The Legend in Green Velvet

By: Elizabeth Peters

Narrated by: Grace Conlin

It was a dream come true. Susan loved all things Scottish. So, when the opportunity presented itself, there was no question in her mind that she would go on the archaeological dig in the Highlands.

A cryptic message slipped to Susan by a sinister soap box orator was the first puzzle. Why did he choose her? Why was he chasing her? And why were she and the handsome young laird Jamie Erskine suddenly being pursued by the police who wanted to talk to them about...murder?

"Jamie stood by the desk. 'You aren't afraid of me, are you?'"

Susan considered the question. It was the first time it had occurred to her that she might have reasons to be afraid; but the accumulated facts suddenly washed over her and took her breath away.

©1976 Elizabeth Peters (P)1997 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"An adroit mix of glamour and suspense." (Publishers Weekly)
"Grace Conlin's narration conveys the foreign atmosphere that surrounds the history and legend embodied in the story. Her voice captures each scene and character with appealing accents and emotions." (AudioFile)
"Grace Conlin's facility for dialect enriches this pleasant mystery....Her rich, deep voice effortlessly imparts life to the variety of accents and ages." (Library Journal)

Interesting story

It was interesting but at times confusing. The characters were hard to keep track of. There were some unusual ones for sure.

Legend is extravagant romance

Peters style of romantic suspense is already well formed in this early novel. The plot revolves around a young American archeology student in Scotland.

The novel both adores the romantic legends of Scotland and has a sense of humor about how the characters and their modern lives play out against that backdrop. One example, I particularly adored was a trio of old crones the heroine calls on for assistance. In this story, the elderly women are actually trained physicians.

Many of her later themes are evident here, including a intellectually capable young female heroine who participates in the adventure and the escapes. As well female sexuality being the prerogative of the heroine.

Great story!

Although I prefer her Amelia Peabody books, Elizabeth Peters has written a definite winner here. Written in 1976, some of the VERY minor details are a little dated. However, it is a great mystery and a fun story. The reader is excellent and her different accents added realism to the story. I highly recommend this book.

diverting way to pick up a little history

racing around Scotland trying to prove their innocence the two lead characters keep the reader engaged while sharing a good bit of Scottish history and a sense of place.

Awkward Reading

The story was okay, not one of Elizabeth Peter's best. The reading was full of awkward pauses an inflections. It often sounded like someone reading a grocery list.

Great Fun

Held my interest all the way. Very enjoyable and narration was wonderful History was well precented

The pre outlander

This is one of Peter’s funniest books. Every character could be a model for the Outlander characters.
Enjoy this book and Remember what it is like to be twenty again.

An absolutely stunning book!

Adventure, history and archeology of Scotland... A wonderful set that will grab your attention and even enrich your knowledge of Scottish history. Which is is also beneficial.
A classic style adventure book by E. Peters.
I have read it twice, so, of course, recommend it :)

It's Not Amelia!

I read this book many years ago, and, with fond memories of it, I jumped at the chance to listen. But, alas, this has not stood the test of time. It is dated and not as funny as I remembered.
Elizabeth Peters is terrific, but you're better off with her excellent Amelia Peabody series! And, after hearing Barbara Rosenblat narrate those, this doesn't even come close.

Not what I was hoping for.

Would you try another book from Elizabeth Peters and/or Grace Conlin?

I was very disappointed in both the story and the narrator of this book. The reading was very amateurish with little inflection in tone or proper use of pauses, emotion, anything. The narrator was boring as was a good deal of the story. The author put so much effort into adding history that wasn't necessary to the story that I often felt like I was listening to one of those educational movies they used to show us at school.

What did you like best about this story?

The male hero - James

What didn’t you like about Grace Conlin’s performance?

The reading was very amateurish with little inflection in tone or proper use of pauses, emotion, anything. The narrator was boring as was a good deal of the story.

Do you think The Legend in Green Velvet needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

If it had one and it was read by the same narrator I wouldn't purchase it

Any additional comments?

Just not happy with this purchase/story. Might have been better if the narrator had been better but not even sure of that.