Miss Tonks Turns to Crime

The Poor Relation, Book 2

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The poor relations, those genteel paupers of society who live on little more than their dignity, have banded together and started The Poor Relation hotel, hoping to be bought out by their embarrassed relations - but as the hotel prospered, they began to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Now once more they are in need of funds. To stoop to crime in their days of poverty was one thing, but to turn to it again when they have enjoyed a certain amount of success is quite another. But they all agree: the hotel must go on.

And so poor, faded Miss Tonks has been persuaded to steal something valuable enough from her rich sister to set the poor relations on their feet. They all have their doubts about Miss Tonks’ chances for success, but the shy spinster has more than a few surprises in store. Flirtations and feelings abound amid the conspiring group.

©1993 Marion Chesney (P)2012 AudioGO

More Regency Fun! Miss Tonks Saves the Day!

This is the second in a series (would recommend finding "Lady Fortescue Steps Out", which is Book 1) about the fiscally challenged aristocrats who have started a genteel hotel.

Once again finding themselves insolvent, they encourage the very timid Miss Tonks sets out to steal from her scheming, grasping sister.

A thoroughly enjoyable innocuous novel, with some moments of high humour. Definitely will appeal to fans of Regency romances. This is as well researched as Georgette Heyer (although a lighter on substance), with details such as the quandary one experiences with a full chamber pot early in the evening.

It is a cozy, comfort read. Readers might recognise the author under her other pen-name "Marion Chesney".

You'll Love The Lengths They'll Go To!

Why, the repressed Miss Tonks will actually pilfer her nephew's clothes and bare herself as a depraved highway man! But will she do it properly? Will she get away with it? And what to do with her lovely young niece who is willing to throw her future away to secure a freedom-filled present with the poor relations.
This second book of the Poor Relation series has a delightfully spunky and plain-spoken heroine, a daring and dashing Hero, and those wonderful genteel scalawags, the poor relations.
But mostly it has Miss Tonks coming into her own, saying and doing things she never could've imagined she would do (pretend to be Hungarian royalty, anyone?)
Davina Porter turns in a wonderful performance as usual, capturing the fun, the whimsy, the passions that run amok from a single kiss.
My only complaint is that the Hero and heroine behave a tad dastardly at the very end (which seems to be a Marion Chesney/MC Beaton trademark), but they're so charming through the book that I'm willing to give it a pass.
A sweet and witty regency romance sure to brighten the longest commute or bus ride.

Worth a credit

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Well, I have been writing sincere review after review and nobody cares. So, here you go, you want to put down a credit do it, if not don't . Because no matter what I say you folks dont' care, I read all my previews before I buy a book, rate them accordingly, but you guys don't care. So WHY on earth should I bother. You got too much money, go ahead, and spend a credit.

What other book might you compare Miss Tonks Turns to Crime to and why?

none

Which character – as performed by Davina Porter – was your favorite?

davina porter makes the series

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

NO, it was a repetition to all the others, but I enjoyed it. So it is repetitive repetitive, repetive, repetivie, whatever!

Any additional comments?

repetitive, and you can guess what happens within all the books, so go ahead and don't like m comments

Delightful series!

Would you consider the audio edition of Miss Tonks Turns to Crime to be better than the print version?

Davina Porter is such a gifted narrator. She brings the author's characters to life in a way that I could never envision just reading the printed book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I know the story revolved primarily around Miss Tonks, but Cassandra, Miss Tonks' niece was a treasure

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

On occasion I will read the print book of one I've recently listened to and I will actually "hear" Davina Porter's voice in my head narrating the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I swear that I giggled out loud when Miss Tonks attempted to hold up her sister's carriage while disguised as a highwayman.

Any additional comments?

This series is IMO a hidden treasure. M. C. Beaton does a fabulous job of capturing the essence of Regency England.

M.C. Beaton's Poor Relations Series Is a Hoot

I am an unabashed M.C. Beaton fan, so bear that in mind. She may not be the best writer in the world, but she can spin a yarn, create wonderful characters, and do it with humor. The "Poor Relations" series, set in vaguely Victorian times, is about a group of poor relations who combat the humiliation heaped upon them by wealthy relatives by opening a top-drawer hotel in London, using the townhouse of one of their aristocrat-fallen-on-hard-times members. When they run into financial issues, someone is sent out to filch expensive trinkets from their relatives, which are fenced to obtain the necessary.

There's a bit of romance and some derring-do. Ms. Beaton is unromantic about the classism, prejudice, hypocrisy, and odd practices of Victorian England, which leads to some humorous and acerbic commentary.

Davina Porter is the perfect narrator, but she could read the phone book and I'd probably enjoy it.

Classic Marion Chesney

Would you consider the audio edition of Miss Tonks Turns to Crime to be better than the print version?

I've loved the book series for years, It's great to listen to it as well. Each has it's own charms, but I must admit Davina Porter is charming to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

The confidence Miss Tonks gains through her adventures

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

Davina Porter is always excellent to listen to.

Sheer fun!

M.C.Beaton provides a fun escape with quirky characters and just enough tension to keep readers turning the page.

Good but too short for the money

Over priced for such a short story. $4.99 or under would have been more appropriate

A cute series

Charming, humorous, reminiscent of Georgette Heyer (falls short, but comes closer than most) and leaves you smiling.

I've read other series by this author which I did not like and I finally figured out it was the narrator. If the narrator is too melodramatic, it becomes tedious to listen. Davina Porter is fantastic and makes this series probably better than it has a right to be. Made me want to listen to every book.

The Narrator Who Loves to Hear Herself Talk

I'm a big fan of M.C. Beaton, especially the Agatha Raisin series, but if Davina Porter is reading, forget it. This book is no exception. I get the feeling she couldn't tell you what the story was about when all is said and done because she seems miles away while reading, simply listening to her own voice, not engaged in the actual storytelling at all. All the odd inflections, clipped diction, and phrasing ruined this one, as with all the others she's involved with. I'm sure this is a good story but I won't find out by sitting through this painful narration....