THE BOOKS OF GEORGETTE HEYER

TThe Spanish Bride ©1940 Georgette Heyer, image courtesy of Pan Macmillan (Pan Books,1980)An Infamous Army ©1937 Georgette Heyer, Image courtesy of Pan Macmillan (Pan Books 1968).Introduction: Georgette Heyer was one of the greats when it came to historical romance. Her historical knowledge was encyclopaedic and she prided herself on dating her books by reference rather than statement. Her accumulated notebooks are an absolute goldmine of information, and would be published as one of the world's great references if she'd only kept a record of the sources. On top of this she was a skilled writer with a keen sense of humour, who could draw a character in just a few words. Her novels are enjoyed by both sexes.

Her early work tended to be based in the mid 18th century, often just after, and with a connection to, the '45. Later she settled in the regency period, from 1795 to 1820. Like Jane Austen there is little reference to the war on the continent in most of her books, but when there is the reference is accurate. As far as units go, she preferred the better known ones - cavalry, Guards or Light Division.

In 1984 Jane Aiken Hodge published a biography of the writer: "The Private World of Georgette Heyer".

Heyer's Romance novels have gradually being reprinted through the 1990s.

Images courtesy of Pan Macmillan.

Title Pub Set Army Connection
Powder and Patch 1923 1770s
Simon the Coldheart 1925 1100 Norman knight
These Old Shades 1926 1750 Reference to '45
The Masqueraders 1928 1746 Reference to '45
The Black Moth 1929 1750
Beauvallet 1929 1580s
The Conqueror 1931 1060s
Devil's Cub 1932 1770s
The Convenient Marriage 1934
Regency Buck 1935 1812 Charles Worth, Capt 11th Hussars, home on leave after being injured at Arroyo dos Molinos
The Talisman Ring 1936 C18
An Infamous Army 1937 1815 Charles Worth, Staff Col (11th Hussars (det)). Set in Brussels and at Waterloo. Brilliant description of the Battle.
Royal Escape 1938 C17 Civil War
The Corinthian 1940
The Spanish Bride 1940 1812 Harry Smith, Brig Maj (Capt. 95th Rifles, detached). Follows the Peninsular War from Badajoz, and then the War of 1812 and Waterloo.
Faro's Daughter 1941
Friday's Child 1944
The Reluctant Widow 1946 ~1812 Brother on Hill's staff in the Peninsular
The Foundling 1948 ~1816 Gideon Ware, Capt Lifeguards
Arabella 1949
The Grand Sophy 1950 ~1818
The Quiet Gentleman 1951 1816 Gervase Frant, Capt 7th Hussars
Cotillon 1953
The Toll Gate 1954 1816 John Staple, Capt 1st Dragoons (sold out 1814)
Bath Tangle 1955 1816 Hector Kirkby (Major ?)
Sprig Muslin 1956 ~1810 Capt Neil Kendal (Brig Maj 43rd) (Home on sick leave)
Arthur Ludlow (Maj ?, dec(Salamanca))
April Lady 1957
Sylvester 1957
Venetia 1958 1816 Conway Lanyon nth Foot, (at Cambray)
The Unknown Ajax 1959 Sept 1817 Hugo Darracott, Major 95th Rifles (sold out 1816), joined early enough to go to Buenos Aires.
Pistols for Two 1960
A Civil Contract 1961 1814 Adam Deveril, Capt 52nd Foot (sold out 1814)
The Nonesuch 1962
False Colours 1963 ~1815
Frederica 1965
Black Sheep 1966
Cousin Kate 1968 ~1822 Malvern (Major (dec) served Portugal & Waterloo)
Charity Girl 1970
Lady of Quality 1972
My Lord John 1925 1393 Mediaeval

Images on this page are used by kind permission of Pan Macmillan Books.

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Last update 5/10/03