Duke of Midnight

Maiden Lane

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Narrated by: Claudia Harris

Nominated, RT Book Reviews, Best Historical Romance, 2012

When a masked man…

Twenty years ago Maximus Batten witnessed the brutal murders of his parents. Now the autocratic Duke of Wakefield, he spends his days ruling Parliament. But by night, disguised as the Ghost of St. Giles, he prowls the grim alleys of St. Giles, ever on the hunt for the murderer. One night he finds a fiery woman who meets him toe-to-toe-and won't back down…

Meets his match…

Artemis Greaves toils as a lady's companion, but hiding beneath the plain brown serge of her dress is the heart of a huntress. When the ghost of St. Giles rescues her from footpads, she recognizes a kindred spirit-and is intrigued. She's even more intrigued when she realizes who exactly the notorious ghost is by day…

Desire ignites a dangerous passion.

Artemis makes a bold move: she demands that Maximus use his influence to free her imprisoned brother—or she will expose him as the ghost. But blackmailing a powerful duke isn't without risks. Now that she has the tiger by the tail, can she withstand his ire—or the temptation of his embrace?

©2013 Elizabeth Hoyt (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Beautifully written . . . a truly fine piece of storytelling and a novel that deserves to be read and enjoyed."—TheBookBinge.com

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!

What did you love best about Duke of Midnight?

I LOVED the story. What a great story. I know that I'll listen to this story and read it (I've bought both the audio version and ebook version) several, several times.

What aspect of Claudia Harris’s performance would you have changed?

I did not like her voices for several characters. For instance, I didn't really like the voice she gave the Duke of Scarborough and I really didn't like the voices she gave to the valet and other minor characters. She does a good job for the major characters and her intonation and pacing are very good. Although Ms. Harris does a pretty good job, she is not Ashford McNab. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE bring back Ashford McNab. She is the voice of this series and I think the audio series was nearly ruined with the last book. Ms. Harris is much better than the narrator of Lord of Darkness, but she is still no Ashford McNab.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

OH YES! I didn't get to listen to it in one sitting, but there's no doubt I could have if I would have had the time. I finished it in less than 3 days. A great, great story!!!!

Any additional comments?

Elizabeth Hoyt can weave a story and she ALWAYS leaves you wanting more and more and more! There are so many characters that we are just left wandering about that I'm not sure how I'll manage to wait until the next book comes out. I can't figure out how she will close the book on all of these characters and how many more books she will write in this series. What I do know is that I want them all NOW! We are left wondering about Penelope, Apollo, Ms. Royale, Asa (I think the next book is his story), and as always Phoebe. Sweet, sweet Phoebe - I cannot wait for her book and I'm always afraid Ms. Hoyt will stop the series before Phoebe finds her true love. If you are looking for a GREAT series, start with the first book in the series and work your way through them all. They are well worth the time!

Best Series Ever

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would and have recommend this series. This series is has a very different story line, the sex screens are well written and is good enough to listen in full or half.

What other book might you compare Duke of Midnight to and why?

J.R. Ward - Black Dagger Brother series - The drama.

Which scene was your favorite?

All sex scene are tastefully done.

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

Same as series.

Any additional comments?

I love this series and listen to it again when I'm between books.

Love the Author

Loved this book. The narration was great. I enjoy a strong female protagonist and this filled the bill. The male reminded me of Zorro with the mask.

Great Story Ruined by Narrator

What did you like best about Duke of Midnight? What did you like least?

The duke more than anything. I loved his strong character and protectiveness.

What other book might you compare Duke of Midnight to and why?

I really cannot think of one off hand.

Would you be willing to try another one of Claudia Harris’s performances?

NO!

Do you think Duke of Midnight needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No - the book Darling Beast which is the next in the series will take care of that.

Any additional comments?

I love, love, love the Maiden Lane series. Unfortunately the last couple have had very poor narrators and I don't think I can go through that anymore. I do hope Darling Beast comes out with a good narrator - I just can't make myself listen to another great story butchered by a poor narrator - so sad. I wish the powers that be would respect the impact narrators make on a book - they can make it or break it!

Elizabeth Hoyt never disappoints!

Any additional comments?

This was another great story in an awesome series. I thought the narration was good but I wasn't a huge fan of her voice. I certainly made it through the book with no profound complaints so she gets an A where I'm concerned. Can't wait for the next book!!

Loved the story but still miss Ashford McNab

What didn’t you like about Claudia Harris’s performance?

I'm not sure if it was just her voice but she made the characters sound like they were angry all the time even when I'm pretty sure it wasnt written that way.

Love has no price

Duke of Midnight ( Maiden Lane )Book 6 by Elizabeth Hoyt
As the series continue the stories gets more exciting. I loved Artemis Greaves, the confident strong opinion heroine who even though she was a lower class she believed there was more for her in life. Oh and the beautiful Duke of Wakefield, Maximus. The Ghost of St. Giles. The one that did not like to kill. Nothing or no one can come between the poor and the rich. I have been reading this series on audible and I love it. The narrators are magnificent and I love how the author adds the music in the beginning and the ending of the story. The well chosen music make me run to read the next story in the series. On book 7 now - Happy reading
Loved this one Elizabeth Hoyt is an amazing author and has become one of my favorites.

I don’t like the storyline

Maximus is not an honorable man. I don’t like how he treats the girl. She’s also not an honorable woman so I guess they deserve each other. She basically slept with the man who was dating her cousin. All the while he still planned on marrying her cousin and she knew he only wanted her as a side chick and she was willing to be that. He only offered marriage because the cousin found out about their affair and there was a scandal. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. I was not happy for them in the end. I only completed the book because it was a part of the series.

JUST BLOWN AWAY! THIS IS SPECTACULAR!

There are ordinary novels, extraordinary ones, superb ones, and then there are “Elizabeth Hoyt novels,” which stand in a category of their very own. Hoyt creates a world where pain is explored in equal measure as the power of love to cure and mend all brokenness, as in the Duke of Midnight.

The release of this book was much anticipated...I've been waiting for it for months! After devouring this book in 1 day, I have to say that it was worth the wait as it left me breathless.

I started this book with uncharitable thoughts toward Maximus Batten, the Duke of Wakefield, and there was a part of me that wanted to see him suffer in his love story (at least a little). In the previous book, the Duke spoke dismissively of Artemis Greaves (heroine) and I just couldn't wait till he ate his words.

Well, watching Maximus pine for the love of Artemis was a bittersweet process. I suppose it was bittersweet because Maximus really does experience a desperate and tortured love for Artemis, because when he falls for her, he can’t let her go. He’s tortured because in his silly, aristocratic mind, he just can’t marry someone whose brother is a “madman,” not to mention she’s a lowly lady’s companion. In his mind, he has to marry a woman worthy of his station to honor his father’s memory. Now, why he thought Lady Penelope (a superficial bumble head) was suitable, as his duchess, is beyond me!

Initially, the Duke makes a cerebral decision to pursue a courtship with the very superficial, "pretty-face-with-an-empty-head-of-a-cousin" Lady Penelope. Despite the obscene sum of her dowry, Lady Penelope can't hold a candle to the brilliance of Artemis who is more than beautiful. She is lively, brave, witty, intelligent and just awesome! I enjoyed the sweet moments where Maximus uses terms of endearment, such as “goddess of the moon & hunt” and then later when they become lovers, he refers to her as “Diana.”

Regarding their love scenes, they build up from sensual moments of sexual tension to unbridled, passionate all-consuming love. I don’t think there is anyone who can write such emotionally, powerful love scenes as Hoyt does. And the love between Maximus and Artemis is smoking hot!!!

Some of the treasures in this book include (1) the friendship between Artemis and Phoebe, (2) Brave and gorgeous Apollo (who needs his own book!!!) (3) Seeing some of the characters from the previous books such as Hero, Griffin, Isabella and Winter, (4) Having all 3 Ghosts of St. Giles together in the resolution working as a team.

In reference to the short story Hoyt embeds, piece-by-piece, at the beginning of each chapter, I think that the only purpose of those silly little stories is to showcase Hoyt’s intellectual and creative prowess. In that, not only does she have enough mental energy to create a riveting, well-written novel, but a side short story as well. Otherwise, the short stories are annoying and absolutely useless.

Lastly, I was astounded with the villain. Each time I suspected I knew who the person was who murdered Maximus’ parents, I was mistaken as the villain was not at all close to my original guess.

In sum, what begins as an attempted blackmail of the duke, on behalf of Artemis, ends with a conclusion worthy of tears for it’s absolute triumph in love.

Narrator: Claudia Harris was fabulous. I really enjoyed this audiobook and the narrator made the experience complete.


The worst part now is the wait for the next book.......ARG!!!!!

Maiden Lane Mystery and Fiery Romance

Would you listen to Duke of Midnight again? Why?

Yes I probably will...but probably the second half is what I will end up really listening to again. The first part of the book was a little slower than most of the past Maiden Lane books.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Duke of Midnight?

I thought it was hilarious when Scarborough, Penelope, and Maximus were discussing the color China different drinks should be served in. Very well written funny & sarcastic scene.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Claudia Harris?

Yes....but hopefully she won't do the next Maiden Lane book. She has a pleasant voice. But I did not like the way she did the voices of past characters. She made them sound very pompous. I also did not like the way she portrayed Maximus. I never could fully "like" Maximus and I am not sure it wasn't because of the way she played his voice. She always made him sound very angry and so self centered I just couldn't get over it. I think if she had just used a little different tone every once in a while when he was speaking to Artemis I might have liked him better.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Obviously the ending was great. And the scenes in the woods between Artemis and Maximus were good. I loved that she again made dogs part of the story.

Any additional comments?

It's not the best book in the Maiden Lane series, but it is credit worthy and to anyone who has been reading the Maiden Lane series it is a must read!