The Temptation of the Night Jasmine

By: Lauren Willig

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

A New York Times extended list best seller and the exciting fifth book in the national best selling Pink Carnation series.

After years abroad, Robert, Duke of Dovedale, has returned to England to avenge the murder of his mentor. To uncover the murderer's identity, he must infiltrate the infamous, secret Hellfire Club. But the Duke has no idea that an even more difficult challenge awaits him - in a mistaken, romantic-minded young lady.

Charlotte Lansdowne wistfully remembers the Robert of her childhood as a valiant hero among men. Too aware of his own flaws, Robert tries to dissuade Charlotte from her delusions, even as he finds himself drawn to her. When Charlotte takes up a bit of espionage-investigating a plot to kidnap the King-Robert soon realizes that she is more than the perfect partner in crime.

Caught in a dangerous game full of deadly spies and secret rites, Robert and Charlotte must work together to reveal the villain...and confront their true love.

©2009 Lauren Willig (P)2009 Penguin Audiobooks

I, too miss Kate Reading

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend this, but with reservations. The earlier books are more entertaining, and the Kate reading is the Voice of these books.

If you’ve listened to books by Lauren Willig before, how does this one compare?

This one was entertaining, but the thread of the French spy network was a bit forced this time.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Justine Eyre?

Kate reading should have been cast as the reader for this book, as with all the others. I did not think Justine Eyre was as terrible as some reviewers, but her attempt at a Welsh accent was disappointing, and her pretentious pronunciation of some words was irritating and discordant. Chiffon has a perfectly good English pronunciation, for instance and does not need a Frenchified lilt at the end. And yes, "El-oh-eese" not El-wahz." Why did producers not correct her?

Not pleased with the new narrator. At all.

As always, I enjoyed the story, but the new narrator has the worst British accent I've ever heard. Furthermore, "El-woz?" Seriously???

Ann

Great but really missed Kate Reading as narrator!

Kate Reading is the voice

I like Justine Eyre as a reader, but she just doesn't fit here. The tone, voice had already been established and she just doesn't have the voice to pull it off. As others have said, where was the director/editor to correct her pronunciations- that really annoyed me.

Love This Series!

I really don't understand all the complaints about the narrator. I thought Justine Eyre did a perfectly fine job. Although, since her last name is Eyre it’s slightly possible that I was partial to her before even hearing her :) But seriously, she did a good job. To me the main issue was that I'd listened to five books in a series which had all been narrated by the same person. Then they all of a sudden changed the narrator on book 6. I think if you give her a chance and go into it open-minded you'll find that she's different from Reading, but just as good.

This book was on par with the others in the series. Willig does not let you down. She continues to maintain her high level of intriguing writing. For those who may not be listening to the whole series, I don't think you'll have a problem. I recommend starting with book 1, but not because you'll miss anything important...just because it's such a fun series to listen to.

Narrator Change Mid-Series

The story itself was enjoyable as all the books in the Pink Carnation Series have been, but the change in narrator made the listening less that I had hoped.

Disapointment

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I was not happy with the change in performer in this novel. For a series, it's important to keep the same narrator. Justine Eyre did a good job, but I was missing Kate's voice. I'm sure many others felt the same because Kate returns in the next book.

Good story

I enjoyed this story, as I have all the books in this series. It was difficult to adjust to the new narrator. Good reader but not easy to follow because she didn’t have the voice inflections that Kate Reading does. I will be very happy to get Kate back in the next book!

Love the series but not crazy about this reader

What aspect of Justine Eyre’s performance would you have changed?

She is a decent reader but someone should have corrected her pronunciations. Among other things she can't pronounce Eloise--which is very jarring.

Any additional comments?

I'm enjoying this series. The characters and the stories are very entertaining and I enjoy the historical period. Nice light listening.

Reader’s range of character voices disappointing

Although the book was interesting, I think I would rather have purchased a physical copy and read it myself. Once a series has a reader, it’s not worth listening if a new reader is introduced.