The Ducal Detective Mysteries

Court of Mystery, Book 1

By: Sarah E. Burr

Narrated by: Melissa Green

Length: 27 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Murder is a royal affair in this enchanting series by Sarah E. Burr.

Welcome to the Realm of Virtues, where mystery and intrigue await. Before the Court of Mystery, Jacqueline Arienta Xavier reigned as the Ducal Detective. This special anthology is comprised of the first five Duchess Jacqueline adventures:

The Ducal Detective
A Feast Most Foul
A Voyage of Vengeance
A Summit in Shadow
Throne of Threats

Heavy is the head that wears the crown and cracks the case.

Also included in this collection is Mark of Mettle, the first Realm of Virtues Story, featuring a young George Solomon.

The Duchess's story continues in the Court of Mystery novels:

Paradise Plagued
Burdened Bloodline
Sovereign Sieged
Crown of Chaos
Harrowed Heir

©2019 Sarah Burr (P)2020 Sarah Burr

Loved this series

I loved this series so much! I loved getting to learn more about Jax and this world as this story continued to unfold. I wasn't completely sure about this when it first started but as the story progressed I enjoyed it more and more. Jax is thrust into ruling her duchy when her parents die. Jax finds out though that their death may not have been the accident it was made to look like and has to figure out who to trust but she also has lord Perry and a promise from her father she will marry one of the Duke's sons and he has sent his youngest Percival. I loved watching Jax and Perry get to know each other as these books continued. Jax gets better at figuring things out as the mysteries go on. And there are some threads that tie into later books which made this series even more enjoyable. Jax is her own woman and not willing to let others control her though at times she finds it very hard to figure out who she can trust. I also loved how the prequel was included and gave a lot more insight into certain events that took place in this series. I loved getting it from George's POV as well. I really hope there are more books in this world and with these characters.

Fantastic Little Mysteries

When I first started listening to these audiobooks, I was planning on listening to them between other books because they were so short and I really wasn't sure how I was going to feel about them. But after finishing the first book, I couldn't stop. I went right into the next book and then right into the book after that. I couldn't stop. They were just so much fun. These are audiobooks that I can see girls of all ages being able to get into. If I had any kids, these would be the books I would give them. But at the same time, I really enjoyed them as well. The narrator was also fantastic. She made a perfect Dutchess!
This book was given to me at my request. I am providing a voluntary and honest review.

Excellent

Well done, intriguing plots, and a good character in Jaq to carry the stories. She is witty, and smart. The narration added that regal tone to the stories which enhanced them. Enjoyable for the young, no sex in them. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

THE DUCAL ADVENTURES

THE DUCAL DETECTIVE.

PHENOMENAL! THE STORY OF THE DUCAL DETECTIVE IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! AFTER THE MISFORTUNATE LOSS OF HER PARENTS, JAX FINDS HERSELF THE DUCHESS OF SPHERE.
AND AN ENEMY THAT SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED. THOUGH SHE FINDS CONRADES WITH HER FUTURE BETROTHED.

A FEAST MOST FOUL

TRAVELING TO HER GRANDFATHERS ESTATE, JAX HAS A STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, A MYSTERY AND A MURDER AND JAX WILL HAVE TO DISCOVER THE IDENTITY OF THE PERPETRATOR.


A VOYAGE OF VENGEANCE

JAX IS TRAVELING ON THE CHRISTENING OF A MAGNIFICENT NEW SHIP,  WHERE SHE MEETS FRIENDS, AND SOME ENEMIES.

A SUMIT IN SHADOW

BELIEVING A FRIEND WHO TURNED ENEMY DIED, JAX GOES TO THE SUMMIT TO DISCUSS THE POLICTICS AND ALLOWING A COMMON BORN MAN TO BECOMES A DUKE. IN THE EVENTUAL SITUATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE DUCHY.



THRONE OF THREATS
JAX IS FINALLY GOING TO HAVE HER WEDDING WITH PERRY, BUT AFTER A THREAT AND THE DISAPEARANCE OF HER LADY IN WAITING UMA. A ENEMY FROM JAX'S PAST WILL THREATEN ALL THAT LOVES AND HOLDS DEAR IN LIFE.
JUSTICE WAS IRONIC REALLY.



MARK OF METTLE.

TEAVEL BACK TO JAX CHILDHOOD, AND GEORGE WHO IN THE FUTURE IS CAPTAIN OF THE DUCAL GUARD.
A TRAUMATIC INCIDENT, YOU GET TO LEARN HOW JAX FORGED A FRIENDSHIP WITH GRORGE. AND THE ATTACK FROM HER PAST.
THE NARRATOR MELISSA GREEN IS PHENOMINAL!!!! SHE ALLOWES HER VOICE TO FLEXUATE FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS, FROM A SCOTTISH BROGUE, TO A FRENCH ACCENT, !!!!! I LOVE LISTENING TO THIS NARRATOR AND THE STORIES THAT ARE CLEAN, FUN FILLED WITH ADVENTURE, MYSTERY. AND ROMANCE.!



PHENOMENAL! THE STORY OF THE DUCAL DETECTIVE IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! AFTER THE MISFORTUNATE LOSS OF HER PARENTS, JAX FINDS HERSELF THE DUCHESS OF SPHERE.
AND AN ENEMY THAT SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED. THOUGH SHE FINDS CONRADES WITH HER FUTURE BETROTHED.

A FEAST MOST FOUL

TRAVELING TO HER GRANDFATHERS ESTATE, JAX HAS A STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, A MYSTERY AND A MURDER AND JAX WILL HAVE TO DISCOVER THE IDENTITY OF THE PERPETRATOR.


A VOYAGE OF VENGEANCE

JAX IS TRAVELING ON THE CHRISTENING OF A MAGNIFICENT NEW SHIP,  WHERE SHE MEETS FRIENDS, AND SOME ENEMIES.

A SUMIT IN SHADOW

BELIEVING A FRIEND WHO TURNED ENEMY DIED, JAX GOES TO THE SUMMIT TO DISCUSS THE POLICTICS AND ALLOWING A COMMON BORN MAN TO BECOMES A DUKE. IN THE EVENTUAL SITUATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE DUCHY.



THRONE OF THREATS
JAX IS FINALLY GOING TO HAVE HER WEDDING WITH PERRY, BUT AFTER A THREAT AND THE DISAPEARANCE OF HER LADY IN WAITING UMA. A ENEMY FROM JAX'S PAST WILL THREATEN ALL THAT LOVES AND HOLDS DEAR IN LIFE.
JUSTICE WAS IRONIC REALLY.



MARK OF METTLE.

TEAVEL BACK TO JAX CHILDHOOD, AND GEORGE WHO IN THE FUTURE IS CAPTAIN OF THE DUCAL GUARD.
A TRAUMATIC INCIDENT, YOU GET TO LEARN HOW JAX FORGED A FRIENDSHIP WITH GRORGE. AND THE ATTACK FROM HER PAST.

THE NARRATOR MELISSA GREEN IS PHENOMENAL!!!! SHE ALLOWES HER VOICE TO FLEXUATE FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS, FROM A SCOTTISH BROGUE, TO A FRENCH ACCENT, !!!!! I LOVE LISTENING TO THIS NARRATOR AND THE STORIES THAT ARE CLEAN, FILLED WITH ADVENTURE, MYSTERY. AND ROMANCE.!

Six great reads

#1 Love and greed leads to betrayal. When the plot and the villain were uncovered I was very shocked. Well played!! How pompous and calculating one villain and the other had no remorse for their ill deeds!
#2 Another murder to be solved and the duchess's fiance is framed and she has a doppelganger who is murdered. I'm not a fan of grandad. Perry is steadfast and true. I loved Perry.
#3. Greed begets greed and greed kills!!! What a tangled web and very suspenseful. I was surprised st the villain. I loved Perry and duchess's sleuthing skills.
#4 The duchess has been betrayed by someone very close, so who can she trust??? I liked that she starts planning and plotting her future. She's coming into her own slowly. Grandad us humanizing. yay! Massive betrayal uncovered! Sheer madness- literally!!!
#5. Revenge for perceived past wrongs- what a twisted affair that was!! Finally, Perry and the duchess get married. I was starting to give up hope...Yay!
#6. This story was great background
It shows George and the duchess early on and how George saved her as a child. I hope George gets a partner because he certainly deserves one.
I voluntarily listened to this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job with voices and expressions bringing it all to life. I look forward to more mysteries being solved by the duchess and Perry.

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

These six stories were sensational! I listened to the first book as a standalone and was just giddy when I discovered all the books together. I loved them!

The first story set the stage for a feisty, smart, and ever-so-commanding Duchess. She's inherited her duchy after her parents are killed and the mystery surrounding that resonates in several other stories. The duchess meets her consort in the first book and his family plays a roll in subsequent stories as well.

All six stories are great mysteries with just enough tension to keep you interested. The cast of characters will keep you guessing.

I absolutely loved the last story. It was an unexpected surprise.

The narration stayed true to the period and just added to the enjoyment.

Lovely

Such a lovely tale. It had intrigue, action, friendship and a beautiful romance.
Strong female MC without being overbearing. Ending story was a nice addition.
Narration was excellent.
Looking forward to this continuing.
This audio was given to me free and I voluntarily gave this review.

Exciting, Witty, Well Written Mystery Collection

Looking at my ratings you can see I absolutely loved this book/ anthology!

The word 'anthology' confused me at first, thinking it was a collection of stories written by different people or stories not connected to each other.
But that's not the case. They are all written by Sarah E. Burr, and they are all connected and in chronological order (except the last one, that's a prequel)
They all take place in the Realm of Virtues with Duchess Jacqueline (Jax) as the Main Character.
All these 'Ducal Detective Mysteries' together form the first book in the 'Court of Mystery' series, where Jax's adventure's continue.

This book pleasantly surprised me. It's a breath of fresh air.
This is all Mystery, with a touch of Fantasy and Romance.
The Romance is more on the background, but very real, endearing and enjoyable and blissfully non-cliche. (no young adult drama romance, and no alpha male love interest)
It was such a delight to see the romantic relationship develop throughout all the adventures!
The mysteries were very well done and I loved the trivial role Jax played in solving them,

I love that Jax is such a strong, smart and compassionate main character. My compliments to the narrator, for giving Jax her royal, authoritative voice, without her losing likability because of it.
Jax is easy to love, funny in her own subtle way and I love she has a weak spot for anything sweet (food wise).

This collection is suited for Adults (like me, I'm 37) and Young Adult alike. (no sex or swearing)
It doesn't have the overly dramatic 'young adult vibe'. (to my immense relief)
It's fun, believable, exciting, witty, well written and highly enjoyable.
I could relate/ emotionally connect to Jax and I felt invested/ engaged in the story. (for me the most important thing in a book)

This collection includes a prequel story too : 'Mark of Mettle'.
It's a story where a young George Solomon (head of the Ducal Guard) is the Main Character.
I wasn't sure before beginning the story, thinking I would rather hear more about Jax or Perry.
Boy, was I wrong. This story was just perfect!
I instantly connected to this young George, and was delighted to hear about George and Jax's first encounters.
You get a better understanding of their relationship and loyalties.
It compliments this collection perfectly. It's touching, (very) endearing, funny and exciting.
You're gonna love it too!

The narration was perfectly done, my compliments to Melissa Green.
Like I mentioned before, I loved that Melissa was able to put authority and a 'regal vibe' into Jax's voice, without making her sound arrogant and/or unlikable (that's a thin line).
She really has the perfect voice for this book and her performance was very enjoyable and professional.
I would love to listen to more Audio Books narrated by her.

I got this Audio Book for free (thanks!). I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
Opinions and ratings are my own and not influenced by how I got the Audio Book.

Entrancing Storyline

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A very good mix of mystery and fantasy and royalty. Following the life of of Duchess Jacks and her keen mind for solving puzzles, it is easy to get lost and just keep listening. There are many things in these novels that keep you guessing at the mystery.
I love the renaissance and this series a good look at how some of those systems worked.
Very well written and excellent performance.