The Miser of Mayfair

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Lindy Nettleton

Is Number 67 Clarges Steet the unluckiest house in Mayfair? Every season the beau mondes of the Regency would hire a house in the heart of London’s fashionable West End at disproportionately high rent for often inferior accommodation and yet Number 67 Clarges Street, a town house complete with staff, remains vacant from year to year. Could it be that it is associated with ill luck and even death? Something must be done so that the servants of this house don’t lose their livelihood.

Salvation seems to come in the form of Roderick Sinclair who confirms he wishes to rent the house for the current season. The staff is overjoyed - until they find that Mr. Sinclair is a terrible miser who is planning no parties. Furthermore, his ward, Fiona, though a dazzling Highland beauty, does not seem to possess one bright idea in her head. But it is Rainbird, Number 67’s clever and elegant butler, who sees through her facade and resolves to help his mysterious mistress in whatever way he can.

©1986 Marion Chesney (P)2013 AudioGO

First in a series

I read the second one first and liked it enough to read the first in the series. This was just okay; I enjoyed the second one more, as the servants’ characters were more developed and I really liked that aspect to the story. I may not have persevered with the series if I started where I was supposed to.

Recommend

I really enjoyed this book and that the author gave us a different heroine. I expected to have more empathy for an orphaned rags-to-riches heroine, but parts of her personality were beyond the pale. That said, it's a good book and fun read.

Enjoyable, Predictable, Not Pride and Prejudice

Would you consider the audio edition of The Miser of Mayfair to be better than the print version?

I honestly haven't read the print version, so I couldn't tell you.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I enjoyed the aspect that the servants were a major part of the story, but the ending was very predictable and it wasn't as exciting as I would have thought. It was humorous at times, and if you're just looking for a relaxing read, it's a fun title.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Narration is really a personal preference in many cases. In this case, the narrator was very good except for the fact that the voice of the heroine got on my nerves. I know the character was Scottish, but Nettleton's high-pitched Scottish accent for the heroine was annoying at times. It's probably just me because I really loved how she performed the rest of the characters.

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

A Gamble on Fortune, A Gamble on Love, A Gamble on What's for Dinner.

Several attempts at rape.

I enjoyed the story but was shocked at the inclusion of two rather graphic attempted rapes, one being made by the “hero” and pardoned by the heroine as her fault for provocation. Not a cozy story.

disappointed

For some reason this book was not my favorite style. Possibly I should stay with the mysteries.