The Masterful Mr Montague: Number 2 in series (From the Casebook of Barnaby Adair) Paperback – 29 April 2014

It was one of those books that is easy to read but is also satisfying for the story. I enjoy the way Stephanie Laurens includes characters from previous books and you can see where they have gone with their lives in the books. I am looking forward to the next story in the series.

I must admit that I agree with some of the other reviews about this book, I did find it a bit dull in places and to bulk it out SL had reverted to love scenes between Barnaby and Penelope, which in some respects was dissapointing. I love SL books and have throughly enjoyed reading the Cynster novels but I think her earlier family member books are much better than her latter. The story of Heathcote Montague, financier and accountant and Violet, the elderly lady companion was good and it was interesting how they all got together to solve the murders but I wouldn't say it was a book that I could not put down as was the case with some of the others!

Mr Montague is a character that pops ups in the majority of Stephanie Laurens books as the super efficient man of business to the ton. So it is good that we now have his story. All wrapped in one of Barnaby Adair mystery. Not as steamy as her other stories but Mr Montague is forty and his chosen lady is in a mid thirties so it was pitch at the right level. A good story away from the ton

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I fully expect that readers looking for titillation will be disappointed but I was somewhat surprised and pleased to find that I did not have to skip blocks of pages full of gratuitous sex scenes only of interest - presumably - to the characters in the book. Because of this absence I was able to keep up the momentum of the story. This was a refreshing change and just goes to prove that Ms Laurens can write an extremely good book without having to resort to cheap thrills!

I read Ms Lauren's books now for 3 years and I really enjoyed her. But since she did the Cynster Sister/Cousins she slipped her standards.While I like this story line I think it is a bit disappointing compared to some of her other books, especially the first Penelope/Adair one. Montague is a decent guy but comes over quite stuffy and boring, I mean there is not even a kiss until 75% of the book is over. "Masterful" I can't call him that. I must admit, I like her usual steaminess sex scenes, it may not to everybody's taste but for me they are part of her books. This is so tame, I nearly overread it.I now get her books as kindle editions, I am just not prepared to pay the full paperback price anymore.

Not one of SL's best but quite enjoyable. Interesting she concerned herself this time with two people of an older and more mature generation finding love and happiness together. It would be difficult for her to maintain the standard of the early Cynster novels. The story held my attention as I wanted to find out who the murderer was. I enjoyed the fact that there were not so many long extended graphic love scenes as SL was tending to get into. I tended to skip through some of these as they got quite boring. Will carry on reading her books and I look forward to her next one.

I enjoy Stephanie Laurens books although I was mostly ahead of this story and felt it could have taken a shorter route it was still a good read. As I have been unable to concentrate to read for some while this was a good book to get started again with.

Heathcote Montague, Man of business, is surprised at his office by woman. He learns that her employer (an elderly Lady) needs a reliable expert for advice. Then the Lady is murdered...... With the help of Barnaby Adair and Inspector Stokes, Montague begins to investigate murder after murder. By the end, a bride is won and the culprit or culprits are discovered and all is well.A gripping read and one I could not put down until I finished it