Category: Audiobook

The Hidden City by Charles Finch

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)1 Comment

The Hidden City: A Charles Lenox Mystery, Book 15Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Charles Lenox #15
Publication Date: 11/4/25
Period: Victorian – 1879 London
Number of Pages: 304 (Audiobook 8 hrs 8 Mins)

Hidden City is an excellent addition to the Charles Lenox series. It delivers a solid mystery while exploring new tensions in the Lenox household surrounding the suffragette movement. Lady Jane, a staunch supporter of the cause, finds her views creating friction within aristocratic society — even among other women. I also found it compelling to see Lenox grappling with the realities of aging and realizing he’s not entirely prepared for it.

Still recovering from the near-fatal injury he suffered during his last case in America, Lenox receives a note from a retired retainer he’s very fond of. She believes something odd is happening in her rooms, possibly tied to a murder that occurred there years ago. Pushing past his malaise, Lenox begins to investigate and soon uncovers a far larger conspiracy than he imagined. With help from old allies who know London’s hidden corners, he follows the trail of clues to a surprising conclusion.

I listened to the audiobook edition, narrated by James Langton, whose smooth, mellow voice brings the characters vividly to life. His ability to transition effortlessly between characters and accents — from the aristocracy to the common man — enhances the listening experience. The pacing is just right, capturing Lenox’s introspection and melancholy as he faces his own aging.

While the mystery itself is somewhat subdued, the novel shines in its portrayal of change — both personal and societal. Lenox’s unwavering support of Lady Jane and his warm acceptance of his newfound niece show us the man he is becoming and hint at what lies ahead.

Each mystery in the series can be read as a standalone, but readers who start earlier will appreciate the deeper relationships and character arcs. Fans of the series will enjoy Hidden City for its thoughtful themes and emotional resonance, even if the mystery feels a touch lighter than usual.

Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

The Sword of Light by Heather Graham

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Irish Historical, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Sword of Light: A NovelThe Sword of Light: A Novel by Heather Graham

Tracy’s Rating Print Edition: 3 of 5 stars

Tracy’s Rating Audiobook    : 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: October 14, 2025

Deidre, the daughter of a Rí, is a proud and determined warrior, when she is given a magical sword during an attack by Northmen, she wields it with success and realizes it is the mythical Sword of Light. When she dreams of a great battle to come, she is then tasked with defending her homeland and uncovering a traitor among the Irish kings. This begins a quest to find gifts from Tuatha Dé Danann, which are reported to help the people of Éire during times of great need. She is joined by Kylin, the son of a Northman who married an Irish lass. She doesn’t trust him, but as they spend time together, she learns that they share a bond and feelings begin to grow.
Kylin, a fierce warrior and ally to the Rí, also dreams of a battle to come and joins Deidre on this perilous quest. He knows she doesn’t trust him because his father came to Éire from the North, but Kylin loves his home and will do whatever it necessary to protect it and Deidre. He proves himself time and again to her, and slowly their relationship develops into mutual respect each other’s strengths and skills, but deeper feelings will have to wait until they complete their quest.

I was excited to read this book as it is a blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance, drawing on Celtic mythology and Irish legend, I was also looking forward to finally reading a Heather Graham book. I liked the story, but I was hoping for more, more magic, more intrigue and more passion, and while the world-building and premise are compelling, I wasn’t pulled into the story and found it to be a bit repetitive and slow moving. While reading the book wasn’t the experience I was hoping for, I also listened to the audio edition and found that experience much more enjoyable, the narrator Alana Kerr Collins read the story in a lovely Irish lilt and without being distracted by seeing choppy text and excessive punctuation, the story did seem to flow better. Overall, the book isn’t really what I was hoping for, but it was interesting and if given the choice, I would pick the audio edition over the printed edition.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *