The Impersonator

By: Mary Miley

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1924, a young vaudeville actress takes on the role of a lifetime when she impersonates a missing heiress in The Impersonator, the 2012 MB/MWA First Novel Competition winner.

In 1917, Jessie Carr, fourteen years old and sole heiress to her family's vast fortune, disappeared without a trace. Now, years later, her uncle Oliver Beckett thinks he's found her: a young actress in a vaudeville playhouse is a dead ringer for his missing niece. But when Oliver confronts the girl, he learns he's wrong. Orphaned young, Leah's been acting since she was a toddler.

Oliver, never one to miss an opportunity, makes a proposition - with his coaching, Leah can impersonate Jessie, claim the fortune, and split it with him. The role of a lifetime, he says. A one-way ticket to Sing Sing, she hears. But when she's let go from her job, Oliver's offer suddenly looks a lot more appealing. Leah agrees to the con but secretly promises herself to try and find out what happened to the real Jessie. There's only one problem: Leah's act won't fool the one person who knows the truth about Jessie's disappearance.

Set against a Prohibition-era backdrop of speakeasies and vaudeville houses, Mary Miley's The Impersonator will delight readers with its elaborate mystery and lively prose.

©2013 Mary Miley Theobald (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

A wonderful story, very well done

I just loved this book, I will be getting the next one immediately. The main character is charming and clever, and a refreshing new kind of detective. Young but not naive, worldly enough not to frustrate a modern reader but not too cynical and not magically aware of modern forensics or investigative techniques. It can be a balancing act writing mysteries set in the past but Mary Miley pulled it off.

I hope to encounter many of the side characters again soon. The narrator was quie skillful and I hope she voices all the books.

Unexpected surprise

This story was an unexpected surprise based on my expectation for some reason & was really an enjoyable listen. I liked how the story line & characters were all set up. I plan to look for another story by this author.

Surprising final story

Fun to listen to. The story was Christie like. Parts of the story were predictable but others I didn’t see coming.

A Very Satisfying Listen

Yes, the story is preposterous, but I loved that the flawed characters - including the protagonist - were meted out justice at the end.

I'm not sure...

...if I'll try the next one. The plot had more twists and turns than a rattle snake and I enjoyed the story. I know I'm in the minority here, but, for me, the narration was very distracting. Although the narrator is very good, her choice of voice for Jessie, the main character, sounded too young and too whiney. I did go in and slow the timing down, and that helped a bit but not enough. There were several other characters and their voices fit very well. I'm simply not sure I can listen to any more Jessie, though.

Absolute gem!

Amazing book, so happy it was included in the audible catalogue. I already bought the sequel. Tavia Gilbert is one of my favorite narrators! That’s what drew me to this book as well as the story taking place during The Jazz Age. I am now a huge fan of this author as well! The writing is very descriptive and elegant. Great dialogue and clearly knows the 1920s well. The premise is very compelling, kind of a twist on Anastasia only much better! The plot is very intricate so this book is for serious readers only. If you space out for even a sentence or two, you are likely to miss something pivotal.

(Spoilers) The action starts right away after you are quickly drawn into the MC’s world. She is instantly likable and I love the voice Tavia gives her. I was so intrigued by Jessie and was on the edge of my seat the whole time wondering if she was still alive or not. I couldn’t decide which outcome would be better. The description of Uncle Oliver is initially very amusing but I never expected the true extent of his lack of scruples.

The family tree of Jessie is very elaborate so the reader must really pay attention. I loved all of the characters and while I normally prefer multiple POVs, it made the mystery stronger not to know what was going on in any of the other characters heads. It was clear at least one of them knew or had some inkling of Jessie’s fate and the puzzle pieces that are found are exciting to push together.

I felt the focus on the other murdered girls to be a bit unnecessary, part of me wished the story only focused on Jessie but I suppose it was all connected. I def suspected that Henry was up to something but I never foresaw what a true monster he was. I’m glad justice was served but I felt very bad for his mother in the end! I guess initially Henry feared that Jessie may have somehow escaped the cave and returned for revenge. The possibilities were endless for Jessie’s fate and that’s what made it so exciting.

I loved how connected the MC felt to Jessie and I loved the twist in the end! I was hoping something like that would happen, especially after she got so attached to the family. There was plenty of groundwork lain for this surprise too. The best scene is when the MC is crying, waiting to die and communicating with Jessie. It means so much more when you know they are blood. So sad that they never got to meet but Leah gets to meet her family, the same family poor Jessie lost.

I was surprised Leah didn’t rat out Uncle Oliver and it’s humorous that he actually did end up being her uncle. I can’t believe he did that to her precious belongings after she covered for him! The parts with David were a tad cringe at times since he believed her to be his sister but that was funny when he immediately kissed her in relief upon hearing the truth. I did not at all expect the twist about him in the end.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the jazz age and this author/narrator. Also perfect for mystery lovers. It does not disappoint! Enjoy!

Awesome story

A very well written story and a great narrator. Lots of ‘red herrings’ that kept me guessing until the end!

FIVE Stars

Truly well written with interesting plot and characters throughout. No bad language, no loose ends.

Great book

i really enjoyed everything about this book. So many turns and surprises. This could make a wonderful movie.

Excellent Listen!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Tavia Gilbert does an excellent job with the narration. Her voices and timing bring out the most in the story.

The storyline twists and turns in unexpected ways, the characters are relatable and fun to know, and the pacing is spot-on.

If you are looking for a light, period murder mystery, look no further. I could not recommend this more highly.