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Title: Wolf on a String

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Benjamin Black

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-06-17

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Bestselling author Benjamin Black turns his eye to sixteenth century Prague and a story of murder, magic and the dark art of wielding extraordinary power.

"...outstandingly read by Simon Vance, whose versatility with voices and intonations brings the cast to life." Fran Wood, NJ.com

Christian Stern, an ambitious young scholar and alchemist, arrives in Prague in the bitter winter of 1599, intent on making his fortune at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, the eccentric Rudolf II. The night of his arrival, drunk and lost, Christian stumbles upon the body of a young woman in Golden Lane, an alley hard by Rudolf's great castle. Dressed in a velvet gown, wearing a large gold medallion around her neck, the woman is clearly well-bornor was, for her throat has been slashed.

A lesser man would smell danger, but Christian is determined to follow his fortunes wherever they may lead. He quickly finds himself entangled in the machinations of several ruthless courtiers, and before long he comes to the attention of the Emperor himself. Rudolf, deciding that Christian is that rare thinga person he can trustsets him the task of solving the mystery of the woman's murder. But Christian soon realizes that he has blundered into the midst of a power struggle that threatens to subvert the throne itself. And as he gets ever nearer to the truth of what happened that night in Golden Lane, he finally sees that his own life is in grave danger.

From the spectacularly inventive Benjamin Black, Wolf on a String is a historical crime audiobook that delivers both a mesmerizing portrait of a lost world and a riveting tale of intrigue and suspense.

Members Reviews:

Rich, beautiful writing

This is a slow-moving, richly told tale that will be loved by those who appreciate historical fiction. As always, the story is brought to life by the dramatic reading, with all the varied voices and accents. I personally found it a bit slow and I am not much interested in the history involved, but many will love it.

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Title: The Secret Gospel

Author: Dan Eaton

Narrator: Patrick Lawlor

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-30-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In 1958 a young Bible scholar stumbles upon a version of the Gospel of Mark far older than that recorded in the New Testament. Unfortunately, his discovery brings him nothing but vilification and accusations of forgery. Eventually, the secret gospel simply disappears. Fifty-one years later, the scholar is dead, the victim of an apparent heart attack. However, evidence found in his room, coupled with a letter to Cairo-based journalist Alex Fisher, suggests murder - and hints that the missing gospel harbors deep secrets. Alex; his girlfriend, Sadie; and British diplomat Aubrey Bairstow's attempts to locate the gospel quickly turn deadly. An Islamic terrorist group, an Israeli intelligence agent, and the head of a scandalous Christian sect also want the gospel. In Egypt's Western Desert, in the midst of a massive sandstorm, the fate of the secret gospel will be decided in blood. As the hunt grows increasingly dangerous, it becomes apparent the lost manuscript has ties to both Nazi Germany and the Vatican's refusal to condemn the Holocaust. More is at stake than a lost text: The secret gospel could spell disaster for the Catholic Church - and change the balance of power in the Middle East.

Members Reviews:

B Movie Thriller

A journalist, Alex, and his diplomat pal, Aubrey, try to figure out the whereabouts of the 'Secret Gospel' in modern day Egypt - an alternate and controversial telling of the life of Jesus by one of his disciples.

All the while they are tailed by an American Christian cult - desperate to validate it, the Mossad who want to exploit it and an inept Middle Eastern based group that also want it for their own purposes. The search intensifies when Alex's girlfriend is apparently killed (or gone missing) in connection with his search.

I found the characters were somewhat cliche, the plot a little bumpy but predictable and some of the asides (explaining the gospels) a little long winded. It felt like an old time B movie thriller that you would likely be fine watching at home on a rainy Saturday if nothing else was on, but would not have wanted to shell out money to see at your local cinema.

The voice narration was competent on this relatively average thriller. Recommended for those who like light thrillers and do not want complicated characters or plots.

Worst narrating of all time

His accent attempts are worse than Dick Van Dykes character in Mary Poppins. This may be a good book but Id rather rub sand in my eyeballs than listen to another second

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Title: The Irregular: A Different Class of Spy

Subtitle: The Irregular, Book 1

Author: H. B. Lyle

Narrator: Gareth Armstrong

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-18-17

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

As a boy, he spied for Sherlock Holmes. As a man, he must save the empire.

London, 1909: the British Empire seems invulnerable. But Captain Vernon Kell, head of counterintelligence at the War Office, knows better.

In Russia, revolution; in Germany, an arms race; in London, the streets are alive with foreign terrorists. Kell wants to set up a Secret Service, but to convince his political masters, he needs proof of a threat - and to find that, he needs an agent he can trust. The playing fields of Eton may produce good officers but not men who can work undercover in a munitions factory that appears to be leaking secrets to the Germans. Kell needs Wiggins.

Trained as a child by Kell's old friend Sherlock Holmes - he led a gang of urchin investigators known as the Baker Street Irregulars - Wiggins is an ex-soldier with an expert line in deduction and the cunning of a born street fighter. 'The best,' says Holmes. Wiggins turns down the job - he 'don't do official'. But when his best friend is killed by Russian anarchists, Wiggins sees that the role of secret agent could take him towards his sworn revenge.

Tracking the Russian gang, Wiggins meets a mysterious beauty called Bela, who saves his life. Working for Kell, he begins to unravel a conspiracy that reaches far beyond the munitions factory.

Fast paced, action packed, full of twists and violent, sometimes poignant shocks, The Irregular: A Different Class of Spy marks the arrival of a brilliant new writer.

Editorial Reviews:

"A thrilling story of espionage, murder and the creation of the Secret Service." (Charles Cumming, author of A Colder War)

"H.B. Lyle has found the golden thread between Bond and Holmes in a thriller which engages on every page." (Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland)

"A fine first entry in what promises to be a great new series. Wiggins is a captivating hero, and Lyle draws his Edwardian backstreets in convincing colour. The game is most definitely afoot." (Mick Herron)

Members Reviews:

Old friends and new

A newspaper recommendation lead me to a most enjoyable few hours. A short but interesting story with friends, old and new, splashed through. I sincerely hope that this is not the last I've heard of Wiggins. Great narration helped bring things to life.

Mediocre - didn't grip me

The story had promise but I didn't find it held my attention. The ending was predictable and the denouement stretched for too long.

Performance was ok but not special. Rather more of a book narrator than a character actor.

Best detective novel I've read in a long time

This novel was so well written, it was a pacey and multi layered story that kept my interest the whole way through. The link to Sherlock Holmes was really well done and I also loved the descriptions on London in the early 1900's. My only criticism was that I wished Bella was voiced by a woman but other than that fantastic narration, will be recommending to everyone I know

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Title: Breaker of Bones

Subtitle: Thomas Berrington Historical Mystery, Book 2

Author: David Penny

Narrator: Ian Russell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-17-17

Publisher: Rivertree Print

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When mania creates a monster, only one man can stop the killing.

It is March 1483, and surgeon Thomas Berrington is making a reluctant journey to Qurtuba at the request of his master. He expects only to operate on a Spanish prince and return home to Moorish al-Andalus. But fate has something else in store for him and his companion, the eunuch Jorge.

A warped killer has been murdering young women and creating twisted creatures from their bodies. When Thomas is tasked by Queen Isabel to hunt down the culprit he is propelled into an unfamiliar world of religious mania where it is impossible to tell who is friend and who foe. Meanwhile Jorge is on a quest of his own - to track down the family he hasn't seen in almost 20 years.

When Jorge's newfound niece is chosen as the Bonebreaker's next victim the pair are faced with their most dangerous challenge yet. Thomas and Jorge race to expose the killer before yet another life is taken - this time that of someone closer to them.

Breaker of Bones is the stunning continuation of the Thomas Berrington saga set in the final years of Moorish al-Andalus.

Members Reviews:

Keep writing, Mr. Penny!

Any additional comments?

I believe this is the second of the Thomas Berrington books, and I will certainly continue to read them. I am familiar with the Reconquest in Spain and truly enjoy the author's bringing it to life with characters whose complexity is a joy, good plots and plenty of historical detail.

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Title: The Renegade Merchant

Subtitle: A Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery, Book 7

Author: Sarah Woodbury

Narrator: Laurel Schroeder

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-17

Publisher: Sarah Woodbury

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

March 1147. Determined to escape the gloom that has descended on Aber, Gareth and Gwen travel to Shrewsbury in an attempt to find answers about Rhun's death, about the whereabouts and plans of Prince Cadwaladr, and about Gwen's family ties to England.

But when John Fletcher, now deputy sheriff of Shrewsbury, asks Gareth to help him investigate a pool of blood for which he has no body, Gareth can't refuse. And when the investigation points to a conspiracy involving some of the leading citizens of Shrewsbury, Gwynedd's foremost investigators go looking for answers - and find that trouble isn't far behind.

The Renegade Merchant is the seventh Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery.

Members Reviews:

Exciting mystery with plenty of twist and turns

The Renegade Merchant continues the story-line of the previous book as Gareth and Gwen go off to Shrewsbury to both find King Owain's brother (wanted for the murder of Prince Rhun) and to find out whether Gwen's father was the father of Adeline (she was Gwen's look-alike in the previous book). However, nothing is ever simple in the world of our medieval slueths, Gwen and Gareth. Soon both are drawn into John Fletcher's (the Deputy Sheriff of Shrewbury) investigation into the unexplained pool of blood in an alley, minus a body; the unexplained murder of one of Shrewsbury's worthies and a missing Irishman. I really enjoyed The Renegades Merchant - it had plenty of twists and turns and I have to say I didn't expect the ending and the reason for the murders in the first place. I'm now looking forward to the next Gwen and Gareth mystery that comes out in just a few days :)

Another winner for Sarah Woodbury fans!

Another great entry in this remarkable and captivating series. Great characters, great plots and great intrigues, all painted against the backdrop of medieval Wales. Ms Woodbury knows the culture of the time, the politics and the geography of this beautiful land, and weaves it seamlessly throughout her tales of the travels, and travails, of Gareth and Gwen as they unravel mysteries and solve puzzles in support of Welsh royalty and, sometimes, their own lives. If you enjoy historical novels, mystery and suspense, or "clean" and understated romantic tales, it is all here - something for everyone. And a darn good read!

The Saga of Gwen and Gareth Continues

Gareth and Gwen are once again on the road: this time to Shrewsbury in England--on the trail of the king's brother. [Spoiler alert]. This traitor has killed the king's eldest son, Rhun, leaving his brother the task of avenging him. Hywel serves as the king's master spy, and Gwen and Gareth are his most important investigators. Almost immediately they are diverted from this task in order to help the acting sheriff of Shrewsbury to investigate two murders.

This is a fine mystery: plenty of action, fascinating historical background, and--of course--wonderful character depiction.

More murder mysteries with an historical theme.

I'm a very satisfied fan of Sarah Woodbury. This series in particular is wonderfully historical and intriguing with all the twists and turns of each murder. I know the characters well and I really like them. I look forward to more of the further adventures of Gwen and Gareth, especially now that I sense a change of direction for Gwen. More, more and more.

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Title: A Wicked Deed

Subtitle: The Fifth Matthew Bartholomew Chronicle

Author: Susanna Gregory

Narrator: David Thorpe

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-27-17

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 16 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Matthew Bartholomew, doctor of medicine and fellow of Michaelhouse, Cambridge, is travelling with a party from the college to accept the gift of the living of a parish in Suffolk. One of his companions, Unwin, an unworldly scholar, is to be installed as priest. Their journey is not without incident - they are chased by footpads, pass through an eerie village abandoned after the recent plague and find a man barely alive on a gibbet - so they reach their destination with some relief.

But their thoughts of recovering while enjoying the local Pentecostal Fair are soon curtailed, as they are immediately thrust into the machinations of local boundary disputes between three landowners. Then all such squabbles seem mere trivial when Unwin is murdered in the very church which was to have been his home. While trying to investigate a possible motive for his killing, Bartholomew discovers that this is not the first unnatural death in the village - deaths which everyone has put down to the curse of the plague dead village. He is of too practical a mind to believe the superstitions, but is he wily enough to work out the real motive behind the murders and who will gain from them?

Members Reviews:

enjoyable series

i like this series but recommend they are read in order. Fans of Peter Ellis and Michael Jecks will probably enjoy them as well

All the usual monkish fun and games

Barholemew does it again. and this times there's zombies. well sort of. plenty of explosions

slendid listen

love this series and the historic note at the end. looking forward to hearing next-door.

forgettable

confusing and highy impossible not that good the author lost the plot somewhere in the middle

A Gripping Hear

Great story, which I would listen to on my way and home from work, sometimes making me late as I wanted to hear what was going to happen next and couldn't wait. The writer has a great way of imparting a lot of historical references - helping me learn something new about the era as I read.

The narrator had a good voice to listen to, changing his voice for different characters, although sometimes they did sound the same, but that didn't impair my listening.

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Title: Remember, Remember

Subtitle: A Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mystery

Author: Anna Elliott, Charles Veley

Narrator: Laurence Bouvard, Edward Petherbridge

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-21-17

Publisher: Charles Veley

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Narrated by Laurence Bouvard and Edward Petherbridge. A lovely American actress awakens in London on a cold morning in 1897 - lying face down on the concrete pavement outside the British Museum. She has no memories. She does not even know who she is, although she has a vague recollection of the name Sherlock Holmes. What she believes is that she has may have just killed someone, and that someone is definitely trying to kill her. As she searches for clues to her true identity, she will learn that she is not the only target. Unless she can defeat her evil adversaries, the people most dear to her will die.

Members Reviews:

Ii takes a Sherlock to be a sherlock!

Anywriting that keeps adding to the tales of Sherlock

Holmes I will try! This was an enjoyable addition to the mistyque. The writing is very close to the rhythm of the primary stories. The readers are very good although this Sherlock appears to whisper which I don't enjoy as much. I am heading for the next book in the series. Hopefully it is similarity as good.

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Title: Mrs. Jeffries Takes the Stage

Subtitle: Mrs. Jeffries Series, Book 10

Author: Emily Brightwell

Narrator: Lindy Nettleton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-11-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It was a most peculiar murder. A man's body was found in the canal - but the evidence showed that he had drowned in a bathtub. A theater critic known for his savage reviews, the victim had had a full cast of enemies. While Inspector Witherspoon scoured the theater, his housekeeper and unofficial sleuthing partner Mrs. Jeffries uncovered the critic's secret past: a real-life drama more compelling than any stage play.

Members Reviews:

Brightwell a bright spot in cosy mysteries

Brightwell is terrific. A love cosy mystery novels set in England in the 1800s. Well, she provides all of that plus a running case of characters that become more endearing with each novel. She has me hooked.

Enjoyed this book as much as I have enjoyed all ...

Enjoyed this book as much as I have enjoyed all the others in the Mrs. Jeffries series! They are very entertaining and haven't disappointed. Sometimes you can guess who the murderer is but not how they did it- and sometimes you can't "finger" him/her!!!

I enjoyed the book

I enjoyed the book. Mrs. Jefferies and her crew talked to a great number of people and solved the crime at the same time as the inspector. Wiggins was good at talking to the maids and Smythe found out a lot at the pubs. Lute was of an upper class and could talk to the bankers. Yet together the crime was solved. But after a while the books are all the same, only the subject changes.

Emily Brightwell weaves a mystery with the best of the authors in this genre

The Mrs. Jeffries Mysteries never fail to entertain me. Emily Brightwell weaves a mystery with the best of the authors in this genre. She developes her characters slowly from book to book which serves to keep you coming back for more. I hope she keeps writing this series for a very long time.

Five Stars

No problems

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Title: Scandal Takes a Holiday

Subtitle: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery

Author: Lindsey Davis

Narrator: Simon Prebble

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-14-17

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 35 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Ancient Rome's organized crime syndicates have never been more dangerous or more cunning than in this latest adventure featuring first-century sleuth Marcus Didius Falco.

In the Italian town of Ostia outside Rome, Falco appears to be enjoying a relaxing holiday. But when Helena arrives carrying a batch of past issues of the Daily Gazette with the intention of catching up on the latest scandal, Falco is forced to admit his real reason for being there. Infamia, the pen name of the gossip columnist for the Daily Gazette, has gone missing, and his fellow scribes have employed Falco to bring him back from his drunken truancy.

Before long, Falco's inquiries lead him into the world of piracy and the discovery of criminal traditions long believed dead. Is this the path toward finding Infamia? Why would pirates have kidnapped him? And if they have, will he be found alive?

Members Reviews:

Mixed Feelings

Don't get me wrong, I liked the book. It was well written and well presented, unfortunately as I read it, I felt a little disappointed in it. The problem is that Falco comes across like a 'sad sack' (look it up if you never heard the expression before) and after a while it becomes depressing. All I could think of was poor Falco...his family messes with him, his friends mess with him, his employers mess with him, and everyone messes with him. When is this guy going to get a break? It was okay back in the first few books but you'd think people would start treating him better. After all, he did help save the Emperor's life in the first and second book. He's also been raised to the equestrian rank, but none of that matters. Everyone keeps treating him as an incompetent.

Still the book is good from a semi-historical perspective. The reader gets a look at life in Ostia and Portus and at the various power struggles that existed back in the good old Roman Empire. There's a few nice family moments in the story that help balance things out but not enough to suggest that Falco will ever be truly appreciated by anyone except Helen Justina.

Overall, it is a good book and if you are a fan of Falco, it is a must read, if only to meet his long lost Uncle Fulvius. As for Falco being anything other than the family kick toy, who knows. There are four books left in the Falco series. Eventually I'll read them. Maybe I'll be surprised.

Another good one

Well, I didn't give this 5 stars because it is likely to become a mainstay in English literature classes. In context, though, comparing it to the other Lindsey Davis books (I have read 19 of them so far) and the general competition, it is exactly what I am looking for. People who read these books are looking for certain things, and my rating is that this book does a fabulous job of fulfilling this need. I will presume that enough people have given a plot synopsis, and just say that I have always appreciated witty, interestingly plotted books. I don't like massive explicit violent books, but one where I like the characters and the plot keeps moving me on are great. These are familiar books, where roughly the same characters show up somewhere in the Roman Empire. Lots of descriptions of Roman architecture, religion, ritual, etc. In earlier books she makes it clear that she studies archeological records, and this is still obviously true with each new site.

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Title: A Disappearance in Drury Lane

Subtitle: Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries, Book 8

Author: Ashley Gardner, Jennifer Ashley

Narrator: James Gillies

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-17

Publisher: Jennifer Ashley

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 69 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Late December, 1818: As Captain Gabriel Lacey prepares for his upcoming wedding, his former neighbor, Marianne Simmons, comes to him about an actress friend who's gone missing. Lacey agrees to help look for the actress, little realizing that the search will pit him against men who think nothing of abduction, assault, or sending incendiary devices to the innocent.

At the same time, Lacey's personal life is changing, and his time for investigation is frequently and frustratingly interrupted. He is also commanded by a new Bow Street Runner to assist in bringing down James Denis, a criminal with whom Lacey now has complicated ties. Lacey must help or else risk hanging alongside Denis.

The search for the actress takes Lacey from elegant assembly rooms to the backstage of the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, where he finds darkness in all corners. Lacey's life and honor are constantly challenged as he tries to settle into his new life, until he realizes he can follow no code but his own.

The eighth book in the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries.

Members Reviews:

I just adore Captain Lacey

Reading these stories is like eating potato chips- you can't stop at just one. Ashley Gardner/Jennifer Ashley tells terrific tales. Great use of language, fast moving plot and a variety of interesting characters make the Captain Lacey series a must read and reread.

Hearing James Gillies bring the beloved, brash, honorable Captain to life is simply the icing on a very delicious cake. He gives all the characters the most wonderful colors, with his expressive voice and perfect timing. His rendition actually made me enjoy doing housework - and I loathe housework- but it was so wonderful to listen I managed to get an awful lot done in spite of myself. Bravo!

A dissapearance in Druary Lane

I really enjoyed this book , if you like mysteries set in London in 1800's this is a story for you. It is light reading with a touch of glamour and colourful characters. the plot moves along quickly and keeps your interest. The narrator James Gilles gives a fine performance.

Enjoying listening as always

Oh gosh, I like my dear limping Captain and his great narrator. Looking forward to next adventure.

Would never have guessed the ending!

Another brilliantly complex story with unexpected twists and turns. Thoroughly enjoy the characters as presented by the narrator...love Grenville! A Disappearance in Drury Lane brings out, once again, the fascinating societal rules of the era and the delightful characters that circumvent those rules. Intrigue, surprise and glimpses of the lives of the rich, the poor and the middle classes of the 19th century.