The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child

The Cynster Next Generation Novels, Book 10

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Matthew Brenher

New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens returns to the world of the Cynsters’ next generation with the tale of an unconventional nobleman and an equally unconventional noblewoman learning to love and trust again.

A jilted noblewoman forced into a dual existence half in and half out of the ton is unexpectedly confronted by the nobleman who left her behind 10 years ago, but before either can catch their breaths, they trip over a murder and into a race to capture a killer.

Lord Grayson Child is horrified to discover that the London Crier, a popular gossip rag, is proposing to expose his extraordinary wealth to the ton’s matchmakers, not to mention London’s shysters and Captain Sharps. He hies to London and corners the Crier’s proprietor - only to discover the paper’s owner is the last person he would have expected to see.

Izzy - Lady Isadora Descartes - is flabbergasted when Gray appears in her printing works’ office. He is the very last person she wants to meet while in her role as owner of the London Crier, but there he is, as large as life, and she has to deal with him without giving herself away! She manages - just - and seizes on the late hour to put him off so she can work out what to do.

But before leaving the printing works, she and he stumble across a murder, and all hell breaks loose.

Izzy can only be grateful for Gray’s support as, to free them both of suspicion, they embark on a joint campaign to find the killer.

Yet working side by side opens their eyes to who they each are now - both quite different from the youthful would-be lovers of 10 years before. Mutual respect, affection, and appreciation grow, and amid the chaos of hunting a ruthless killer, they find themselves facing the question of whether what they had deemed to be wrecked 10 years before can be resurrected.

Then the killer’s motive proves to be a treasonous plot, and with others, Gray and Izzy race to prevent a catastrophe, a task that ultimately falls to them alone in a situation in which the only way out is through selfless togetherness. Only by relying on each other will they survive.

©2021 Savdek Management Pty. Ltd. (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Excellent story.

I loved the writing and narration of this book. Excellent storyline and I couldn’t stop listening. I tried to stretch it out over a couple of days but had to finish it without stopping.

enjoyable story

I always enjoy books by Stephanie Laurens!.No exception here, this story was interesting, mostly a mystery surrounding a murder with a little romance thrown in! Well written characters, good plot, and narrator Mr. Matthew Brenher, all you need for a couple afternoons of listening enjoyment!

On the fence on this one.

Brenher has never been a favorite narrator, and on this one was disappointing. He had a lot of trouble maintaining voice (male/female) and several times after possibly a break the tone would be totally different. It was distracting. Also the writing didn't seem like Laurens phraseology. I caught myself rolling my eyes at the "my darling daughter" type wording. And the voice that sounded a lot like Cary Grant talking.

Great crime story

Ms Laurens can write! She has an abundant and pithy vocabulary through which she paints the perfect characters in perfect scenes. Additionally, she has great ability to think up amazing crime stories which she deftly weaves through the period love stories that she creates.

She definitely has a female character type. Her women tend to be taller than average, long legged and mostly dark haired with green eyes! They are older, wiser, and outspoken. No simpering misses here. And much smarter than average. They have lived and learned. They value their independence and are honest, kind and loyal.

Her male characters are tall, lean, handsome, strong and mostly wealthy. They also have a certain vulnerability that makes them human and endearing. They fall in love fast and hard. They are wonderful heroes which ultimately validates them in the eyes of their love interests and which naturally, seals the deals.

Fun reads.

Not really a romance but very good

I would not really consider this a romance novel but more a historical fiction, with some mystery and a little romance. It is a veeeerrrryyyyy slow burn, second chance romance with some mystery and intrigue before an eventual HEA. You will see characters from previous Stephanie Laurens novels show up in this book which is a nice blast from the past. If you are looking for a quintessential British regency era story then this is for you. If you need more steam and heat with your plot then this might not be your favorite. Mathew Brenher is outstanding and brings this novel to life in just the way I needed.

Gambling Addiction

The heroine and her family were destitute by her dead gambling father. Her father broke the entailed of the estate, so their property that had been in the family for generations was sold. The house in Mayfair was sold as the creditors were wanting their money. Her father’s sister, was helping grudgingly, But for her help, she wanted the heroin to marry money. The suitor was planning to marry the heroine until he heard her say to her aunt, that she would marry for money, causing the hero pain and he left without telling her how he felt. Interesting story with HEA. Good narrative.

THE MOST BORING BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. MUCH TOO LONG, MUCH TOO INVOLVED AND MUCH TOO UNINTERESTING!!!

And no “romancing the Stone”. Meh! I don’t know why i put myself through such torture. Normally i would have stopped reading a long time ago.

Now I really miss Simon Prebble!!

My introduction to Stephanie Laurens and romance audio was through the narration by Simon Prebble. No doubt the author is very good and the story is compelling, but it was the narration that brought it alive. This book is such a disappointment. Mr. Brenher's narration is akin to someone reading the phone book - boring is the kindest description of it. I am almost through the book only because I am persistent and like to finish things, but I can hardly wait for it to end.

The Other Stephanie

This was the Lauren’s that is historical with no …. It is for good church folk.

No romance !!!!!

This novel talked more about how a printing press works .. hardly any ROMANCE!!! I’ve read Hundreds of historical romances this Hass to be the worst one I’ve read.