The Queen's Accomplice

A Maggie Hope Mystery

By: Susan Elia MacNeal

Narrated by: Susan Duerden

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Spy and code breaker extraordinaire Maggie Hope returns to war-weary London, where she is thrust into the dangerous hunt for a monster as the New York Times best-selling mystery series for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Charles Todd, and Anne Perry continues.

England, 1942. The Nazis' relentless Blitz may have paused, but London's nightly blackouts continue. Now, under the cover of darkness, a madman is brutally killing and mutilating young women in eerie and exact re-creations of Jack the Ripper's crimes. What's more, he's targeting women who are reporting for duty to be Winston Churchill's spies and saboteurs abroad.

The officers at MI5 quickly realize they need the help of Special Agent Maggie Hope to find the killer dubbed "the Blackout Beast". A trap is set. But once the murderer has his sights on Maggie, not even Buckingham Palace can protect the resourceful spy from her fate.

©2016 Susan Elia MacNeal (P)2016 Random House Audio

Fantastic Book

I am listening to this series in order. I have greatly enjoyed all of them, but I think this is my favorite so far. I can't wait to listen to the rest of this series.

Truly the best!

I loved this Maggie Hope story. I thought it was the best so far! I highly recommend this book.

A bit dark...

I thought this was quite riveting, but a lot darker than the other Maggie Hope books. I was never sure where it was all going to lead. Ms MacNeal is a very imaginative writer. But the topics in this book were very dark and intense- war, misogyny, murder, sexual assault, concentration camps, with a bit of love thrown in. Very intense, but very good. Would definitely recommend to those reading the series, but I made sure to not read late at night as I didn't want it to color my dreams.

Maggie Hope continues to spark my interest.

Maggie Hope and friends and accomplices continue to spark my interest. I am looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Sing song performance is annoying

The story is lovely. Sing - song reading is absolutely irritating. The reader's voices are on point, but the constant up and down quality makes me want to cry.

Another all-engrossing Maggie Hope mystery!

This mystery continues the Maggie Hope saga in usual grand style!
Between Elia Mac Neal's clever prose and Susan Duerden's inspired performance, this is another in the series not to be missed!

For the love of GOD, please get a new narrator!

What made the experience of listening to The Queen's Accomplice the most enjoyable?

I really enjoy these books, they have excellent plots.

Would you be willing to try another one of Susan Duerden’s performances?

NO WAY!!! She is way to sing-songy (Yes, I know that it's a made up word.) I enjoy the plot and writing of these books, but the narration is horrendous.

A good entry but a bit slow to start

I enjoy the Maggie Hope series but I found this entry a bit slow to develop. The second half of the story did pick up the pace but I have come to expect a little more from the author. I did like the way the book ended and it has me looking forward to the next installment. It left off with much promise. By no means a bust and those following the series will enjoy it in the end.

Boggled at other reviewers dislike of the narrator

First, I would like to say that the only book in the series that I have read first one and I may not have continued but for masterful job by Susan Duerden. Her ability to play so many rolls constantly impresses me book after book.

The subject matter of this book was more personally violent to me as it spoke to the poisonous misogyny and violence spoken towards and committed against women who were at this time moving further into independence than any other time preceding it as WW2 progressed to its final years.

The narrowing of the lens from the wider view of the war was an appreciated departure. And Maggie Hope's character just keeps getting better.

I wouldn't call this a stand alone. If I hadn't read all the preceding books, I would have missed much nuance. Can't wait for my next Audible credit so I can listen to the next one!

Back on track

Thank heavens Maggie Hope is back in England. Her last outing--a trip to America in Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante--was dismal. But back on English soil, Maggie is in top form. With historical throwbacks and "modern" issues as sub plots, a possible new romantic interest, and even a red herring lead or two, The Queen's Accomplice is a great read. Long Live the English Murder Mystery!