The Queen of Bedlam

A Matthew Corbett Novel, Book 2

By: Robert R. McCammon

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

His epic masterwork Speaks the Nightbird, a tour de force of witch hunt terror in a colonial town, was hailed by Sandra Brown as "deeply satisfying...told with matchless insight into the human soul."

Now, Robert McCammon brings the hero of that spellbinding novel, Matthew Corbett, to 18th-century New York, where a killer wields a bloody and terrifying power over a bustling city carving out its identity - and over Matthew's own uncertain destiny.

The unsolved murder of a respected doctor has sent ripples of fear throughout a city teeming with life and noise and commerce. Who snuffed out the good man's life with the slash of a blade on a midnight street? The local printmaster has labeled the fiend "the Masker," adding fuel to a volatile mystery...and when the Masker claims a new victim, hardworking young law clerk Matthew Corbett is lured into a maze of forensic clues and heart-pounding investigation that will both test his natural penchant for detection and inflame his hunger for justice.

In the strangest twist of all, the key to unmasking the Masker may await in an asylum where the Queen of Bedlam reigns - and only a man of Matthew's reason and empathy can unlock her secrets. From the seaport to Wall Street, from society mansions to gutters glimmering with blood spilled by a deviant, Matthew's quest will tauntingly reveal the answers he seeks - and the chilling truths he cannot escape.

©2007 Robert McCammon (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Give Me More Matthew Corbett!

Murder/mystery/suspense is not my favorite genre. However, when McCammon pairs it with historical fiction and superb character development, I find I love it. Murder/mystery/suspense set in 1703 in the growing town of New York with vivid details and excellent dialogue. The Matthew Corbett series is growing on me. Edoardo Bellerini gives voice to the story beautifully.

A really enjoyable listen

I bought this book because it was the sale of the day, and I ended up enjoying it immensely. Although it takes place in the late 1600s (or early 1700s), it was modern enough to keep my interest. Modern in the sense that women had voices and strength, and many of the male characters were very likable and modern-feeling. I could not stand to listen to a book where oppression and harshness of the day were the pervasive storyline.
The book was entertaining and the mystery is superbly developed and resolved. The reader did a very good job with the different characters' voices.
I liked this book so much I bought the next one (and plan to buy the others in the series too).
Highly recommended.
Note: If you are someone who is still sad that Caleb Carr did not write a third book in the Alienist series, you will get a bit of a fix listening to this book and its sequels. Has some of the same feel and humor present in the Alienist.

Brilliant story vastly diminished by narrator.

Robert Maccammon is one of the literary giants of our time. His writing is defined by breif moments of epiphany but the constant cloud of darkness and horror. And yet they use Mr Ballerini - the least threatening narrator on the payroll ---grrrr. I'm finally accepting the great damage the wrong narrator can do. Hear They Thirst or Blue World to hear Maccammon done right. What's worse is I'm escaping Mr Ballerini doing The Passage. Maybe it's a horror novel ? With Mr Ballerini at the wheel it's impossible to tell. He may be a genius in other genres but keep Ballerini out of the horror patch.

Matthew Corbett book 2.

I discovered Robert McCammon with Swan Song and A Boys Life. These books have great ratings and thought I’d check them out. They’re well worth the time spent. The author does an excellent job with description, historical accuracy, and developing the characters. I haven’t found a book by Mr. McCammon yet that wasn’t excellent.
The narration is fantastic. I’d let this guy read me a book anytime.
5 stars for The Queen of Bedlam and looking forward to the next in the Matthew Corbett series.

Enjoyed the historic pictures in my mind.

I like the style of the writing. I enjoy the pictures painted of early American Life. This was an entertaining book for me. I like the character, Matthew Corbett. I much enjoyed the first book, and will likely continue with the series.