Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Wayward Prince by Leonard Goldberg Narrator: Steve West
Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries #7
Published by MacMillan on July 11, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Length: 9 hours, 22 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
During the height of the Great War, playboy Prince Harry, the third in line to the British throne, vanishes in thin air while horseback riding in Hyde Park The strikingly handsome playboy prince is initially believed to have arranged his disappearance so he can enjoy a brief rendezvous with one of his secret lovers. But when his absence continues on for days, the royal family grows concerned and summons Scotland Yard, who can only recover scant, unrevealing clues.
The concern deepens when MI5 decodes a recent message from German spies in London which speaks of a captured asset that will bring great embarrassment to the Crown. There is a strong belief within the Intelligence agency that plans are underway to transport the captive prince to Berlin without delay. Despite an intensive search, no trace of the royal can be detected.
With Scotland Yard and MI5 baffled, Joanna and the Watsons are called in, and they soon find themselves entangled in a web of abortion, murder, treason, and spies, all of which is seemingly being orchestrated by an arch-enemy of the long-dead Sherlock Holmes. In their race to rescue Prince Harry, it becomes clear that the mastermind behind the maze of crimes has a singular motive in mind. He desires overdue revenge in the form of Joanna’s death.
I have always loved Sherlock Holmes and The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries series lets me bask in that enjoyment. I really enjoy all the snart investigations and the setting in England. Plus the series is narrated by STEVE WEST.
The excitement begins with the abduction of Prince Harry. Then we have the backstreet abortions. The German spies are linked into the fray. But the puppet master pulling the strings is Colonel Moriarty who wants to get rid of Joanna in the same way her father got rid of his brother.  There are plenty of villains and crimes all around.
Joanna uses her many talents to track down the German to try to locate the Prince and save the treasure of the ransom. The Irregulars provide an assist. Other cases and characters from them weave into the story. She cleverly avoids death and lose of the treasure.  But they do not locate the Prince.
Another exchange is set up with a final battle between Joanna and Moriarty. She has prepared smartly, as usual. She is determined to see it through to protect her son’s future.
You will need to read yourself for all the clever deductions and battles. I really enjoy these characters, their friends and allies, and their adventures.
Narration:
The narrator is my absolute favorite – STEVE WEST!!!!!!  Definitely, his narration enhanced my enjoyment, and I often chose audiobooks because he is the narrator. The tones of both male and female characters were appropriate, as well as the various European accents. I happily listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:Â HERE
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:
- 23-COYER
I guess I’d better check out a Steve West narrated book one of these days!
He narrates some of my favorite series like this and Martha Grimes Richard Jury series. Also, he’s the narrator for Iron & Magic by Ilona Andrews. I loved The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater too.
I have only listened to one book narrated by him. I was not a fan of his female voices.
Aww sorry to heat that. It’s true I have listened to more of his work as duet and also full cast, but some dual or where he was the only narrator like this series.
I’m with Tammy about this series. Love the cover too.
Thanks Laura. I’m enjoying this series. It’s interesting and fun and easy to read.
Glad it was a hit for you. I have to be in the right mood for Sherlockian stories. I love a little more dark in my mystery.
Thanks Sherry. These are a bit darker like the backstreet abortions occurring in this one, more than the original Conan Doyle ones. These are easy and fun to read though.
Sounds like a fun series. I still haven’t listened to a Steve West audiobook, but I have a couple in my queue.
I enjoy his work. He did this series and the Richard Jury one by Martha Grimes. He also did Iron & Magic by Ilona Andrews, Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater.
I really need to continue this series. I read the first book and really enjoyed it but then lost track of the series for some reason.
It’s tough to keep up with everything even if you want to read them. I find these shorter, clever and not too demanding so more fun reads.
Another series I’d like to start. Wonderful review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. I like them. They are clever but not too complex.
Love Steve West and this series sounds exactly like something I’d love. Wonderful review, Anne!
Thank you Rachel. I just enjoy the cleverness of the Sherlock Holmes type mysteries.