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Masked Ball at Broxley Manor
Summary
A delectable prequel to the national best-selling Royal Spyness mysteries featuring Lady Georgiana Rannoch - 34th in line to the throne, and England’s poorest heiress. At the end of her first unsuccessful season out in society, Lady Georgiana has all but given up on attracting a suitable man - until she receives an invitation to a masked Halloween ball at Broxley Manor. Georgie is uncertain why she was invited, until she learns that the royal family intends to marry her off to a foreign prince, one reputed to be mad. When the prince, dressed as the devil, rescues her from an embarrassing situation at the ball, Georgie is surprised to find her unwanted suitor to be a dashing, charming man - especially when he pulls her aside and gives her the kiss of a lifetime. But as the time comes for the unmasking, Georgie’s rescuer vanishes and the party is thrown into chaos, making it clear that everything at Broxley Manor is not as it appears…
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What members say
Average customer ratings
Overall
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4 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars22
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4 Stars6
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3 Stars5
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2 Stars1
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1 Stars3
Performance
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars25
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4 Stars3
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3 Stars1
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2 Stars2
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1 Stars2
Story
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4 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars18
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4 Stars8
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3 Stars4
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2 Stars1
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1 Stars2
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- MEM
- 13-03-15
Masked Ball at Broxley Manor
Would you try another book written by Rhys Bowen or narrated by Katherine Kellgren?
Might try the author again. Definitely NOT the same narrator.
What was most disappointing about Rhys Bowen’s story?
I found the delivery so unbearable that I couldn't get past Chapter 1.
What didn’t you like about Katherine Kellgren’s performance?
Dreadful! She shouted. Accents were poor and inconsistent.
What character would you cut from Masked Ball at Broxley Manor?
Couldn't listen to enough of the story to answer the question.
Any additional comments?
Audible narrators are usually very good. Disappointing to find a dud!
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Majsan
- 29-01-15
Only wish that it lasted longer...
Delightful story. Only thing is that as a novella it's ends to soon.
Eagerly looking forward to the next instalment.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- AMG, London
- London UK
- 27-08-18
Shouty reader
Not exactly a great work of fiction but a mildly enjoyable story spoilt by a shouty, overly rapid reader. Which is a shame as her accents and voices are pretty good. I subsequently fpund that playing at 0.85 speed makes the reader a lot less tiring to listen to!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms. Jenny M. Stone
- 02-12-17
brilliant and nostalgic
Would you listen to Masked Ball at Broxley Manor again? Why?
yes, its very well done, does nt drag you down like so many books do
What did you like best about this story?
great characters and narrator
What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
yes, her voices are fantastic
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I like Darcy O Mara with the main character
Any additional comments?
go for it , this books has universal appeal
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Sarah
- 16-08-17
Alright
Would you try another book written by Rhys Bowen or narrated by Katherine Kellgren?
This is a fairly interesting Book however the worst thing about it is the narrator I am sorry to say & I don't want to be mean but blimey she is atrocious! spoils it really but if you can get past the awful voices she does then its an ok book.
Would you recommend Masked Ball at Broxley Manor to your friends? Why or why not?
Not really
How could the performance have been better?
A DIFFERENT NARRATOR
Was Masked Ball at Broxley Manor worth the listening time?
Hmm just about
Any additional comments?
Change the narrator please
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Teddy
- London
- 11-03-17
DIsappointingly lacking in continuity
Would you try another book written by Rhys Bowen or narrated by Katherine Kellgren?
I already have - this one's a prequil.
Would you recommend Masked Ball at Broxley Manor to your friends? Why or why not?
Not really -it's OK as short stories go but it's very written with the events of the books of the main series in mind and relies on the listener/reader forgiving the obviouos lack of continuity it creates with how things unfold in the first three books of the main series.
What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?
Seems reasonabley good and her Irish accent was nicely believable.
Do you think Masked Ball at Broxley Manor needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
It has a whole series of follow-up books.
Any additional comments?
The series as a whole is good which is why I found this shoehorned-in effort disappointing.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- IAN
- United Kingdom
- 30-12-16
Fun, enjoyable and funny addition to the series
A delectable prequel to the national bestselling Royal Spyness mysteries featuring Lady Georgiana Rannoch—thirty forth in line to the throne, and England’s poorest heiress.
At the end of her first unsuccessful season out in society, Lady Georgiana has all but given up on attracting a suitable man—until she receives an invitation to a masked Halloween ball at Broxley Manor. Georgie is uncertain why she was invited, until she learns that the royal family intends to marry her off to a foreign prince, one reputed to be mad.
When the prince, dressed as the devil, rescues her from an embarrassing situation at the ball, Georgie is surprised to find her unwanted suitor to be a dashing, charming man—especially when he pulls her aside and gives her the kiss of a lifetime. But as the time comes for the unmasking, Georgie’s rescuer vanishes and the party is thrown into chaos, making it clear that everything at Broxley Manor is not as it appears.…
This was a fun, enjoyable and funny addition to the Royal Spyness books. And you will meet several people that will turn up in the later books.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- CMMV
- 01-01-15
Fun, light prequel
This is a quick novella set before the events in Her Royal Spyness. You meet a 19 year old Georgie nearing the end of her season. It introduces several (but not all) of the characters in the series during the titular social event.
I quite enjoyed the audiobook. I'm a fan of Katherine Kellgren's performances in the series, and this is just as solid as any. Unfortunately, the plot is vague and there's not really a mystery here, the way there is in the other novels in the series. There is one small plot twist that is very predictable if you're familiar with the series. Since I have read the other novels, for me it was about learning more about the characters and enjoying the setting than about the plot itself. In those areas, it does deliver a lovely (if brief) little narrative. The story is paced well and held my interest throughout the entire narration. It answers a few questions about some characters' backstories, too, which is key to any prequel.
As an additional point, if someone hasn't read the series yet, I'd probably not recommend starting here. I don't think it would confuse a new listener, but there's not enough of a plot or mystery for a newcomer to actually decide if they'd like the rest of the series, and it slightly spoils the ending to a later novel.
27 of 27 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- perspective
- 23-12-15
As always a pleasure
Is there anything you would change about this book?
It is too short and therefore not worth a full credit.
Would you recommend Masked Ball at Broxley Manor to your friends? Why or why not?
If you have read the series you will want this but it is a pity the story is so short. It just does not seem like value for money.
Which scene was your favorite?
The dance scene
Do you think Masked Ball at Broxley Manor needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
This is a short story and should be added to one of the other books.
Any additional comments?
It is not worth the value of a full credit.
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gina M. Bertuccio
- 07-01-15
Fun Little Ditty
Cute little storyline. It is Interesting to see how Mrs. Simpson came into the picture. Narrator is one of the best.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Too Happy
- 13-08-17
too short and little more than an introduction
Not worth the money. The narration was fine. Wallace Simpson and the other American voices were so loud and annoying as to be exaggerations of northern accents. If this had been my introduction to the series, I wouldn't have bothered with more. Thankfully, I know better and plan to enjoy them all. $5.00 for this? Getting my money back. Too bad really. I was looking forward to this.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ShaSha
- 24-01-15
Too short!
Too short!
Love these novels... But this short story was not worth burning a credit for or even paying the 5 dollars
15 of 18 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- DKAero
- 07-04-17
She SHOUTS!!!
Cute story, and the narrator is fine when she isn't shouting. BUT most of her delivery was SHOUTED!!! Gracious. It was exhausting. Interesting story and great potential but it was hard to keep listening to being shouted at.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Dylan
- 18-10-18
I really think there should be more short stories!
A lot of my complaints about the series has been repetition and the fact I would like it stripped down. I think Rhys Bowen should do more short stories for Georgie!
Performance from Katherine Kellgren is outstanding as always - I mean could we really have expected any less.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- A. Arrington
- 14-01-15
LOVED it!!!!!!
I adore this series and having a short novella to keep me going between books is lovely! I hope she writes more back story shorts like this! If she could do one every month or so it would suit me fine.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Carolyn Cornish
- 12-01-15
Too short
I expected an inferior story as I do not enjoy novellas. Much to my pleasure I was wrong. Great fun knowing the beginning of the service.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- J mason
- 14-08-17
Felt like I was being yelled at!
How could the performance have been better?
The story is ok, but certainly not worth the purchase. I felt like I was being YELLED at by the reader which was very distracting.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful