The Murder at Mandeville Hall

Book 7

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Napoleon Ryan

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens brings you a tale of unexpected romance that blossoms against the backdrop of dastardly murder.

Well-born rakehell and head of an ancient family, Alaric, Lord Carradale, is finally preparing to find a bride. But loyalty to his childhood friend Percy Mandeville necessitates attending Percy's annual house party, held at neighboring Mandeville Hall. Alaric decides that as soon as he's free, he'll hie to London and find the mild-mannered lady he believes will ensure a peaceful life. But the following morning he comes upon the corpse of a young lady-guest.

Constance Whittaker accepts that no gentleman will ever offer for her. Now acting as her grandfather's agent, she arrives at Mandeville Hall to extricate her young cousin, Glynis, who unwisely accepted an invitation to the reputedly licentious party.

But Glynis cannot be found.

Venturing into the shrubbery, Constance discovers an outrageously handsome aristocrat crouched beside Glynis' lifeless form. Unsurprisingly, Constance leaps to the obvious conclusion.

Luckily, commonsense reasserts itself, and Constance discovers Alaric to be a worthy ally. Yet even after Scotland Yard takes charge of the case, the murderer's identity remains shrouded in mystery, and learning why Glynis was killed tests the resolve of all concerned. Flung into each other's company, Constance and Alaric can't deny the connection that grows between them.

Then Constance vanishes.

Can Alaric unearth the one fact that will point to the murderer before the villain rips from the world the lady Alaric now craves for his own?

©2018 Stephanie Laurens (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Sad Murder Mystery

It was a good story, but was sad as one of the heroes fiancé was killed, and Penelope, Stokes and Barnaby go to the house party where are the murder occurred. Unfortunately one of the witnesses, was able to identify the murderer so was also murdered. The cousin of the murdered fiancé came to take the young lady away, but discovered that she was already dead. She met the hero of this book, and they fall in love.  HEA. Napoleon Ryan did an excellent job as narrator. 

Wonderful series

Loved it. Looking for more in the series. Great reading. Stephanie Lauren is a superb mystery writer.

Wonderful..

It was all about who killed 2 young women at a house party. And the meeting of Alaric and his Amazon Constance, that’s what he referred to her as. There were 4 real suspects, so it was hard to figure out who did it. When you thought you knew who the killer was Barnaby, Penelope and Inspector Stokes would talk you right out of it.

There was non-descriptive sex and absolutely no swearing. Just a good clean murder mystery.

One reviewer almost talked me out of reading this because she mentioned insta-love. What a crock of shit! There wasn’t any thought of love until about 85% and no words of love until about 95%. Jeez, why do reviewers write shit like that?

As to the narration: That’s the main reason I bought this book. I love Napoleon Ryan. His reading emotions are awesome and when a woman speaks it sounds exactly like a woman. He’s an incredible narrator.

outstanding narration

engaging tale with interesting characters that develop nicely. the performance was absolutely amazing. every character had their own voice.

Ready for more casebooks

I enjoyed a romance that didn't have all the heavy breathing, for a change it was refreshing

Good story sing-song narration

It was hard to enjoy this book because the narrator used a sing-song voice.

Not up to standard!

I have many books by Stephanie Laurens and have enjoyed them; this one, however, is not at all up to her usual standards, in either plot or pace. The plot and characters are a rehash of those found in earlier works. I bought this in print first...was not thrilled, but thought it might be better in audio...it wasn't.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

This book should have been half the length it is. I used to enjoy her books, but now they are so repititious. She says the same things over and over, repeating even the tiniest detail every time a new character needs to hear the story

Liked the Plot

I enjoyed the plot of the story. I didn’t realize who the villain was until almost the end. I just didn’t like the narrator especially when doing the women’s voices.
Would NOT recommend the audiobook, would recommend the book.