It's been re-printed many times, although it's not always in print in the USA. It's exciting with a very dramatic climax, and even when I knew what was coming it was difficult to put down.ĭefinitely recommended.

It's not one of my absolute favourite Heyer books, but I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading it. He befriends some of his cousins and aunts, is despised by others, and slowly gets to know the neighbourhood. Hugo turns out to be quite different from everyone's expectations, much more intelligent than he seems, and with a wonderful sense of humour. so he sends for him, in the hope of licking him into some kind of shape. Lord Darracott does not in the least want Hugo to be his heir, but has no choice. His father, Hugh, married a weaver's daughter and was thrown out of the family Hugh died not long afterwards, but left a son, the large and amiable Hugo. However Lord Darracott produces a bombshell - a grandson he has never met before. The family in this book are the upper-crust Darracotts, headed by the 80-year-old Lord Darracott who's a bad-tempered man who picks favourites.Īs the story opens, Lord Darracott's heir and his son have just drowned at sea, and his next son, Matthew, is expected to step into his shoes when he dies. The story is set on the South coast of England, during the period when smuggling was rife government taxes on whisky and other items were considered unreasonable, so even respectable families turned a blind eye to the nightly goings-on near the sea. The Unknown Ajax ebook Gossip, scandal and an unforgettable Regency romance By Georgette Heyer Learn more about precise location detection Title found at these libraries: Sorry, no libraries found. I'd also forgotten just what a delightful character Heyer creates in Hugo, the large 'Ajax' of the title. I could, just about, remember the overall plot - particularly as I got further into the story - but I'd forgotten most of the detail. I last read 'The Unknown Ajax' in 2002, and five years is a good space between readings, I find. I have most of her books on my shelves, and re-read them all every few years. She was a prolific writer of fiction, mainly historical novels, with excellent plots and characterisation. No matter how many new authors I find and enjoy, I always come back to re-reading Georgette Heyer.

The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer