In 1813, Captain Jack Vespa returns to his English home after fighting against Napoleon on the Iberian front. Jack is looking forward to some R & R at Alabaster Royal, the home that he will one day inherit. When he arrives at the manor, he learns that his ancestral home is allegedly haunted. Worse yet to Jack is the visitors who insist on staying at Alabaster. The kooky Italian Duchess would be enough to send a man back to the front, but it is her granddaughter, Consuela Jones, that sends Jack's emotions soaring and destroying his sought after peace.

Consuela insists to a skeptical Jack that her father was killed on this property. As she begins to investigate what happened, Jack cannot help but join her on her quest. Soon, he is convinced that her tale is true. Even more so, he finds himself falling in love with the feisty Consuela and she reciprocates his deepest feelings. Still, an unknown assailant wants Consuela to stop her meddling and will do anything, including murder, to assure that happens. Once the couple solves THE RIDDLE OF ALABASTER ROYAL, they might have time to explore their own relationship, that is, if Consuela can be persuaded to give her beloved a chance.

Patricia Veryan is one of the leading writers of Regency romances today and her latest novel, THE RIDDLE OF ALABASTER ROYAL will augment her already merited prestige. The intriguing story line is humorous and exciting, and the characters are all lively and human. Added to the romance is the bonus of a brilliant mystery that could easily sell the novel as a who-done-it. Ms. Veryan has written one of the top three historicals of the year and is sure to gather awards for this splendid story.