A Matter of Loyalty

By: Anselm Audley, Elizabeth Edmondson

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

January 1954. Mists cover the hills around Selchester. Someone at the research facility known as the Atomic is leaking secrets to Soviet Russia, and when nuclear scientist Bruno Rothesay goes missing, the British Intelligence Services are convinced he's the mole. Hugo Hawksworth isn't so sure. Then a body turns up, and Hugo's instincts are proven correct. But if Rothesay wasn't selling secrets to the Soviets, who is?

As Hugo digs deeper into buried connections and unlikely coincidences, he knows there's more to this case than his London superiors believe. But following his instincts will pit him against the Establishment - and tangle him once again in the poisonous legacy of the late Lord Selchester.

As he closes in on the truth, Hugo finds himself confronted by an adversary who will stop at nothing, in a case that will prove the most personal of his career.

With a touch of Downton Abbey, a whisper of Agatha Christie and a nod to John Le Carré, A Matter Of Loyalty is the third and final book in this delightfully classic and witty murder-mystery series.

©2017 Anselm Audley & Elizabeth Edmondson (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

RIP To The Author

For those who might not know, the author Elizabeth unexpected passed away. This book was one which was created by meshing the earlier written scenes with Elizabeth's extensive historical notes and conversations from her final days. It was then put together by her co-author and editor, Ansley.

As someone who has read all the novels in this series I can say that this book remains true to form & on par with the first 2. There isn't a tone change or anything which would hint at a different author or a shake up. The story is a bit more complex and difficult to follow this time around with a lot of historical drama. However, that same well written British cozy is tucked in there all the same.

I don't believe there will be more than the 3 novels in this series, so I urge you to start at book 1 and go in order. It will make much more sense that way, as this is a chronological story.

16 of 16 people found this review helpful

With appreciation and regret

This is a personal note to Mr. Audley.
I want to thank you for bringing “A Matter of Loyalty” to life.
I respect your decision to leave your mother’s books as she wrote them, and I appreciate your informing devotees of these lovely stories that we can expect no more, and my wish that the saga might go on is not to be granted.
Thank you for giving us one more novel to enjoy.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

This has been a very fine series!

I have so enjoyed this short series. And I feel quite sad that the original author passed away while writing this book, but it was finished extremely well (or such I understand) by her son. I wish he might think about keeping the series going at some point.

This particular book involved the new American Earl of Selchester (Gus) and one of his daughters (Polly) as they are learning to be a part of the new life they are taking on, living with a title and a castle he has unexpectedly inherited. The characters from previous books remain living there (Hugo, his sister Georgia, Freyna and the others).

Story revolves around the death of a man thought to have been giving away post WWII British secrets to the soviets. However, it becomes very complicated and various people come under suspicion throughout the story. I think this book had the strongest ending of any in the series.

I so enjoy the characters, and the ambience of the area that has been created throughout the three books. And the narration has been excellent. I recommend reading all 3, from the beginning, as a very enjoyable experience. Great thanks to Anselm Audrey for completing his mother’s work. I’m sure the readers are all very grateful.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Very interesting characters and setting!

I know next to nothing about England in the 50s, so I wasn't sure I'd like this series. I very much do, though, and am sad that this is the last book. I was looking forward to seeing the characters grow and develop.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Another good book in this great series

Without giving anything away, I will say the Afterword made me very sad. But it also touched me deeply.

The characters in this series are well developed, and I enjoyed the story line as well.

I can recommend this series for any readers/listeners who like politcal intrigue set in this particular time and space.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Sad its the last book

Anselm did a wonderful job in picking up where her mother left off. She kept the same writing voice as her mother and it definitely was still another nail biter! I have really enjoyed reading this series and would highly recommend Elizabeth's voice will be missed in the littary world, but im so glad her daughter was able to give her a proper send off.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Poignant end to series

I've enjoyed this series enough to keep going, but this one was the most powerful, just because of the circumstances. That being said, it was a bit confusing and dragged at times, yet other parts were first rate. As I remember it, I think this one had more humour, which I enjoyed. In the afterward, the author, the son, said he had added one new character to his mother's story and I find myself speculating who that might be. I loved the Hungarian defector and his penchant for 'telling it like it is', plus the horrible inspector up from London as the character you love to hate. I wonder if either of those were the 'add-on'. This book at times began to feel like the mood of the Hamish MacBeth series by M.C.Beaton, one I greatly enjoyed. The author, the son, has said he won't be continuing with the series because they were his mother's stories. That's sad, but they gently wound up the loose ends we cared the most about at the close of the book.

I have to add that the narrator was amazing. At times the narration overshadowed the story, as I found myself thinking "Hmm, he's made that person Welsh". or "How does he do that with his voice?". He was startlingly good. I may be checking out what else he's narrated.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I really wish there would be more books!

I love this series! huge thanks and appreciation to Anselm Audley for completing this one. wonderful characters. would love to know what's next for various Selchester inhabitants!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great Characters, I Miss Them Already

I have really enjoyed this series of books. They are intriguing without being to violent. I have enjoyed how the characters and their relationships have developed. The backdrop of England after WW II is very interesting.

I was sad to hear about the authors death and can understand why her son would not want to continue the series but I also selflessly wish he would. I admit I have become attached to the characters and feel sad that I can't see how things develop between them all.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Loved this series

It is said that all good things must come to an end and so does this wonderful series. I was so saddened to learn of the authors sudden death and at the time wished someone could finish the series. Thank you to her son for stepping up and taking on this task. Loose ends were tied up and I got the spend time with the characters I’ve grown to love. I understand Mr. Audley not wishing to write more of the books his Mother had planned. Maybe someday he will change his mind and we can all return to Selchester.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Loved this, and sad that there'll be no more

A nice continuation of the stories in the two preceding books, with the characters and their relationships developing. A mysterious disappearance, a body, suspects, an unpleasant Special Branch inspector, twists and turns... All beautifully narrated by Michael Page.

So sad to learn of the author's untimely death. She will be missed by loved ones, friends and readers. I would have loved to read the rest of the stories she had in mind for these characters, but Anselm Audley left enough pointers when he finished his mother's work to show what she probably had in mind.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The last story

This has been a lovely series, and I was so pleased that this third book was finished by the authors son. The only downside is that the rest of the series won't be written, unless he changes his mind. Anselm Audley has done a great job of finishing this book, which she had hardly begun before her death.
There are areas of the story which had a slightly different feel to the previous two books, but very little, and I soon forgot it wasn't all written by Elizabeth Edmondson.
More than a mystery, you feel you know the characters and want to know more what happens. Thank you Anselm .

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

FANTASTIC

so Very sorry there will be no more Hugo and Georgia...very good from beginning to end.

loved it

really enjoyed the characters and the story line keeos you guessing want the series to go on

a brilliant series but too sad that there will be

a brilliant series but too sad there will be no more. excellent narrator well written plot.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful