In Milady's Chamber

John Pickett Mysteries, Book 1

By: Sheri Cobb South

Narrated by: Joel Froomkin

Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Estranged from her husband through her failure to produce an heir, Lady Fieldhurst resolves to repay his neglect by taking a lover. Fate takes a hand when she and her would-be lover enter her bedchamber to find Lord Fieldhurst lying on the floor - with her nail scissors protruding from his neck.

Bow Street Runner John Pickett, 24 years old and new to the Bow Street force, has spent most of his brief career chasing petty thieves and pickpockets. Nothing in his experience has prepared him for low dealings in high society - or for the beautiful young widow who is the chief suspect.

©2016 Sheri Cobb South (P)2016 Sheri Cobb South

Absolutely my cup of tea

I've tasted great regency mystery before in Ashley Gardner's Captain Lacey novels, and let me tell you, if you want that, only lighter and with more humor, this book is the right one for you.

The main character is a very young Bow street runner, son of a pickpocket, suddenly thrust into the upper echelons of regency ton. He's trying to learn their ways, survive an attack on his senses caused by a beautiful widow and solve a horrible crime. And on top of that his landlady is trying to match him with her niece. Almost seven hours of entertainment: check!

Be also prepared for great plot, suspense and humorous observations. The narration by Joel Froomkin was, as usual, excellent. He's got a great range of voices and acts the book for you.

My heartfelt thanks to the author, narrator, or publisher for providing me this audiobook via Audiobook Boom at no cost in exchange for my unbiased review.

Good beginning for a series! Good narrator!

This was a very well written mystery full of intrigue and humor! The narrator, Joel Froomkin, did a great job of both the male and female voices, and had a wide range of accents for each character - he did a great job! I just wish that Audible would have him continue narrating the entire John Pickett Mystery series, as Audible doesn't even have the second book on their website as of now!! That's a shame, as I would go right on listening to the second in the series if they did. For some reason, they skip books 2 and 3 and then have the 4th book in the series narrated again! WHY?! Please have them done in order and do them all as they are cleverly done. If you have them in Amazon as books, which you do, then they should be also be on Audible. You should get on this right away.,

Engaging story with likeable characters

John Pickett, youngest member of the Bow Street Runners and “with scarcely six months’ experience”, answers an urgent summons to investigate the murder of a viscount. The obvious suspect is the aristocrat’s young wife, Lady Julia Fieldhurst, whose ethereal beauty renders Pickett almost incoherent. His gut instinct tells him she is innocent and he directs his efforts towards finding the ‘real’ killer. As one lead to another fizzles out, however, Pickett realizes that his boss, Magistrate Colquhoun, may be right — his attraction to the lady is severely clouding his judgment.

As a regency murder mystery, “In Milady’s Chamber” is a light but engaging read. There are enough plot twists and red herrings thrown in to keep things interesting till the end.

However, what really makes “In Milady’s Chamber” sparkle are the characters. John Pickett is immensely likeable (think Eddie Redmayne with brown hair). Handling his first major case, he is perfectly drawn as a neophyte who, while not the bumbling sort, is still unsure of his own abilities and of the ways of the aristocracy. He is also awkwardly inexperienced when it comes to dealing with women. This results in some amusing situations, particularly when the handsome young detective is trying to parry the matchmaking attempts of his landlady and the sexual innuendos of the prostitute Lucy.

When we first meet Lady Fieldhurst she is the anxious young wife of an emotionally cruel aristocrat. After his demise, she must cope with her new ‘status’ as both widow and murder suspect and with the overbearing ways of her husband’s relatives. One can’t help rooting for her when she finally starts to grow a backbone.

Magistrate Colquhoun (Pickett’s boss and mentor), the aforementioned Lucy, and Lady Fieldhurst’s bawdy friend Lady Emily Dunnington make for memorable secondary characters.

Audiobook narrator Joel Froomkin does a splendid job. His delivery is clear even when he puts on different accents. His John Pickett is appropriately young and unsure (and sweetly awkward in parts). His female characterizations are quite good, too, though I found that Lady Fieldhurst sometimes sounds a bit too old for a 26-year-old. Other than that little quibble, this audiobook is a very good listen.

“In Milady’s Chamber” is highly recommended especially for readers looking for an engaging historical mystery with likeable characters and a good dose of humor.

I loved this book!!!

Any additional comments?

I want everyone in the audiobook universe to know that this is one of the best narrated books I have ever listened to!

It's a great mystery and the story takes delicious twists and turns. That ending reveal was awesome! Even with all that, the best part about this listen was the narration.

Joel Froomkin is no joke. He handles English lords, working women (yup, that kind), butlers and middle class Europeans with such, well, panache. It's beyond incredible that all of those voices come from one person. Just Incredible! And French! It was like listening to a stage play.

Download this title for the story, but stay and enjoy the narration. You will thank me later.

Fun mystery

A delight to follow the unfolding of the mystery and the intriguing characters. It was an adventure to follow Pickett as he sought to find the true culprit.

OK story but great narration..

A decent mystery about who killed Lady Fieldhurst’s husband and why. John Pickett is the Bow Street runner assigned to solve that case. I liked John and Julia but they certainly didn’t belong together. Five reviewers said this was a romantic mystery. Nothing could be further from the truth. John really liked Julia but there was never a romantic thought on her part for him. There was nothing romantic about this story. If you’re looking for romance keep on looking.

It was an OK story, which I seem to be stuck with lately, but I can’t see myself reading anymore from this author. I require a little bit more than “OK.” I love mysteries but I like a romantic mystery and when there’s not even a kiss, or even holding hands, that’s enough of that writer.

There wasn’t one swearword so I would consider this a YA book rather than a book for adults.

As to the narrator: Joel Froomkin was great. Every man had his own voice, as did the women. His women sounded exactly like women should, whether she was soft spoken, spoke French or screeched like a banshee he did an awesome job. I would listen to him again, just not this series.

In Milady's Chamber

This was the first John Pickett mystery I read, & since, I have become a big fan. Watching his character develop over the course of Sheri Cobb South's 5 books (& 2 novellas), as well as watching Lady Julia grow up, has only endeared the stories to me all the more. Joel Froomkin's reading has brought to life nuances of the mystery that I previously had missed. The one caveat is Camille de la Rochefort's accent was difficult at times to understand. Overall it was highly enjoyable. Keep up the great work, Sheri & Joel.

Do not miss this book

This is a fabulous blend of Regency and mystery. I love the interconnection of London society with a smart, but naïve, Bow St Runner. The characters are well-defined, engaging, and sympathetic.

The mystery was well executed. I thought I had it figured out, but the author inserted enough red herrings to make me doubt my perception.

I can't wait to read more of this series.

I received an audio copy of this book for my fair and honest review.

Terrific read and great listen

I was given a copy of this audio in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of this series which is an historical /cozy /mystery /romance, all of my favorite categories. The characters are easily likable ( except for the awful relatives), and the story does not disappoint. You probably read the synopsis so I won't repeat.

Suffice it to say that I have purchased all of the books in the series.

As for the audio- Mr Froomkin is brilliant in this reading. He does wonderful voices that are very different and distinct. You actually "hear" a woman speaking the female dialogue.

If you like the books that I do, this one is for you.

Another favorite British whodunnit!

I've found another favorite whodunnit-historical-British series! I can only refer to Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie books, Rhys Bowen novels and more. This is something only British authors can do.

John Pickett is now 24 yo old and a Bow Street Runner and in this book he's challenged with his first murder mystery. The story contains amazing characters and many twists and turns. It's filled with a lot of humor as well and it's very hard to put down. If you're a sucker for a cozy, Brit mystery, you don't want to miss this!

Again Joel Froomkin did an amazing job with different voices and several British accents. It's like being there or watching a movie while you listen. I'm so happy to have found another great favorite narrrator!

*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.

"He was a man unlike other men."

Having very much enjoyed several of the later books in the John Pickett series, this reader was delighted to see that book one, In Milady's Chamber, was available in audio, and immediately looked forward to discovering the beginnings of the relationship of Bow Street Runner Pckett and the Vicountess, Lady Julia Fieldhurst.

This proved to be another delightful and well written murder mystery who-dun-it? with the additional pleasures of watching a juggling of niceties of a bygone era, all nicely narrated by Joel Froomkin,. His reading is well paced and modulated, and suitably English accented, everything delivered with the lightest of touches, emphasising the comedic content but never simply playing it for laughs. His different character voices are limitted, but very good, and used with great effect.

In Milady's Chamber is a pleasurable, Regency set murder mystery which combines the niceties of the past with the easy reading of present day, a skill often missing in historical novels and, as such, recommended to all who enjoy this genre. Although it is the interplay between the characters and their circumstances which dominates, the investigation of the crime and the imposed obstructions of the period is also fun for crime solving sleuths. I was very fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy, at my request, from the rights holder via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. It was a real pleasure to be reacquainted with the awkward 24 years old Bow Street Runner and his aquaintances.

In Milady's Chamber

This mystery book has it all. A funny but likable bow street runner, John Pickett, who solves the case and it is also where he falls in love with someone he knows he can't have.
There were twists and turns with plenty of suspense, humour and quirky characters.
Would highly recommend to those who love a mixture of history, mystery and humour. This is a clean read so it is suitable for all.

Brilliant

What made the experience of listening to In Milady's Chamber the most enjoyable?

I loved the way the narrator performed the various characters; male and female and with varying accents as well. The accents were entertaining rather than being over done and I found the whole story very engrossing and fun.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The book is jam packed with interesting and quirky characters. Of course, John Pickett is my favourite.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This series is certainly addictive and I can't wait to listen to more.

Any additional comments?

I received a review copy in return for an honest review.