Neal R Coleman

Great story, but narration doesn't fit.

Revisado: 11-30-24

The Redmond and Haze series is one of my favorites. Time was I couldn't wait for the next installment!
Unfortunately the original narrator, Wendy Wolfson, who gave each of the main characters a distinctive, easily recognizable voice, including believable accents, was replaced with a reader who's somnolent voice just doesn't fit with this sometimes darkly exciting series. I used to listen to each new book in one or two sittings. Now it takes me forever to get through them, it's only my attachment to the characters that keeps me from giving up on the series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Another wonderful Redmond and Haze Mystery, with a

Revisado: 06-19-24

Another wonderful Redmond and Haze Mystery, with a sadly lackluster performance by the reader.
I use the term "reader" because it is much more like listening to someone read a book to you than listening to someone perform the story. All the characters speak in the same breathy voice that I have seen described in other reviews as "a whisper", and when she does attempt an accent, its painful.

I really miss the old reader, who gave the characters distinct voices that were easily recognizable.

Contrary to how it may seem, I mean no offense to Alex Lee, I enjoy her reading the "Tommy & Evelyn Christie Mystery" series. I think her voice fits those sleepy stories perfectly. Maybe because shes been the narrator since the start of the series,

However having said that, "Redmond and Haze" is a much edgier series, and having listened to the first ten books in this series, performed by someone who created such distinctive, emotionally charged voices, I find I am really struggling with whether or not to continue with what had become my absolute favorite series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

My favorite cozy series

Revisado: 06-19-24

T E Kinsey continues to develop characters I've grown to love, and Elizabeth Knowelden breathes life into them with skill of a consummate stage actor. Every characters voice is immediately and unmistakably recognizable. Shes almost a one woman "full cast".
Please don't lose her!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, Bring Wendy Back !!!

Revisado: 06-30-23

I have been listing to the "Redmond and Haze Mystery's" since the very beginning.
They are far and away my favorite cozy series. I honestly look forward to and pre-order them as soon as they're available.
And it always seems forever until the next one.
Not only because " Irina Shapiro" is an excellent author who crafts wonderful stories that draw you in and make you care about a cast of incredible characters which she continues to develop with every story.
But also because of the life Wendy Wolfson breathed into those characters. She is not just a reader, she is a performer, a voice actress who created a distinctly recognizable voice for each and every one of the main characters
Including the appropriate accents and affects. There was never any doubt as to who was speaking.
I honestly don't mean to disparage Miss Lee. She actually has a very pleasant reading voice. I would love to hear her reading Christie or Sayers .
But she is not a voice actor. All the characters sound virtually the same. She tries to make them distinctive but it simply doesn't work. Especially when she tries to do an American accent for Jason. I'm sorry but it's awful.
After 10 books the characters voices are as familiar as the actors on any tv show you might follow. This is like replacing the cast playing the main characters and asking us to pretend we didn't notice.
I truly love this series, and It breaks my heart to say it, but if they don't get Wendy back or at least another voice actor, this will be the last book of the series for me.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Pendergast is Back!!!!!

Revisado: 02-21-20

First off let me say that I love Jefferson Mays as the new reader. He reminds me off the way Scott Brick handled the early series. Excellent!

Second, I for one one love the way they are developing the Constance Green Character. She has always been imbued with a wonderful sense of unsolved mystery, but I love they way they are continuing to explore her sense of unpredictable danger. She is not a woman I would ever cross!

Thirdly, for me anyway, this story goes a long way to restoring the feel of twisted science that could almost border on the supernatural that has been such a crucial part of the entire series.

This book is exactly why I love the the Pendergast series so much

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Another Gem!

Revisado: 03-14-19

This is by far my new favorite "Victorian Mystery" series!

I love everything about this series. Deanna Raybourn has created two absolutely intriguing characters,
and Angele Masters brings them to life with a masterful (no pun intended) performance!

I love mysteries set in the "Victorian" era and Miss Raybourn does an excellent job of looking at the Social mores
of the era, (especially as they pertained to women) through the eyes of a highly intelligent, thoroughly self assured,
and often frustrated "Modern" woman.

The constant bickering between Veronica and Stocker is always entertaining, and rings true as coming from two
people that have strong feelings for each other, but are afraid to admit it.

I would recommend starting with book one and listing to them in order. The back story introduced in the previous books
is, in my opinion, crucial to understanding the character development.

If you like the "Royal Spyness" series, you won't be disappointed.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Always enjoyable!

Revisado: 11-14-18

Elizabeth Knowelden is the perfect narrator to bring these amusing, lovable characters to life. My favorite cozy mystery series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Less of a mystery, more a sweet Xmas story

Revisado: 01-16-18

First let me say "I love the Lady Hardcastle series". I have the first three, and have been anxiously awaiting a new one.
I love the time period, the setting and of course, the characters, and the way that Elizabeth Knowelden brings them to life hooked me right away. She has become one of my favorite narrators.
As always she does a great job with this short Christmas story, and it was fun to spend the holidays with Lady Hardcastle and Flo. Their repartee is always both charming and amusing, but sadly there simply is no mystery here.
Both the perpetrators and their motive were glaringly obvious right from the start. It was much more a sweet simple story about generosity, and the rigors of throwing a Christmas party for friends, family, and an entire old time English village

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I can't wait for the next one

Revisado: 09-16-17

To tel the truth, i was surprised by how much i enjoy these books. They're not exactly the kind of mysteries I normally read. I tried the first one because i was in the mood for a light (cozy) mystery, and i love the setting of a small English village in the early 1900's.

I have to admit that I was drawn in right away by both the narrators voice (Elizabeth Knowelden) and the excellent writing. I found the bond between the two main characters, "Lady Hardcastle" and her Kung Fu trained ladies maid "Armstrong" to be believable, heart warming and even humorous in the way it ruffles the "social norms" between the classes.

I honestly can not wait for the next installment. I hope this series lasts a very long time!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña