A review by sophiarose1816
The Camelot Caper by Elizabeth Peters

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

I read this many years ago, but couldn't remember a thing about it.  In fact, I never realized the first time that this was a prequel of sorts to the Vicky Bliss series featuring an origin story of sorts for Vicky's charming favorite gentleman thief, Sir John Smythe- who, let's just say was up to his tricks and schemes even in this story.  

The Camelot Caper starts off strong with a young American woman coming over to England at the request of her grandfather in Cornwall.  There was an estrangement in the family when her dad was younger.  The story hits the ground running when she no sooner lands at the airport than a man tries to take her her luggage and then she ends up on the run from him and his friend fearing what she doesn't know.  It's all so inexplicable and she can't figure out what they could possibly want with her and the weird old metal ring that was in her dad's things.  A literal stranger comes to her aid and helps her figure out what is going on.  Meanwhile, the pair of them start to feel a slow burn attraction as they duck and run and investigate together.  

Sadly, the latter half of the book gets too far-fetched in plot and Jess and everyone else including the villains do some very stupid actions that heighten the danger and excitement, but in a frustrating way.  

Grace Conlin did a wonderful job narrating and I enjoyed her voices for the characters and her storytelling ability.

All in all, not a favorite Elizabeth Peters story, but I did enjoy seeing the Vicky Bliss series connection finally.