The Heir

A Young Queen Victoria Mystery, Book 1

De: Darcie Wilde

Narrado por: Marian Hussey

The young Victoria remembers nothing but Kensington Palace. Arriving as a baby, she has been brought up inside its musty, mold-ridden walls. Others may see the value of Kensington's priceless artifacts and objets d'art, but the palace is a jail cell for young Victoria. Watched at all times by her mother, the controlling, German-born Victoire, and Victoire's prized advisor, the power-hungry Sir John Conroy, the bright fifteen-year-old is allowed no freedom at any time—except that which she steals or wheedles for, always in the company of Conroy's resentful daughter, Jane.

But one fateful afternoon, Victoria slips away from her mother to ride out on her beloved gelding, Prince. With reluctant Jane in tow, the princess gallops out from the palace green. But what would normally be an uneventful trot around very familiar terrain presents the mutinous princess with a most bewildering sight—a dead man, and on the grounds of the palace, no less.

Determined to get to the bottom of the inscrutable puzzle, young Victoria is met with shocking disrespect and any number of obstacles. Sir John lies to her, her uncles and aunts join with her mother to stonewall her questions and curtail her movements. But Victoria will not be deterred. With Jane Conroy as a tentative and untrustworthy ally, Victoria's first "case" is underway....

©2025 Darcie Wilde (P)2025 Highbridge Audio

excellent story and we'll worth your time

Her characters are vivid and well written. The plot is very well written and engaging. I kept listening long after I should have gone to bed.

Feels like a solid start to a series

I liked it. It was entertaining. It felt more YA. Like Enola Holmes with less chaos.

MAGNIFICENT WRITING AND BEAUTIFUL VOICE INTERPRETATION

A well-written story of young Victoria's life.
One can believe this with her wisdom and sharp intellect. Palace life was not then nor is it now as enchanting as we are inclined to believe.
An intriguing mystery of misplaced trust and finding truth.
I've been a fan of Ms Wilde's writing for some time. Exceptional writer of mysteries. Love them all. This latest may hit the top of my list. But then I say that after each one ends.

A Story Fitting for a Queen

History at its best as Darcie Wilde does it again by weaving together a story of history and intrigue. I loved getting to know a young version the future Queen Victoria as a 16 year old who in her efforts to find independence finds the unexpected.
Well written and excellent narration all coming together to make this a hard story to put down. Outstanding!