Before she became the undisputed queen of Regency romance, a young Georgette Heyer wrote this swashbuckling Georgian adventure. It’s her debut novel, and you can feel the youthful energy and passion pulsing through every page.

The Story

Seven years ago, Jack Carstares, the Earl of Wyncham, sacrificed his reputation and fled England. He took the blame for his younger brother’s crime of cheating at cards to save the family from scandal. Now, he’s back, living anonymously as a fashionable but slightly disreputable highwayman called ‘Sir Anthony Ferndale.’ His path collides with Diana Beauleigh, a spirited woman being pressured into marrying the cold and calculating Duke of Andover. When the Duke’s obsession with Diana turns dangerous, Jack throws off his disguise to rescue her, setting off a chain of events that forces him to confront his past, his family’s betrayal, and the man he has become.

Why You Should Read It

This book is pure, joyful escapism. Yes, the plot is dramatic and the characters are larger than life, but that’s the fun of it. Jack is the perfect flawed hero—honorable yet reckless, charming yet haunted. The villain, the Duke of Andover, is wonderfully awful, the kind of character you hiss at. Heyer’s signature wit is already on display in the sparkling dialogue, especially between Jack and his loyal friend, Sir Miles. While the romance is central, the heart of the story is really about honor, redemption, and finding your way back home, both literally and figuratively. It’s less about ballrooms and more about moonlit roads and daring standoffs.

Final Verdict

‘The Black Moth’ is a must-read for any Heyer fan who wants to see where it all began. It’s also perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction with a big dose of old-fashioned adventure and romance. Think of it as a gateway book—if you enjoy the drama, the heart, and the clever writing here, you’ll adore diving into Heyer’s more polished Regency world later. It’s a delightful, fast-paced romp that proves some stories, and some heroes, are truly timeless.