Paradise Plagued

Court of Mystery, Book 2

By: Sarah E. Burr

Narrated by: Melissa Green

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Fans of the Ducal Detective Mysteries won't want to miss the dawning of a new era for Duchess Jacqueline Arienta Xavier.

With her new husband by her side, the Duchess looks to reform the Realm of Virtues, promoting equality and advancement for all. Her vision, while pure at heart, is seen as a play for power by other leaders, and opposition grows fierce. Will the Duchess be able to restore peace throughout the Realm of Virtues, or will she be forced to retreat into the shadows?

Three months after her wedding, Duchess Jacqueline Arienta Xavier is finally taking a well-deserved break. With tensions high among the duchies, the Duchess leaves Saphire under the cover of night, disguised as Lady Victoire, a highborn noble, setting off to the deserts of Kwatalar with her husband and closest friends. They arrive at Ogdam Oasis, an estate known for its shimmering sands and relaxing spring water pools. Jax thinks she has the perfect romantic getaway planned, until she stumbles into a dead body, hanging from the rafters of the estate's greenhouse. Baffled by the guest's sudden suicide, her past run-ins with death help Jax uncover something more shocking: The guest was murdered. It's up to Jax, Perry, and their friends to reveal what the desert sands have long kept buried.

The next era of Duchess Jacqueline's reign is here.

Welcome to the Court of Mystery.

Discover how the Duchess rose to power in the Ducal Detective Mysteries:

The Ducal Detective

A Feast Most Foul

A Voyage of Vengeance

A Summit in Shadow

Throne of Threats

The Duchess's story continues in the Court of Mystery saga:

The Ducal Detective Mysteries: A Court of Mystery Anthology

Paradise Plagued

Burdened Bloodline

Sovereign Sieged

Crown of Chaos

Harrowed Heir

©2018, 2020 Sarah E. Burr (P)2020 Sarah E. Burr

entertaining

I enjoyed seeing the characters grow and develop. I liked listening to Jax's mind ferret out clues and such. Twists and turns I happy followed until the end. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job.

A Mystery That Deserves Some Royal Detective Work!

Before reading this book, I highly recommend reading 'The Ducal Detective Mysteries' first.
It's a collection of 5 books (+ a perfect short story) that together form the first book in this 'Court of Mystery' series.

A big part of my enjoyment of 'Paradise Plagued' is due to already knowing the characters, getting to know them even better and seeing their relationships develop throughout all their adventures.
I also think the politics and intrigues in this book are harder to place without the prior knowledge.

Paradise Plagued
Jax is trying to make some changes to The Realm of Virtues, promoting equal rights for commoners and noble families alike.
Of course not everyone is like minded and the changes are met with opposition.
To get away from all the tension, threats and hard work, our friends retreat to the Ogdam Oasis in Kwatalar for a well deserved vacation.
For security reasons the whole group is in disguise. (which made for some funny moments!)
What was supposed to be a relaxing getaway turns serious when Jax stumbles upon a dead body.
Suicide or something more sinister?
A new mystery that (of course) deserves some Royal detective work!

I really enjoyed this book. It's the perfect continuation of the series.
I loved the setting of the idyllic Oasis and it was so much fun to see our friends embrace their disguises.
Just imagine Perry being in charge (for a change), George only being a valet and Uma playing Perry's sister.. This was FUN!

Like the previous book, this is mostly a Mystery, suitable for Adults (like me, I'm 37) and Young Adult alike. (no sex or swearing)
I love the writing style, world building, character development and tone.
It's witty, fun and entertaining yet also serious, mature and believable.

The narration is once again wonderfully done by Melissa Green, her performance is highly enjoyable and professional.
She really is a perfect match for this series!
I cross my fingers she continues to narrate the rest of the series.

If you (like me) loved 'The Ducal Detective Mysteries', I guarantee you're gonna love this too.

I got this Audio Book for free (thanks!). I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
Opinions and ratings are my own and not influenced by how I got the Audio Book.

ANOTHER GREAT STORY

ANOTHER GREAT NOVEL IN THE DUCAL DETECTIVE SERIES.
THE STORY IS EXTREMELY WELL-WRITTEN AND EASY TO FOLLOW. ACCEPTABLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
STORY IS FULL OF THRILL, INTRIGUE, ADVENTURE, SUSPENSE AND LOTS OF LAUGHS. THE NARRATOR IS GREAT AND EASY TO FOLLOW.

Everything is not quite what it seems!!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Wow, I love how The author Sarah makes the desert look soo beautiful. I live in a Sonoran desert and it has a beauty all its own. I love how she embraces the desert and it’s beauties along with the well known heat.
This is definitely a plot so twisted. The first half of the book you are wondering right along with Jax about why this particular man was murdered, what could he have done that got him killed. Then a certain discovery makes the case take a sharp turn in an unexpected direction.
Oh this was a delicious book. And the narration was a perfect performance, the accents are truly amazing!
A great way to continue the ducal detective series!!

Another Mystery Solved

And, another new struggle. I love the fact that each book in this series does not have a cliffhanger. Yet, let's you know there's more to come!
This audio was given to me in exchange for an unbiased opinion.