The Intrigue

The Daughters of Mannerling Series, Book 2

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Charlotte Anne Dore

Mannerling, the splendid family estate gambled away by Sir Beverley, remains the passionate desire of his daughters. Beverley himself has died and the eldest daughter, Isabella - having failed in her bid to reclaim their home - is blissfully wed. The mantle of savior then falls to the next eldest daughter, Jessica. How fortunate that the new owner of Mannerling has a marriageable son. In truth, Harry is a brutal lecher, a drunkard, and a wastrel, but Jessica, blinded by determination, vows to secure a betrothal. She is barely aware of the attentions of handsome, charming Professor Robert Sommerville, whose affection for Jessica is equaled only by the fear that her obsession to secure Mannerling will lead to disaster for all concerned. As scandal and intrigue swirl around her, Jessica must discover where the heart finds true happiness.

©2013 AudioGO; 2013 M.C. Beaton

Good story

M. C. Beaton has turned out another wonderful book. Manderly has bewitched its occupants. They enter into a bit of madness. Will the daughters survive?

The Intrigue

I enjoy Chesney’s writing. This will not be my last read. I intend to read the next ones in this series as well. I read all the Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth books writing as M C Beaton. Loved them!

Similar story to Book 1

Although the narrator is mediocre at best, I enjoyed Isabella’s story in the first book. Book 2 continues in exact same format with the Jessica, the second eldest daughter. I expect this will be the trend- same story with a different daughter, so I am done with this series.

Well written and Narrated.

I thoroughly enjoy all the books by MC Beaton. Any of her tales are intriguing. This one made me get the ver NEXT in the series

It’s too bad…

…It’s too sad…about Charlotte Anne Dore’s inability to read sentences or pronounce words correctly. Or maybe she just hasn’t gotten it yet that she should either listen to herself and compare her narration to others’ better than hers, such as Davina Porter’s or even Lindy Nettleton’s. And she’d definitely benefit from a first-year French course in pronunciation (or did she not pay attention the first time around?). “Dame” Marion Chesney Beaton (“Dame” is in quotes only because the Queen failed to name her so, surely by oversight) didn’t get to choose her narrators; she would never freely have chosen Dore (or was she extorted?). I love Beaton/Chesney enough to go on listening to her books regardless of the narrator. But, Audible…help?