If you’re craving a historical adventure that blends Jane Eyre’s grit with Indiana Jones’s flair, Madeleine Brent’s Moonraker’s Bride delivers. Set against the turbulent backdrop of early 20th-century China and England, this novel is a masterclass in romantic suspense, anchored by a heroine who’s equal parts clever, courageous, and catastrophically blunt.
Meet Lucy, a 17-year-old British orphan turned mission caretaker in China, who’s spent years hustling to feed a brood of abandoned girls. When desperation drives her to theft, she lands in a prison cell next to Nick Sabine, a roguish political prisoner with a “wicked twinkle” and a marriage proposal. Their pact? A sham union that spirals into a globetrotting quest involving lost treasure, family feuds, and a riddle so cryptic it’d stump Sherlock Holmes: “Above the giant’s twisted knife / Where the wind-blown blossom flies…”
Brent (actually Modesty Blaise creator Peter O’Donnell) paints China’s Boxer Rebellion-era chaos and England’s prim countryside with equal vividness. The contrast—beggars’ alleys vs. drawing-room etiquette—fuels Lucy’s fish-out-of-water humor. (Her attempts to navigate “proper” society, including musings on eating cat, are laugh-out-loud gold.)
Just when you think you’ve cracked the code, Brent yanks the rug. Is Nick a scoundrel or a saint? Is the Moonraker fortune a myth? The answers come in a breakneck final act that’ll glue you to the page. Lucy isn’t your typical damsel. She bargains with warlords, outwits snobbish aristocrats, and charges into danger with a mix of stubbornness and street smarts. O’Donnell’s female pseudonym adds irony—his heroine feels authentically fierce, not a male fantasy. A feminine ferocity of an unlikely heroine.
The England interlude sags slightly compared to China’s adrenaline, and the romance leans on slow-burn tropes (think: lingering glances, not steam). But Brent’s wit and the central mystery keep momentum alive.
Moonraker’s Bride is a 10/10 time capsule of 1970s Gothic charm. Out of print but worth hunting down—like the treasure in its pages, it’s a rare find. Perfect for fans of Victoria Holt’s scheming heroines or M.M. Kaye’s lush epics. Pro tip: Clear your schedule. You’ll miss sleep—and Lucy—when it’s over. It is the literary equivalent of finding a Fabergé egg in a thrift shop: dazzling, unexpected, and utterly priceless.” — A Reader Who’s Now Addicted to Madeleine Brent’s Backlist.
No sex. Sharp enough to cut glass. A pot of strong tea and a disregard for societal norms. A true descend into woman’s thinking.
Overview & Market Value of Moonraker’s Bride Editions
1973 Souvenir Press (UK)
– Format: Hardcover
– Details: Early UK edition published shortly after the 1973 Doubleday (US) first edition.
– Availability: Scarce compared to the US edition, but not as widely cataloged in current listings.
– Market Value:
– Good condition: $165-$175 (based on comparable Souvenir Press hardcovers).
– Like-new with jacket: $175–$250 (rarity dependent).
1975 Pan Books (London)
– Format: Paperback
– Details: Mass-market paperback reprint, likely with distinct cover art (common for Pan’s 1970s Gothic romances).
– Availability: More common than hardcovers but still collectible for Brent completists.
– Market Value:
– Good condition: $100–$120.
– Mint/unread: Up to $140 (if featuring rare cover variants).
Current Market Notes
– Rarity: The 1973 Souvenir Press hardcover is less documented than the US edition, suggesting niche collector interest.
– Demand: Brent’s works (e.g., Merlin’s Keep, Tregaron’s Daughter) have a cult following, keeping prices stable for well-preserved copies.
Verdict: While the 1973 Souvenir Press hardcover is rarer, its value trails the US first edition. The 1975 Pan paperback is affordable but lacks the prestige of early hardcovers. For serious collectors, a jacketed Doubleday first remains the crown jewel.
