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Title: The Guilt of Innocents

Author: Candace Robb

Narrator: Christopher Scott

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-11-11

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Winter 1372, York. A man has drowned in the River Ouse after a skirmish with boys from St Peters School. It soon becomes clear that his death was not an accident but why would a humble pilot on the river be killed for possessing a young boys purse? Suspicion falls on Father Nicholas Ferriby Vicar of Weston and master of a small grammar school who has already offended many with his unpopular beliefs. But is he really a murderer?

One-eyed spy, Owen Archer, Captain of Archbishop Thoresbys guard and noted for solving many crimes, is quickly brought to the scene by his adoptive son, Jasper. Clear that the pilot has been killed for more than a purse, an increasingly cantankerous Thoresby reluctantly agrees to let Owen investigate the mans murder. Torn between solving the crime and looking after his wife, Lucie, who is expecting their long-awaited third child, Owen is soon taken away from home. When another body is found in the river and Owen and Jasper get nearer to the truth, they find their own lives in jeopardy

Members Reviews:

NOT THE SAME

The story of Owen Archer and his cohorts continues apace. The series is a great insight into medieval life. However, my enjoyment of the book was lessened by the absence of Stephen Thorne as the narrator. Thorne had the characters down to a tee but this time I found myself skimming through the chapters as I found the narration of this instalment to be too dramatised. This series of Robb's books are very good and give Cadfael a run for his money.

Another good story by Candice Robb

excellent as usual the story held my interest from start to finish. Very well read as well.

The Guilt of Innocents

Another good story from Candace Robb's Owen Archer books and I enjoyed listening to it.

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Title: The Fire in the Flint

Author: Candace Robb

Narrator: Lesley Mackie

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-10-11

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Margaret Kerr of Perth is living in Edinburgh with her uncle Murdoch during the summer of 1297. She'd come to search for her long-absent husband who is in the service of Robert the Bruce. Margaret herself is still loyal to the deposed King John Balliol. Then terrifying raids and a brutal murder on the Kerr property bring the wrath of the English down on the heads of Margaret and her uncle. The sudden reappearance of Roger, her husband, gives Margaret the chance for escape from Edinburgh and together they make for Perth. But soon she begins to suspect that Roger's newfound enthusiasm for their marriage is just a foil for a mission for Robert the Bruce. Then her father returns from Bruges, bringing trouble and discord in his wake. What was it the raiders sought from Margaret's property? Can she trust either her husband or her father-?

Members Reviews:

Fire in the flint

Disappointing, rather bland, didn't enjoy it as much as other Robb stories. Didn't need to finish it.

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Title: A Trust Betrayed

Author: Candace Robb

Narrator: Lesley Mackie

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-10-11

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is the spring of 1297, and young wife Margaret Kerr is desperately afraid. With English soldiers patrolling the streets, it is no place for a woman alone. Margaret's mission is frowned upon, her arrival at her uncle's tavern unwelcome. And when she starts to ask questions she finds a city rife with closely guarded secrets and dangerous loyalties. Soon violence erupts outside the tavern and there is murder on their doorstep. Margaret discovers how little she had known either of Roger or Jack...

Members Reviews:

Dull dull dull

Have no idea whether it's the gruellingy droning narrator or the seemingly endless bang your head against a wall tedium of the story but I couldn't even finish it... dreadful book

Better than the Owen Archer series.

The narration's good, in a pleasant light Scots accent, and if the main character's female, I do prefer a woman to read. It's easier to take to Margaret Kerr than Owen Archer (mercenaries aren't terribly attractive!) and even if you don't know who actually is a "goodie", it's clear and invariable that the real big "baddies" are Longshanks and his supporters. Needless to say, the Scoto-Norman nobility are as devious and self serving as their Anglo counterparts, although I may be over cautious in considering everyone with a Norman name (Sinclair, for example) as suspect. It works for Bruce, of course, but you knew that....

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Title: The Cross Legged Knight

Author: Candace Robb

Narrator: Stephen Thorne

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-09-11

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

England 1371. A solemn procession winds out of York Minster, after the funeral of Sir Ranulf Pagnell, patriarch of a powerful Yorkshire family. William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, escorted the knight's remains north after his death in France, but he is shunned by the family. They hold him responsible for failing to negotiate the Sir Ranulf's ransom. Only a few days later, Wykeham's townhouse is found ablaze. The bishop has been staying with John Thoresby, Archbishop of York and is safe. But when the body of a young woman is discovered in the under croft, scandal threatens. Owen Archer is troubled. Was the fire an accident or arson? Was the woman left there to die or the fire intended to conceal her body? Stationing guards in front of the smouldering remains, he starts asking questions. When the dead woman is identified as a midwife known to many of the city's women, there is a flurry of panic. Owen has much to do if he is to discover who killed her - and why.

Members Reviews:

They got the wrong midwife!!

The blurb gave me hope that the seriously annoying weird sister who's infested this series would come to grief, but no such luck... Well narrated,

as usual, which is one of the main reasons I keep listening. I don't think I'd actually read this series - I.e., devote a lot of time to doing nothing else - but they are pleasant accompaniments to knocking up 10,000 steps a day, housework, or just dropping off to sleep.

Stephen Thorne manages many voices, and I suppose he was the obvious choice for Owen Archer - he was the best Cadfael (Welsh, unlike Jacobi's TV Englishman), and doesn't make people have silly voices- except the aforementioned local witch, who talks in a ridiculous way anyhow!

I'm not sure if I will continue with the other narrator, as it's never easy to adjust after one you've accepted as "the voice".

The Cross Legged Knight

I like medieval mysteries and Candace Robb's Owen Archer books, read by Stephen Thorne, are an enjoyable listen.

Brilliant story.

Candace Robb has again delivered a brilliant "Archer" story. However I would like guidance as to the sequence of these stories as the Archers background story is out of order for me. As for Stephen Thorne brilliant, just wonderful voice, for that reason alone I would listen to anything he narrated.

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Title: The Scandal of the Season

Author: Sophie Gee

Narrator: Richard Morant

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-22-11

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

What would you do if you were faced with a dangerous temptation you feared you couldn't resist? The Scandal of the Season tells the story of the real-life seduction of the beautiful, clever Arabella Fermor by the charming, enigmatic nobleman Robert Petre, seventh Baron of Ingatestone. Arabella is in need of rich husband, but knows that girls have been ruined by risking an affair like the one she contemplates. The object of her desire is also flirting with a perilous Jacobite plot against Queen Anne. Watching the pair with a beady eye, is an outsider, a cripple, destined to become the genius of his age the poet Alexander Pope. He arrives in London from the country, burning with ambition. If he fails, he will be left destitute. But can he find a story for his next poem powerful enough to make his reputation?

A seductive novel about risk and dangerous liaisons in a time of Jacobite plots and Popish fears, when marriage was a market, and sex was a temptation fraught with danger, The Scandal of the Season is a brilliant, witty modern love-story set in 1711.

Sophisticated, sexy and hugely enjoyable, this dazzling debut novel is inspired by events that gave rise to the eras most celebrated satirical entertainment, The Rape of the Lock. The story plays out against the backdrop of 18th-century London: dirty, teeming street-life and glorious buildings, newly restored after the Great Fire; the River Thames, artery of Englands trade and commerce; masked balls, operas, eating houses, clandestine courtships and political intrigue.

Members Reviews:

Interesting Story, Weak Characters, But Worth the Read

I enjoyed "The Scandal of the Season" but it could have been better. The storyline was interesting, kept me turning the page but I think the characters were flat. The only one I even felt remotely invested in was Alexander Pope, probably because I was already familar with him. The author missed the opportunity to recreate 1711 London and the rest of the characters in a way that would appeal to a larger audience. Especially given that a lot of the characters actually existed and the story is based on a true story.

Sophie Gee clearly knows her subject, but assumes that everyone who picks up this book is as passionate about Pope as she is. "The Rape of the Lock" was required reading during my Sophmore year of high school, it would have been fun to have this book then.

I am glad I read "The Scandal of the Season" but wouldn't put it on a list of books that I'd want on a deserted island

A fun read, but a little dissapointing in the end

I received this book as a Christmas gift, and I was anxious to read it because I usually really enjoy historical fiction. Unfortunately I felt like this book was more romance than history. I mostly enjoyed the romance, and at times the book really was a page turner. But in the end the novel felt a little flat. The characters were quite flat, and there was little of the historical element that I had been expecting. The author writes well, so I hope if there is another novel it has more of a historical slant.

Great material, but the writing doesn't measure up.

English poet Alexander Pope achieved his fame and success when in 1712 he published his mock-epic poem, "The Rape of the Lock," satirizing the public disgrace of the renowned beauty Arabella Fermor. This novel follows Pope's rise to fame, after he departs his country home to travel to the city for a season.

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Title: The 1898 Baseball Fe-As-Ko

Subtitle: Fe-As-Ko Series, Book 3

Author: Randall Platt

Narrator: Jerry Sciarrio

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-08-11

Publisher: Books In Motion

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It seems that the FDR writer is back wanting more Fe-As-Ko stories from cowpoke Royal Leckner. This time it's 1897, Royal and E.M. have been married about four years. And so have Leviticus and Lou(ella) Perrault, owners of the Four Arrows ranch. Royal is still foreman of the ranch and caretaker of its owner. As he reminds us, Leviticus and Lou(ella) Perrault are "short a hat size," but "nice and honest, which is better than smart and fox-like any day." It's time to take the cattle to Portland for the annual sale, and Royal is bringing Leviticus along to teach him how "to sign on the dotted line." E.M. foresees trouble in Portland and decides she'd better go along as well.

So the cattle gets loaded and all are headed for the city. Except, Leviticus who has managed to walk onto the train, down the aisle and right back off - something has caught his eye. It shouldn't be a surprise that a long-time rock thrower like Leviticus would get fascinated by a baseball. Once they get Levi back on the train, Lou(ella) says they are going to get themselves a base-ball in Portland. As it turns out (and things do turn out in Royal's life), the buyer isn't available when they go to sell the cattle, so it's declared a day off.

E.M's off to buy hats and Royal goes shopping with Levi and Lou(ella) for a base-ball. Innocently enough, Royal accepts baseball tickets for an exhibition game from one of the local storekeepers. This probably wasn't the best place to take Leviticus for "he may only have a half mind, but the half he does have is damn hard to unset." Worse, Royal runs into E.M.'s half sister and full-time trouble, Augusta, who is also the owner of the Bowery Bulldogs. E.M. shows up and immediately takes exception in finding Royal in the club house drinking champagne with Augusta.

Knowing this isn't going anywhere right, Royal decides to take his new fishing pole and get out of town, leaving E.M. to sell the cattle. Days later, E.M. shows up with a wagon overloaded with men passing the bottle, whooping, hollering and falling out. These are not men Royal recognizes. Like Jack sent to town to sell a cow, but coming back with magical beans, it seems that Leviticus traded the herd of 1200 cattle for his very own baseball team, just as Lou(ella) promised - and we thought she meant just the ball!

Smart and fox-like, Augusta had Levi "sign on the dotted line" when E.M. wasn't looking. And now it is up to the Leckner's to look for the giant beanstalk, despite winter coming, no cash, and ten extra mouths to feed. But Royal and E.M. are not without resources; she has her father who is sitting in jail, the "seven vestal Burnbaums" daughters of Idlehour's late banker and Lou(ella)'s savant talent with numbers.

Members Reviews:

Cowpokes and ballplayers mix it up for a home run!

It seems that the FDR writer is back wanting more Fe-As-Ko stories from cowpoke Royal Leckner.

This time it's 1897, Royal and E.M have been married about four years. And so have Leviticus and Lou(ella) Perrault, owners of the Four Arrows ranch. Royal is still foreman of the ranch and caretaker of its owner.

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Title: And This is War

Author: Carl Herman Dudley

Narrator: John Michaels

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-08-11

Publisher: Spoken Realms

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In 1910, when "And This is War" was published, emotional wounds of the American Civil War were as yet unhealed. In Europe the winds of the next great war were beginning to stir, and in the United States a spirit of isolationism prevailed. This book does not glorify war, but rather condems all wars, with thirty-five related short stories that portray the heartache, sadness, hopelessness and devastation that accompany war.

Members Reviews:

Boring, repetitive

I bought this as some sort of atmospheric introduction to a longer reading list of audiobooks about WWI and WWII, but it was terribly boring and repetitive. There's nothing in it that anyone may not know already. Furthermore, the narration is close to awful. I used to work as an interpreter and I'm used to all kinds of voices, pronounciations and speech in general, so I seldom find audiobook narrators frustrating. However, this is such a case: the articulation is not clear and the pauses are in all the wrong places. Hard to follow even when the information is not new. Waste of time and money!

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Title: The Dark Twin

Author: Marion Campbell

Narrator: Janis Marie Panizza

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-04-11

Publisher: Aire Craft Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Drost, black-haired son of the Middle Priestess in ancient Celtic Scotland, is the helper and Twin to the King, with special gifts of visions and dreams that lead him to his destiny and true love of all time, Yssa. This beautiful story is the archetype of Tristan and Iseult and Romeo and Juliet.

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Title: The Heart of the Lion

Author: Jean Plaidy

Narrator: Jilly Bond

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-03-11

Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

At the age of 32, Richard the Lionheart has finally succeeded Henry II to the English throne. And, against his fathers wishes, he intends to make Berengaria, daughter of the King of Navarre, his Queen. But first he must fulfil his vow to his country to win back Jerusalem for the Christian world. Leaving England to begin his crusade, Richard entrusts his kingdom to his brother, John, who casts covetous eyes on the crown, and his sister, Joanna, who is willing to defy even a king.

Members Reviews:

RICHARD THE LION-HEARTED...

Beloved author, also known to her legion of fans as Victoria Holt, tells the story of that Plantagenet scion, Richard the Lion-Hearted. Known for his fearlessness, as well as his desire to fight in the Crusades against the Infidels, he dreamt of capturing the city of Jerusalem and restoring it to the Christians. Unfortunately, his dream took him away from the governance of England, which enabled his brother, John, to cause mischief in the kingdom. Richard also had certain sexual proclivities, which made him abhor being with his wife, Berengaria. While he was mindful of his obligation to beget an heir, he did not bestir himself to do much about it.

While I love Jean Plaidy's books, this was not one of my favorites. I found some of it repetitious, especially in terms of the innuendo about Richard's alleged homosexuality. In fact, Richard came across as somewhat unlikable and naive. The book almost reads as if it were a romance novel, at times, and is not up to Ms. Plaidy's usual high standards. Still, fans of the author will get a modicum of enjoyment from this book.

Four Stars

I did enjoy this book, my only criticism is that a lot of it was repetitious.

It is the most well written novel in the 21st ...

It is the most well written novel in the 21st century even though it was written back in the 1970s.

The Heart of the Lion

Most enjoyable - yet again!

Five Stars

Jean PLAIDY a great author. Playing catch up by reading this series of her historical novels. Enjoyed and enjoying.

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Title: Islands of Gold

Author: Grant Hyde

Narrator: Alan King

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-03-11

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The year is 1796, and three and a half years have passed since Captain Lightfoot and his crew helped restore justice and peace to Tonga. It is time for them to return to their colony in New Holland, and then on to Mother England. But fate plays strange tricks in this vast ocean, even on the true of heart, and Lightfoot and his Polynesian crew find themselves facing an old enemy. Meanwhile, far off in the Torres Strait, a Dutch East India merchant ship is wrecked on an uncharted reef. When the captain and officers are murdered by the mutinous crew, a fortune in gold and jewels locked away in the ship's belly goes up for grabs. As fate brings these two crews together, Lightfoot, Sevesi, Hurley and Hiki will encounter the ruthless Company men, warring Aborigines, brutal Portuguese authorities and man-eating crocodiles. With the odds stacked against them, will the crew of the Royal make it out alive?

Members Reviews:

Rollicking

It's about adventurous times when the sea-faring powers in Europe were endeavouring to exert their influence in the newly discovered and exploited lands on the other side of the known world at that time. Sailor adventureres from Britain, France, Holland and Portugal liaise with warriors from the Pacific island Kingdom of Tonga, with the aboriginals of New Holland ( now Australia), New Guinea, Timor and the Dutch East Indies in many diverse situations.

Greed is a fundamental motivating force particularly the desire to acquire treasure in the form of a cache of gold, coins and jewels. This leads to some interesting international conflicts on land and sea. The geographic and historical information is educational but some of the logistics e.g number of people on ships is suspect. There also seems to be an endless supply of ammunition without there being a source. Well worth the read.