Audio Book Review: Manners and Monsters by Tilly Wallace

I love this cover and totally enjoyed the story!

Manners and Monsters
A Regency paranormal mystery
Written by Tilly Wallace
Narrated by Marian Hussey

Run time: 7 hours and 31 minutes
Release Date: June 7, 2019
Publisher: Ribbonwood Press
Genre: Gaslamp Fantasy, Paranormal, Regency
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5. #Fraterfest

Guys and ghouls, gather round for this grisly romp… (that’s a thing, right?) After a gruesome crime ruins her friend’s engagement party, Lady Hannah must use her knowledge of the occult to help boorish viscount Wycliff find the murderer — that is, if the two don’t kill each other first. Great for fans of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!
Publisher Description
A lady never reveals the true extent of her decay…
Hannah Miles lives a quiet existence, helping her parents conduct research into a most terrible affliction - until a gruesome murder during her best friend’s engagement party pulls her from the shadows. With her specialist’s knowledge and demure disposition, Hannah is requested to aid the investigation.
Except Hannah discovers her role is to apologise in the wake of the rude and disgraced man tasked with finding the murderer. The obnoxious Viscount Wycliff thinks to employ Hannah purely as a front to satisfy Whitehall, but she’ll have none of that.
The two must work together to find the murderer before the season is ruined. But the viscount is about to meet his greatest challenge, and it’s not a member of the ton with a hankering for brains.

Review:
Lady Hannah’s father is a famous physician, and her mother is a once famous mage. Hannah isn’t a normal society lady as she spends her time helping her father in autopsies and research and observing her ‘undead’ mother wield her magical skills, which Hannah did not inherit. Hannah’s mother and about 300 other women in London died but became reanimated after being poisoned by a powder used as a bio-weapon during war with France. The infected women, and a handful of men, are in various stages of decay and Hannah’s father is desperately trying to find a cure, particularly for his beloved wife. All of the infected continue their suspended lives without a heartbeat and with a rather repulsive food requirement.

Hannah has a few friends left in society and is intent on being there to support her friend’s engagement party. Unfortunately, the event is marred by the discovery of a dead footman who appears to have been killed by one of the infected. Viscount Wycliff, a dark, moody and secretive man who is mostly shunned by society, steps forward to investigate the death. Apparently Wycliff is working with the government as an investigator of paranormal beings in London.

Because Wycliff is unable to use proper manners around the infected Ladies of the ton, he is directed to engage the assistance of Lady Hannah to help with all the interviews. Although they are reluctant to work together, they are both intent on finding the murderer and learning more about the problems of the infected. As similar deaths of lower level servants continue, Hannah and Wycliff perceive a pattern and narrow the field of suspects. Soon they are racing together to uncover the killer and save other innocents from a gruesome death.

I really liked Hannah’s character right away and even liked the mysterious, dark Wycliff. The plot is intriguing and there is a touch of humor underlying the macabre situation the author has created. I enjoyed the mystery as well as the subtle growth of attraction, though not yet friendship, between the heroine and hero. I will definitely be continuing this series.

Audio Notes: Marian Hussey does a grand job with the narration. She provides differing voices and spot on energy. I am not sure that I have heard her narration before, but I will be glad to listen to more stories she narrates. The narration added to my enjoyment of this book.

Source: 4/22/2020 Chirp purchase $.99. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook and #Fraterfest goals.

Audible Book Review: Mirror Gate, The Harbinger Series, Book 2 by Jeff Wheeler

I enjoyed the second in this series... good things for one character; not so good for another.
Mirror Gate
The Harbinger Series, Book 2
By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Series: The Harbinger Series, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-28-18
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Gaslamp Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler continues his wondrous Harbinger series in which two young women unite as two worlds approach the brink of war…
Though relations between Princess Seraphin Fitzempress and her father have been strained, Sera’s royal position has remained unchallenged. Filled with self-doubt, she struggles to grasp the Mysteries - her greatest trial yet.
An education in the enigmatic magic is a necessary one, should Sera plan to rise in her station and invoke her powers during war. But the emperor’s death now leaves both Sera and her ambitious father eligible for the throne - a contest the prince regent intends to win. Even if it means an alliance with a rival empire.
Sera’s hope lies in Cettie, a waif raised in the world below, whose life has intertwined with Sera’s in the most unexpected ways. The Mysteries come easily to Cettie, and her studies have begun to yield new insight into her growing powers. But those same powers put Cettie in the path of those who would destroy her.
Now as the threat of war ignites and an insidious sickness spreads throughout the kingdom, Sera and Cettie will need to gather their courage and fight for each other’s lives…and for the future of their endangered world.
©2018 Jeff Wheeler (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Review:
Sera, the Princess, and Cettie, the orphan from the lower world, continue their close friendship. They are nearing the conclusion of their studies of the Mysteries at Muirwood Abby, the most prominent institute in the empire. Cettie has been a strong student helping Sera who has continued to struggle.
Just as the final testing is approaching word comes that the Emperor, Sera’s grandfather, has died. Sera and her corrupt father, who questions her paternity, are the two choses to serve as the new ruler by the privy council. Many know that the prince regent has ruthlessly pursued his ambitions for power and is unlikely to seek any help for the people below their level. Sera is known for her kind heart and her best friend is from the Fells. But she is only 16 and inexperienced in the machinations of court.

Sera is pulled away from school to attend the funeral and meet with the privy council. One of the foreign houses is looking to make a marriage alliance. Sera has a chance to meet the young man but she is set on being the new ruler of her people rather than becoming a bride. Sera has a wise, scheming counselor, but she sometimes fights against his advice. Events tumble around Sera but she has no idea of the betrayals that surround her and she is unable to prevent war when the accusations and threats escalate.

Meanwhile, Cettie comes under attack at the Abbey. Although some think that Sera was the original target it quickly becomes clear that it is Cettie the kidnappers are after. The head of the Abbey, who has been a friend and mentor to Cettie, is seriously injured during the first kidnapping attempt. In order to escape the enemy and pass the final test of the Mysteries, Cettie must face her worst nightmares – the ghosts from her past.

Jeff Wheeler has created an absorbing world of mystery and magic. There are moments of joy and more of bitter fear and sadness. I found the lives and unrequited loves of teenaged girls a little difficult to muddle through although the situations and emotions are realistic enough. The story moves at a good pace, introducing some new and interesting characters, especially those who come along side to help Cettie. I expect to continue the series later in the year. I recommend this to those who like an engaging fantasy.

Audio Notes: Kate Rudd does a wonderful job with the narration. She captures the immaturity of the girls, as well as the emotions. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 1/3/19 Free with Kindle Unlimited. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.