Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas Narrator: Kate Reading
Series: Lady Sherlock #8
Published by Penguin Audio on June 25, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Length: 13 hours, 3 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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Charlotte’s success on the RMS Provence has afforded her a certain measure of time and assurance. Taking advantage of that, she has been busy, plotting to prise the man her sister loves from Moriarty’s iron grip.
Disruption, however, comes from an unexpected quarter. Lord Bancroft Ashburton, disgraced and imprisoned as a result of Charlotte’s prior investigations, nevertheless manages to press Charlotte into service: Underwood, his most loyal henchman, is missing and Lord Bancroft wants Charlotte to find Underwood, dead or alive.
But then Lord Bancroft himself turns up dead and Charlotte, more than anyone else, meets the trifecta criteria of motive, means, and opportunity. Never mind rescuing anyone else, with the law breathing down her neck, can Charlotte save herself from prosecution for murder?
Wow. I love this Lady Sherlock series so much. I started by wanting to write Amazing! Brilliant! in the largest font I can use here. Then I thought about creating a huge graphic. But that just tells you how much I enjoyed it and how impressed I am with this author but not why.
I would read this series in order because the complexity of the characters and relationships which are just as important as the particular cases. It is difficult to discuss specifics without spoiling, or divulging details about previous books. I am going to try to review in a different way.
The author does a brilliant job of building the characters and progressing them and their relationships throughout the series. Each book has another case or a few cases to be finessed but also contributes to the overall world and story arc. Overall, there is the battle between Holmes and her allies against Moriarty and his allies. There is also a delicious layer of the relationship between Ash and Charlotte.
The plot and details of the cases are always handled well. In A Ruse of Shadows, Charlotte has a lot of balls in the air to protect those she loves. Mrs. Watson and Ash are doing their parts. All of them have costumes and research. But there are multiple players mucking up the works. It’s not just Moriarty, but also Lord Bancroft and another blast from the past. It’s an exhausting struggle to get all the moving pieces in the right places.
The story is told with flash backs and forward over a period of two weeks with our people in Paris, London and surrounds, and Provence. The constable’s interrogation of Charlotte is interspersed with the events over the two weeks. Slowly, the people and events unfold with the how and why.
I can’t convey how outstanding I find this series. I highly recommend it.
Narration:
I love Kate Reading as the narrator for this series. The voices of different characters are distinct to me. I enjoy her voices for Ash and Charlotte. Both male and female voices seem appropriate, including their accents. I’m not an expert on regional accents so they may not be accurate. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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:
- 24-COYER
Yep, these are brilliant and I flew through this latest. 🙂
I can hardly believe how well they are written. Just stunning.
Still haven’t been able to begin this series. Wonderful review, Anne💜
Thank you Jonetta. This is one of my favorite series ever. I highly recommend it – you are missing out here.
I loved how everything unfolded…so clever. Lovely review Anne.
Thank you Kimberly. You are right – so clever and well worded.
I read the first book and I liked the mystery but I found the romance frustrating and then never picked the series back up. I guess I should give it another shot.
I love the mysteries but the romance was very slow burn. It’s better but still not complete.
I have really enjoyed everything in this series that I’ve read and really need to pick this one up. I will have to get the audio as I love Kate Reading’s narration. Great review!
Thank you Katherine. It’s one of my favorite series ever.
Glad you loved it so much. I can’t wait!
These are so clever and the characters so endearing.
Sounds like you are really enjoying this series, and how great that this far in the series still getting 5 stars! Thanks for sharing!
It is amazing writing. I love the setting, the plots, the clever mysteries, the relatable characters.
I do love how the characters have developed since the first book, and despite me not loving this one as much as you did, I still adore the series so much. It’s wonderful!
It’s one of my favorite series.
One day I’ll dive back into this series.
I highly recommend it.