Otherwise Engaged

By: Amanda Quick

Narrated by: Louise Jane Underwood

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Miss Amity Doncaster, world traveler, is accustomed to adventure and risk. Benedict Stanbridge, a man of science and a spy for the Crown, has faced danger in the darker corners of foreign lands. But they are about to face a threat that is shockingly close to home . . . One does not expect to be kidnapped on a London street in broad daylight. But Amity Doncaster barely escapes with her life after she is trapped in a carriage with a blade-wielding man in a black silk mask who whispers the most vile taunts and threats into her ear.

Her quick thinking, and her secret weapon, save her … for now. But the monster known in the press as the Bridegroom, who has left a trail of female victims in his wake, has survived the wounds she inflicts and will soon be on his feet again.

He is unwholesomely obsessed by her scandalous connection to Benedict Stanbridge - gossip about their hours alone in a ship’s stateroom seems to have crossed the Atlantic faster than any sailing vessel could. Benedict refuses to let this resourceful, daring woman suffer for her romantic link to him - as tenuous as it may be.

For a man and woman so skilled at disappearing, so at home in the exotic reaches of the globe, escape is always an option. But each intends to end the Bridegroom’s reign of terror in London, and will join forces to do so. And as they prepare to confront an unbalanced criminal in the heart of the city they love, they must also face feelings that neither of them can run away from…

©2014 Jayne Ann Krentz (P)2014 Recorded Books

Not so romantic murder mystery

It's nice to see Jayne Anne Krentz take a break from the paranormal theme she's exhausted in her other recent works. The seemingly endless parade of bizarre psychic talents she's been inventing for her heroines was starting to pall.

But apart from that, this is pretty much an Amanda Quick romance by the numbers. The usual elements are all there: unconventional career woman meets rich, scientifically-minded hero and are forced into an engagement of appearances to protect the lady's reputation. They find true love while searching for a mentally unbalanced villain who is killing off the young women of London. Meanwhile, the unconventional heroine's sister is involved in a secondary romance of her own.

After a workmanlike sex scene or two and a few misunderstandings and false starts, the couple declare their love and live happily ever after. They also track down the villain plus accomplices, and save England from foreign threats.

The characters are likable enough, if not quite believable given the historical setting, and there's nothing strictly wrong with the story, but it does feel as though Ms Krentz is losing her interest in the romance genre and wants to focus more on the mystery elements. There is no spark or chemistry between the lovers and the plot surrounding the missing notebook and the murdered women received far more attention.

On the whole it was a formulaic effort but enjoyable enough, and I marked it slightly higher than I perhaps should have, because I'm so happy that there were no mirror talents to be found.

The performance of the narrator is similarly, pretty average. She read competently enough but did not distinguish herself. Perhaps she is new and will improve with time.

Kill the reader

The reader destroyed this book. Her impersonation of a male voice felt like chalk on a blackboard. Every man sounded hoarse and mean with the way she barked. I imagined the males as old men. It was difficult to think that any one of them could be handsome and young. I hoe I never have to sit through listening to this reader ever again. yuck

Okay…

Good story with a twisting plot. Do not like this narrator, some stories are ruined by horrible narrator’s, this one would be better read than listened to.

I get annoyed with authors who present the lead character, in this case Amity, as moody, testy, and dim witted through most of the story. It makes you wonder if the author is really male.

Even though this book annoyed me constantly it was still good enough to finish.

Terrible Narrator

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This was a formulaic story, with predictable characters, and a terrible narrator.

Would you be willing to try another book from Amanda Quick? Why or why not?

I love her books, but this must have been an early one.

How could the performance have been better?

You couldn't tell the difference between the character's voices.

Interesting Plot

While I enjoyed the story, I really didn't enjoy the narration. I found the narrator's style grating. Much of thenarratiion sounded over the top. Many other narrators would have done a better narration.

Hooked

One of my favorite authors. I've listened to and read most of the Amanda Quick books 3 or 4 times since I listened to them for the first time 5 or 6 years ago.
The narrator is good, but not one of my favorites.

Meh story. Terrible narration

Not sure what is the matter here. The story Judy did not grip me at all. And the narrator has every voice sounding like a parody of a stuck up upper class Brit. Very annoying. I finished it. I think I’m masochistic. Maybe I need counseling. Read other books by Amanda Quick. Skip this one.

Love

Fast paced very interesting. Intriguing. Great characters. Love this author. Will keep you guessing until the end:

Great story, unnecessary illicit scenes

I really enjoyed the story overall, but was disappointed that there were some illicit scenes. This was my first book from this author, and she writes a good story, but this is not a book I'd feel comfortable listening to with my grandmother or children in the car. The illicit scenes could have easily been removed, and we're unnecessary to the story. I wish they hadn't been there as I really appreciated the rest of the book.

Outstanding!

I have long been a fan of Amanda Quick. From her quirky characters to the plot and dialog. this book delivers it all. I do want to add that I listened to the audio book. The narration was outstanding and actually added to the ambience. Well done!