Devil on Horseback

By: Victoria Holt

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

With worldwide sales of over 56 million of her novels, Victoria Holt is one of the most popular romantic suspense novelists of all time. Anyone who enjoyed her novel, The Shadow of the Lynx, will be eager to devour another of her unforgettable tales.

Enamored by the handsome and arrogant Charles-Auguste, a wealthy French aristocrat, 18-year-old Minella is drawn into a complicated world of danger, betrayal, and murder. Denying her own suspicion that he has murdered his wife, she struggles with her fascination for the seductive and mysterious count. Against the backdrop of the incipient French Revolution, Minella’s life becomes a series of adventures that all lead to an exciting and unexpected climax. Davina Porter’s passionate narration transports readers back to a time when romance was a prerequisite to sex and family. Reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities, the historic setting and the powerful heroine captivate any reader who enjoys a book that is impossible to put down.

©1977 Victoria Holt (P)1997 Recorded Books, LLC

Exasperating Heroine

I would have given this 5 stars if I had liked the heroine a bit better. Not that she was a bad lot but she was so stubborn and so overly analytical that I wanted to reach into the story and shake her. Perhaps that was one of the charms. She was flawed and therefore realistic.

The story was true to period and was obviously strongly influenced by Tale of Two Cities and Jane Eyre. I really enjoyed it. This was my first dip into Victoria Holt/Jean Plaidy. I read a lot of historical fiction from other authors. It didn’t end quite the way I expected, but pretty close. It’s always pleasant when you can guess what’s coming next and you end up being right. This author rewards her readers with those easy wins.

The reader did a splendid job with all the voices and accents. She definitely added something to the experience.

Victoria Holt is always a favorite

I have read Victoria Holt novels since a teenager. I. Can’t remember how many times I read this book. It was an interesting perspective listening to it

For Victoria Holt readers

There is something so lovely about Victoria Holt’s writing style. It may seem deliberate and even slow, but she creates a mood and setting in each of her books. This one isn’t her best, and it certainly follows a familiar pattern, but it is still wonderful to revisit. Excellent narration. Please, Audible, more Victoria Holt with worthy narrators.

Potential but Lacks Character Development.

What did you like best about Devil on Horseback? What did you like least?

I was initially very excited when I began listening to this book, but as the story wore on, I found it extremely redundant. Minella is almost insufferable with her agonizing thoughts of The Comte, and is constantly going against her gut instincts. She then blames others for holding her captive of the bad decisions she makes. I found myself arguing aloud and practically pulling my hair out when she would go on long-winded and repetitive ruminations. I also found her constant and vocal self-deprecation in social settings to be annoying. "I'm just a poor girl from a poor family" Well, then go home, Minella. Go. Home.

The Comte was so one dimensional, I could not imagine why she felt so oddly attracted to him. He was mostly horrible, with one or two charming qualities, but not in the least redeemable.

Davina Porter is the only saving grace. She is magnificent in all of the narrations I've heard, and "The Devil on Horseback" is no different. Her ability to carry several characters throughout a novel is incredible, and her use of accents and intonation are, seriously, more than any listener could ask for. I absolutely love her voice. It's comforting and beautiful. I could listen to her all day.

Overall, I was disappointed that the story was not as exciting as it could have been, and the characters were so unlikeable, to me, that I found myself aggravated and thankful when it was finally over.

Wasn’t what I was expecting

I thought it would be a romance novel but (spoiler) they kiss maybe twice. Not what I was looking for.

Oh what a mind she had!

Loved it, not for kissing and gooey love stories - but rather for Ms Holt's ability to keep one interested. Not for everyone's tastes, perhaps. But, for a lover of literature and a stylistic approach, bravo, Ms Holt.

Fairly predictable

Davina porter never disappoints. The story is a bit repetitious and predictable. Not sure I would buy another by this author.

I wanted to like this...

I downloaded this book because it was written by Jean Plaidy and read by Davina Porter. I have read something near 15 of Plaidy's books about Queens and listened to as many or more books narrated by Davina Porter, so I had high expectations for this one. The narrator is excellent, as expected, but the story was nothing like those I am used to under the pen name of Jean Plaidy. This was 20% history, 20% misc. story, 60% sappy romance...not the balance I am looking for, but if you like historical romances you might be quite satisfied.

Great

I found myself actually setting aside a time to listen, rather than just picking it up when a there was a null in the day. Davina Porter is an excellent performer.

Entertaining but the accents annoy

I listened to this book because of the narrator Davina Porter who is usually exceptional. However, the German accents for French were grating. Story was well devised historically.