Dukes, Drinks, and Murder

Victoria Parker Regency Mysteries, Book 1

By: Jennifer Monroe

Narrated by: Deborah Balm

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

After receiving a most unexpected personal invitation for a weekend of leisure and celebration, Miss Victoria Parker leaves London for the country seat of the Duke of Everton. Although unsure as to why a lowly spinster such as she would be invited anywhere by a duke, Victoria's trusted assistant, James Kensington, assures her it must concern her late father’s accounting firm, which she secretly runs.

Unfortunately for them both, James is dead wrong.

On the first night of her stay, events take a murderous turn when Victoria discovers her host dead from apparent poisoning. Worse still, the other guests believe Victoria may have played a part in the duke's untimely death.

With a killer on the loose and her name on the line, Victoria sets out to solve the mystery of His Grace's murder. But discovering "whodunit" might prove more difficult than she first believed; it seems everyone at Stanting Estate has a motive to want the duke dead.

Knowing that she cannot complete this task alone, Victoria turns to James for help. As the two work closely together, new feelings begin to emerge, yet Victoria attempts to suppress them. After all, it would not do to fall in love with an employee. For each clue she unravels, however, Victoria finds herself not only closer to unmasking the murderer, but closer to James, as well. Can she solve the murder before she loses both her reputation and her heart?

A cozy, romantic Regency murder mystery that will keep you guessing 'til the end.

©2021 Jennifer Monroe (P)2021 Jennifer Monroe

good mystery

I found many from the ton to be rude and crude along with entitled. Some didn't miss an opportunity to put the heroine down and in her so called place. Very irritating. I liked that the heroine found her voice and nerve in the end with the mystery and her personal life. I enjoyed it. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a good job.

A decent start to a series

~Disclaimer: I received a free audiobook copy of this book. I did purchase the kindle book myself to go with it.~

Narrator does a good job with bringing this story to life. The sample is pretty representative of the speed and style of the narrator.

I enjoyed Victoria. She has her moments of being a little silly, but I don’t think it makes her unlikeable. James is charming and I do wonder how their dynamic will develop in future books.

The interactions, namely the dialogue, was a bit of a weak point in this book. It just didn’t flow as naturally as it could have. I think that can be a bit of an issue with books with a historical setting and that has a mix of characters of different classes.

As far as the mystery, it was solidly developed. There was much to keep track of and it was an enjoyable listen.

classic mix of Elizabethan mystery and romance

(As posted in Goodreads)
It was a fun Victorian mystery. It wasn't particularly long, which was why I was able to finish it in a day, but the variety of suspects and possible motives was intriguing and engulfing. I do have to admit, that I had figured out the culprit early on, but even still, there were sufficient questions to leave me guessing. It made for a satisfying Saturday read/listen.

GREAT START

DUKES,DRINKS AND MURDER is the first in the Victoria Parker Regency Mysteries. It is a very entertaining cozy mystery by JENNIFER MONROE. WITH NARRATION BY DEBORAH BALM.

Victoria Parker, accountant and her helper James Kensington receive an invitation to the Duke of Everton,a very very important client. When Victoria and James arrive they are told the Duke is leaving for India and her very important client might be taking their accounting with him. The Duke has a houseful of guests, all of them beholden to the Duke. When Victoria finds the Duke dead of poisoning she is number one suspect,as she found the body. Its up to Victoria to find out who murdered the Duke in a houseful of business acquaintances and a houseful of family who arent too keen on the Duke.

As someone who loves historical mysteries as well as cozy mysteries ,I found this a very entertaining read. Deborah Balm did a great job with narration and voices. Not an easy job when you have two women bickering with each other ! I cant wait to listen to more of the series to see how the characters develop as well as how the plots develop

I recieved this audiobook free in exchange for a honest review..

Delightful Clean Regency Mystery

I have been on a kick this year for the Regency Mystery genre... I think they're just a fun escape from many of new the books in other categories coming out that seem to be sneaking in a push in the author's politics. This book is in line with other regencies mysteries and although I did enjoy it, I felt the pacing was a bit off and the main character seemed more clumsy then astute in figuring out the murder. That being said the characters were likable and I did myself invested and wanted to see how it ended. There were some good twists but without saying too much, I just wasn't shocked by the discovery of the murder... but I do listen to many so that could also explain it.

Parents- PG - No bad language, nothing graphic in the murder, there are situations that insinuate affairs, other insinuations made and amorous intentions put forward but that's as far as it goes.

The narrator did a great job and was enjoyable to listen to.

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

very interesting

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Interesting!

I did not know what to expect but I have enjoyed this authors books for a long time!

Charming and fun and i kept guessing at the murderer! Excellent narration. Cannot wait to hear more!

Beware of False Reviews...save your credit

I purchased this book based on the interesting description and the good reviews. Unfortunately it is poorly written and insipidly narrated. I was so disappointed that I came back to re-read the reviews and realized the majority had received the book for free in exchange for a review. I’ll be sure to keep a close eye out for that in the future.

What a ripoff.

This has to be one of the worst audio books ever. Too bad you can’t give a zero because that would be a more accurate review. How did this get published?