The Trouble With Harry

Noble Historical, Book 3

By: Katie MacAlister

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

From New York Times best-selling author Katie MacAlister comes the third book in the Noble Historical series, originally published 2004 by Leisure Books.

Just What is the Trouble With Harry?

1. He is Plum’s new husband. Not normally a problem, but when you consider that Harry advertised for a wife, and Plum was set to marry his secretary, there was cause for a bit of confusion.

2. He has a title. Plum has spent the last twenty years hiding from the ton, and now Harry wants her to shine in society? Horrors!

3. He doesn’t know about her shocking secret. How is she going to explain about the dead husband who isn’t a husband…and who now seems to be alive again?

4. He’s fallen in love with her. And yet, the maddening man refuses to confide in her. For Plum knows the real trouble with Harry is that he’s stolen her heart.

©2004, 2011 Katie MacAlister (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This is a romp in the truest sense. It's great to have an older couple (he's 45 and she's 40) finding happiness after tragedy. The memorable characters, witty dialogue and suspense make this a book well worth reading. MacAlister's unique style makes her an author to watch." ( RT Book Reviews)

Great Addition to the Series!

Read the first book to get introduced to characters, and that story was a good one, but then skip to this one! This one could almost stand on its own in fact but the other books lead to this one nicely. The narrator, that I honestly complained about in prior books has improved as well. We revisit a few of the best characters from Noble Intensions, the first one, so having read that first helps. The Trouble With Harry is a wonderful story with humor, mystery, rambunctious children, amorous and unusual butlers, murder, mayhem, steamy romance (NOT G rated!) and an overall great twist on the marriage of convenience theme. Highly recommend!

Not the usual historical romance

It was a comedy with a fast pace and completely unrealistic events. The plot was good but the ending kinda bugged me. It seemed incomplete leaving me wondering if the secret got out and how the heroine went from being hurt to happily ever after. Not that it matters really because the whole story was full of inconceivable and truly laughable events. After listening to the sample I thought the narrator would annoy me but it was really good too. Larkins unique performance kinda fit the historical and the comedic parts of the story which I imagine isn't easy to do.

Intrigue meets humor

Another wonderful example of this author's creativity in coming up with ridiculous scenarios and hilarious conversation. Brava!

More like her first book - fun

After suffering through Charlotte in book two of this series, this third book is a welcome return to the likable characters and funny situations that made Noble Intentions so much fun. Alison Larkin is, as always, good at varied voices, believable accents, and comic timing.

Really enjoyed this!

I was having a bit of a downer day and this book was just what the doctor ordered! It was very funny! It reminded me of some of Georgette Heyer's books. The main characters are great and I loved the fact that there wasn't much angst. The "diablitos" (children) are a hoot. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Regency romance meets Lemony Snicket

This book had the flavor of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. There were a gaggle of children causing chaos and setting traps. There were scheming villains with nonsensical evil plans.
There were hyperbolically comical characters, like Juan the bloodthirsty butler.

This story worked best for me as a kids book, but unfortunately the childishness extended to the romance and, even more unfortunately, to the sex. This whole series has the couples role playing in bed based upon a book advocating fanciful sexual positions like Blind Maiden & Knight or Rising Crane.
The coupling was too cute- which clashed with the sexual details.
The narrator’s syrupy sweet narration didn’t help, making the sex scenes my least favorite thing.

This connects to the first book, but is set decades later and only features a cameo for Noble and a slightly larger role for Noble’s now 23 year old son. I don’t think it any loss to hear this as a standalone.

Kind of funny but mostly dumb

It's kind of a mish-mash of details that don't really go anywhere. There are several humorous moments, but they are often overshadowed by the silly immature content. Dont get me started on the weird sex scenes. Couple that with the sing song, little girl voice of the heroine, it begins to feel ishy & tedious to get through the story.