The Georgette Heyer Podcast

Spoiler alert! The criminally under-estimated Freddy Standen doesn’t rate his own intelligence very highly, but he certainly manages to deploy his common sense to excellent effect, plucking plans from thin air and smoothing Kitty’s path through society during their pretend engagement. But remember, he’s not kind-hearted! Oh no, heaven forbid, he’s been on the town for years

Spoiler alert! Sir Gareth Ludlow’s life is turned upside-down in the space of a few hours when his long-standing friend Lady Hester Theale turns down his very flattering proposal, and he finds himself taking charge of the beautiful and ruthless runaway Amanda. Up against this diminutive but cunning strategist, Sir Gareth is led a merry dance around the surrounding countryside try

Spoiler alert! Captain John Staple is one of the easiest of Heyer’s heroes to like. Maybe it’s his all-round goodness, but maybe it’s just because he’s so very large. We’re all powerless to resist apparently. Nell Stornoway certainly doesn’t manage it for long, and we don’t blame her. There’s a whole host of fantastic characters in this story, from Sir Peter who sti

Spoiler alert! Annis Wychwood and Oliver Carleton are two of our more mature Heyer characters. For the readers that means we can enjoy watching two honest and articulate people unpick what it takes to give up their comfortable ways of life and walk into the unknown - throwing in their lot with another person. But where’s the risk really? Annis is beautiful and charming, and Olive

Spoiler alert! How lovely that muscular thighs are guaranteed when your hero is a Corinthian. But it’s not just his legs that make Sir Richard Wyndham such a dashing figure - no, it’s also his romantic streak, intelligence and sense of humour. Plus he even seems capable of giving a pretty good haircut while spectacularly drunk. And who could possibly be the foil to Sir Richard?

Spoiler alert! And trigger warning. Early on in this episode we talk about the horrors of war, including rape and murder, so do please skip past this episode if that’s not what you need to hear about right now. We also talk about the impact of a novel being based on real people, with details drawn from their memoirs. Take Juana for example… do we truly understand her thoughts a

Spoiler alert! In this episode we wax lyrical over Sir Waldo. Handsome, charming and kind, an expert in the art of flirtation and a man who’d never abandon his Wretched Brats. No wonder Ancilla Trent falls head over heels for him, despite her best intentions. And just as much as we hope Sir Waldo and Miss Trent will make a match of it, we’re desperately keen that Tiffany Wield

Spoiler alert! In this episode we kick things off by discussing whether Sir Maurice and Cleone were reasonable in wanting Philip to change his ways. Is he being asked to put aside his real identity and conform? Or do they want him to broaden his horizons before slipping prematurely into old age? And what about Cleone? A young woman who gets engaged more times in ten minutes than mo

Spoiler alert! In this episode we talk about a very dysfunctional family and deep-rooted resentments that might prove deadly. There’s intrigue, danger and mystery galore, plus delightfully prosaic heroine, Drusilla, who knows just where to place a problematic epergne. Our hero, St Erth, faces multiple attempts on his life, and perhaps even more frighteningly, must live under the

Spoiler alert! Heyer pulls off quite the feat in An Infamous Army - capturing the horrors of war through the love story of dashing Charles Audley and rebellious Barbara Childe. While Heyer’s research into the Battle of Waterloo has long been respected, we also take a moment to appreciate how she builds an atmosphere. We’re right there with the ton in Brussels, swept up in the m