Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Abduction of Pretty Penny by Leonard Goldberg Narrator: Steve West
Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries #5
Published by MacMillan on June 15, 2021
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 41 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Joanna and the Watsons are called in by the Whitechapel Playhouse to find Pretty Penny, a lovely, young actress who has gone missing without reason or notice. While on their search, the trio is asked by Scotland Yard to join in the hunt for a vicious murderer whose method resembles that of Jack The Ripper. It soon becomes clear that The Ripper has reemerged after a 28-year absence and is once again murdering young prostitutes in Whitechapel.
Following a line of subtle clues, Joanna quickly reasons that Pretty Penny has been taken capture by the killer. But as Joanna moves closer to learning his true identity, the killer sends her a letter indicating her young son Johnny will be the next victim to die. Time is running out, and Joanna has no choice but to devise a most dangerous plan which will bring her face-to-face with the killer. It is the only chance to protect her son and rescue Pretty Penny, and save both from an agonizing death.
I nearly missed the next release in The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries series. I really enjoy all these Sherlock Holmes style investigations and the setting in England. Plus the series is narrated by STEVE WEST.
After many years, Jack the Ripper is active again in Whitechapel. A special young women, a talented and beautiful actress has been taken and it is feared she will be his victim. The Watsons and Joanna are asked to look for Pretty Penny. Based on clues and deductions, they narrow down the suspects as deaths pile up.
The criminal is very clever and a real challenge to apprehend. A variety of strategies are employed with Johnny and Toby 2 getting in on the hunt. The Irregulars are tasked to acquire more information. Finally, Joanna herself acts as bait and still he slips away.  The case is very dangerous for the Watsons, but he must be caught and stopped.
Narration:
The narrator is my absolute favorite – STEVE WEST!!!!!!  I loved listening to this story at my usual 1.5x speed. I appreciate his work with both male and female voices and he handles the English characters so well. Definitely, his narration enhanced my enjoyment, and I often chose audiobooks because he is the narrator.
Listen to a clip:Â
About Steve West
A London native, Steve began his career by winning the Stage & Television Today acting scholarship at the age of 17 (after ironically believing that he had bombed the audition!). What followed took him through one of London’s top drama conservatories, onto the West End stage in ABBA’s musical phenomenon Mamma Mia! and then to working opposite the likes of Chucky the killer doll and Don Draper in TV’s Mad Men.
Having moved to the States in 2009 he earned a place as a highly respected and award winning voice over artist working across commercials, films, documentary, audiobooks and video games. He starred as Galahad in Sony’s epic motion capture release The Order 1886 which took over 2 years to film and employed the most up-to-date filming and audio techniques in the field.
Versatile in a multitude of ways from acting to singing to dancing to dying 100’s of different ways in a sound booth he continues to enjoy work both on stage, screen and behind a mic. Check out his latest news on the home page, join the conversation on Facebook and twitter and even head back to the 1800s and ‘be’ Steve/Galahad on the PS4!
About Leonard Goldberg
Leonard Goldberg is an American physicist, professor of medicine, and the author of the Joanna Blalock series of medical thrillers.
His novels have been translated into a dozen languages and sold more than a million copies worldwide. Leonard Goldberg is himself a consulting physician affiliated with the UCLA Medical Center, where he holds an appointment as Clinical Professor of Medicine. A sought-after expert witness in medical malpractice trials, he is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and rheumatology, and has published over a hundred scientific studies in peer-reviewed journals.
Leonard Goldberg’s writing career began with a clinical interest in blood disorders. While involved in a research project at UCLA, he encountered a most unusual blood type. The patient’s red blood cells were O-Rh null, indicating they were totally deficient in A, B and Rh factors and could be administered to virtually anyone without fear of a transfusion reaction. In essence, the patient was the proverbial “universal” blood donor. This finding spurred the idea for a story in which an individual was born without a tissue type, making that person’s organs transplantable into anyone without worry of rejection. His first novel, Transplant, revolved around a young woman who is discovered to be a universal organ donor and is hounded by a wealthy, powerful man in desperate need of a new kidney. The book quickly went through multiple printings and was optioned by a major Hollywood studio.
Dr. Goldberg is a native of Charleston and a long-time California resident. He currently divides his time between Los Angeles and an island off the coast of South Carolina.
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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:
- C21-Spring
I need to listen to more audio, and I need to experience Steve West!
Definitely if you are going to listen to audio – try Steve West!
I started this series and liked it so I have no idea why I forgot to keep going. Glad to see it is still a solid read/listen further along.
Oh it’s a must listen for me. Steve West!
This sounds like a great series. The right narrator makes all the difference!
YES! The narrator and the fact I love Sherlock Holmes style mysteries.
I know you’ve recommended this to me a few times before – I need to remember it. You know what, I’ve never listened to a Steve West book!
You are missing out! He’s great in everything he does.
Oh that cover is fantastic — definitely a character I need to know more about~
It’s a fun series and I love the narrator.