Ruritanian Rogues: Volumes 1-3

De: Richard Storry

Narrado por: Jake Urry

While an ugly war with its neighbouring realm continues to rage, the insulated members of Ruritania’s upper class laugh and dance their way through their superficial lives. Some people, increasingly disillusioned by the pointless conflict, start to consider how the king might be persuaded - or forced - to end it. Meanwhile, an increasing number of items of great value are going missing from those attending these high society gatherings. At whom will the finger of suspicion point? Who can be trusted? What is the reason behind the unexplained spate of deaths at the Zenda Hotel? Who are the mysterious figures who meet in secret in the nearby caves? And what is the real agenda of the sinister Lord Marek Richter? Discover the answers to these questions, and more, in Ruritanian Rogues.

©2017 Richard Storry (P)2018 Richard Storry

Good book, fantastic reading

I got this book for free for a honest review.

So this was both my first Richard Storry book and my first Jake Urry book. I think the books where good, with a little minus for the middle part, that feels maybe a bit long? But I really really recommend this book, and saying that Jake is the star of this book with all his voices is a saying it all. He is just THAT fantastic, and I can't wait for both of them to make more books, so I can enjoy it.

Absolutely Loved It

I absolutely loved this trilogy! The tales have mystery, suspense, danger, and quite a bit of humor. There is an ongoing war, traitors, and enough political machinations to make your head spin. I couldn't feel too harshly toward the "gentleman thief" who nonetheless does the right things when it really counts and peoples' lives are on the line, and you can't help but feel for his put upon friend/manservant. The stories have plenty of surprising twists, and it was fun to try to figure out what was going on and who the villains were ahead of the reveal in the story. I am eager for the next book to see how the story continues on.

I love Jake Urry's narration! In fact, it was listening to the book sample and his voice that made me get the audiobook. He is fantastic at providing individual and varied voices, and perfectly hits the right notes to express the emotions, attitudes, and humor in the story.

I highly recommend this audiobook to everyone. I will certainly be listening to it again.

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

Fantastic Trilogy for One Credit!

I received this audiobook free at my request and am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Looming of Vultures, A Nest of Vipers, and A Shroud of Darkness are each great stories in their own right, but when you can get all three for a single credit, what's not to love? Wonderful storytelling and amazing world building. Great narration by Jake Urry was also outstanding!

A Most Likable Gentleman Thief

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

In a fantastical world full of intrigue and subterfuge, the gentleman thief Rudolph appears to be the most trustworthy of all the nobles. You cannot but like him and, at the same time feel sorry for Wilhelm, his faithful manservant, who tries his best to make an honest person of his wayward master. The storylines on all the books of this trilogy are all intriguing and will keep you guessing almost to the end. The writing is pleasant and the narration truly masterful. What's more, in each book, I found a pletora of secondary characters that made the stories so much more interesting and complex. Definitely a series you don't want to miss...

A richly written story with mystery and humor.

I wasn't too far into "A Looming of Vultures" before I began to imagine this story being translated into a TV program, where it could easily fit into the "Masterpiece Mysteries" series on PBS. (The same is true for the second and third books of the Ruritanian Rogues series, as well.) Humor abounds amongst all three books. The banter between main characters Baron Rudolph von Mayerling (Rudy) and his manservant, Wilhelm (Willy), gives the Rogues series its zest and delightfulness. One might mistake them for an old married couple at times, but these two characters help to create balance between haughty aristocratic life and the darker, more mysterious corners of Strelsau. Before starting the series, I had read just enough of the book's description to pique my interest but was ultimately surprised at how well written and executed the Rogues books were. It wasn't long before I had lost myself completely in the decadent, turn-of-the-century European town of Strelsau, where lies and accusations live alongside thievery and murder. In Strelsau, appearances will deceive you, and you never know who, or what, is in the shadows, lying patiently in wait for the opportunity to strike.

It is Jake Urry's narration that takes this story straight up and out into the stratosphere. With equal parts charm and mystique, Urry provides a warm, natural, and professional performance that truly enhances the written word. There is no other voice that could breath life into Storry's creation quite like Mr. Urry. The same could be said of his narration for books 2 and 3 of the series, as well. Storry and Urry make a decidedly formidable team.

(I was given a free review copy of this audiobook at my request, and I have voluntarily written this review.)