The Queen of Bedlam

A Matthew Corbett Novel, Book 2

By: Robert R. McCammon

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 23 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

His epic masterwork Speaks the Nightbird, a tour de force of witch hunt terror in a colonial town, was hailed by Sandra Brown as "deeply satisfying...told with matchless insight into the human soul."

Now, Robert McCammon brings the hero of that spellbinding novel, Matthew Corbett, to 18th-century New York, where a killer wields a bloody and terrifying power over a bustling city carving out its identity - and over Matthew's own uncertain destiny.

The unsolved murder of a respected doctor has sent ripples of fear throughout a city teeming with life and noise and commerce. Who snuffed out the good man's life with the slash of a blade on a midnight street? The local printmaster has labeled the fiend "the Masker," adding fuel to a volatile mystery...and when the Masker claims a new victim, hardworking young law clerk Matthew Corbett is lured into a maze of forensic clues and heart-pounding investigation that will both test his natural penchant for detection and inflame his hunger for justice.

In the strangest twist of all, the key to unmasking the Masker may await in an asylum where the Queen of Bedlam reigns - and only a man of Matthew's reason and empathy can unlock her secrets. From the seaport to Wall Street, from society mansions to gutters glimmering with blood spilled by a deviant, Matthew's quest will tauntingly reveal the answers he seeks - and the chilling truths he cannot escape.

©2007 Robert McCammon (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Mathew continues to entertain

What made the experience of listening to The Queen of Bedlam the most enjoyable?

The turn of words, old-fashioned ideas and ways of speech combined with the observations and deductive thinking of Mathew to solve mysteries makes for a very interesting story and good read.

Excellent

Great sequel full of twists and turns!
I am ready for the next brilliantly written book in this newly discovered series.

Another Excellent Listen

Would you consider the audio edition of The Queen of Bedlam to be better than the print version?

Yes, due to the talent of the narrator, Edoardo Ballerini.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Queen of Bedlam?

The sword-fighting episode, this had me sitting on the edge of my chair.

Have you listened to any of Edoardo Ballerini’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, "Speaks the Night Bird", his narration is excellent.

Who was the most memorable character of The Queen of Bedlam and why?

Definitely Matthew Corbett, who is so good at unravelling the mystery.

Any additional comments?

Robert McCammon's books are very well worthwhile purchasing. His description of the times is excellent.

Matthew gets settled into his never dull new life!

I enjoyed this novel. The historical depiction of the time is very well done. The character's growth and development is well developed also. The story is well thought out and has a lot of surprises continually being weaved in and out throughout. Though I must say that one thing about the story that annoyed me in Books 1&2, is that the character can be a little whiny at times when being taught/shown things for his own good, and not really realize the value of the lessons afforded him. And that he allows himself to be put in dangerous/stupid situations without giving them much thought or caution beforehand. Although I enjoyed this novel, I must say my favorite book in this series so far is still Book 1. Everything tied in nicely at the end. Moving onto Book 3 in this series.

A crazy adventure

Where does The Queen of Bedlam rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is in my top ten.

Which character – as performed by Edoardo Ballerini – was your favorite?

I enjoyed all the characters very much

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes i was very caught up in it.

My New Addiction.

I know Matthew Corbett isn't really an "original" character, in many ways he is every clever detective of literature, from Miss Marple to Sherlock Holmes, and there is something Harry Potter-ish about his intellect and purity of heart, yet somehow, these books feel really different to me.

I am sucked into Matthew's world, his professional development as a "detective," and his associates and encounters. And the reader? Edoardo Ballerini is simply the best. You do want to read them in order, or you'll miss the formative experiences that develop Matthew's confidence in himself, as he grows into his career.

Matthew Corbett Novels

Where does The Queen of Bedlam rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Queen of Bedlam would rank in the middle of the audiobooks that I've listenen to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matthew Corbett was my favorite character because he is driven to find the truth and goes all out to do so even if it means putting himself in danger. I think that his character should "man" up though and make his role as avenger more realistic.

What about Edoardo Ballerini’s performance did you like?

Edoardo Ballerini makes the characters come alive.

If you could take any character from The Queen of Bedlam out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would like to take Matthew Corbett to dinner and explain to him that being an unassuming guy is ok, but in a pinch and in grave danger he should know how to defend himself and those he is helping realistically instead of like a scared girl.

Any additional comments?

It is a good listen. I did like "Speaks the Nightbird" better than "The Queen of Bedlam" but would still recomend the book.

a thrilling sequel

A book that excells as a sequel and stands on its own. Thrilling story to the end.

Kept me interested

Great story. Great characters. Great listen. Great series. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

One of his best yet!

This is one fabulous tale of suspense and historical fiction . The narrator is perfect. PERFECT! He effortlessly switches between English accents and colonial American and brings this thriller to life. My favorite Matthew Corbett book yet, I couldn't put it down.!!