The Treasures of Surrey Collection

[bc:The Curiosity Keeper 23582599 The Curiosity Keeper (Treasures of Surrey, #1) Sarah E. Ladd https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1416321543l/23582599.SY75.jpg 43186387][bc:Dawn at Emberwilde 25863713 Dawn at Emberwilde (Treasures of Surrey, #2) Sarah E. Ladd https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436236530l/25863713.SY75.jpg 45207718][bc:A Stranger at Fellsworth 30649388 A Stranger at Fellsworth (Treasures of Surrey, #3) Sarah E. Ladd https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491093251l/30649388.SY75.jpg 50840640]

A delightful, mysterious tale of a young woman who is forced by circumstances to step out of her familiar life and deal with the emotions of having her world turned upside-down. The story would be great for all ages; it vaguely reminded me of a Wilkie Collins-type plot, without the wordiness he employed. The characters were delightful, and the story is interesting from page one to the end. It's definitely Ladd's best work to date.

It's also full of the charm of novelty. I didn't guess who the criminals were who were in collaboration with Camille's father; one I vaguely wondered about once; another was completely out of left field. I like being reasonably surprised in that fashion. And a plot with a young couple, of decent family but straitened circumstances, one of whom is an apothecary and one a shopkeeper, is also pleasant. The different scenes are well described and feel as though I could see them.

Basically, this book is a delight from beginning to end, and I'm greatly looking forward to book two.