Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas Narrator: Kate Reading
Series: Lady Sherlock #4
Published by Penguin Audio on October 15, 2019
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 17 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
As "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes has solved murders and found missing individuals. But she has never stolen a priceless artwork—or rather, made away with the secrets hidden behind a much-coveted canvas.
But Mrs. Watson is desperate to help her old friend recover those secrets and Charlotte finds herself involved in a fever-paced scheme to infiltrate a glamorous Yuletide ball where the painting is one handshake away from being sold and the secrets a bare breath from exposure.
Her dear friend Lord Ingram, her sister Livia, Livia's admirer Stephen Marbleton—everyone pitches in to help and everyone has a grand time. But nothing about this adventure is what it seems and disaster is biding time on the grounds of a glittering French chateau, waiting only for Charlotte to make a single mistake..
This Lady Sherlock series has been so addictive for me. I like this sort of mystery and the British accents and locale. There is a background romance? with Lord Ingram and Charlotte Holmes. I am totally invested in it and it moves back and forth at a snail’s pace. I was frustrated, wanting a bit more romance. I do really appreciate having more of Lord Ingram’s perspective this time.
Other than that, the case in The Art of Theft is complex (of course) and we have many favorite players at work. Charlotte figures out the issues correctly but slowly as they gather the information they need. It is a perilous adventure with deadly risks for them. I was happy to have her, Mrs. Watson and Lord Ingram working together again but also Livia and Mr. Stephen Marbelton. How clever and skilled they are!
Charlotte is worried about “maximum tolerable chins” in this outing so she can’t partake of the yummy treats either. Really the personal aspects don’t go very far here for anyone, although Mrs. Watson gets to connect with an old friend / lover.
While the case was solved somewhat successfully, the ending is a bit shocking. The next adventure is set, with me waiting anxiously to see how the events here will affect the future, as they tackle a new case to help Inspector Treadle. I do recommend you read the series in order.
Narration:
I am happily comfortable with Kate Reading as the narrator for this series. I’ve come to recognize her voices for the different characters, male and female, so they sound right to me. The accents for the location felt real to me but since I’m not an expert on regional accents they may not be accurate. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Kate Reading
Kate Reading is an Audie Award–winning narrator with hundreds of titles in many genres. She has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, as well as being named Narrator of the Year, and Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Her narration has been recognized as Reader of the Year by Publishers Weekly, and by Booklist’s 2019 Top of the List, for the American Library Association. She and her husband, narrator Michael Kramer, record at their home studio in Maryland, Madison Productions.
About Sherry Thomas
Sherry Thomas writes both historical romance and young adult fantasy.
On the romance side, she is one of the most acclaimed authors working in the genre today, her books regularly receiving starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications. She is also a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award.
On the young adult fantasy side, there isn’t much to report yet, her debut book, THE BURNING SKY, book 1 of the Elemental Trilogy, has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and been named to the Autumn ’13 Kids’ Indie Next List.
Sherry writes in her second language. She learned English by reading romance and science fiction–every word Isaac Asimov ever wrote, in fact. She is proud to say that her son is her biggest fanboy–for the YA fantasy, not the romances. At least, not yet..
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Audiobooks
- 2019 Releases
I’m addicted too. Love these! I still need to try them on audio.
Audio is my easiest way to quickly get to things when I am so busy. I like the accent too, puts me right in the setting.
I’m so glad you continue to love and feature this series! Because of you, I’ve collected the audiobooks. Great review, Anne?
Thank you! I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do. I’m a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and mystery fan so this caught my interest quickly.
I still have to start the first book! Another series just waiting for me to dive into:)
Trust me – I know exactly how you feel. There are series I can’t believe I have yet to read.
I did enjoy book 1 but I never read more. I should.
I would as I have really enjoyed them all.
I bought the audiobooks for the first couple of books in this series so I am pretty committed to getting to it someday. I am so glad you are still enjoying it. It sounds fabulous!
This series is all 4-5 heart reads, excellent really I hope you love them too.
I just finished this one yesterday – loved it. I felt it was even more engrossing and thrilling than the previous. I think I held my breath for several minutes during the last 30 minutes or so. Looking forward to what happens next!
I LOVED the story I’m frustrated with Charlotte because I want her to give Lord Ingram more comfort / emotional support but I guess she wouldn’t be Charlotte if she was easily swayed to believe in love.
I really liked the first book, but I’m so far behind in this series! Perhaps I should try the audio versions as I try to catch up. Are they all read by Kate Reading? She does a good job in that sample.
They are all narrated by Kate Reading and I think she is excellent. I have listened to them all on audio and they are available on audio at my library which is how I binged and caught up. This is the first one I have had as an audio ARC. This one releases this Tuesday so my review is a couple days early, but I try to be non- spoilery.
Thank you; that’s good to know!
This series sounds so good. My kind of mysteries!
I LOVE them. It’s a take off from Sherlock Holmes, his style. Every book is a 4-5 heart read I highly recommend them.