Devil's Cub

By: Georgette Heyer

Narrated by: Michael Drew

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

The excesses of the young Marquis of Vidal are even wilder than his father's before him. Not for nothing is the reckless duellist and gamester called "the Devil's Cub". But when he is forced to leave the country, Mary Challoner discovers his fiendish plan to abduct her sister. Any only by daring to impersonate her can Mary save her sibling from certain ruin.

©2003 Georgette Heyer (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"My favourite historical novelist." (Margaret Drabble)

One of my new favs

I did not know where this book was going at first-what a ride. So enjoyed the trip & the wit!

quite funny

I enjoyed this book, which is a delightful mix of outright farce and romance novel cliche. It works because Heyer never gets too arch or over-the-top about it, and always plays it straight. My only quibble is with the narration. The reader's own voice is fine, but the vocal characterization he chose for Vidal is distinctly grating - and unfortunately, not in a good way.

Bad boy Vidal finds love in this riotous romp

Any additional comments?

Georgette Heyer continues to delight her readers and listeners with clever, witty dialogue and dashing heroes and intelligent, lovely heroines. In this story we meet the young Marquis of Vidal who gambles, seduces women of little virtue, and fights duels almost on a weekly basis. Banished to France by his father, Vidal thinks he is carting off a silly wench to be his mistress, but Mary, the girl's sister, has taken her place in order to save her sister's virtue. The result is a merry romp across France with a cast of characters all trying to catch up with the Marquis who is chasing after Mary. As writer Katie Fforde said, "Wonderful characters, elegant, witty writing, perfect period detail and rapturously romantic. Georgette Heyer achieves what the rest of us only aspire to."
Michael Drew narrated this audio book. His performance was simply masterful. The voices he employed so entirely matched the characters' personalities that I was in awe. Bravo!

Narrator’s grating Vidal and Avon dims this enchanting Heyer story

The narrator’s character voice for Vidal is so angry and grating that it requires the listener to be in love with Vidal already to endure this recording of Devil’s Cub. The Duke was also a miss, although easier to forgive. I hope this book gets re-issued by a different narrator - the Comyn voice was also irritating. Drew did his best work with Rupert Alastair and the female leads roles, but this Heyer hero in particular needs a deft narrator with strong comic and dramatic range to bring out his lovable side. I was disappointed that my favorite Heyer book ended up being one of my least favorite listens.

Excellent semi sequel to These Old Shades.

Would you consider the audio edition of Devil's Cub to be better than the print version?

Equal but easier to listen when one is working.

What other book might you compare Devil's Cub to and why?

This involves the son of the main characters of 'These Old Shades'. Heyer heroines are always sensible non hysterical ladies. Heyer obviously liked these characters as the link to this family appears again in an infamous army.. The latter book links 2 of her more memorable stories ,Regency Buck and again These Old Shades.

What about Michael Drew’s performance did you like?

Good interpretation of the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Amused and enjoyed the old Monseignor's enjoyment of the heroine s account of the recent duel.

Any additional comments?

The spoilt hero is true to the characters of both his parents. He is an arrogant careless callous nobleman, who is discovered to have a softer and more agreeable side to his character. It needs the special attributes of a clever heroine to reveal his better side.

Loved it!

Having just begun reading/listening to Georgette Heyer novels in the last year, Devil’s Cub is one of my favorites. Lord Vidal seems to be doing his devilish best to become more infamous than his father, the Duke of Avon, also known as Satan (from These Old Shades).

The story is just plain fun. Vidal’s behavior is eye-popping at times and it seems inconceivable that Mary, our heroine, is up to the challenge. She proves us all wrong by taming the beast.

Only Georgette Heyer can make a bowl of gruel romantic. Vidal is hurt and sick and he wants a full meal and some claret. His valet strikes out trying to get him to eat the gruel Mary prepares. Mary tries and seemingly fails as well but her parting words about being so sad Vidal won’t eat it, changes his mind. It doesn’t sound like much of a scene, but it is. Having only been in each other’s company for days, it is so remarkable that Vidal concedes to the gruel, that you know he’s hooked on Mary. BTW, he really liked the gruel.

I enjoyed this story so much. Even more than his father’s story in These Old Shades. Characters from that story make strong and important appearances in this story.

The narrator was very good. Pacing was excellent. Voices were great although Vidal’s voice was not what I expected it would be.

Keep them coming Georgette!

I have enjoyed most every book written by Georgette! The stories are always interesting and unexpected and always have a good ending, which in my opinion, is critical. I really like the fact that there is not a bunch of cut and paste soft porn crap mixed within the stories. The narrators for the most part, are extremely talented and without them, the stories would not be nearly as entertaining! I am so spoiled by her books, that I do not want to listen to any others! I have listened to all of them and for the most part, I love them, although I do wish all of them are abridged. Bravo! Please keep them coming!

Georgette Heye r at her best.

I Loved this story and Michael Drew's narration gave the story life and real depth.

The lead male was very unsympathetic 

All the characters improve in the end. The reader was terrific!  we have listened to this book more than once. 

Classic Heyer

One of my favourite Heyer romances this book translates quite well into an audio format. Stars one of Heyer's typical heros - handsome, dangerous, and cynical - with a smart, courageous, ladylike heroine. This is the sequel to 'These Old Shades' and although it stands very well on its own, one needs to read the prequel in order to fully appreciate some of the characters - in particular the characters of Avon and Leonie. The only slight quibble I have concerns the narrator's voicing of some of the male characters. There is a decided lisp given to many of the more dandyish of the male characters which can become a little distracting. It is rather unlikely that all Georgian dandies lisp when they speak so I think this particular style of voicing was a little overdone in this audiobook.