The Masterful Mr. Montague

Casebook of Barnaby Adair, Book 2

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Napoleon Ryan

Length: 15 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Numbere-one New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens pulls back the curtain on a world that has been hidden from us…until now.

Montague has devoted his life to managing the wealth of London’s elite, but at a huge cost: A family of his own. Then the enticing Miss Violet Matcham seeks his help, and in the puzzle she presents him, he finds an intriguing new challenge professionally…and personally.

Violet, devoted lady-companion to the aging Lady Halstead, turns to Montague to reassure her ladyship that her affairs are in order. But the famous Montague is not at all what she’d expected - this man is compelling, decisive, supportive, and strong - everything Violet needs in a champion, a position to which Montague rapidly lays claim.

But then Lady Halstead is murdered and Violet and Montague, aided by Barnaby Adair, Inspector Stokes, Penelope, and Griselda, race to expose a cunning and cold-blooded killer who stalks closer and closer. Will Montague and Violet learn the shocking truth too late to seize their chance at enduring love?

©2014 Savdek Management Proprietary Ltd. (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Loved it!

We've known Montague for a while now through the Cynster books. I'm so glad that his story has now been told. Great intrigue and mystery in this story. Narration was expertly done.

Enjoyable character development

Wonderful story with a murder mystery that the cast of characters need to solve. I found Napoleon Ryan to be a good narrator. I like the range of his voice from female to deep baritone.

Stephanie Laurens scores again!! But

Would you listen to The Masterful Mr. Montague again? Why?

Yes, I always listen to Ms. Laurens books at least twice, often more

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Masterful Mr. Montague?

It is always when the main character's openly acknowledge their love. Since this is often at the end I only get a few moments of that level of interaction. But I can always listen to that part more than once.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I really did not like the narrator. I hate to speak negative about any performer as I have several members of my family who have or do make their living in theater. I know how much effort goes into preparation and the performance of any kind but I was disappointed at the basic monotone of the performer. This story deserved a lot more enthusiasm and would have been great to listen to. I have to say that I stayed with it because I defiantly had to see who the true villain was and I always enjoy Stephanie Laurens style of writing

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

Adair and Stokes on the trail of new villains as Mr. Montague joins the intrepid band as he seeks love and justice.

Any additional comments?

I love romance books because the ones I read always have a happy ending.

An over-detailed murder mystery w/ a hint of rom

it's OK. There is almost more romance (and soberly more action) between the characters from previous books than there is between the so-called MCs. Nothing at all as enthralling as the Cynster or similar works. The murder mystery holds little tension mostly because the descriptions are soooooo long that it loses the angst.

Great Story but narrator is lacking

I love all Stephanie Laurens book. But i am not sure why she can't hire "Simon Prebble" or "Rosalyn Landor" to read her books.
I'm half way in listening to this book and its really disappointing on the narrator's part.

Good story, disappointing narration

Stephanie Laurens is one of my favorite authors and I was really looking forward to this story. In one of her newsletters, she had a link for the first chapter of this book and it was excellent. I preordered this book and grumbled about the delay.

I know that Ms. Laurens has been trying different narrators. I wouldn't use Napoleon Ryan again. I'm probably reacting a bit more than normal as I recently had the opportunit to listen to the first book in the series (Where the Heart Leads) which was narrated by Simon Prebble (sadly not offered by Audible). Going from Simon Prebble to Napoleon Ryan left me decidedly grumpy. The voice Napoleon Ryan uses for the Barnaby Adair character reminds me of a bad school performance of what a British lord should sound like; very plummy and affected. This is another narrator who treats every comma as a requirement for an overly lengthy pause and adds additional pauses apparently randomly in sentences. Grump.

So what's the good news? It's a mystery with characters you know and a bit of romance. And, best of all, it's written by Stephanie Laurenss and is a good read. It was nice to meet the character Montague as she visualized. Overall I'm giving it four stars -- but that's because I'm pathetically happy to get any new book by Ms. Laurens.

Good story, poor narration.

I really hope that future books in any if the series I read are not ever narrated by Napolean Ryan. I rarely write poor reviews if I can help it, but this narrator irritates me. His female voices are too wispy and his male voices, other than Montague and Stokes are annoying -- especially Barnaby whom he makes sound like a bored, arrogant fop! I keep having flashbacks to the Scarlet Pimpernel movie with Anthony Andrews and how he portrayed Percy Blakeny as the bored darling of society...

That said, the story itself is great! As usual, Laurens has written a fantastic story of romance and adventure with some fun plot twists -- just when you think you know what's going on, something happens to change your mind. I do wish there was more development of the romance between Montague and Violet though -- it seems to brake a backseat to the continuing relationship of Barnaby and Penelope throughout the majority of the story.

Not one of my favorites.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It needs a different narrator. He made Barnaby sound like a stuffed shirt, and some of the women's parts are not very good either. I don't know why Laurens' books are narrated by men. Why not a woman for the female parts? I didn't particularly like Simon Prebble either.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Masterful Mr. Montague?

When they discover who the murderer is.

Would you be willing to try another one of Napoleon Ryan’s performances?

Not real fond of him. It would have to be a book I really wanted to listen to.

Did The Masterful Mr. Montague inspire you to do anything?

No

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed reading it to myself more than listening to it.

Not her best.

I've been binging Stephanie Laurens books for the past couple of months. Loved the Cynster series - all generations. This book was just okay, and I had to struggle through the narration, which was all wrong.

I hate to say it ....but this was so not good...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No .... Just dragged on I could not finish it... And Stephanie Laurens is my top 5 favorite authors... This is the first of her books I did not really like or enjoyed...

What do you think your next listen will be?

Totally Nora Roberts

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Napoleon Ryan?

Napoleon was ok, but my number one narrator is Rosalyn Landor, especially for this kind of Story and time

Do you think The Masterful Mr. Montague needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes if the story contained a little more action mystery and suspense .. Romance

Any additional comments?

Stephanie Laurens is still my favorite...