QUIET GENTLEMAN

To his stepmother and stepbrother's dismay, Gervaise, the new Earl of St. Erth, has survived Waterloo and returned to take his place at the family seat. His reception is less than welcoming. Here is classic Heyer, with a minimum of romance and considerable suspense. Indeed, there's murder in this rarefied Regency air. Heyer fans rejoice in her understated writing. To play the stepmother with a warbling falsetto and the story as a drawing room comedy detracts considerably from the characterization and historical authenticity for which this writer is known. Garrett is an admirable actor; his theatrical command of projection and accents is remarkable. A more measured reading would have sufficed to let Heyer's humor come through. S.B.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]