Salt Redux: Sequel to Salt Bride

Salt Hendon, Book 2

By: Lucinda Brant

Narrated by: Marian Hussey

Length: 12 hrs

Publisher's summary

2013 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards Medal Winner

Jane and Salt-four years of happily ever after...Sir Antony Templestowe-four years of exile...Lady Caroline-four years of heartache... Diana St. John-four years plotting revenge...The time has come...

How does a brother cope with life knowing his sister is a murderess? How can a nobleman have the life he has always wanted when a lurking evil consumes his thoughts and haunts his dreams? What will it take for good to triumph over evil? For listeners who enjoyed Salt Bride, the story continues...Salt Hendon series, Book 2

Character-driven romantic suspense. Non explicit (mild sensuality).

©2013 Lucinda Brant (P)2014 Lucinda Brant

What a disappointment

I admit based on the reviews, MANY will dislike mine and mark it as not helpful, and yet I can not but tell how I truly felt about this book. I adore Miss Brant and her beautiful and creative writing, however, this book was a complete disappointment for me. Here are the things I found fault with this book.
1) No suspense, although one is made to believe there is one.
2) Unbelievable villan. She was more believable in the last book and grossly overstated here
3) Too much filler with the long description of the settings and clothing and hair styles, etc.
4) Unimportant conversations that added absolutely nothing to the story
5) A curve ball thrown about the villain's deceased husband which took away from the book. Seemed as if LB was grasping for anything shocking enough to make it believable.

With my outmost sincere devotion to LB's amazing talent in writing I have to say this is not one of her finest works. I can not recommend this book.

What do you call an audio "page turner?"Salt Redux

A few months ago, I noticed that some of my Goodreads friends were reading and loving this book (and its predecessor Salt Bride), which combines my two favorite fiction genres – historical romance and mystery. So when the chance came to review this audiobook, I eagerly jumped in, and I have now become a huge Lucinda Brant fan.

Salt Bride featured the Magnus Sinclair, fifth Earl of Salt Hendon, and his reluctant bride, Jane Despard. They were plagued by the evil machinations of Salt’s cousin Diana, Lady St. John, a widow whose son is Salt’s heir, and a more diabolical villainess would be hard to imagine. Her interference kept Salt and Jane apart for four years, and she was determined to ruin their marriage. In the end, she was carried away, kicking and screaming in the hands of burly footmen, to private imprisonment in a far away Welsh castle.

Lord Salt’s closest friend is Diana’s brother, Sir Antony Templestowe. After Diana’s disgrace, Tony took himself off to St. Petersburg, where he has overcome his fondness for the bottle and become a successful diplomat. Four years later, however, Diana has escaped and Tony rushes back to London to find her. She’s hiding in plain sight at Antony’s townhouse, telling everyone that she has been touring the Continent and running up bills on Tony’s credit. She has engaged a “companion” and planted a spy in Salt’s home, both of whom rather credulously believe that Diana is the true Countess of Salt Hendon and Jane is a brazen usurper. With their help, she plans to pull off an intricate plan to make herself personally and politically indispensable to Salt.

The romance here, which is really secondary to the intrigue, involves Tony and Salt’s younger sister, Lady Caroline Aldershot. They were in love before Tony went away, but his drink-fueled outrageous behavior and Caroline’s immaturity kept them apart. Caroline is widowed after being unhappily married to another man. Tony wastes no time in proposing marriage and she turns him down in the classic “I’m not worthy” style of a romance heroine, but you know that won’t last. Tony makes for an incredibly appealing hero, but I found Caro just a tad annoying. Nevertheless, their love story is engaging.

The book largely revolves around Diana’s plans for revenge, as Tony and Salt try to get her out of the way without causing a scandal that would expose Diana’s heinous crimes and forever taint both of their families. Ending her life would be the easiest way, and well deserved, but neither one has the stomach for that. It would be spoilerish to go further into the details of the plot, and I’m not sure that I have enough space in this review to sum it all up anyway. It’s a complex story.

Lucinda Brant is a very good storyteller, and this the tale is multi-layered with threads from the past brought seamlessly into the present. The writing is excellent, albeit occasionally interspersed with modernisms. Her impressive knowledge of the Georgian era and her attention to detail make the people and places come vividly into focus. The characters’ clothing, their houses, and their surroundings are lushly described. Her description of the gifts Tony brings back from Russia is so exquisite that the reader longs to see these treasures. Well – just visit the author’s Pinterest page and there they are! Many authors are supplementing their books with Pinterest images these days, but Ms Brant’s page is the best that I’ve encountered.

Marian Hussey, a new-to-me narrator, does an excellent job. Her narrative voice is low and quite cultured, but she very ably portrays men and women of all ages and classes. She especially excels in voicing the vile Diana, veering between her persona as a respectable society widow and the privately expressed hatred that reveals her to be a true sociopath. When the action gets almost unbearably suspenseful, she maintains an even pace and does not use her voice to add unnecessarily to the drama.

There are so many things that I loved about this book that I’ll just have to give a short list. There is Tony’s obsession with tea and his insistence upon following his own elaborate brewing ritual, along with his platoon of Russian-speaking servants whose job is not only to serve but to keep him from succumbing to the siren call of wine. Caroline tries to fill the empty spot in her heart with devotion to her young step-daughter as well as her varied menagerie of pets. Salt and Jane and their children do not just make cameo appearances, as happens in many sequels, but are present throughout and integral to the story. Tony and Salt are men of their time, but their sincere, often halting, efforts to rebuilt their life-long friendship and protect their families are touching. But really, Diana St. John somewhat steals the show. Her mixture of madness, intelligence, charm, and determination make her a walking time bomb ready to ruin the lives of anyone – man, woman, or child – who stands in her way.

I listened to this book before reading Salt Bride, but to fully appreciate the story I recommend that both be read in order. I don’t know what to call the audiobook equivalent of a “page turner,” but Salt Redux is exactly that.

Another excellent book from Lucinda Brant

What made the experience of listening to Salt Redux: Sequel to Salt Bride the most enjoyable?

I recognized characters from Salt Bride.The story was fast-paced yet unpredictable.It evokes many emotions....a lot of tension.Great attention to detail.

What other book might you compare Salt Redux: Sequel to Salt Bride to and why?

I can honestly think of no comparable book.........totally individual.

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

I have listened to Marian Hussey before and now she is one of my favourites.I have checked which books she has narrated so I can purchase.What I like is that she has a 'natural' accent....unforced .....unlike many others. Great, believable characters, excellent dialects.

Any additional comments?

Impatiently awaiting more from this collaboration of author and narrator.Brilliant.

A Powerful Duo of Author & Narrator!

Any additional comments?

I could not wait to listen to the rest of this series—it was that compelling!

This story works on two levels. One where we are still fascinated with the beautiful, intelligent Lady Diana St. John, who with her cunning and black heart is able to manipulate and twist events to coerce people to do her bidding. The second level involves Sir Antony, Lady Diana’s brother serving as ambassador to Russia, and Lady Caroline. Lady Caroline has suffered much since his departure (secretly loves him), and through her error in judgement and its lessons she has secrets in her past she wants to forget.

Lady Diana St. John was the villainous who escaped her banishment to return to her ‘rightful’ place beside Magnus Sinclair, Lord of Salt Hendon. Her actions and very character create an underlying tension and dark suspense which lurks in wait as Sir Antony and Lady Caroline’s story is established. She was such a lose canon in the first book of the series, the reader has no idea what to expect from her in the second. A delicious villainous, well-developed and one I loved to hate. Narrator Marian Hussey played her role impeccably; deceit simply rolled off her tongue. Lady Diana’s form of flattery with its sweet oily application could easily turn vindictive where I wasn’t sure she could keep control, so close she was to physical and verbal violence. A wonderful character all around, both in the author’s mind and Ms. Hussey’s interpretive role.

Fortunately, Sir Antony made something of himself while in St. Petersburg, no longer the habitual drunk. He returned to England forthwith when hearing of Lady Diana’s escape. He had to somehow contain her, protect her children, and those of Magnus and Jane. He had to make it right. Yet, he loved his sister. Although seeing her diabolical side, he admired her intelligence and beauty. Lady Diana had one aim--to assist Lord Salt in his political career, by his side and bask in the light of his greatness.

This story focuses on beautiful Lord Sinclair’s sister, Caroline. Full of spirit, a Regency animal lover, she had learned some very big lessons in her young life, but no longer the pure, virginal woman who at age 15 had told Antony she was going to marry him. She and Sir Antony banter quite humorously, providing much-needed levity to the dark intrigues just below the surface created by the machinations of Lady Diana. Lady Caroline is now a widow, with past errors in judgement she fears to hope to feel Sir Antony’s arms enfold her or if she even has the right.

Narrator Marian Hussey, with her distinct storytelling, gave much to this already intriguing book. This was one of those books you don’t want to stop listening to, grabbing you hook, line and sinker. I would highly recommend the series in audio.

Excellent choice!

In looking for a new author in a Georgian/Regency genre, I came across this gem. Excellent pairing of author and narrator makes my case. Wonderful plot line, dialog, and fine narration is a secure choice for a credit. More of the same, please.

Awesome Sequel to a Great Story!

Any additional comments?

I loved Salt Bride & Salt Redux brings the story full circle....I love Lucinda's writing...lots of details about everything...clothes, rooms, how to make a cup of tea...you feel like you're in the story & have a better understanding of living in the past. This was a great story & must have if you have listened to Salt Bride!

This is a fabulous follow up to "Salt Bride"

This book ties up every thing that the author left hanging in the first book. Anthony and Caroline 's story goes in a different direction than I expected, but it is so much more satisfying. Anthony 's drinking problem is just barely noticeable in the first book, and his role as younger and less assured best friend in the first is resolved, and we now have the adult Tony who is now ready to accept and deal with the problems of his sister's madness and his own addiction. Caro has also grown up and learned to be an adult the hard way, like Tony, through pain and suffering. We see a different person in this book, one who has been tempered by her experiences and is now thinking and acting like an adult who fully aware of how her actions impact her life and all the people around her. I think you will approve of the resolution of our villain; something more suiated to the threat she presented, although it was a little gruesome. This is book has all the complexity of the first, and if this isn't your favorite author,I think she will be by the end of this book. The performance is wonderful also; the reader has a beautiful voice paand her performance of the book is all you could ask for in differentiating the characters. You will love listening to this story, and if you like to re-read books to revisit the characters you will never get tired of listening to this book.

Second Book, OK 3 1/2 Stars

This book is good, but. It will hold your attention however, when you are dealing with an insane person like Diana, you alert people immediately, you don't have a lot of dialogue discussing something else. There was a little of this in the first book, but a lot in this one.

Credit worthy

Just as good as the first book. Enjoyed re listen So good to curl up to with a good cup of tea

Not as good as the first....

Have you ever read a sequel and realized that it should of ended with the first book. Yeah this book is like that. I think the story should of ended with the first book. It was an ok listen.

Historical romance at its best

Engagingly written and beautifully told. The first book was superb and more dramatic, however this is still brilliant. Enjoyed it!

brilliant audio

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

Yes I would recommend this audiobook to a friend because I found that it was brilliantly read and the story flowed.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Salt Redux: Sequel to Salt Bride?

When Tony was in his bath and Caro decided to have her heart to heart.
At the end with Tony's gift giving

Which scene did you most enjoy?

When Tony was in his bath it made me chuckle at Caro's need to talk even though it wasn't appropriate

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

yes very much so

Any additional comments?

In Salt Bride I felt that Marian Hussey took a while to get into the book, but that wasn't the same in this book I felt she had a feel for the characters this time and I really enjoyed it. Well done brilliant.

Wonderful Narration of an Equally Wonderful Story

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

Yes I would definitely recommend this book because not only is the story fantastic, the narration is a pleasure to listen to. Marian's performance of the characters is clear and each voice is noticeably different to the others. There is no confusion as to which part she is portraying. I was very impressed which is saying something considering I normally prefer male narrators.

What other book might you compare Salt Redux: Sequel to Salt Bride to, and why?

Well of course as this is a sequel with various characters present in both books, this one is similar to Salt Bride. Both equally fabulous, both narrated perfectly, and both stories engrossing.

What does Marian Hussey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Just reading the book myself isn't anything like having Marian reading it. The emotion from each character and the story is brought to life thanks to the emotion in Marian's voice. In parts where reading the book myself might bring a lump to my throat, with Marian reading those parts I was actually brought to tears.

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

Oh there were many moments that particularly moved me, none that I can talk about because of them being spoilers to very emotional parts of the story. Suffice to say, tissues were in use.

Any additional comments?

I am glad to find a female narrator that I truly enjoy listening to. Lucinda Brant's choice of narrators for all of her books truly compliment her stories and their characters.

Excellent sequel

The only weakness is the employment of s nursery maid who was not born and raised on the Salt Hendon estate. Marian Hussey did a very good job.