Loving Rose: The Redemption of Malcolm Sinclair (Casebook of Barnaby Adair 3)

Despite the crowd, Thomas had only had eyes for Rose, and she for him. He’d spoken his vows clearly and had meant every word—to love, honor, and cherish. Forever. Until death finally and truly parted them. And even after that. The day had been a golden one; the celebrations had lasted for days. The warmth with which so many had embraced him remained with Thomas, a potent reminder that, indeed, he was no longer the man he once had been. Autumn spiced the air on the day they returned to London over two months later, and, at Thomas’s insistence, he, Rose, William, and Alice went walking up South Audley Street, then turned off to stroll past the Audley chapel and into the graveyard beyond. Her hand tucked into the crook of Thomas’s arm, Rose walked beside him along the paved path that led through the graveyard. He had recovered from the injuries sustained in his fall from the Seddington House roof, and, once again, carried his cane more for safety’s sake than any constant need. William and Alice ranged ahead, one on either side of the path, reading the names on the gravestones and calling out the more remarkable for each other’s amusement. Rose—now Rosalind once more, but to Thomas she would always be his Rose—hugged his arm and looked up at him. Caught his eye when he looked down at her. “Why are we here?” Rose hadn’t pressed for a specific destination when they’d left Seddington House, now fully staffed and functioning again; when she’d asked where they were going, Thomas had said that there was one place he needed to visit before they headed off to Cornwall, to claim the belongings they’d left at the manor, hire new caretakers, and put all in order for their return to Seddington Grange for Christmas. Now, surrounded by the graves of the fashionable, Rose wondered what particular piece of his complex past he’d come there to put to rest. Glancing around, she asked, “Have we come to visit a grave?” “Yes, we have. Or”—he looked ahead—“I have, at least.” After a moment—his usual moment of considering how much to reveal—he looked down at her. “Her name most likely will mean nothing to you—she was an old lady when I knew her, and that was twenty and more years ago. But I wanted to pay my respects . . . before moving on.” Raising his head, he faced forward. Intrigued, Rose looked around as they walked on. He pointed with his cane. “Her grave should be somewhere around there, I think.” They detoured into that section, taking the narrower paths between the sets of graves. “There it is.” He waved his cane at a neat, elegant, but not ostentatious marble-topped grave. The headstone, surmounted by a lute-playing angel, was clean, the plot well-cared for. Settling her arm snugly in his, Rose halted by his side at the foot of the grave. “Edith Balmain.”

My rating: 4 stars.This book is well-written, because Stephanie Laurens is a talented writer. I read it several years ago, but recently decided to re-read several of Laurens' books, since I had enjoyed them all. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I still like this book -- maybe not quite as much as the first read, but I still liked it a lot.I liked Thomas, and liked that the book dealt with his redemption. He had done some bad things, with terrible consequences, in the past. He was now a changed man, a good man, but he still felt like he needed to pay for his crimes. He had even tried to commit suicide, thinking he deserved to die for his crimes, but had survived with terrible injuries and scars. I also liked that he realized the reason he survived his injuries was so that he could help Rose and her stepsiblings.I liked Rose, and how she had sacrificed so much to protect her stepsiblings. I also liked that she accepted Thomas as he was, and wasn't repulsed by his past or his scars. She realized that he had paid for his crimes, and loved the good man he currently was.One thing I really liked, which is typical of this author's work -- the strong women characters, and how their men didn't try to change them into submissive women. For that time period, it would have been unusual for women to be actively involved in any criminal investigations. I thought it was refreshing that Penelope, Griselda, and Violet all helped in this one.I also liked that couples from the other books in this series were heavily included in this book (Penelope and Barnaby; Griselda and Stokes; Violet and Heathcote). The reader was able to see how their relationships had matured in the months since they got married.My rating system is below.1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.

Having read many books by Stephanie Laurens and occasionally finding them formulaic, I was delighted to find a new trope and a development of character i had not encountered before. I had not read the story of Malcolm Sinclair, so was discovering what he was like as Stephanie helped readers like me understand Thomas' former persona. I found him a likeable person and particularly enjoyed the way he related to Homer, the intelligent little boy in the story. Also very different and fascinating was the prologue, describing the time Thomas spent in the monastery while convalescing from his injuries.it was nice to meet again the by now familiar detective team and the way the men have accepted their wives' active help in their investigations.It took me some time to correctly guess who the real villain was. Anyway, I would recommend you read this book if you enjoy a romance where sex scenes are kept pretty much under control - well compared to other Laurens' novels !-and like to have the added interest of an adventure and a police investigation.

This tale had it all, the transition of Malcolm to Thomas. Malcolm I’d observed from the Bastion books to the Cynster books and mostly he gave me the creeps, although the conscience was visible. Thomas we soon find empathy with him and are happy with the journey he travels together with Rose. The only thing quandary is how did they marry legally?

a Stephanie Laurens book always means a few hours of escapism. I enjoyed the earlier novels twists and turns of plots that made a basic romance become more than boy meets girl and a problem gets resolution. The amazing number of books written obviously ends up with some repetition, but in some ways it is becoming formulaic. That said the interrelating world of characters is one of the most appealing features - as if you are watching a modern day soap opera. I am sure I will continue to enjoy her writing as it is amazing that she can find so many different takes on what is essentially still boy meets girl and a problem gets sorted.

I was enthralled from beginning to end. Having read the first book with Malcolm Sinclair in it (I have read all Stephanie Laurensbooks and loved them) I knew some of his history. In this book he is redeemed and becomes a lovely man, but its a long road!Get the book and read, you wont be disappointed.

I have just reread this book because I had forgotten the story line and liked once again.So simple but enjoyable even though it's a story of murder and kidnapping.