AUDIOBOOK DETAILS:
Series Title: A Ring of Truth (A Henrietta and Inspector Howard Novel #2) by Michelle Cox
Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle
Length: 12 hours 5 mins
Category: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Mystery
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There are sexual scenes, not too explicit, some violence)
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
In this second book of the series, Henrietta and Clive delightfully rewrite Pride and Prejudice―with a hint of mystery!
Newly engaged, Clive and Henrietta now begin the difficult task of meeting each other’s family. “Difficult” because Clive has neglected to tell Henrietta that he is, in fact, the heir to the Howard estate and fortune, and Henrietta has just discovered that her mother has been hiding secrets about her past as well. When Clive brings Henrietta to the family estate to meet his parents, they are less than enthused about his impoverished intended. Left alone in this extravagant new world when Clive returns to the city, Henrietta finds herself more at home with the servants than his family, much to the disapproval of Mrs. Howard―and soon gets caught up in the disappearance of an elderly servant’s ring, not realizing that in doing so she has become part of a bigger, darker plot.
As Clive and Henrietta attempt to discover the truth in the two very different worlds unraveling around them, they both begin to wonder: Are they meant for each other after all?
Henrietta and Clive are now engaged to be married. Henrietta is introduced to Clive's wealthy family and discovers that her brooding Inspector is none other than the heir to a vast fortune and estate. If she is to be mistress of the Howard estate, Henrietta must be taught the ways of being part of high society. This proves to be harder than Henrietta expected, and she strays downstairs and befriends the servants which leads her to become entangled in a sinister plot.
Once again, I enjoyed the 1930s setting mixed with romance and mystery. Henrietta is her usual feisty and alluring self, but she is too trusting for her own good which gets her into trouble once again. That's what makes her such a fun character. She is not afraid of hard work and she likes to help people in need. Clive is not as present at the beginning of the story, and I did wonder if their relationship would survive their class differences. Henrietta's journey from rags to riches is filled with new lessons that she must learn if she is to be Clive's wife.
Throughout the story, the author makes references to events from the first book. I liked this as it made them fresh in my mind once again and added to my enjoyment of the series. There were some twists and turns as the mystery unraveled and came to a satisfying end. But there were plot threads that were left unresolved and made me eager to start listening to the third audiobook in the series A Promise Given.
Once again, the narration by Jayne Entwistle is excellent, just like in the first audiobook. She brought the story and era alive because every character stood out with her various voice impressions. Henrietta's voice was distinct and sounded like a young woman coming of age, and the male voices were spot on. I especially liked Helen's Irish brogue. Honestly, I could picture the whole cast.
Category: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Mystery
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There are sexual scenes, not too explicit, some violence)
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
In this second book of the series, Henrietta and Clive delightfully rewrite Pride and Prejudice―with a hint of mystery!
Newly engaged, Clive and Henrietta now begin the difficult task of meeting each other’s family. “Difficult” because Clive has neglected to tell Henrietta that he is, in fact, the heir to the Howard estate and fortune, and Henrietta has just discovered that her mother has been hiding secrets about her past as well. When Clive brings Henrietta to the family estate to meet his parents, they are less than enthused about his impoverished intended. Left alone in this extravagant new world when Clive returns to the city, Henrietta finds herself more at home with the servants than his family, much to the disapproval of Mrs. Howard―and soon gets caught up in the disappearance of an elderly servant’s ring, not realizing that in doing so she has become part of a bigger, darker plot.
As Clive and Henrietta attempt to discover the truth in the two very different worlds unraveling around them, they both begin to wonder: Are they meant for each other after all?
MY REVIEW:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani
In April, I read the ebook copy of this book and loved it, so when it was released in audiobook format I wanted to revisit the story by listening to it. I already listened to the first book A Girl Like You and enjoyed it so much. I pretty much felt the same way for this one too.
A Ring of Truth is the second audiobook in the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series. The book description says this is a delightful rewrite of Pride and Prejudice but to me, it felt more like an episode from Downton Abbey or even Cinderella. And I'm saying this in a positive way.
Henrietta and Clive are now engaged to be married. Henrietta is introduced to Clive's wealthy family and discovers that her brooding Inspector is none other than the heir to a vast fortune and estate. If she is to be mistress of the Howard estate, Henrietta must be taught the ways of being part of high society. This proves to be harder than Henrietta expected, and she strays downstairs and befriends the servants which leads her to become entangled in a sinister plot.
Once again, I enjoyed the 1930s setting mixed with romance and mystery. Henrietta is her usual feisty and alluring self, but she is too trusting for her own good which gets her into trouble once again. That's what makes her such a fun character. She is not afraid of hard work and she likes to help people in need. Clive is not as present at the beginning of the story, and I did wonder if their relationship would survive their class differences. Henrietta's journey from rags to riches is filled with new lessons that she must learn if she is to be Clive's wife.
Throughout the story, the author makes references to events from the first book. I liked this as it made them fresh in my mind once again and added to my enjoyment of the series. There were some twists and turns as the mystery unraveled and came to a satisfying end. But there were plot threads that were left unresolved and made me eager to start listening to the third audiobook in the series A Promise Given.
Once again, the narration by Jayne Entwistle is excellent, just like in the first audiobook. She brought the story and era alive because every character stood out with her various voice impressions. Henrietta's voice was distinct and sounded like a young woman coming of age, and the male voices were spot on. I especially liked Helen's Irish brogue. Honestly, I could picture the whole cast.
If you like atmospheric historical fiction with mystery and romance, give this series a try, either in print or audiobook format.
I'm now listening to the third audiobook A Promise Given, so watch for my audiobook review next week.
Disclosure: I was provided with a downloadable audiobook. I was not told how to rate or review this product.
Michelle Cox is the author of the multiple award-winning Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as "Novel Notes of Local Lore," a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago's forgotten residents. She suspects she may have once lived in the 1930s and, having yet to discover a handy time machine lying around, has resorted to writing about the era as a way of getting herself back there. Coincidentally, her books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and many others, so she might be on to something. Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn't have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade.
Connect with the Author: website ~ facebook ~twitter ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Jayne Entwistle is an award-winning audiobook narrator known most notably for her narration of the Flavia De Luce series by Alan Bradley. She received the prestigious Odyssey Award for The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and the Odyssey Honor Award for The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry. In addition to several Earphones Awards, AudioFile magazine has included her narration on their list of Best Audiobooks of the Year. When not immersed in fabulous books, Jayne can be found on-screen in television shows such as The Good Place, Feud: Bette and Joan, You're the Worst, and Maron. Originally from the North of England, Jayne currently lives in Los Angeles.
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I'm now listening to the third audiobook A Promise Given, so watch for my audiobook review next week.
Disclosure: I was provided with a downloadable audiobook. I was not told how to rate or review this product.
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Ends Oct 9, 2020
You had me at Pride and Prejudice! Thanks for sharing, this sounds like a good read!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Laura! I love the narration, too - as you mentioned, it really brings the cast to life, doesn't it? Happy listening!
ReplyDeleteIt must be so rewarding to listen to your characters come to life through this narration! Thanks for stopping by. :-)
DeleteYes! It really is. She brings a whole new perspective!
ReplyDelete