A Mask of Shadows cover art

A Mask of Shadows

Frey & McGray Book 3

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A Mask of Shadows

By: Oscar de Muriel
Narrated by: Andy Secombe
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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook of A Mask of Shadows by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe.

'A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery' New York Times

'I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic' Ian Rankin


1889. The Scottish Play is coming home.

But before the darling couple of London theatre, Henry Irving & Ellen Terry, take their acclaimed Macbeth to the Edinburgh stage terror treads the boards.

A grisly message found smeared across the cobbles in blood, foretelling someone's demise.

As the bloody prophecies continue to appear Edinburgh's own beloved pair - Detective 'Nine-Nails' McGray & Inspector Ian Frey - enter the scene. Frey scoffs at this blatant publicity stunt, while McGray is convinced of supernatural affairs.

As they scrutinise the key players, they discover that Terry, Irving, and his peculiar, preoccupied assistant (one Bram Stoker) all have reasons to kill, or be killed...

But one thing is clear. By occult curse or human hand, death will take bow the night the curtain rises.

Praise for the Frey & McGray series:

'I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic' Ian Rankin

'A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery' New York Times

'This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch' Manda Scott

'Fun to read and a fast page-turner. Love and murder - they go together like strawberries and cream' Independent

'A brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It's clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written ... Everything you need in a mystery thriller' Crime Review

'Fast-paced, well-researched and thoroughly spellbinding. The mismatched pair is as entertaining as Holmes and Watson at their best' Historical Novel Society

Detective Fantasy Fiction Gothic Historical Horror Mystery Private Investigators Supernatural Thriller & Suspense Paranormal Science Fiction Scary

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Critic reviews

Praise for Oscar de Muriel
Fun to read and a fast page-turner . . . love and murder - they go together like strawberries and cream
A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery
This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch. (Manda Scott)
One of the best debuts so far this year - a brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It's clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written ... Everything you need in a mystery thriller
This is a fast-paced, well-researched and thoroughly spellbinding read. The mismatched pair is as entertaining as Holmes and Watson at their best, and the supernatural element brings an entertaining twist
All stars
Most relevant
When I start reading these books - I start by thinking - 'Oh I won't read any more of these, they are getting wearisome ....' BUT by the time I finish - I am chuckling out loud at some of the between character comments. Overall I am really enjoying the books, I love the main characters, but the storytelling is sometimes a trifle arduous and I drift off and get lost in my own thoughts so have to rewind.

I do think that the story could be 'moved along a bit', It does meander and one gets a little confused. What I find odd in my own reaction is that having finished the book - I almost hear myself sighing with satisfaction at the outcome.

I have an odd friendship with Frey and McGray

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A brilliant thrilling story as always. I just wish it was longer! I love these two characters and I hope there's many more to come.

fantastic

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Loving this series especially the interactions between to two detectives, can’t wait for next installment

Fantastic wit

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What made the experience of listening to A Mask of Shadows the most enjoyable?

The narration by Andy Secombe is perfect

What did you like best about this story?

The relationship between Frey and McGray - their insults and squabbling makes me laugh out loud.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I loved the arrival of Frey's family to Edinburgh and wished there was more of them. They are all so horrible.

Any additional comments?

I liked this the best of all the three books because of the huge tapestry of characters including Ellen Terry, Henry Irving, Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde! I also loved the first book and I think the second was not so much fun and a bit too serious.

Loved it!

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I really enjoyed this book - as good as the others in this series I’ve read. However, little bit disappointed with the ending being a character we hadn’t really come across in the book throughout

Enjoyed this book

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