The Richmond Thief

Lady Althea Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Lisa Boero

Narrated by: Henrietta Meire

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Someone is snatching priceless jewels right off the necks of British aristocrats. With his intimate access to the parlors and bedrooms of Regency London, the Richmond Thief strikes again and again. The Bow Street Runners, the city's only detectives, seem powerless to stop him. 

Enter Althea, lady scientist. 

As the young widow of a country gentleman, Lady Althea Trent is introduced to the upper-class social scene as yet another pretty face. But her own scientific inquiries and an invitation to act as an agent of Bow Street with the enigmatic Duke of Norwich propel her into the hunt for the Richmond Thief. The theft of her host's diamonds and two potential murders only harden Althea's resolve to find answers to the thief's identity. 

Unfortunately, Althea's dangerous entanglements with the law and the mysterious duke inexorably lead her to a darkened library - where the masked Richmond Thief awaits.

©2016 Lisa Boero (P)2019 Tantor

Off paced

A slow start to this story, it was poorly paced with a sudden ending. Disappointing as I liked the heroine.

Good read

Very good storyline well put together and exciting. A very surprising on you did it. And a very happy ending.

Very enjoyable

I feel Regency Romance is always spiced up with some Murder and intrigue thrown in! First book I have read by this author and Narrator and I will def be buying the next one.

Disappointing

Although this is a good plot it is let down by some perfunctory relationships and clunky period detail. There are some Americanisms - a lady of that period would never say ‘I guess’ for example.

The narrator has good clear diction and a voice that is pleasant to listen to, but the odd pronunciation of many words was very jarring.

Poor narration

Whilst the overall sort keeps some pace the ending is predictable and therefore it becomes slightly tedious.. The ending is dubious. The worst parts are the constant he said , she said he said.. very stilted style made worse by the narration.
The narrator tells the story well apart from the male characters who all have a similar robotic and disturbing voice that makes them all seem stilted and evil. It would be better if read without characters having different voices if the narrator cannot manage them.