Burdened Bloodline

Court of Mystery, Book 3

By: Sarah E. Burr

Narrated by: Melissa Green

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

What's a little blood among brothers?

The Duchess is forced to find out in Burdened Bloodline, the next chapter of the Court of Mystery saga.

Still coming to terms with the deadly events of her romantic getaway at Ogdam Oasis, Duchess Jacqueline Arienta Xavier is eager to leave the deserts of Kwatalar behind. She rides to her allies in the Duchy of Pettraud, determined to put the War Council in motion. As she prepares for inevitable bloodshed and fighting to assault the Realm of Virtues, she can't help but get caught up in the Pettraud family drama as she meets many of Perry's brothers for the first time. With the Duke's ailing health, the lust for their father's crown has never been more heated, and Jax fears something terribly dark is lurking among the shadows of the castle keep, dangerously fueling these tensions. With the Duchess stranded in a foreign duchy, it's not a royal visit until someone ends up dead....

Discover who is family and who is foe in Burdened Bloodline, a Court of Mystery novel.

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

1. The Ducal Detective Mysteries
2. Paradise Plagued
3. Burdened Bloodline
4. Sovereign Sieged
5. Crown of Chaos
6. Harrowed Heir

©2018 Sarah Burr (P)2020 Sarah Burr

I love listening to Jax puzzling out mysteries!

Before reading this book I highly recommend reading Book 1 ‘The Ducal Detective Mysteries’ and Book 2 ‘Paradise Plagued’ of the ‘Court of Mystery’ series first.
In my opinion this book doesn’t work well as a Stand-Alone.
You won’t be able to follow all the politics and intrigues, and you won’t appreciate the character development and interactions between all the Characters as much.

This is a really good series, worth starting at the beginning. (book 1 is a collection of 5 books, so you’ll get your Credit’s worth)

Burdened Bloodline starts right where the previous book ended, in the Ogdam Oasis.
Some loose ends get tied up, and 1 thing in particular I hoped would happen did happen, so that was very satisfying to read!

This book starts out slower than previous books. There are more politics involved.
I really liked getting to know Perry, his family and his ancestral home better.
It takes a while before you’re introduced to the (main) Mystery that needs to be solved, but of course things involving, and part of, the Mystery are set in motion before that.
I enjoyed the entire book, but I do have to admit I love listening to Jax puzzling out mysteries!
The book ends very strong and satisfying, and it’s definitely worth the build-up.

This series started out being suitable for Adults and Young-Adults alike (no sex and swearing), but it’s turning more towards the Adult audience now.
There is more politics, strategies and intrigues, and less ‘lighthearted mystery solving’.
I like both.
I loved the beginning of this series. Somewhat lighthearted, romantic, great mysteries and awesome character and world building.
And I love where it is going.. stakes are getting higher, friendships, relationships and alliances are getting tested and opposition gets stronger and more devious.
I love following Jax and her friends through all their adventures.
This series is mature, serious, believable, fun, exciting. witty and very well written.
It’s mostly a Mystery, with a touch of Fantasy and Romance.

Narration was perfect once again!
I’m so happy the entire series (up till now) is narrated by Melissa, she really is a perfect match for this series.
She can make Jax sound regal, elegant and authoritative without making her sound arrogant or unlikable.
Her performance is very professional and enjoyable. She differentiates well between Characters.
It’s such a treat to listen to a great story with great narration, both enhancing each other.

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

Crazy Good

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

Jax is trying to find a safe route home and the quickest way is by trusting an ally. Her father-in-law. She doesn’t really know him that we as the only interactions she has had with him was in the beginning when he was forcing the arranged marriage of her and his son Perry. Then again at at their wedding. Now she is escorted to his Dukedom and waits for her ducal guard to come and escort her home.
Of course when meeting family there are bound to be awkward moments and then there are bound to be scary moments. Jax try’s to work with her father-in-law in drafting letters for a meeting of the war counsel. But there are strange moments when he keeps referring to her as his dead wife.
The plot thickens of course when murder happens in a secure place that literally limits the murder suspects.
Such a great book. I can’t wait for the next one. I want to know if the war counsel can settle things peacefully for if they have to go to war. Something Ajax really hopes it doesn’t come to but also is not afraid of.