I enjoyed this more than I expected to, but it isn't her best. It throws new light on the past of the Alistair character in these old shades, and shows him to be a rather awful person. Some crimes I can't forgive, and rape is one of them. Obviously in the book the fact that most of his victims were of a lower class than him, and happened offstage may be intended to make it "less" dreadful, but not to me.

Anybody else would have gotten 3 stars. But this Georgette Heyer and for me, she can do no wrong.
Only Heyer knows how to make the most despicable characters seem lovable. Her heroes are always the men we love to hate, but can't help loving anyway. It's the way she lets's them talk, leaving off the descriptions to let you read beyond the words. Truly, she is unparalleled in character mastery.
She could take the same story and write it in a hundred different ways and yet, still entertain you. In fact forget a plot, just give me a Heyer book with two characters exchanging witty comments. I'll take it any day over some of the junk that passes for reading material these days.
But why is the title "The Black Moth" though? Doesn't seem to really fit.
I can't help but find similarities between this book and 'These Old Shades' though. Here are some I highlighted:
- Santana and 'Devil' were similar in mannerisms. Also similar names i.e.Avon and Andover.
-Also, they both have married and doting younger sisters: Fanny and Lavinia.
- Younger brothers who are rakes and charming to butt: 'Richard' ( was it? i forgot!)and Alexander.
-Brother-in-laws who couldn't stand them.
- Best friends who were forever giving unheeded advice: Hugh and Frank.
- Both have a thing for kidnapping women.
Well, though I remarked all this, I enjoyed myself too much to care. That is the 'Heyer effect'. Though I found Avon a much more likeable person than Andover.

3.5

Rounded to 4⭐️
It was okay. I liked Jack until he was so dumb and stubborn about he would dishonor Diana by marrying her though he be disgraced(but of course… the drama -mockingly clutches at my heart-) His brothers wife was absolutely annoying.
I did enjoy it more once I realized this was the authors first book she worked on to entertain her brother while he was sick. That was sweet!
The ending was actually rather good from Andovers perspective. It almost made me feel sorry for him. Almost.

Own.

I didn't know this was her first book when I read it.

I liked it. I liked the multiple story lines weaving in and out of one another. It was an adventure and fun.

Really not my favorite Heyer (a bit too swashbuckly for my tastes), but when you consider that it was written when she was 17, it's not so bad.

I love a good regency drama and this definitely was a good regency drama! I’ve rapidly grown in interest with Georgette Heyers works and I love the way she writes her books. She does them so well!

The outline of this plot really drew me in and it was catching once the story got going. It did take me a few chapters to get my head into the book and for it to get its hooks in but then it slowly and surely started to drag me in! It certainly has an enchanting quality to it and the storytelling ! Wow I loved the storytelling in this. It was so vivid and so well written.

The narration executed it brilliantly and it made for a great audiobook. So easy and effortless to listen to; I really enjoyed it.

It’s one of those books where you’re not sure which twists and turns are coming or how things are going to unravel. You have to keep listening just to see how the plot will develop.

I got really invested in the characters as we went along and I loved the story development between Jack and Diana. I also loved the relationship between Miles and his lady O’Hara. I don’t think you can go wrong with a Georgette Heyer book and this audiobook was a really great listen.

Thank you to the publishers via NetGalley for this audiobook in return for my honest thoughts and review.