Scandal in Fair Haven

By: Carolyn Hart

Narrated by: Kate Reading

(2nd in Henrie O Mystery series)

Henrietta O'Dwyer Collins, known to her friends as Henrie O, is America's favorite ex-journalist turned sleuth. These days she's looking forward to a quiet holiday at a wealthy friend's mountain cabin in Tennessee. Instead, Henrie O finds herself in the middle of another murder mystery -- this time in the well-heeled neighborhood of Fair Haven. Married to the daughter of a prominent citizen, her friend's nephew appears one morning covered in his wife's blood -- but he swears he didn't kill her. The killing draws Henrie into the lives of the town's best families, and into a world where privilege masks a hotbed of sex, lies, and desperation. But when another corpse turns up, Henrie O knows time is running out. Now she must untangle a deadly web of deceit - or become the next victim of an unknown killer.

"Cheers for Henrie O, an intelligent, engaging sleuth!" (Mary Higgins Clark)

Had a great time

Kate Reading remains one of my favorite voice actors and narrators. With this book she delivers another strong performance with the various characters. Delivering Henrie O's arch comments and internal monolouge well. I will say it was sometimes a little unclear if she was saying the words or thinking them but that is a problem with translating a text from printed word to spoken story. Good audio quality.

The first book in the series was a book that functioned on momentum and building rapid fire suspense. Scandal in Fair Haven is more of a slow boil ratcheting up the tension. This time Henrie essentially falls into the knotted problem of murder and scandal by accident and in some ways at first she goes into the mystery more out of curiosity. That changes as she learns more of the situation and begins to drag the secrets and scandals of this community into the light. She keeps mulling motives and people behind the crimes and doesn't accept easy answers. You can certainly understand why she is the way she is.

Henrie's wit and charm remains consistently engaging and what I enjoy most in this series so far. I also like the consistent twists and unexpected moments. In the end the story works and while I think some parts are flawed it doesnt take away from the enjoyment I got from the journey.

Strong marks and I am looking forward to book 3

Very good

Love this author and Kate Reading is my favorite narrator. Will get more from this author.