"The Honorable Clarissa Vevian is a tall woman, whose tiny and delicate mother has intimidated and forced her to appear even more clumsy and foolish by dressing her in fashions which are unflattering and too-small shoes. Despite these efforts on her mother's behalf, she failed to procure a husband in Bath and is sent to London for refinement and chaperonage by the Tribble sisters.
Along the way to London, her coach is held up by a young gentleman looking for diversion, and Clarissa accidentally foils the robbery and renders the highwayman unconscious. It transpires that the highwayman is a family member of the Earl of Graystone, and Clarissa meets the Earl and stays at his family seat after the aborted robbery and subsequent ruin of Clarissa's coach.
Upon reaching London and the Tribbles' residence, Clarissa meets the Earl again. He is investigating the theft of important government papers, which incidentally were hidden in Clarissa's jewelry box by a spy during Clarissa's journey to London. The Earl and Clarissa become close during the London season, and with the encouragement of the Tribble sisters develop a romantic relationship."
Linda, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of Finessing Clarissa
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story
- Regency era
Action/suspense subplot?
Yes
Action:
- spies
If one lover chases another...
- they alternate
Main Male Character
Profession/status:
- wealthy
Age/status:
- 20's-30's
How sexual is this person?
- several sexual encounters
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Female Character
Age/status:
- a teen
Profession/status:
- wealthy
How sexual is this person?
- naive virgin
How romantic is this person?
- somewhat romantic
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
Misc setting
- Fancy Mansion
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
What % of story is romance related?
- 80%
Part of a series?
Yes
Focus of story
- equally on him and her
How much dialog
- significantly more descript than dialog
