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    Judy 06-30-16
    Judy 06-30-16
    HELPFUL VOTES
    9
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    42
    18
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Very disappointing story and narration"

    I quite enjoyed the first book in the series, although I found the narrator a little irritating. I was looking forward to a second volume because I really liked Maggie and thought she was sensible and intelligent.

    This one was really quite woeful. The plot line was totally unbelievable. For example Maggie managed to wander into police stations and get information from the police officers about a murder as a member of the general public. She and many other characters made multiple stupid decisions, without which the plot couldn't have moved along. She jumped to conclusions without any real evidence and caused problems that could have been avoided. When she stood up to the male characters, she carried on like a spoiled brat rather than like a strong woman demanding her rights (which I think is what we were supposed to think she was doing).

    I am also not sure whether the author is American or whether the text has been adapted for the American listener, but the American English jarred on the lips of supposed English people.

    The narrator drove me to distraction. As several other reviewers mentioned, she 'upspeaks' not just at the end of each sentence, but at the end of each phrase.

    I am going back to Violet Winspear's Maisie Dobbs books which are set in a slightly earlier period but much more believable and far better written.

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    FOXFUR Flint Hill, Virginia United States 04-29-16
    FOXFUR Flint Hill, Virginia United States 04-29-16 Member Since 2016
    HELPFUL VOTES
    5
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    12
    3
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    "too slow"

    the story had potential but moves far too slow. I really struggled to keep going reading. probably will not continue with the series.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Alex 03-22-16
    Alex 03-22-16
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    70
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Her voice is like fingernails on a blackboard."
    What didn’t you like about Susan Duerden’s performance?

    The new narrator's voice ruins the whole experience. I don't know if I can listen to the rest of the series!


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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    J and J Zugich 03-17-16
    J and J Zugich 03-17-16
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    6
    2
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Good story"

    I liked the plot line, and I continue to enjoy the character development. I did not care for this narrator, though. I preferred Donada Pierce's voice talent more. This narrator was too high pitched of a voice for my taste.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Zakkary Zoah 03-04-16
    Zakkary Zoah 03-04-16
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    60
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Performance ruins book"

    I really enjoy the Maggie Hope stories, but this narrator is just awful. Yelling at full blast is her only way of expressing anger, tension or excitement. Truly irritating.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Kent 02-08-16
    Kent 02-08-16 Member Since 2010
    HELPFUL VOTES
    0
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    2
    2
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    4
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Disappointing narration"
    What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

    The Maggie Hope series offers archtypically "cozy" stories, so one doesn't expect much above 3 stars. The plots are strained, the characters are trimmed to fit and the author's understanding of the inner workings of the military and civil institutions into which she's placed those characters seems shallow. However, bringing back Donada Peters for the second and subsequent books would have enhanced the "star" value.


    If you’ve listened to books by Susan Elia MacNeal before, how does this one compare?

    The first book, Mr Churchill's Secretary, was a pleasant accompaniment to a long trip across the flat plains of Texas and Oklahoma. Sadly, I could not finish even the fourth chapter of the second book.


    How could the performance have been better?

    The narration suffers from two major deficiencies. - First, the narrative, story-telling segments are delivered in an unnatural rhythm and tone, with five- or six-word phrases not related to the text content, and a rise-and-fall pattern that is more suited to the nursery. - Second, someone decided to have the German characters speak to each other in German accents. Really cheesy accents.


    You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

    I'm continuing to read Princess Elizabeth's Spy in the Kindle edition. We'll have to wait a few more chapters to see if it the book is worth finishing.


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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Dawn Jones 02-01-16
    Dawn Jones 02-01-16 Member Since 2014
    HELPFUL VOTES
    2
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    237
    8
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Not a fan of narrator"
    Would you listen to Princess Elizabeth's Spy again? Why?

    Yes because I love the story


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    Maggie and Hugh


    Did the narration match the pace of the story?

    Yes


    Any additional comments?

    Would rather have the narrator of the first book back

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Kindle Customer 01-27-16
    Kindle Customer 01-27-16
    HELPFUL VOTES
    22
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    243
    8
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    "Princess Elizabeth Spy"

    Queen Elizabeth as a 14 yr old girl during WW II as heroine in her story. With aid off mi5 agent Maggie Hope placed in Westminster as a math teacher to princess.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Anonymous 12-08-15
    12-08-15
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    36
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Love the story and the writing,"
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    I love the story and the writing, do not at all like the narrator. Much prefer the narrator for the first book and wish they would bring her back.


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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    john 11-30-15
    john 11-30-15
    HELPFUL VOTES
    27
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    127
    23
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Good thriller"

    The story is intriguing, if a little stretched. It is worth reading, once one get used to the reader's irritating cadence.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful