Sick of Shadows

By: Marion Chesney

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Captain Harry Cathcart and Lady Rose Summer have entered into an engagement of convenience so Rose can avoid being sent to India with all the other failed debutantes. Rose's sharp intellect and radical ideas have served to repel her would-be suitors. Rose's parents are hardly thrilled that their only child is marrying a man in trade, but Harry comes from a good family and, at the very least, they hope he will keep their troublesome daughter out of mischief.

Unfortunately, even a pretend engagement cannot save Rose from trouble. Bored with endless parties, teas, and balls, she befriends Dolly Tremaine, a beautiful young girl newly arrived from the country and overwhelmed by the demands of the Season.

Rose is delighted to have a protege, but their friendship is cut tragically short when Dolly is found floating in a river. Harry must solve the mystery of Dolly's death, and keep Rose from being the murderer's next victim.

©2005 Marion Chesney (P)2007 BBC Audio

wittiest in series to date

I save this series for when I am really fatigued and want a lighthearted (but not too silly) listen. This is a hoot, besides being a decent light period mystery, Narrator Davina Porter sounds like she's enjoying herself, and adds extra camp to the read. There are sublte winks and nods to authentic Edwardian lit and its imitators.

Exciting

I like this small series very much and it's too bad that the author decided to hang it up and focus on the Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth series, although the MacBeth series is particularly good as well. This is the third book in a four book series. The first is Snobbery with Violence followed by Hasty Death, then this book (Sick of Shadows) and finally Our Lady of Pain to end up the set. This installment is very exciting but I found the mishaps between Lady Rose and the Captain to be almost too heartbreaking to take at times. The narrator is excellent with various accents (although a little weak on American) and has a pleasant singing voice which comes into play quite a lot in this novel. Sweet romance, star-crossed lovers, good level of historical research, and a nicely-conceived plot. Read them in order.

Delightful English nearly farcical romantic mystery

Marion Chesney always provides a well written light hearted story. This series ranks high. the characters are well drawn Nothing heavy even with a murder in the mix. I think I have everything he has written and he never disapoints

Very silly, somewhat callous series, saved by DV

I have just enough interest in how Harry and Rose's story ends up to listen to the 4th and final episode after this book. But really... both of the two main characters have just enough likeable qualities to make their silliness (hers) and rudeness (his) bearable. I can't say the same about Rose's parents. Two more self-centered characters would be hard to find. Because they don't want to deal with her, they agree to have their daughter locked up in an asylum. Without Harry's timely intervention, she would have lived out her days there. And this heartless act registers as a blip on everyone's screen. I was appalled and had a hard time moving forward in the plot from there. If Ms. Porter weren't such a wonderful narrator, I would have given up before now.

most entertaining yet

wonderful series. Book 3 is the best story yet. wonderful tale unfolding with each book in the series.

Tiresome characters

The leading lady, Rose, and her family act rather stupidly and infuriatingly the whole of this book. The male character, Cathcart, and the supporting maid and valet are the only bright points in this story but it's not enough. The crime and investigating come second to the drama manufactured by Rose and her family. I would not recommend.

Why the singing?

Davina Porter is an expressive narrator, but I wish she would not actually sing when songs occur in the story. Even if her renditions were really good (which alas they are not), I find it unpleasant when narrators break into song. I prefer a book to be read without any musical soundtrack added.