The Unknown Ajax

This is the story of Lord Darracott bringing his heir to his estate so he can whip him into shape for his interitance. The Lord, nor any of his family, have ever met the heir because the Lord never thought the estate would go to him (there were two others ahead of him). In fact the Lord never told his family that the person even existed. The new heir was born to a son that the Lord had thrown out of the house and his life because of what the Lord thought was a very imprudent marriage.

The new heir comes to the estate to meet the family. As the family sizes him up, he is also taking their measure. I love the heir (his name is Hugh). I think Hugh is one of Heyer's best characters in all her novels. There are also some other truly great characters in Unknown Ajax. Hugh's cousins are all vivid characters with totally different personalities. Of course there is a romance involved (a very entertaining one) and I find this to be one of the most humourous of Heyer's novels. The scene at the end of the book (all the activity relating to "the shooting") is so funny I lauched until I cried. In fact, I found the book even funnier in the audible version (and this reader's performance) than it was when I read it. What a wonderful book. It is one of my favorite Audible purchases.

A lot of this book hinges on the voices and accents of key characters, and they're so well done here they enhance the story. This is my favorite Heyer narrator so far; wish he'd done more of them.

As always, Georgette Heyer is a delight!!! Daniel Philpott's narration was perfect!!!

This is a good book that was well read by a reader who was easily able to distinguish between the different characters. The book was more amusing than I had remembered. Very enjoyable listening.

I have read and re-read Georgette Heyers for more years than I care to count. The Unknown Ajax has always been a favorite yet I derived new pleasure and more enjoyment from the fabulous voicing of the main character Hugo. Reading it myself, I was never able to do justice to the language or the subtle humour that comes out when someone reads it well and with the right sort of accent. What a pleasure!

...but it finishes well! The hero is like those people you like, but are a little irritated with because of what appears to be simple-mindedness. But I should have known Georgette Heyer better than that! It has all the Usual Suspects, the highborn but slightly impoverished aristocrats, the beautiful daughter, the irrascible old patriarch, disappointed Second Son, and assorted dandies, caustic-tongued young men, and pink-cheeked innocents. Stir in some mysterious ghostly doings, and a nice bit of history, and this story is most palatable.

Georgette Heyer writes a wonderful authentic period romance, the depth is there to make it a realistic and interesting story.

I have loved Georgette Heyer books since..forever. Each and everyone is a joy. I love that she writes a good story, the characters are believable, the clothes are something I would love to see. How many times can a person say wonderful in a review?
The narrator is just right and makes the book come to life.

Both the narrator's performance and the storyline was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed both. The characters were believable. I loved the way the plot developed. Was humorous and suspenseful.

I loved the Major for both his moral standards and sense of humour.

Mr. Philpott has a wonderful voice. However, his betrayal of each of his characters brought them to life. Georgette Heyer would have approved of Mr. Philpott's portrayal of them.

The hero, of course! I would be thoroughly entertained just by listening to his talking about his travels and the people around him.

This is a really good audio book. I definitely recommend it.

Loved all the characters. It started off as a comedy of manners. All of the family was in a dither about this unknown cousin inheriting the Baronacy and the estate. Since his father had married a weaver's daughter, they were expecting a country bumpkin.

The, ghosts, the smuggling and the "coverup".

I liked his narration, but I couldn't understand the Major's groom.

Of course, the Major, but the young lad also.

This is a witty book and a romance almost as an afterthought. I listened to it straight through. Very few books are as entertaining and keep my attention so that I don't put it down.