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Alice Chetwynd Ley
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The Guinea Stamp: Spies, smuggling and romantic adventure Kindle Edition

by Alice Chetwynd Ley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 590 ratings
A classic pre Regency romance with a dramatic twist! For fans of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Jane Aiken Hodge and Jane Austen.

Nothing is as it seems when spies are in your midst…


1804, England



Attractive heiress, Joanna Feniton, has been betrothed to the Honourable Algernon Cholcombe, a wealthy nobleman, since childhood.

But when a chance encounter leads her to an attractive stranger her heart is thrown into turmoil…

With the threat of an invasion by Napoleon on this Devonshire coastline everyone must have their wits about them. And with spies and smugglers terrorising the county, no one is safe.

As Joanna learns more about her mysterious suitor, she also realises there is a French spy amongst her acquaintance.

Who can she trust? And who should she confide in?

What will happen if Napoleon succeeds in attacking the English coast…?



THE GUINEA STAMP is a thrilling romantic adventure story by Alice Chetwynd Ley: a traditional British, pre Regency romance novel with a twist of suspense and mystery, set in the Napoleonic era.

‘another of Alice Chetwynd Ley’s Regencies – this time one filled with spies and a no nonsense heroine who makes her hero work’ - Dear Author

‘an enjoyable quick read’ - Nicki J Markus
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  1. Print length
    287 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 23, 2018
  4. File size
    1.5 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07D91W1FY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books (May 23, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 23, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 287 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 590 ratings

About the author

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Alice Chetwynd Ley

Alice Chetwynd Ley

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
590 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a good light read, particularly enjoying its clean Regency romance and mystery elements. Moreover, the plot features lots of intrigue, with one customer describing it as a quick-paced adventure set during Regency times. Additionally, customers appreciate the interesting characters and well-written narrative.

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9 customers mention "Enjoyment"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and entertaining, describing it as a good light read.

"...They are a light read for relaxing and enjoying a good story." Read more

"...There's action/adventure, romance, a good cast of characters, and fine dialogue in a well-plotted story." Read more

"Is was actually pretty entertaining. The novel had an interesting plot and some insight into the history of the times." Read more

"...Box", are both old-fashioned, clean romance/mysteries which are a joy to read. Both are highly recommended." Read more

9 customers mention "Plot"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, with its clean Regency romance and mystery elements, and one customer describes it as a quick-paced exciting spy story.

"...They are well written with interesting characters and plots. They have mystery and usually some twists to make things more fun...." Read more

"...The story is set during Regency times, with England worried about Napoleon's possible invasion and smugglers and spies (both British and French)..." Read more

"I loved this book and others by this author. Great plot ,well written , main characters described well and likable...." Read more

"Is was actually pretty entertaining. The novel had an interesting plot and some insight into the history of the times." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them interesting, with one customer particularly noting the fine dialogue.

"...They are well written with interesting characters and plots. They have mystery and usually some twists to make things more fun...." Read more

"...There's action/adventure, romance, a good cast of characters, and fine dialogue in a well-plotted story." Read more

"...Great plot ,well written , main characters described well and likable. I hope all this author's books will be available in kindle format...." Read more

"...There are matchmaking relatives, spies, villains, and at least one traitor who is spying for the French, and the hunt for him creates an intriguing..." Read more

5 customers mention "Story quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written, with one customer describing it as a well-researched spy story.

"I've enjoyed all of Alice Chetwynd Ley's books. They are well written with interesting characters and plots...." Read more

"...This is a very well-written and well-researched spy story with lots of intrigue and red herrings to keep the reader wondering who's the traitor..." Read more

"I loved this book and others by this author. Great plot ,well written , main characters described well and likable...." Read more

"...This book was such an enjoyable proper regency story to read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • BagBlog
    5.0 out of 5 stars Light
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I've enjoyed all of Alice Chetwynd Ley's books. They are well written with interesting characters and plots. They have mystery and usually some twists to make things more fun. They are a light read for relaxing and enjoying a good story.
    Helpful
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  • OLT
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written spy story and romance from 1961.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book from 1961 was also published as the paperback The Courting of Joanna some time ago. Its title in this e-book edition comes from a famous line in a Robert Burns poem, "The rank is but the guinea stamp/ The man's the gold, for a'that." In this story, heroine Joanna has to learn which of her suitors is the "gold". We readers know all along, but she takes a while to figure it out.

    The story is set during Regency times, with England worried about Napoleon's possible invasion and smugglers and spies (both British and French) running amok. And there's also the common, ordinary stuff of life too. Joanna Fineton, young English gentlewoman, is expected (by her grandparents) to marry well, preferably to Lord Cholcombe's son Algernon, who's a bit of a dandy that she hasn't seen since childhood.

    He'll be coming to Teignton Manor, Joanna's grandparent's home, to pay his respects soon, but we also have a certain military man, Captain Masterman, who has been showing interest in Joanna. Not to mention mysterious Captain Jackson, who breaks into the house and has Joanna totally curious about him, although we readers know quite a bit (except for his real identity) from the get-go since his work as a double agent is spotlighted from the beginning of the book.

    This is a very well-written and well-researched spy story with lots of intrigue and red herrings to keep the reader wondering who's the traitor spying for the French in the vicinity. Joanna doesn't quite know who to trust and definitely is conflicted about who to love. There's action/adventure, romance, a good cast of characters, and fine dialogue in a well-plotted story.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Room climenson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book and others by this author. Great plot ,well written , main characters described well and likable. I hope all this author's books will be available in kindle format. Will that happen.
    Helpful
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  • MissMommy
    3.0 out of 5 stars Spies, love and mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Is was actually pretty entertaining. The novel had an interesting plot and some insight into the history of the times.
    Helpful
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  • Fran G
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Clean Regency Romance/Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I give this book four-and-a-half stars. I like the h and the men who would be the H. There is an assortment of other characters, some mysterious, others very straight-forward and kindhearted. There are matchmaking relatives, spies, villains, and at least one traitor who is spying for the French, and the hunt for him creates an intriguing mystery which is finally solved at the end in time for the HEA, and the true identity of an important character is also revealed at the end as all the loose ends are tied up.

    This book, as well as "The Jewelled Snuff Box", are both old-fashioned, clean romance/mysteries which are a joy to read. Both are highly recommended.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Madbakingsodagirl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Guinea Stamp
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    An quick paced exciting regency spy story. Interesting characters, mysterious captains, and unworthy traitors. This book was such an enjoyable proper regency story to read.
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  • S. Penley
    5.0 out of 5 stars held my attention.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A very good read. I love to read historical fiction and this was exciting and and held my attention.
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  • Claudia
    4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    An author with the incredible talent to create interesting plots set in believable historical settings. Her novels are highly recommended.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Little Wolf
    5.0 out of 5 stars Her best
    Reviewed in Germany on April 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Couldn‘t guess how it would end till I reached the very end ... that is certainly unusual in this kind of novel!
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous
    Reviewed in Australia on September 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Did NOT see that ending coming!! Thoroughly enjoyed every moment, even if I did get a little frustrated at there being so little clues as to who the mysterious Jackson was!! A joy to read.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely recency story
    Reviewed in India on November 24, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This has to be my favourite of all of Ms Let's books. It has everything I love - a plucky heroine, thrill and mysteries and of course a wonderful hea!
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  • East End Lady
    5.0 out of 5 stars A charming story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I returned to this book after missing it for fifty years to see how it had fared in my absence.
    It has stood the test of time very well. As you would expect there is no raunchiness, no grammatical errors and no obvious anachronisms.
    Set in the time just prior to Trafalgar when England was expecting an invasion by Napoleon, it highlights the invidious position of smugglers and those engaged in espionage as double agents.
    What is most noticeable in the book is the impeccable lady-like behaviour of the heroines and the impeccable craftsmanship of the author . These two aspects are very often lacking in more recent books.
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  • Paola B.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Romantica storia dei tempi andati
    Reviewed in Italy on May 15, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Napoleone vuole invadere la Gran Bretagna e da una parte all'altra della Manica ci sono spie che lavorano per il proprio paese. Nel mezzo una giovane donna aristocratica, la sua famiglia e i suoi amici. Tanto romanticismo e il richiesto lieto fine
    Report

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