The Work of Art

Somerset Stories, Book 1

By: Mimi Matthews

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

"Matthews weaves suspense and mystery within an absorbing love story. Readers will be hard put to set this one down before the end." (Library Journal, starred review)

An Uncommon Beauty....

Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it’s caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland - a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke’s clutches, she’s going to need a little help.

An Unlikely Hero....

Captain Arthur Heywood’s days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.

Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her - and her heart - in more danger than ever?

©2019 Mimi Matthews (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Good read..

Good read! I really liked Arthur and Philly. They were a great couple, him wounded from the war and her caring and loving and terrible bashful. This was good because it was not just a love story but also a mystery. And, I have to admit, I didn’t see that coming at the end.

There was no sex and no swearing. Definitely rated-G.

As to the narration: Alex Wyndham did a very good job. Even though he needs some help with some emotions when he reads.

Compelling

I couldn’t stop listening. The story was well done, the circumstances of the marriage believable and the characters did not hide behind ill-constructed misunderstandings. I liked it.

Disappointing

The narrator drive me crazy with all the sentences carrying the same value and ending with an upward note that made them sound uncertain or whiny. Unusual in a male narrator.

Great

Another hit by Mimi Mathews. Really enjoying these clean historical romances with depth and well-written dialog that advances the plot and character development. I'm starting to turn away from books narrated by Alex, though. He overall does a good job. But from book to book, his females all sound exactly the same and have rushed staccato and monotone inflection. They are often read without wit or personality. Most narrative sentences end in upswings like questions. And the whispering is too melodramatic and difficult to listen to without turning volume up and down. This can also give books a dreary tone, I used to enjoy him, but now that he's read several of my favorite series', I can't bear to finish some of them. Maybe a long break from them will tempt me to listen to him again.

Steamy scenes

Nothing glaringly bawdy, but heavy breathing and passion that stirs your senses. This is not really a “clean romance”. I’m a single, older woman and I caution others like me to avoid this one.