The Road to Silver Plume

This is an excellent novel. Sometimes I wish this system allowed only “recommended” or “not recommended,” like Steam does - I could “recommend” a book and then list the things I did and didn't like, without in any way affecting the book's positive rating. Which is to say: I did have a few moments of confusion in this book that I had not experienced reading Tamara Allen's other wonderful novels. But all of the reasons I love her books were present, too, so I definitely did enjoy it.

Negatives first: I didn't feel overly connected to either of the MCs. Their character development was subtle. It's not that it wasn't there. I felt that I was letting down the book by not always correctly interpreting Darrow and Emlyn's surface thoughts and behavior. So, I reread a lot of scenes and moments until I felt I understood their dynamic. In my opinion, there could have been a middle ground between the excess of subtlety and the characters behaving in sort of tropey ways.

Aside from the developing friendship and romance, the murkiness didn't serve the plot very well either. I felt like I should have gone into reading this book with a far better understanding of economics. I got caught up on understanding what was happening to Denver because of the government's plans to stop valuing silver. Now, again, that may be idiosyncratic to me. I did understand how all that influenced the things that happened in the plot, in a broad sense. But I would need to do outside research in order to really appreciate the historical situation that influenced this plot.

But with The Only Gold, which was also written on a subject I didn't understand, there was a decent amount of information and context given. I felt by the middle of the book that I had a very good handle on the bank's situation, what the MCs' jobs entailed, etc. Then, I understood why the bad guys were planning their crime, and why they (as individuals) were doing all of it. I could not have answered any of those questions before I read the book.

Okay, back to the positives. I really liked that Darrow seemed to be a bisexual character; as a bisexual person I felt it was a positive portrayal, at least in the ways he saw himself. He realizes he could fall in love with Veda again, if circumstances were different, even though a lot of the other characters seem to think he's gay now. I also liked the character of Veda. I think it was a good choice on Tamara Allen's part to write such an outwardly emotional woman, and to do it very well, giving her a great deal of depth. All of this author's books include memorable, well-drawn female and male side characters - I reread them constantly, to visit Jonah's neighbors, landladies, and co-workers, as well as Ezra's wonderful family-of-choice in Downtime.

I suspect I will return to The Road to Silver Plume, too, in the future, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it even more on the second or tenth read. :-)

It really snuck up on me how much I came to love the characters in this story, and even the book itself. This was my second Allen book (chosen simply because I LOVED the first one) and, even for how slow her plots and relationships are to develop, there is something so unbelievably warm about her writing.

The only complaint I've got is that I wish there'd been more physical closeness. I wanted lingering touches, soft and warm and intimate. Especially at the end of the book. (Though, I will admit, they really weren't given an opportunity for it... I was at least wanting a lingering hug!)

Actions speak louder than words...which is my response to those who say Tamara Allen's latest book isn't romantic enough. Are there numerous sex scenes? No. Do the two M/Cs ever say they love each other? I don't think they do, nor is it necessary. Yet for anyone who likes a slow burn love story rich with historical detail, The Road to Silver Plume will be very rewarding. Allen writes late 19th/early 20th century historical romance with a eye and ear for this period of enormous change, and the search to uncover a money counterfeiting ring is set in the context of key decisions about to be made about monetary policy and the silver standard.

As always, Allen's characters grow and change through the course of the novel (hard to believe it takes place over the course of less than a week). Emlyn Strickland proves to himself and the world that he is brave and daring enough to be a field agent, not just an expert in spotting counterfeit coins. And Darrow Gardiner - well, he stays a rogue right up to the last line of the book, but his vow to avenge those responsible for his six-year incarceration at Sing Sing (including Emlyn) slowly turns into something more honorable. The growing attraction between the two is understated until the last quarter of the book, which is also when the adventure ratchets up exponentially and both MCs have to rely on their courage, honor and cunning to keep each other alive.

Allen released this book very quietly on December 24, 2015, and it was one of the nicest Christmas presents I gave myself.