read it fairly quickly. I liked the mystery aspect and the main characters working together to solve it. I wasn’t a huge fan of Amelie though. At times she seemed so strong, and at others she came across as very young and naïve. Her name also bothered me, and when that happens I get hung up a bit instead of having a smooth read.
I enjoyed the other characters and would definitely read spin offs if the author gives Amelie’s cousins their own books.
Tarah's Review:
If you are looking for a Victorian romance/murder mystery that is clean and written well, then I would definitely give Nancy Campbell Allen's The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart a try. One of my favorite parts is when Amelie and Detective Baker meet. The fun banter back and forth during the book kept me entertained and amused.
I normally have a problem when "civilians" are helping with a case, but considering Detective Baker wasn't supposed to be working on this case and Amelie's propensity for not listening and being stubborn I had an easier time swallowing that aspect of the story.
It did take me a little longer to get into this story, but I'm not sure if that was the story or if that was just life in general. I am excited that this book also has an audio version. I just started listening to that last night and I love the reader/narrator and can't wait to listen to this while I'm doing chores around the house or driving to an fro somewhere.
About the Author:
NANCY CAMPBELL ALLEN is the award-winning author of eighteen published novels and several novellas, which encompass a variety of genres, ranging from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. Her most recent books, which include Regency, Victorian, and steampunk romance, are published under Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance brand, and the What Happens in Venice novella series is part of the Timeless Romance Anthology collection published by Mirror Press. She has presented at numerous conferences and events since her initial publication in 1999.
Nancy loves to read, write, travel, and research, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She nurtures a current obsession for true crime podcasts and is a news junkie. She and her husband have three children, and she lives in Ogden, Utah, with her family, one very large Siberian Husky named Thor, and an obnoxious but endearing YorkiePoo named Freya.
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