The Debutante's Code

Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries Series, Book 1

De: Erica Vetsch

Narrado por: Kim Bretton

Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series

Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies - and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.

Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors - not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.

Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?

©2021 Erica Vetsch (P)2022 Tantor

Loved this!

Great story - entertaining and well written. Narrator did a wonderful job differentiating the characters, although she should work on making some of the male characters sound more masculine. I really appreciate how the author didn't shy away from mentioning God - very refreshing in today's culture. Could use more of that in my opinion. Can't wait to listen to the next installment!

Intriguing Story

I enjoyed the story and the characters very much. However, I felt the story ended too soon with the reader left to write their own ending.
Great narration.

Fun but voiced by the wrong narrator

Fun, clean story with a couple of TSTL moments. However, the narrator was not the right fit. Overall, the voice is much too "chipper" for the mystery and seriousness of an espionage story. The older aristocratic characters sounded ancient. Even the debutantes sounded old. In addition, there were too many odd pronunciations of common words. Character wise, Uncle Bertie is a kick. and I enjoyed the inclusion of Marcus, Duke of Haverly, from the author's earlier Regency series Serendipity & Secrets. However, I won't purchase additional audiobooks in this series performed by this particular narrator, who is better suited for the lighthearted romance stories I've purchased and listened to in the past.

Satisfying

Good reason. How does she do so many voices? Gripping story. I loved it. If there is a sequel, I’ll find it.

Good but lacks Romance, Narration a bit rough

It was a good story and I liked the mystery process but the surprise at the end was kind 9f a let down and felt like it lacked some explanation. Too many Qs were trying to be answered in a very very short period but some of the main Qs are still a problem because I think it is supposed to feel like a mini Cliffhanger. My biggest disappointment comes in yhe absenteeism of any romance between the main characters. They interact some but hardly speak or develop any type of friendly relationship. It felt like a huge let down. I will read the next book in the series while keeping my fingers crossed 🤞.

The narrator sometimes mixed up her accents and that made figuring out who was speaking confusing. She also misprounced certain words which was funny but frustrating.