His Majesty's Hope

A Maggie Hope Mystery

By: Susan Elia MacNeal

Narrated by: Susan Duerden

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

For fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Laurie R. King, and Anne Perry, whip-smart heroine Maggie Hope returns to embark on a clandestine mission behind enemy lines where no one can be trusted, and even the smallest indiscretion can be deadly.

World War II has finally come home to Britain, but it takes more than nightly air raids to rattle intrepid spy and expert code breaker Maggie Hope. After serving as a secret agent to protect Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, Maggie is now an elite member of the Special Operations Executive–a black ops organization designed to aid the British effort abroad–and her first assignment sends her straight into Nazi-controlled Berlin, the very heart of the German war machine. Relying on her quick wit and keen instincts, Maggie infiltrates the highest level of Berlin society, gathering information to pass on to London headquarters. But the secrets she unveils will expose a darker, more dangerous side of the war–and of her own past.

©2013 Susan Elia Macneal (P)2013 Random House Audio

Great series!

I love this series and want to listen to each book as long as it lasts. The story line is a good one, and the historical bits are interesting. I am not sure though that I will be able to listen to another book narrated by Susan Duerden. PLEASE return to the original reader!

Maggie's "successes" seem accidental...

...not a result of her skills. In fact, she's borderline hysterical at times. Rather odd for a MI5 agent. Wish the author would grow her up.

Good read!

Would you try another book from Susan Elia MacNeal and/or Susan Duerden?

Yes.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I like the way the author is presenting Maggie Hope. She's young, smart but impetuous - her youth and self-confidence has her making decisions that bring dire consequences. Wisdom is often gained from painful lessons and this is true for Maggie.

Do you think His Majesty's Hope needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, the war leaves it's scars - but the author shows Maggie has the strength to learn to live with them and this needs to come out. This character has a real-life feel to her.

Wonderful series

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maggie Hope is a delightful character. Intelligent, skillful, determined, and pretty without being hung up on her looks. She is very easy to relate to because she voices real emotion, thoughts and feelings.

What about Susan Duerden’s performance did you like?

I have listened to all of the books and the first one had a different narrator, so I was disappointed when I found that they changed the narrators - that is until I listened to her. Although the narrator for the first book was good, I found that when I listened to Susan Duerden, I could identify the characters based off the voice she was using for them. It was very expertly spoken.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it is but there just are not enough hours in the day. I can not wait for the next book to be released.

Any additional comments?

If you are a fan of the spy/mystery/1920's era novels, this series is a must. I appreciate the intelligence of the characters and did not feel that that the novel slowed as some do when over describing technical details. I bought the first audible book in the series because it was recommended to me based off other purchases. After the first read, I quickly purchased the other 2 and I am certainly glad that I did.

Interesting war time mystery

Very enjoyable. I did not listen to the first two but this one was excellent . Very good narration believable story. Give a real sense of the turmoil of war and the unforeseen unintended consequences. Highly recommend it.

Picks up from the previous books and adds some new

If you could sum up His Majesty's Hope in three words, what would they be?

exciting- fun - surprises

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maggie is the main reason I continue to get this book series - she grows with each installment and now has matured and grown but is still wild and brave...

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Susan Duerden?

Wanda McCaddon did a good job with the first in this series.

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

All Nazi horrors --- But the story moves through them so that Maggie can continue on her mission

Any additional comments?

The narration is whiny. The fake German accents sound forced making the story halting at times. I'll buy again because Maggie is delightful.

horrible narration

plot is good. so is the story. reader's voice is just so hard and grating to listen to.

Maggie - still naive

For all that Maggie has been through, her naïveté still remains. Wish she would mature a little.

Maggie helps me garden

listening to the non-taxing and we'll developed characters keeps me entertained when I am gardening. I really enjoy Historical fiction to keep my mind occupied when gardening. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Still a good listen

The narrator does a great job with the characters voices but all the narration is done with a very repetitive sing songy cadence that I can only listen to for awhile. I don't know why the producer didn't try to at least subdue it a bit. Maybe that's how the English always read???