Freedom of the Mask

Matthew Corbett, Book 6

By: Robert R. McCammon

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

The year is 1703, and Matthew Corbett, professional "problem solver", is missing. Last seen by his friends in New York before he departed on a lucrative, seemingly straightforward mission for the Herrald Agency in Charles Town, he's been too long absent. His comrade-in-arms Hudson Greathouse has an increasing sense the young friend he thinks of as a son must have met with some unexpected peril.

Following his hunch, Greathouse retraces Matthew's steps only to find him first presumed dead, then accused of murdering a young woman and apparently en route to London with a devious Prussian count last encountered on Professor Fell's Pendulum Island. Little does he know that Matthews's circumstances are growing worse by the second. For when Matthew arrives in the bustling squalor of Londontown, he's come shackled, charged for the murder of Count Anton Mannerheim Dahlgren. No matter the lack of body, presumed lost to the ocean. He soon finds himself locked up in the infamous Newgate prison, and has drawn the interest of a mysterious mask-wearing vigilante accused of several gruesome murders. Greathouse and the woman Matthew loves, Berry Grigsby, travel across the high seas to England to aid their friend, but it is impossible to know whether they will reach him in time to save his life.

Freedom of the Mask is the sixth installment in best-selling author Robert McCammon's acclaimed series of standalone historical thrillers featuring the exploits of a young hero the USA Character Approved Blog has called "the Early American James Bond".

The most surprising and ambitious volume to date, this is a novel filled with unpredictable twists and a note-perfect depiction of early 1700s London. Fans will not want to miss Matthew Corbett's most dangerous adventure yet.

©2016 The McCammon Corporation (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

best!

I have followed this story from the very first book and have yet to be disappointed!! Robert has made a fan out of me from the get go!

Excellent!

What did you love best about Freedom of the Mask?

This series is absolutely the best series I have ever read. The story lines are excellent, leave you guessing, gasping out loud and yelling encouragement to Mathew. Cannot wait for Book 7.

What did you like best about this story?

Mathew Corbett's ability to keep his wits in almost any situation.

What does Edoardo Ballerini bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Wouldn't listen if anyone other than Mr. Ballerini narrated the book! He brings the books to life!

Who was the most memorable character of Freedom of the Mask and why?

Mathew Corbett, of course.

Any additional comments?

Once you start reading and getting to know Mathew Corbett, you live his life along side of him!

waiting

Oh Matthew! I WANT BOOK 7! I'm sitting on the edge of my chair. I can wait to see what's next! This was a great book, they seem to get better and better.

Now I have to wait!

I am so immersed in the Micheal Corbett stories! There are so many gross scenes, however the stories are so well written and performed that I just can’t stop! As I write this, I have to wait for the 7th book release at the end of April 2019!
In my opinion, this series would make a great screen series too!

Thank goodness book 7 is already available

I am pretty much hooked on Robert McCammon. He is an excellent writer and very entertaining. This series, starting with Speaks the Nightbird, is set in the late 17th-early 18th centuries. If you like adventure on the level of Ian Fleming, problem solving to rival Sherlock Holmes, and a love interest to boot you will love his books too. You have to overlook the fact that any mortal man who goes through the things McCammon puts Matthew Corbett through would have been dead or so severely maimed as to be handicapped long ago. But in this day of super heroes, that is not so hard to do. Think Stephen King. Speaking of King, I really love some of his books for many of the same reasons I like McCammon’s. But this guy is classier than King.

Be aware, this particular book is a cliff hanger. You will immediately want to start book 7 in the series. Thank goodness you won’t have to wait to do that, since it came out in April (2019).

Oh, and Edoardo Ballerini is a top tier narrator! I could listen to him for hours. Wait! I do just that when I listen to this series!

Great, but...

Excellent read w/ much to recommend it... As usual Matthew Corbett is engaging and skillfully developed, and I particularly enjoyed the Dickensian feel present for the lion’s share of the book... Little Gangs of London thing going on... The intrigue and suspense is exceptional, and the edge of your seat chapter endings are masterfully done... Rich and vibrant characters, settings, and imagery... Admirable historical detail and context... This installment is heavier on the violence, but fits w/ the location and time period given the dark and dreary London on display... Narration is simply outstanding... Personally was a tad annoyed w/ the lack of resolution in River of Souls, and likewise w/ this one... You will be left hanging wondering why it stops there, especially since you’re used to the loose ends being knotted in the first four in the series... I get it though... Like I said a bit Dickensian, and although longer in length does have that similar serial feel Dickens made famous in his chapter books... The village of the damned and possibly preternatural aspects cobbled together at the end seemed a smidge forced, but maybe the next book will flesh that out more, and I’m sensing a bit of a Faustian theme coming our way... Don’t get me wrong, it’s no doubt a 5* read, but if you demand resolution in your reads you will be disappointed, otherwise you’ll devour it gladly;).

Great series!

I have been gobbling up all of the audiobooks in this series. The stories are well crafted, the writing quite good and the descriptions are sharp and witty. But most of all, Bellarini’s narration really brings it all to life. I will be happy to listen to whatever comes next for Matthew Corbett.

Story had its moments

I thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in this series; however, I am lukewarm with this one. I just feel the story never really got off the ground. And, you would think the main character would show more growth in his ability to fight and defend himself by now. Using his head is great, but Matthew tends to come across as whimpy when it comes to physically defending himself. Also, I did not really care for the ending and felt this story fell flat. A healthy balance between dark and light moments was lacking. Although this story did have some fine moments--I found myself disappointed with not seeing much growth in Matthew's character. Because of this I found the portrayal of his character annoying and frustrating at times. The feeling that the author may not have truly been into writing this book in the series comes to mind. If I feel the next book to be like this, I will discontinue my listening of this series.

Back On His Game!

I almost gave up after The Providence Rider but I felt as if I'd gone too far in the series to stop. I'm glad I persevered. River of Souls and this installment were engrossing - less perseverating on Matthew's part. Interesting complications.

I do get bored by constant fight scenes. Also, the violence is gross and disturbing. But as I said, I'm in it for the long run
I'll definitely return for the next two novels in the series after I finish Cardinal Black. I've read that they are in the works. I'm now as addicted to McCammon as I am to Stephen King!

Matthew Corbett is at it again!

Another gripping installment of the Matthew Corbett series kept me listening long after I needed to finish walking or shopping or driving home. I found myself inventing reasons to walk or shop or take a drive just to hear more of the story.

This is the 6th book in the series and really must be read after the others are finished, as they are very much cumulative stories and cannot stand on their own.

Edoardo Ballerini does a masterful job with the crisp accents of the 1700's New York, Wales and London and really elevates this story into something very special.

Don't miss it!