Sweet Revenge

A Lady Arianna Regency Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Andrea Penrose

Narrated by: Mary Sarah

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Lady Arianna Hadley's desire for revenge has brought her back to London from exile in the West Indies. Determined to find the men responsible for her disgraced father's murder, she disguises herself as a man and contrives to be hired as a chef in one of London's aristocratic households. But when the prince regent is poisoned by Arianna's special chocolate dessert, she finds her own quest has become intertwined with a far more deadly intrigue.

Because of his expertise in chocolate, the earl of Saybrook is asked by the government to investigate the crime. Though he, too, is fighting inner demons, he reluctantly agrees. His first confrontation with Arianna has them at daggers drawn. But when someone tries to kill them both, they become reluctant allies in the hunt to discover what evil is afoot.

As their investigation takes them from the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair to the slums of St. Giles, they uncover a cunning plan of fraud that could throw the government into chaos. Determined to bring the culprits to justice, they set an elaborate trap, but they find themselves dancing on a razor's edge - and one false step will prove fatal....

©2011 Andrea DaRif (P)2018 Tantor

Great Story

Loves the book and the characters- was only slightly annoyed by the terrible Spanish accent used for Dona Maria Castellano- otherwise- excellent!

Penrose & Sarah are WONDERFUL!!!

This was a great book read by a great voice! I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that I have purchased the rest of the series. I was familiar with the Rexford & Sloane series so I knew Penrose was a marvel, but I am rather difficult to please when it comes to narrators. I read some of the reviews and since a narrator who doesn’t suit one’s taste makes it difficult to even finish a book, I usually listen to bad experiences in that area. Fortunately for me, I think Mary Sarah gave an Oscar winning performance - full of life and emotion and clearly defining each character. There was just one tiny thing that made me smile: the word “gel” came up a few times and Ms. Sarah pronounced it “jell”. For years I have mimicked Maggie Smith in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” saying, “Little gels! Little gels!” or I wouldn’t have noticed it. It did nothing to detract from her marvelous job! I hope Ms. Penrose writes at least a dozen more and Ms. Sarah narrates them all!

Interesting story horrible narrator

The story is good but the narrator is horrible. She drags out every word and the accents are horrible. I plodded through it but found my mind wandering and fast forwarding because the narrator was so boring

I like it

I like the story and characters. Well written story of intrigue, mystery, adventure, and character development. A little different fro other tales.

Yeah! Discovery of a new series.

So good- and the narrator is fabulous- amazing with the different character voices. I like both protagonists and look forward to getting to know them better. The supporting cast is interesting as well. I definitely recommend this audiobook.

A Captivating Complex Story

Andrea Penrose created fully developed characters, each of whom not only has their own story but their own life. These lives entwine like a basket of snakes, yet as they wrap around each other they maintain their individuality. The life experience of these characters compliments or conflicts with the others to various degrees, advancing the plot. This is not a simple story and if the references to Shakespear's As You Like It and the character of Rosalind is missed by an unfocused reader, much of the early story will appear fuzzy; through no fault of the author. This book rewards a conscientious reader. The intricate plot is masterfully created.

Mary Smith's narration is a theatrical force. I was warned by a few of the reviews so I listened to the sample. The characters do have foreign accents. After the first and second chapter my ear was attuned and I understood every word. Mary Smith uses expression and some volume to portray stress and excitement, this is theatrical not annoying. Since the characters are not only English, French, Scottish and Spanish, they also speak those languages with the Caribbean island lilt. These accents are unusual, not incorrect.

Do not be put off by other reviews, listen to the sample. If you enjoy an intelligent reading experience and are willing to be involved with the story, you will be rewarded.

I will recommend this book to my friends who love to read.

Fun but Predictable; Terrible Narrator

Penrose's books follow a predictable formula, but are still entertaining. Alas I must downgrade my rating of the audio book. because the narrator is more than just bad, she's actively annoying. She doesn't even manage a phonetic version of the foreign words, she butchers them. Putting the accent on the wrong syllable, using the wrong vowel sound, pronouncing letters that should be silent -- all these feature in her collection of horrors. If you want a light read, go for the written version. If you want an extended lesson on how NOT to narrate a book, listen away!

good story, but distracting narration

I've never left a negative review before, but the narration here was so dramatic that it distracted from the story. Alternatively whispered, then shouting. If you do choose to listen to this book, may I recommend speakers (with remote control) rather than ear buds? I'm fairly sure the book itself is worth reading...but I kept finding myself so annoyed with the volume and theatrical hysteria; I couldn't concentrate on the words.

The story line was good

I could not understand the narrator very well. She would go very soft and low so I couldn’t hear her and I could not distinguish between voices, male & female. I was always confused. Won’t listen to narrator again.

Horrible Narration

This is actually a decent story, but the narrator drove me crazy. Her voice was so calm and consciously mellifluous that it became its own distraction. No matter what was going on in the story, the narrator never varied her tone or her speed of delivery. Also, each chapter begins with an excerpt from the memoirs of a Spanish countess who was an expert in chocolate. The voice the narrator used for these excerpts was cringeworthy -- a fake Spanish accent that was like listening to fingernails on a blackboard. Halfway through the book, I gave up on the audible and read the kindle edition. Much better!