Seven for a Secret

By: Lyndsay Faye

Narrated by: Steven Boyer

Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

From Edgar-nominated author Lyndsay Faye comes the next book in what Gillian Flynn calls, "a brilliant new mystery series."

Six months after the formation of the NYPD, its most reluctant and talented officer, Timothy Wilde, thinks himself well versed in his city's dark practices - until he learns of the gruesome underworld of lies and corruption ruled by the "blackbirders," who snatch free Northerners of color from their homes, masquerade them as slaves, and sell them South to toil as plantation property.

The abolitionist Timothy is horrified by these traders in human flesh. But in 1846, slave catching isn't just legal - it's law enforcement.

When the beautiful and terrified Lucy Adams staggers into Timothy's office to report a robbery and is asked what was stolen, her reply is, "My family." Their search for her mixed-race sister and son will plunge Timothy and his feral brother, Valentine, into a world where police are complicit and politics savage, and corpses appear in the most shocking of places. Timothy finds himself caught between power and principles, desperate to protect his only brother and to unravel the puzzle before all he cares for is lost.

©2013 Lyndsay Faye (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"New York must have been a helluva town in 1846...Timothy Wilde, who rescued child prostitutes in Lyndsay Faye’s rip-roaring novel The Gods of Gotham, returns." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Atmospheric and exciting." (The Wall Street Journal)

"Memorable lead characters." (The Oregonian)

As Good as Gods go Gotham

Lindsey Faye is a fantastic author! The story is very well written and I would listen to any book written by her . You can’t go wrong.

Tame for my taste

I wanted something grittier, darker. It started like it was going to be intense, but then took a safe turn. It wasn't horrible so I finished it, but I was anxious for it to be over. Parts of the story and character behavior didn't mesh as well as I think the author wanted. But this is my opinion.

The reading was good. I found some voices seemed out of character. Like his landlady, she sounded like an older woman, but turns out to be not much older than Timothy. Valentine however was marvelous. I found myself wanting more and more of him. He was by far the most interesting person in the story. I'd love a book on his exploits.

I couldn’t get past the dreadful narration

The first two books were great, but the narrator changed for this third installment. I’m so disappointed. Love the historic NYC setting and the characters, but the narration is dreadful.

Not as good as her first

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I found myself gritting my teeth at times because of how closely this book mirrored her first book, by which I was thoroughly charmed, but I think I was hoping this second book would reach a little further. Val is by far the most interesting and developed character, with the hero of the story constantly expressing his negative feelings for Val, his bro. In all fairness,, the story line has moved a little in that at least now the hero's feelings are a little more complex and less black and white toward his brother, but not enough for my taste.

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

I enjoy historical fiction, so little bits and pieces of what life was like in NYC, one of my favorite cities, is always nice to have. It was not all that long ago, yet times were very, very hard for so many people. The Irish were considered absolute trash, nice to remember when we get on our high horse about undesirable immigrants in these days.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narrator does a good job. I have no problem seeing him as main character. I also like how he does the female parts - no silly falsetto but he is nonetheless convincing. I will look for other books narrated by him. I'm not sure but that he may be the main thing I like about the author's books!

Was Seven for a Secret worth the listening time?

It was, but I hope her 3rd book is a little less annoying.