Claire Winter

Slick and smooth, mind candy series

Revisado: 03-22-25

I've listened to thirteen episodes of this series; the first twelve from my public library's audiobook collection, so not available for me to review on Audible.

The stylish series is reminiscent of Hart to Hart, the 1980s American television series, described in Wikipedia: "a wealthy couple who lead a glamorous jetset lifestyle and regularly find themselves working as unpaid detectives in order to solve crimes. . . ." Like those characters, the married pair in Mydworth are wealthy, accomplished, and unruffled, solving dangerous crimes with aplomb and light-hearted humorous asides.

In the first episode or two, there were glimmers that the characters--besides the couple, a titled aunt and a friend who runs a nonprofit for women with problems--might develop in more depth, but that hasn't happened. Instead, there's a predictable setup where Harry and Kat, the couple, are going about their delightful lives when a whiff of crime on the wind raises their suspicions, and they're off in their sports car or motorcycle, with or without handguns, to check it out. Between interviewing persons of interest, and examining the crime scene, they indulge generously in cocktails, fine whiskey, locally brewed beer, and delicious cuisine--and in marital flirtation that, discreetly, never leads to explicit sex scenes. There is occasional pathos in references to Harry's background as a Titanic orphan, but it doesn't seem to affect his work.

Occasionally the pair are quite dense as to what's going on and whodunit, including in the very first episode, when it's pretty obvious from the first scene that . . . well, never mind, it's not fair to spoil the plot for those who haven't yet listened to it. But, if you're looking for really difficult puzzles to challenge your abilities, look elsewhere.

The strengths of this material are the script-like smoothness and speed of plot development, the attractiveness of the sleuthing pair with their breezily effortless crime-fighting, and the local color that never adds weight with deep character exploration. This is easy listening that's non-demanding. The other strength is, of course, narrator Nathaniel Parker, who employs just the right tone to best capture these tales: an interesting contrast to his narration of the Bunburry series, in which main character Alfie definitely changes and develops over the course of the episodes. Parker is such a pro!

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Last in the series for this listener

Revisado: 02-10-24

(Spoiler alert - this review mentions events near the end of the story.)

I've listened to the books in chronological order but decided to stop after this one. As with so many series, Ranger's Apprentice started strong but has deteriorated, perhaps because of deadline pressures, the lowering of standards that can come with success, and/or other contributing factors. In my opinion, whatever the reasons, The Kings of Clonmel is not in the same league as earlier volumes.

In general, the series started building a late medieval world. As it's unfolded, the series seems more and more a culturally modern world stuck with medieval technology. The characters (at least the men) interact like guys in a Hollywood road trip buddy film, their companionship more and more consisting of mutual digs and wisecracks, with lots of grinning and aw-shucks-ing. And the economy? I'm wondering how it is that the peasant farmers and local merchants who make up the majority of townspeople have any gold coins and jewelry at all, let alone enough to fill the bags of treasure that Tennyson and his followers have hidden under their fake gold altar in one town. A bit of research into the history of money, wealth and coinage makes the whole fiscal basis of the Outsiders look pretty shaky.

For the first time in this series, I skipped the combat sequences with Horace fighting both hulking bodyguards in turn, as soon as it was revealed that the first one would be fighting with a mace-and-chain against Horace's sword. That borders on sadism.

I loved the earlier books that followed in detail Will's training, revealing the expertise needed to wield the longbow and knives Will learned to use; and, his decision-making processes as he faced new and challenging situations. While this title retains a bit of that skill-showing, there's not enough to justify optimism about the last books in the series, and since the next one continues the Araluen team's pursuit of the Outsiders, I'm out.

I hope this is helpful. Thanks.

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Brilliant

Revisado: 12-10-23

Lewis uses a very old literary form called allegory to contrast various philosophies of living. In allegory, characters, places and things function as more than they appear to be or do; in a sense, they are symbols pointing to larger realities. Drawing on his vast store of classical and modern reading, Lewis takes his hero on a perilous journey to find his heart’s and soul’s desire.

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Thin on substance

Revisado: 02-16-23

I agree with other comments here, that the author devoted more words to negative criticism of Hegel than to summarizing Hegel's work.

The book is useful for learning the chronology of Hegel's life and placing him within European history and philosophical history. I will need to turn elsewhere to learn what Hegel wrote.

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Could not finish

Revisado: 08-03-22

I've read or listened to most titles by the major mystery writers of the Golden Age of mystery fiction: Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and others. I decided to move forward in time and try Mary Stewart. This book, apparently published in midcentury, was her first. I'm not listed as a verified purchaser of it because, after listening to the first hour or two, I gave up, and returned the book.

Mary Stewart's writing itself is of a high order, every word counting, and with vivid but not over-the-top descriptions that effectively create atmosphere. The problem for me was the heroine: Charity seems incapable of putting two and two together. SPOILER ALERT FOR PLOT SETUP: In the first few chapters, Charity--a wealthy young English widow on vacation in Provence--learns that her new 13-year-old friend David is the son of a purported vicious murderer. David's stepmother, who has legal custody of the boy, moves from place to place with him to evade his dad, while the authorities muffed capturing Dad and he's on the loose, presumably pursuing them. Charity is told or overhears enough for any person of average intelligence to conclude that David and his mom (and a male friend who shadows them) are constantly watchful, and have employed agents to try to determine where the Dad is at any given moment.

Nevertheless, while taking David on a local sightseeing trip, Charity not only does not pick up on his sudden intense fear (he has seen his dad at a tourist attraction he and Charity are visiting), but when she unknowingly runs into the man himself, she burbles out enough details for him to conclude that his son is nearby. I stopped listening at this point, because I couldn't continue to follow the tale of such a silly character. If you are more charitable towards characters, you may find it worthwhile to finish the book.

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Peaceful and idyllic

Revisado: 03-10-22

I seldom write reviews, but am making an exception for this series. So far I've listened to the first three volumes. If you don't like stories that affirm a traditional, hierarchical social structure, this won't be for you, but if you're OK with the English aristocracy of yesteryear, you probably won't find more appealing examples anywhere else. Lady O takes her position in society seriously as a responsibility to help the younger generation find its way. Her adventures with her youthful relatives bring out the best in everyone involved, and their gentle holiday adventures are a refreshing change from noisy blockbuster media entertainment. Romance is clean and aboveboard, so no R ratings concerns. Very well done family entertainment.

As to this particular installment, some more remote history comes up when a few ancient Roman coins appear, leading to the book's adventure theme, The listener can pick up a few tidbits about Roman antiquities.

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Chatty AND Accurate

Revisado: 06-29-21

Sorry that this review might not help people not already familiar with the work of C.S. Lewis; I've read his work for years, and greatly appreciate the emergence of this wonderful podcast discussing it. The "setting" is clever -- referencing Lewis's own regular meetings with beloved friends at the Eagle and Child pub in the UK. The presenters clearly are friends in the same mold, both supporting and challenging each other, with lots of banter and teasing thrown in.

That doesn't diminish the value of the content, however, because amidst their good cheer, the presenters (to my judgment) accurately convey what Lewis wrote. For anyone struggling to understand Lewis's work, this podcast is an excellent tool. And if you understand Lewis's work all too well and find application overwhelming, this podcast will support you with the fellowship of kindred strugglers.

Since this is a really positive review, let me say that I'm way older than the presenters and have never met them! So I think I'm impartial. Thanks.

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Modern classic read by one of the original series actors

Revisado: 06-20-21

Christopher Timothy does justice to these heart-warming accounts drawn from a real veterinarian's memories. Charming, funny, sometimes poignant.

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Wow

Revisado: 09-27-16

Brothers Grimm meets Tales of Hoffman, in the most polished language one could hope for.

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Tied for First

Revisado: 12-29-14

Any additional comments?

If you already are a reader of the author, Georgette Heyer, it's likely you know this book. If you are new to Heyer's work, please read on!

A couple of years ago, a colleague recommended the work of Georgette Heyer to me. I started listening then, with The Unknown Ajax, and that book and The Grand Sophie, are my favorite Heyer novels so far--and I've listened to perhaps a dozen of them. Each of these two works has a rather large and well-balanced set of characters, much humor, and an eminently satisfying ending wrapping up a number of plot threads.

In addition, both have wonderful readers in the audio versions. Here, to my ear, Sarah Woodward perfectly captures the tones of both female and male characters, pert, droll, or otherwise, just as each should be.

It's my understanding that The Grand Sophie is the novel for which Heyer is best known, and if true, that's no surprise. To me, Sophie embodies the initiative of Heyer's more assertive heroines, without the stridency of some of them, such as Lady Serena in Bath Tangle. Sophie could run a country - but prefers to arrange the lives of those around her so as to make them happy. Her ingenuity in doing so excuses her presumption, or at least Heyer's readers are meant to think so, and it's hard to disagree, because the story is so charming. Strong, feminine and funny, Sophie might well wangle her way into your heart if you give her half a chance.

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