Title: An Excuse for Poor Conduct
Author: Kate Dolan
Series: n/a
good story, skilled writing
I would like to thank Kate Dolan and Author’s Den for allowing me to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a nice short story. Dolan’s writing, mechanically, is more skillful than I expected. Quite professional, actually. The setting of the almshouse and the indigent circumstances of the characters were interesting, a welcome change from the privileged doves and roosters usually depicted in historical romances. I appreciated the subtle humor that was included here and there, like when Will visited the reverend and they got drunk together, or when Will admitted that he tried to hit Matty back but missed. Matty and Will were likable characters, and both had arcs. Will decided to get his act together, and Matty…well, on second thought, maybe things didn’t change for her all that much. Or I just didn’t pick up on it.
But I was left wanting. So much was left undone or unexplained. It was clear Will’s turning point was the priority, and that’s fine, but I wanted more. This was like a sketch of a story, before the artist refines it with detail and color.
How did the cessation of drinking and gambling go for Will? Surely he struggled to stay on the responsible, useful path. A lifestyle change isn’t simple. Did he take over the job of farming the land for the almshouse, as was implied? What issues went along with that? Did he ever redeem himself with his uncle? And I’m not sure I understand how he was brought up. His mother died birthing him, and he speaks of his father in the past tense, so he must be dead, too, but I don’t remember mention of how or when. It must have been early, because Will says he was raised by his uncle.
Did they get enough donations? Did the Reverend Blakethorn’s dementia get worse? What exactly happened between him and the squire, and did the squire ever forgive him? Why was Matty considered a criminal, too? Did she help her father steal, or was she simply guilty by association, being a dependent and all? Will never asked for an explanation, so the reader never got one, which is an oversight. And is there any significance to the fact that his mother’s name was Margaret, and the parish was called St. Margaret’s? Probably just a coincidence.
I could go on, but my point is that I’d have liked to delve deeper and see everything resolved.
Lastly, for a romance, there wasn’t much romance. He noticed—after a time—that she was pretty, and she appreciated it. That was it. They became friends more than anything, so the kiss at the end seemed a tad…misplaced? Unearned? Forced?
Overall, this was a cute little story (*wince* I don’t mean that as patronizing as it might sound), but I believe it didn’t realize Dolan’s potential.
