From Hell with Love

Secret Histories, Book 4

By: Simon R. Green

Narrated by: Gideon Emery

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Simon R. Green creates a fantastical world in his Secret Histories series, in which the Drood family protects mankind from creatures of the night.

Eddie Drood is not happy about being the new head of the family, especially now that everyone believes either he or his girlfriend, Molly, was responsible for the former matriarch’s death. Since Eddie knows he didn’t do it, he doesn’t like where this is going.

Listen to more Secret Histories.

©2010 Simon R. Green (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"This gripping, fast-paced, emotionally intense fourth volume in Green's Secret Histories series is sure to delight fans of paranormal investigator Eddie Drood and his girlfriend, the fabulously strong and strong-willed witch Molly Metcalf....Fans of the series will be delighted by the deft combination of urban fantasy adventure, sharp-edged sarcasm, and treachery upon treachery, which make this installment strong enough to stand alone as a great introduction to Green's work." (Publishers Weekly)

Even though

Even though they leave the science and magics vague and unexplained it is still pretty good if he ever starts explaining even a small portion of the science and magics the series shall be elevated to a super awesome status.

Love this series!

Another great installment in the Drood series! I have enjoyed over 20 books from this author and recommend all of the titles!

Good continuation of series

Action packed, fun listen. The author tends to over-use and re-use phrases a bit much, but the plotting is strong. Could have done without the cliff-hanger ending, too.

Gideon Emery!

I'll admit, I listened to the first part of this series just to get to my favorite reader's voice. The characterization is iffy, there's a lot of weird minor plot holes, I'm not sure how the gadgets are supposed to work. But Emery makes it all better.

nightside comes back

Would you consider the audio edition of From Hell with Love to be better than the print version?

It was like a mini crossover. All my favorite players in one book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Please don't. I prefer imagination.

The Imortals

In book four of the Secret Histories series, Simon Green introduces us to the Anti-Droods. The polar opposites of the Drood family and everything they stand for, The Immortals. The plot thickens as new enemies become powerful and allies appear out of the most interesting of places. Eddie Drood is vexed by two deaths his Grandmother, The Matriarch and the death of his Molly. Molly Metcalf the wild witch of the woods. As Eddie uncovers the murderers he also uncovers the plot to release the hosts of Hell upon the earth. It's a nail bitter right up to the end if Eddie will pull it off or will Roger Mornigstar not have to travel to get home for thanksgiving this year. The Armorer amazes us with his toys as Eddie fights again to save the world. It is the best of the series but not the last, as Simon Green left us with a classic cliffhanger ending.

magical satirical and thoroughly enjoyed

loved it ♡ couldn't put it down . can't wait to get the next few

Good silly fun

The structure of the book is this: semi-comic banter between some characters followed by a battle with lots of things blowing up. Repeat. Repeat again. There's some suspense but not so much that you'll be late for work because you can't bear to pause the story. The novel's ending is a cliffhanger but you know the situation isn't what it seems. It's sort of a super-hero comic for grownups.

I bought the book during a sale and wouldn't use a regular credit on any others in the series. Despite the clever banter, puns and asides, the writing is too formulaic for me. But who could object to meeting the Bride of Frankenstein, mad scientists, and a dragon's head?

Loved it!

I'm a big fan of Simon R. Green. I typically like to read his books, have read all of his Nightside and Shadow Falls but for some reason, the Droods are much more fun to listen to. I have the first 4 of the Secret Histories books on audio, I enjoyed the narration on this one the best so far. Very happy with this purchase.

Info dumps and beyond evil chumps

“After all, the game is only fun if you have a worthy opponent.”
This was one of the better books in the series because, contrary to the usual modus operandi for this author, several of the Big Bads are revealed midway thru. Further, these guys have lines. And personalities. Oh sure, they are hyperbolically evil, and inexplicably stop to reveal evil plans and backstories in huge info dumps (there’s one point where Eddie waltzes into a secret lair and pulls up a video of the initial meeting where two uber-villains meet and the Bigger Bad explains the new ‘take over the world’ plan to the Not Quite As Bad Bad 🙄). But, this is essentially a super hero type book, so it’s not about complex plots and deep thoughts … it’s about flashy powers, kapow fight scenes, and quips.

“Needs must when the Devil’s peering over your shoulder and sniggering.”
This one was also fun because it felt like it had some mini-capers to keep things fresh, like the opening mission in L.A. between Eddie and Luther. I prefer the self contained capers to the series-spanning penchant to focus on blah-blah Drood family politics. This book is ostensibly about who killed the Matriarch, but really the bigger mystery is uncovering The Immortals, aka the anti-Droods.

“Needs must when the Devil’s pissing on your shoes.”
It’s also about embracing the author’s repetitive catchphrases.

“Young love among the lab assistants … the horror, the horror.”
And it’s about embracing the schticks. Two of my favorites are (1) The Armorer’s ruthlessness and his creative weaponry and (2) the havoc and humor of lab assistants testing out new world ending devices.