The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne

A Mystery

By: Elsa Hart

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the acclaimed Li Du novels comes Elsa Hart's new atmospheric mystery series.

London, 1703. In a time when the old approaches to science coexist with the new, one elite community attempts to understand the world by collecting its wonders. Sir Barnaby Mayne, the most formidable of these collectors, has devoted his life to filling his cabinets. While the curious-minded vie for invitations to study the rare stones, bones, books, and artifacts he has amassed, some visitors come with a darker purpose.

For Cecily Kay, it is a passion for plants that brings her to the Mayne house. The only puzzle she expects to encounter is how to locate the specimens she needs within Sir Barnaby’s crowded cabinets. But when her host is stabbed to death, Cecily finds the confession of the supposed killer unconvincing. She pays attention to details - years of practice have taught her that the smallest particulars can distinguish a harmless herb from a deadly one - and in the case of Sir Barnaby’s murder, there are too many inconsistencies for her to ignore.

To discover the truth, Cecily must enter the world of the collectors, a realm where intellect is distorted by obsession and greed. As her pursuit of answers brings her closer to a killer, she risks being given a final resting place amid the bones that wait, silent and still, in the cabinets of Barnaby Mayne.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

"Spectacular. An extraordinary time machine of a novel, transporting us three centuries into the past, when Stuart London roiled with color and clamored with the grinding of carriage wheels.... And Cecily May, the supremely winning botanist-sleuth braving hidden dangers in The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne, is a hero for the ages - her and ours." (A. J. Finn, number one NYT best-selling author)

“Hart establishes herself as a versatile talent with this exceptional standalone set in 1703 London.... She is bound to become a household name for readers who love clever and fair whodunits.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

©2020 Elsa Hart (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Wonderful-entertaining and intelligent

I loved Ms. Hart's first three novels. This story is quite a break from her previous themes. The two protagonists are intelligent and feisty women who knew each other in childhood and meet again by chance at the home of Barnaby Mayne, a British collector extraordinaire. While wary of each other at first, they soon join forces to solve a murder. Lots of interesting period detail related to the British Empire from the late 18th century in which the novel is set. Of course, the women are far ahead of their time, making it easier for them to get the better of the stuffy aristocrats trying to put them in their place. Highly recommended. Best of all, Ms. Hart has hinted at another in what I think will be a wonderful series.

Weirdly not framed in its supposed time

Very odd, it said it was 1703, but there was virtually nothing that placed it in that time frame. In fact, it sounded more like the Victorian era. I was disappointed in the lack of historical setting and details. Heck, other than ships and carriages and some discussion of countries at war, there was no context. And the women had way more freedom than was appropriate for that time frame.

The Varying Fruits of Curiosity

Set in a time when science meant assembling collections of curiosa, the novel centers on the fanaticism of some collectors and the ingenuity of those who exploit it. Plus a murder, of course, and some compulsively inquisitive and commendably skeptical protagonists. A charming tale for anyone who loves museums, pressed flowers, aristocrats with their wigs askew, an occasional seance, or all of these. The actress reading the book tends to make all of the characters except the sweetly patient protagonist sound enraged much of the time, which occasionally encumbers keeping track of changes of speaker. But only occasionally. And perhaps in the late 1700s aristocratic rage was fashionable!

Why?

My chapters were labeled incorrectly so the narrator says 27 but it’s labeled as 28 and I don’t like that but why does it happen?

Wonderful story

Another masterpiece by Elsa Hart. What a joy to listen to! I highly recommend it.