This was my first book by Bowen but it won't be my last.
Both are working under cover and the story meshes so well that the reader doesn't expect who is the planted German spy although there are lots of clues that make you suspect several main characters. In this story you learn that there are spies among us you would not expect and two of them are main characters, Lady Pamela and Ben Cresswell, the Vicar's son. This story is set at the beginning of WWII, in May 1941 before the allied joined to beat Hitler. I loved this book and it is always a thrill when a Kindle Book of Month turns out to be so fantastic. The narrator in the audio book has such a superb grasp of how the aristocracy sounded at least to my American ears that is. Golly! From the first time the word is uttered, I was hooked.
It was such a relief to finally complete this book and put myself out of my misery. After all, I don't listen to the Royal Spyness series for the mystery but for the pleasure of the story-telling, for the fun of the slight adventure. I think with a different narrator this book may have had a chance. And, by the way, although I NEVER guess who the bad guys are in any mystery, I figured this one out by the third chapter. What were you thinking, Audible? Words cannot express how this presentation robbed the story of all tension, suspense and joy. No one did NOT have this horrible British affectation of speech, from the Lord and Lady (still exaggerated for even them) to the non-titled, the vicar, even the Germans. The over the top "high society" British accent made all characters mere cartoon personalities. My love for Miss Bowen's Royal series compelled me to give this book a go, however, and her usual narrator for that series was quite enjoyable. The only thing that kept me from returning this book immediately after beginning it was the fact that I felt I had a duty to see it to completion since other reviewers had commented upon Miss Dawson's narration, and I therefore had indeed been forewarned.
0 kommentar(er)
