Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
HarperCollins
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Romance. Suspense. HTML: The lethal stuff of legends For Jessica Tregarth, an unexpected invitation to visit her grandfather in England comes as a wonderful surprise, an opportunity to open doors to a family history that have always been closed to her. But her arrival is greeted by mysterious villains who pursue her through Cornwall, their motive and intentions unknown. Jessica's only clue is an antique heirloom she possesses, an ancient ring that bears the Tregarth family crest. Her only ally is handsome gothic novelist David Randall�??her self-proclaimed protector�??who appears seemingly out of nowhere to help her solve a five hundred-year-old puzzle. Something out of the cloudy mists of Arthurian lore has come back to plague a frightened American abroad, and a remarkable truth about a fabled king and a medieval treasure could ultimately make Jess Tregarth very rich�??or very d… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
Elizabeth Peters pays tribute to the Gothic novel in this light read. Upon her arrival in England, American tourist Jessica Tregarth is pursued by villains for an unknown reason. Tall, dark, and handsome David Randall comes to her aid and together they flit across the south of England, trying to
Show More
escape Jessica's pursuers while figuring out the reason for her pursuit. If you've ever seen the sights in England's south, or hope to visit them some day, you might enjoy reading about Jessica's adventures there. This book doesn't demand much from the reader. It would be a good book to curl up with on a "snow day". Show Less
LibraryThing member Stewartry
"Caper" was an excellent choice for the title: that's exactly what this is: an adventure with a romantic edge, danger around every corner but handled with a light touch, a tale of an unsuspecting female dropped into the midst of intrigue that would have served Alfred Hitchcock well. The writing is
Show More
quick and clear, smart and fun and funny; the characters are fun and different, with enough depth to make this very enjoyable; the story is fun and improbable and attention-grabbing, and deals intelligently with the Arthurian elements. As always, the author's deep knowledge of archaeology and its surrounds forms a solid base for a frothy story. The short version: the book is great lightweight fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
This is a quick and fun read. Ms. Peters often writes tongue in cheek and that is part of the charm here. There is romance, but it is hinted at, not spelled out explicitly. Overall an enjoyable escape.
LibraryThing member susanamper
The daughter of a British man who left home 25 years earlier with a strange ring has returned to England at the bequest of her grandfather bringing the ring with her. She is chased by two comical yet deadly men who seem intent on stopping her from reaching her grandfather. She heads toward Cornwall
Show More
with the aid of mystery writer David Randall. Along the way they makes stops at some famous cathedrals. Nice details on the cathedrals and some fun with the lore of King Arthur. Show Less
LibraryThing member antiquary
Peters eventually hit it big with the Amelia Peabody novels about a woman archaeologist/detective in late 19th early 20h century Egypt, but before that she wrote novels with a more conventional attractive young female scholar in a more modern setting, and this is one of them. I met the author at a
Show More
convention dinner in Maryland once --absolutely charming. This story involves a young woman who comes to England to see her grandfather and gets involved with a writer of Gothic novels while pursued by villains.. Show Less
LibraryThing member jguidry
I usually enjoy reading novels by Elizabeth Peters, but this one left me unimpressed. I didn't like any of the characters one bit. The main character, Jessica, acted like an airhead throughout the story. She was running around England because someone was after her, but she still decided to stop and
Show More
play tourist. She would get very upset with her rescuer when he tried to stop her from sight-seeing. I found myself wishing she would stay focused for more than 5 minutes. I wasn't impressed by her rescuer any more than I was with her. He was obnoxious and I got tired of him bossing Jessica around. The characters were only slightly more impressive than the plot. I'm not sure I entirely understand what happened in the ending, but everyone seemed happy so I'm going to assume the story did end. I'm not re-reading to make sure, though. There was lots of driving around England. Something about treasure. But, that's about all I got out of the plot. Fortunately, this wasn't the first novel by Elizabeth Peters I have read so I know she can write much better stories and create more interesting characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
If you've ever read a romantic suspense title by Elizabeth Peters, you'll know what you're getting here. If you haven't, expect a lot of narrative banter, outstanding atmosphere and setting, outstanding if superficial characterisations, a vintage version of insta-love, and an insanely silly plot
The Camelot Caper starts off in the midst of action, as Jess is on a random bus going to an unknown destination in England, escaping from men who are pursuing her for unknown reasons. No build up, just bang! Except then we're subjected to the flash back necessary to catch the reader up and I find that device dull, dull, dull. I dislike the hurry-up-and-wait feel of it, so while the book started off great, it immediately bogged down for me until page 35 or so, when everyone gets on the same page (so to speak), and the silly bits of the plot start to kick in. The scene on the bus might be one of Peters' best comic efforts I've yet read.
The rest is fast pace and fun and even though Peters' characters step in it at every opportunity, almost constantly putting themselves in peril, the writing at least made the constant beatings thrilling in a way not dissimilar to roller coasters designed for kids (Big Thunder Mountain at Disney World, for example). That might sound like I'm damning the book with faint praise, but Big Thunder Mountain is just my speed: fun without being terrifying and leaving me just a tiny bit exhilarated at the end. The Camelot Caper is definitely a "C" ticket ride, at least.
Show More
that is nevertheless well researched and intricately laid out. The villains are never a surprise, but their motives - at least for me - almost always are.The Camelot Caper starts off in the midst of action, as Jess is on a random bus going to an unknown destination in England, escaping from men who are pursuing her for unknown reasons. No build up, just bang! Except then we're subjected to the flash back necessary to catch the reader up and I find that device dull, dull, dull. I dislike the hurry-up-and-wait feel of it, so while the book started off great, it immediately bogged down for me until page 35 or so, when everyone gets on the same page (so to speak), and the silly bits of the plot start to kick in. The scene on the bus might be one of Peters' best comic efforts I've yet read.
The rest is fast pace and fun and even though Peters' characters step in it at every opportunity, almost constantly putting themselves in peril, the writing at least made the constant beatings thrilling in a way not dissimilar to roller coasters designed for kids (Big Thunder Mountain at Disney World, for example). That might sound like I'm damning the book with faint praise, but Big Thunder Mountain is just my speed: fun without being terrifying and leaving me just a tiny bit exhilarated at the end. The Camelot Caper is definitely a "C" ticket ride, at least.
Show Less
LibraryThing member themulhern
This is the worst Elizabeth Peters book I've ever listened to. Meant to be light, a "caper" indeed, but the romance made me cringe. Every one of Peters's Egyptian books that I have read was much better. The plot was more incoherent than even a typical Peters plot, while the humor and historical
Show More
interest were mostly absent. Show Less
LibraryThing member kmartin802
Elizabeth Peters has lots of fun with romantic suspense tropes in THE CAMELOT CAPER.
Jessica Tregarth has been invited to visit her grandfather in Cornwall. Since he and her father were estranged, she's never met him. She's excited to be traveling in Britain and really wants to see all the typical
However, things don't go well for her. Someone tries to steal her luggage when she arrives, and she keeps seeing the same strangers following her. She believes they want the ugly heirloom that her grandfather asked her to bring with her when she visits him.
She makes her escape on a bus where the friendly passengers and driver helps her get away from the villains. However, they leave her in a small village and the young man who is supposed to drive her to London isn't there. Instead she meets David Randall who thinks she is part of an elaborate prank set up by his friends.
He does agree to take her to London even though he doesn't believe her story. That is, he doesn't believe it until her pursuers attack him. Then he's all in and the two find their way to Cornwall where they discover a complicated plot having to do with King Arthur.
The plot elements sound like the plot of a good Gothic novel which is handy since David writes them. It also features a classic case of insta-love and some nicely witty dialog.
It was a fun story to revisit many years after I read it for the first time. Grace Conlin does an excellent job with the narration.
Jessica Tregarth has been invited to visit her grandfather in Cornwall. Since he and her father were estranged, she's never met him. She's excited to be traveling in Britain and really wants to see all the typical
Show More
tourist attractions. However, things don't go well for her. Someone tries to steal her luggage when she arrives, and she keeps seeing the same strangers following her. She believes they want the ugly heirloom that her grandfather asked her to bring with her when she visits him.
She makes her escape on a bus where the friendly passengers and driver helps her get away from the villains. However, they leave her in a small village and the young man who is supposed to drive her to London isn't there. Instead she meets David Randall who thinks she is part of an elaborate prank set up by his friends.
He does agree to take her to London even though he doesn't believe her story. That is, he doesn't believe it until her pursuers attack him. Then he's all in and the two find their way to Cornwall where they discover a complicated plot having to do with King Arthur.
The plot elements sound like the plot of a good Gothic novel which is handy since David writes them. It also features a classic case of insta-love and some nicely witty dialog.
It was a fun story to revisit many years after I read it for the first time. Grace Conlin does an excellent job with the narration.
Show Less
LibraryThing member catseyegreen
A young American travels to England to meet with her long-lost relatives but is stalked by 2 mysterious men who want a ring of now apparent value.
I had forgotten how much fun early Peters novels could be. Her humor appeals to me and her depictions of famous English sites really appeals. I had
re-read 10/5/2023
I had forgotten how much fun early Peters novels could be. Her humor appeals to me and her depictions of famous English sites really appeals. I had
Show More
forgotten that the characters are able to walk across Stonehenge under the full moon without the barriers that are in place today. Just thinking about it makes me envious. re-read 10/5/2023
Show Less
Original publication date
1969
ISBN
9780061806650
Local notes
Vicky Bliss, 0 (prequel)
DDC/MDS
| Fic Mystery PetersEz |