Dance with Death

A Barker & Llewelyn Novel

By: Will Thomas

Narrated by: Antony Ferguson

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

"Narrator Antony Ferguson thoroughly inhabits Scotsman Cyrus Barker and Welshman Thomas Llewelyn...Ferguson captures Russians, Americans, and a multitude of British characters ranging from crisply enunciated aristocrats to Cockney-voiced street urchins and cabbies in this latest installment in the Barker & Llewelyn series." (AudioFile Magazine)

London, 1893: Private enquiry agents Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are called in to protect Tsesarevich Nicholas from nefarious forces as he travels to England for a royal wedding - in Dance with Death, the next mystery in Will Thomas’s beloved series.

In June of 1893, the future Nicholas II travels to London for a royal wedding, bringing with him his private security force and his ballerina mistress, Mathilde Kchessinska. Rumored to be the target of a professional assassin known only as La Sylphide, and the subject of conspiracies against his life by his own family who covet his future throne, Nicholas is protected by not only private security, but the professional forces of both England and Russia.

All of these measures prove inadequate when Prince George of England is attacked by an armed anarchist who mistakes him for Nicholas. As a result, Barker and Llewelyn are brought in to help track down the assassin and others who might conspire against the life of the tsesarevich . The investigations lead them down several paths, including Llewelyn's old nemesis, the assassin Sofia Ilyanova. With Barker and Llewelyn both surviving separate attempts on their lives, the race is on to find both the culprit and the assassin they hired. Taking them through high society (including a masked ball at Kensington Palace) and low, chasing down motives both personal and political, Barker and Llewelyn must solve the case of their life before the crime of the century is committed.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

©2021 Will Thomas (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Loving the series.

Loved this book in the series and it related to the actual events in history.

my favorite so far

This book finds the balance of Thomas's self deprecating statements making the change from whinging to humor. Labyrinthine plot and characters, including some I'd rather dislike, but honestly can't. As always, narrator is wonderful with voice tone, pitch, and accents- the only two I occasionally mess up are Barker and the Scottish head of Scotland Yard.

Love the Series

I found this installment a little harder to follow that previous installments. There were a couple of plot twists that didn’t make sense. I may have to go back and listen again. Specifically, a development in Lewellyn’s character near the end. I am not sure how it was possible. That said, overall another great listen, well narrated and very entertaining.

Excellent story

Will Thomas does it again engaging story that brings back old enemies and introduces the reader to new friends and enemies

Entertaining but not the author’s best

I love the Barker and Llewelyn series but this story was very weak with no real depth. The historical figures are always fun but this time they weren’t even likable. I love the narrator and have great hope the next book will be better.

A go to book series

Since listening to books is a pleasure for me, not a lesson, I want to be entertained with a good story, amusing characters, and a credible plot. Since I'm already inundated with news of the world every time I turn on the computer, tv, paper, all I want to do is escape into fiction and/or history with a good story. This series entertains me. Antony Fergus is excellent and adds to the total experience for me.

Impatiently Awaited but Worth It

I love Barker and Llewelyn, though they are quite different they are two parts of a whole. Barker always seems to turn his bad fortune to good while Llewelyn hovers on the precipice.
Their supporting characters build up their story and shine an even brighter light on their characters.
A little Victorian history, adventure, drama and suspense rolled into a fine entertainment. Like a good cigar, this series truly satisfies.

Good but not the best

It took 3 times of starting and stopping this story before I found a footing and then proceeded to the end. The last third of the book became exciting butI am disappointed with the characters in this story. Thomas is still so unsure of himself and Barker seemed to just be going through the motions. Everything gelled at the last few chapters.
I could tell that Will Thomas had some trouble with this book. To be fair, he has given so much to this series already that he is forgiven.

Great story, amazing narrator!

I love this series; it just gets better and better. The writing is crisp and intriguing, and the narrator, well... I’d listen to him reading off a grocery list.

Wonderfully educational

Reading Historical fiction is a great way to find new interests. This book was intriguing and sent me researching many events noted.