Audio Book Review: A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman

I totally enjoyed this Historical mystery.
A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
Written by Dianne Freeman
Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman

Run Time: 8h5m
Featured in: Agatha Award Winner
Release Date: June 26, 2018
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Genre: Cozy, Historical, Mystery, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher Description
Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, enjoys more freedom as a widow than she did as a wife. After an obligatory year spent mourning her philandering husband, Reggie, she puts aside her drab black gowns, leaving the countryside and her money-grubbing in-laws behind. With her young daughter in tow, Frances rents a home in Belgravia and prepares to welcome her sister, Lily, arriving from New York—for her first London season.
No sooner has Frances begun her new life than the ghosts of her old one make an unwelcome appearance. The Metropolitan police receive an anonymous letter implicating Frances in her husband’s death. Frances assures Inspector Delaney of her innocence, but she’s also keen to keep him from learning the scandalous circumstances of Reggie’s demise. As fate would have it, her dashing new neighbor, George Hazelton, is one of only two other people aware of the full story.
While busy with social engagements on Lily’s behalf, and worrying if Reggie really was murdered, Frances learns of mysterious burglaries plaguing London’s elite. The investigation brings death to her doorstep, and Frances rallies her wits, a circle of gossips, and the ever-chivalrous Mr. Hazelton to uncover the truth.

Review:
Frances Wynn is a young widow at the turn of the century, 1899. Frances is an American heiress who married into nobility to become Countess of Harleigh. The marriage didn’t turn out as pleasant as she would like so she is glad to be finishing her period of mourning for her wastrel and unfaithful husband, Reggie. She is also ready to leave the Harleigh Estate and her greedy, mooching brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Frances takes her young daughter and moves into a home in the nice Belgravia neighborhood of London. Her first surprise is to discover that George Hazelton is her next-door neighbor. George is a very nice man, but he is one of two people who knows the true and embarrassing circumstances regarding Reggie’s death by heart attack.

Frances doesn’t want to seek help from George again, but he is ready and willing to help protect her when the police receive an anonymous letter implying that Frances poisoned her husband. Frances is also coping with a lawsuit by her brother-in-law trying to get control of her funds. The arrival of her younger sister, Lily, for her first season in London might be a problem except she comes baring funds that will help Frances in the interim. Frances’ aunt is helpful as Lily’s chaperone and a wise guide to Frances.

While trying to protect Lily from unsuitable suitors, Frances becomes involved in the activities of a thief who is taking valuables during the society events. Suddenly Frances, with the help of George, is trying to solve the possible murder of her husband, protect Lily, and uncover a thief.

I really enjoyed the characters, the mysteries, and the turn of the century setting of this story. Frances is a good mix of decorum with the addition of American independence. Most Victorian historicals are before vehicles and telephones so it was interesting to have these elements included in the story. There is attraction between Lily and George but not yet romance. I will definitely be picking up book 2 of the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean, historical cozy mysteries.

Audio Notes: Sarah Zimmerman does a beautiful job with the narration. I liked the voices and the pacing – all good. I will enjoy listening to more by this narrator.

Source: 9/27/19 Chirp $1.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

This is engaging Asian fantasy - action, love, evil and magic.
Across the Nightingale Floor
Tales of the Otori, Book One
By: Lian Hearn
Narrated by: Kevin Gray, Aiko Nakasone

Series: Tales of the Otori, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-12-03
Language: English
Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
Genre: Epic Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
A tour-de-force novel set in ancient Japan filled with passion, fantasy, and feuding warlords. The first volume in the highly anticipated Tales of the Otori trilogy.
Sixteen-year-old Takeo's village has been massacred by an evil warlord, and he is about to be slain by the men who murdered his parents and neighbors. At the last moment, his life is saved by a nobleman, who claims the boy as his kin and begins his education.
But nothing is as it seems. Takeo discovers that he has rare powers that are useful to those around him. As he grows into manhood, he must decide where his loyalties lie: with his noble master and adoptive father; with the Hidden, a secret, spiritual sect whose beliefs are forbidden; or with the Tribe, the assassins and spies who consider him one of their own.
A story of treachery, political intrigue, and the intensity of first love, set in a world ruled by formal ritual and codes of honor, Across the Nighingale Floor crosses genres, generations, and genders to captivate fans of all ages.
Don't miss the rest of the Tales of the Otori series.
©2002 Lian Hearn (P)2003 HighBridge Company

Review:
Takeo, a young boy of 16, is rescued just before being murdered like the rest of his massacred village. Takeo has already set his mind on revenge against the evil warlord who killed his family and friends from the Hidden, the secret religious sect where he was raised.

Lord Otori Shigeru, a nobleman, rescued Takeo to adopt him and educate him in many things, including ninja skills. During lessons it is discovered that Takeo has some rare and useful powers. As he matures he continues to harbor his plans for revenge. But his actions are tempered by the wishes and loyalties to the Otori clan who took him in, accepted him and helped him to grow.

Shirakawa Kaede has had a difficult childhood. She was placed with another household as a political prisoner. She was treated as a slave instead of being educated and respected as the noblewoman she is. Takeo’s adoptive father is directed to marry Shirakawa. This union has been dictated by Iida Sadamu, the evil warlord. who seeks to control the Otori clan and the bride’s clan so they will not join the rebellion against Iida. But the intendeds have other ideas.

As the people come together at Iida’s fortress, each has a different goal. Takeo is kidnapped by another group who what to explain his abilities and show him his responsibilities to their clan. Now his loyalties are torn between three clans and three desires.

This story is quite lyrical which pulled me in and is enjoyable to listen to. I like the writing style with the scenes alternating between Takeo and Shirakawa. I also like the special paranormal skills that Takeo displays. I found the difficulties of the feudal system and the details of the nightingale floor fascinating. The struggles, conflicts and intrigues keep this interesting. I recommend it to reader’s who like Asian fantasy with romance and intrigue.

Audio Notes: Kevin Gray and Aiko Nakasone do a wonderful job with the narration. They present the characters with good accents and portray the emotions fitting the characters and the slightly mysterious tone of the story.

Source: Audible 2012 credit purchase. This title qualified for my 2018TBR, March Take Control, Audio and Alphabet Challenges.

Audible Book Review: Jackaby by William Ritter

I enjoyed this and would be glad to listen to more adventures in the series.

Jackaby
Written by: William Ritter
Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
Series: Jackaby, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:09-16-14
Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
Genre: Teen, Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1890, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary - including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant.
On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain the foul deeds are the work of the kind of creature whose very existence the local police seem adamant to deny.
While Abigail finds herself drawn to Jackaby’s keen intelligence and his sensitivity to phenomena others barely perceive, her feelings are confused by the presence of Charlie, a handsome young policeman willing to help Jackaby and Abigail on the case. But is Charlie’s offer a sincere desire to be of service, or is some darker motive at work.
©2014 Original material © 2014 R. William Ritter. Published by arrangement with Algonquin Young Readers, an imprint of Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, a division of Workman Publishing, Inc. (P)2014 (p) 2014 HighBridge Company

Review:
Abigail has traveled alone to New Fiddleham and is looking for a job. She makes inquiries around town and finally responds to an ad she sees posted. The position is for an assistant to private investigator, Jackaby. Jackaby is an engaging detective, whose observation skills reminded me of the workaholic, intense, Sherlock Holmes, with a major difference. Jackaby sees in the magical world of the fae. He has a wealth of knowledge (and resource library) regarding fae creatures who often cause mischief and sometimes commit murder.

Initially Jackaby isn’t sure he wants to take Abigail on as an assistant, especially considering that things with his last assistant didn’t turn out quite right. Abigail ends up tagging along as Jackaby goes to investigate the scene of a local murder. Abigail suspects Jackaby is ‘off’ a bit considering his claims of fae, magical creatures which are unseen by most members of human society.

The local Chief Inspector isn’t thrilled with having Jackaby on the case since he doesn’t believe in all this mystical stuff. But one of the junior Detectives, who captures Abigail’s interest, helps Jackaby and Abigail by giving them access to the scene and witnesses in the building. As they investigate, Jackaby discovers that Abigail has a strong ability to see normal items and details important to the investigation and Abigail learns that Jackaby really does see things beyond the human realm.

The first murder leads to a second and the Chief Inspector arrests the wrong suspects, leaving the real culprit on the loose. Jackaby is certain they are dealing with multiple killings that had not yet been connected. They begin to close in on the murderer but the police officials cause confusion that almost results in Abigail’s brutal murder.

Abigail meets a ghostly host in Jackaby’s apartments as well as other friends of Jackaby in the apartment and in the village. Abigail makes a good companion to Jackaby's eccentricity and the other characters add to the story. The mystery, conflict with the police and danger keep the story moving at a good pace. This is designated for young adults but I found it fun and enjoyable as an adult too.

Audio Notes: Nicola Barber does a wonderful job narrating this story. I felt she captured the atmosphere of the edge of magic as well as the personalities of the various characters. The voice for Jackaby is unusual and I thought it worked for his unique character, preoccupied as he is with otherworldly elements. The narration made for a very fun listen.

This is another TBR from my Audible shelf. It qualifies for Mount TBR, Audio Book Challenge and as "J" for Alphabet Challenge.

Audio Book Review: The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals: Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3, by Jordan Stratford

This is an engaging mystery that is fun for young girls... and adults.

The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals: Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3
Written by: Jordan Stratford
Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins
Series: The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-24-17
Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
Genre: Children, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The Wollestonecraft Girls embark on their most important case yet - the famed dinosaur fossil hunter Mary Anning is being blackmailed. Her precious dog has been snatched and the kidnappers are demanding that Miss Anning authenticate some fake dinosaur bones up for auction at the British Museum in order to get him back. Ada and Mary have just three days to track down the fossil fakers, find the dog, and save the integrity of science!
The game is truly afoot in this quirky caper involving blood-sucking leeches, an asthmatic pug, smoke bombs, secret elevators, diabolical disguises, and wicked word-play.
©2017 Jordan Stratford (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Review:
Ada and her young friends, including Mary Shelley, have formed the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency solving selected cases. Ada has been sick and has spent much time in bed while the doctor leeches her blood. She realizes that her former governess has held her mail and finally gets a stack. Ada, Mary and friend Jane, start sorting through the letters to decide on their next case. They come across a letter from a famous dinosaur fossil hunter, Mary Adding, whose dog has been kidnapped and decide this is the case.

Ada’s fierce grandmother comes home, grounds Ada to bed and ousts her friends and tutor. Now Ada has to creatively get away from the sick bed, sneak out to meet with her friends and try to help Mary find the kidnappers and rescue the dog.

Ada is a science whiz and loves math and all sorts of puzzles. She discovers notes that have been written as anagrams and believes that her nemesis is behind the group that is blackmailing Ms. Adding asking her to verify a fake fossil exhibit at the British Museum.

It is fun to follow Ada and her friends as they hunt down scoundrels, work on clues and manage some surprising interventions. This is an engaging, fun read/listen even for an adult and would be great for young girls 8-13.

Audio Notes: Nicola Barber does a fine job of narration. She captures the sweet voices and accents of the characters. The pacing is good and makes for a fun listen.

I received this from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. This qualifies for my 2017 Audio Book Challenge.

Audio Book Review: The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick

This is a different fairytale adventure for middle grade and up.

The Time Fetch 

by Amy Herrick

read by Luci Christian
Audiobook
Unabridged   7.75 hour(s)
Publication date: 08/27/2013

Gernre: Middle Grade, Fantasy

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
Under normal circumstances, a Time Fetch sends out its foragers to collect only those moments that will never be missed or regretted. It then rests, waiting to be called back by the Keeper, who distributes the gathered time where it is needed in our world and others. When eighth grader Edward innocently mistakes a sleeping Fetch for an ordinary rock, he wakes its foragers too early, and they begin to multiply and gobble up too much time. Soon the bell rings to end class just as it’s begun. Buses race down streets, too far behind schedule to stop for passengers. Buildings and sidewalks begin to disappear as the whole fabric of the universe starts to unravel.

To try to stop the time foragers he has unleashed, Edward must depend on the help of his classmates Feenix, Danton, and Brigit—whether he likes it or not. They all have touched the Fetch, and it has drawn them together in a strange and thrilling adventure where the boundaries between worlds and dimensions are blurred, and places and creatures on the other side are much like the ones they’ve always known—but slightly twisted, a little darker, and much more dangerous.

A fast-paced tale of mythology, danger, friendship, and a shocking centuries-old secret, The Time Fetch is a magical adventure that reveals the extraordinary hiding just inside the ordinary.

Review:
This is a fun but ‘grim’ tale as in scary fairytale. Edward is a skinny, nerdy type kid who buries himself in his books and finds a world away from the mean kids at school. He lives with his strange Aunt who is always talking about mystical things like the summer and winter solstice. His Aunt encourages Edward to bring other children home, especially the cute girl next door. Edward isn’t about to invite anyone to meet his strange Aunt. Especially not Feenix, the snobby girl next door who succeeds in subjecting even teachers to her embarrassing, mean taunts.

One day Edward slips into his Aunt’s garden and finds a strange looking rock to take into science class. As he heads to school weird things begin to happen and an odd man tries to take the rock from him. An athletic, cheerful boy, Danton, begins to take an interest in Edward, most likely because of the good food Edward always brings from home. There is also a cute but strange girl, Birgit, who seems nice enough to even Edward and Danton. But she doesn’t talk ... to anyone. She hasn’t talked since a traumatic event in her childhood.

When Feenix sneaks the rock away, Edward and Danton follow her to the park. Birgit follows them sensing something bad is going on. Feenix goes missing, while back at school time seems to be speeding by and no one remembers Feenix. Finally the other three young people remember and return to find her. Feenix only escapes the woodland when Danton and the others rescue her.

Although this is an unlikely team, they end up working together when they realize that the rock that Edward brought to school has had a strange, dangerous, effect on their community. Feenix has learned that it is a “time fetch” and a few of the tiny creatures inside have escaped. Now the little ‘buzzers’ are multiply and eating memories, mass and time itself. The world is in danger of being consumed unless the four youths can puzzle the way to stop the time bees without getting caught by the unraveler.

This was a very different and strange tale. I felt the beginning dragged a little getting to the more exciting and dangerous parts of the story. There were some behaviors, like the bullying and parental disrespect, that I didn’t like. I enjoyed the science lessons and ponderings that added philosophical questions. I very much liked how each of the children found strengths in themselves that were needed to succeed together. The story is pretty fast paced (after the slowness) and has some surprises that I think would keep the attention of older middle grade students. I would classify this as a fairytale adventure, including a positive moral.

Audio Notes: The narration was effective to portray the quirky characters. There was excitement and wonder in the reading that added to my enjoyment of the story. I’m not sure I would have picked this as a print book but I did like it as an audio.

I recieved this CD audiobook for reviewing from Highbridge Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.

Audio Book Review: The Crooked Wreath by Christianna Brand

This wonderfully puzzling mystery took more concentration than I expected!

The Crooked Wreath
by Christina Brandt
 David Thorn (Narrator)
Listening Length: 7 hours and 23 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: HighBridge Company
Audible.com Release Date: August 7, 2012
Genre:  Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2011
A family patriarch is murdered on the eve of signing a new will
Sir Richard’s family has spent years waiting for him to die, but despite his weak heart, the old man simply refuses to cooperate. In the meantime, he makes their lives miserable by changing his will every few months, depending on which of his strange brood he favors that moment. Now he calls them together to announce his most diabolical revision yet: complete disinheritance of all the wastrels who bear his name. But he never gets a chance to sign the papers—by morning, he’s dead.
Scotland Yard sends Inspector Cockrill, the only detective clever enough to unravel the family’s tangle of jealousy and deceit. Each member had reason to kill Sir Richard, but which one plunged the syringe of poison into his heart? With a family this mad, nothing is as complicated as the truth.

Review:
A family of heirs gather to celebrate the holidays.  At the estate live the elderly patriarch, Sir Richard, and his second wife, and former mistress, Bella.  Visiting are the grandchildren, all potential heirs. Grandson, Philip, is a doctor who comes with his practical wife, Ellen, and their baby girl. Arriving with them is Philip’s cousin, Richard’s granddaughter, lonely Claire, who believes that she and Philip are in love and that he will leave his wife for her. Another granddaughter, flighty Peta, is the presumed ‘heiress’ under Sir Richard’s current Will. They pick up Edward, Bella’s grandson, who suffers from one psychosis or another. The latest diagnosis for Edward is that he is subject to ‘unconscious fugues’ (a brief period of amnesia) brought about by looking up suddenly.  Joining the group at the estate is Stephen, Sir Richard’s solicitor, who has been infatuated with Peta for years but feels he has nothing to offer an heiress.

Sir Richard has made a habit of controlling his heirs through changing his Will. This visit is very trying on Sir Richard’s fragile health and Philip, the doctor, shows everyone the medicine, syringe and dosage that should be used for Sir Richard’s weak heart.  Sir Richard is upset to learn about Philip’s affair with Claire, by Petra’s careless mockery of everyone and by the family bickering. He declares that he will disinherit all of the grandchildren and leave his estate to his second wife with restrictions precluding her from giving financial help to the grandchildren.  Bella doesn’t really want the responsibility of the estate which Sir Richard has maintained as a memorial to his elegant first wife.

Sir Richard retires to one of the lodges to await the delivery of the new Will for him to sign.  One or two of the heirs visit him before the garden path is raked and flattened by the gardener. The next morning Claire discovers Sir Richard dead in his chair with no apparent murder weapon, no footsteps and no new Will to be found.

Scotland Yard Inspector Cockrill soon discovers a nest of lies. The heirs seem to have collaborated on a story to protect Edward who may have had a fugue episode, after looking up at a crooked wreath, during which he may have committed the murder. Inspector Cockrill’s questions quickly begin to expose the family jealousies. Everyone had some motive for killing Sir Richard but how was it accomplished? 

Small clues are revealed along the way as theories are tossed out from the heirs against each other. I liked how the mystery clues are cleverly woven into the theories and the reader has to pay very close attention to try to discover the murderer and the method before it is finally revealed by Inspector Cockrill. As an interesting backdrop to the mystery are the effects of WWII on the family members.

Audio Notes: This got off to a bumpy start as I tried to sort our the characters while following the heavy accent of the narrator.  However, once I had the ‘suspects’ in line I thought the narrator did a good job of presenting the different voices and personalities. The reading then was completely enjoyable with the wry, dry humor befitting the British family of eccentrics. This is fairly short listening although it takes more concentration than some lighter tales might. I recommend the mystery and the audio for engaging reading. 
 

I received this for review from Highbridge Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.

I will add this to my New Author and Audio Challenge Lists.