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The Queen of Bedlam cover art

The Queen of Bedlam

By: Robert R. McCammon
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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Summary

His epic masterwork Speaks the Nightbird, a tour de force of witch hunt terror in a colonial town, was hailed by Sandra Brown as "deeply satisfying...told with matchless insight into the human soul."

Now, Robert McCammon brings the hero of that spellbinding novel, Matthew Corbett, to 18th-century New York, where a killer wields a bloody and terrifying power over a bustling city carving out its identity - and over Matthew's own uncertain destiny.

The unsolved murder of a respected doctor has sent ripples of fear throughout a city teeming with life and noise and commerce. Who snuffed out the good man's life with the slash of a blade on a midnight street? The local printmaster has labeled the fiend "the Masker," adding fuel to a volatile mystery...and when the Masker claims a new victim, hardworking young law clerk Matthew Corbett is lured into a maze of forensic clues and heart-pounding investigation that will both test his natural penchant for detection and inflame his hunger for justice.

In the strangest twist of all, the key to unmasking the Masker may await in an asylum where the Queen of Bedlam reigns - and only a man of Matthew's reason and empathy can unlock her secrets. From the seaport to Wall Street, from society mansions to gutters glimmering with blood spilled by a deviant, Matthew's quest will tauntingly reveal the answers he seeks - and the chilling truths he cannot escape.

©2007 Robert McCammon (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Queen of Bedlam

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A new favourite series

Speaks The Night Bird could have been a standalone but through this second novel we are now set up for further adventures both public and private with Matthew Corbett. Good fun and convincing historical details. Recommended.

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

2nd book as good as first

Really enjoyed the 2nd in this series..well narrated..looking forward to yet more Matthew Corbett stories.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Another winner

I felt that this was not quite as good as 'Speaks the Nightbird', but it is still exciting and fun, and the character of Matthew is developed well - although he is maybe a bit too perfect! It is a long book, but did not get boring or seem too long to me. I shall certainly look out for more of this series. Edoardo Ballerini narrates well.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story.

Loved it. Long, enjoyably complex and a strong culmination of the plot. Enjoyed the historic setting and the background in which the mystery plays out.

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5 people found this helpful

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Not quite as strong as the first in the series

I did enjoy this book, although not quite as much as the first one in the series. This one felt more like it was about developing the main character, getting him settled in a new situation and introducing a lot of new characters - all of whom are very enjoyable.

Like the first book, I saw the twists coming way ahead of their arrival, which isn't ideal for a mystery novel, but it really is so well drawn that I didn't mind and headed straight into the 3rd in the series.

Another excellent narrative performance with slightly dodgy accents again.

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4 people found this helpful

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First was better

I feel a bit let down with this as I have been recommending this author quite a lot and the past two of his I've read, weren't that great.

I'm a believer in fully unabridged books as I feel cheated of plot points in the lesser, abridged versions. However, in this book, a massive chunk could have been omitted and you would still have retained the pace. Without it, I"m afraid it was pretty slow.

Matthew is back and head hunted by a secret detective agency. He is still determined to avenge the abused orphans of his previous home and struggles with his own safety as a masked murderer prowls the dark alleys of New York.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully written, beautifully narrated.

I loved the first Matthew Corbett novel and wondered if there was any way to match the quality of that stunning book. I was so pleased to find that this is every bit as good. I love the characters, the way the author immerses the reader (listener) into the life of New York in the early 18thC, the twists and turns and red herrings of the plot. The icing on the cake is Edoardo Ballerini. His characterisations are spot-on and he brings Matthew totally to life. I read somewhere that there will be 10 in the Matthew Corbett series. I shall be downloading every one of them.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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What a gem

I partly chose this book for its length. I like a long book. Boy was I glad I did. Basically a whodunit, but told in the 17thC. A great plot with full of life characters, touches of humour all beautifully presented by this excellent narrator. Thoroughly recommended.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Audio Delight to satisfy all your senses!

I loved this book! The book is beautifully written, and so well read that I could saviour the craftsmanship of the words, whilst enjoying the intriguing plot and the sheer delight of the characters as portrayed by the narrator. At points I laughed out loud at the delight of the language used to portray the character Matthew in his speech and thought.



The plot weaved along with subsidiary stories woven in, that made me listen for hours on end, and I was sad it came to an end. I loved the setting of New York in the late 1700's and the pompous class attitudes some of the characters were riddled with. Have recommended this to book to all my friends. Exciting finale will not leave you disappointed - read this book!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

very enjoyable

I really liked both this book and the first one in the series. I've read many reviews which I agree with but no one seems to comment on how annoying Matthew Corbett is! it's a bit unbelievable how he gets people to answer his questions when he has no authority, this was a problem I found with the first book but it's a minor flaw.

The factual details and historical references throughout the book are just astounding! the description of people and places is so in depth and this is what sets this series of books apart from other historical fiction.

The narration is wonderful and it's easy to distinguish between different characters. there have been a few reviews commentating on dodgy accents but I think it's not offensive at all and doesn't detract from the story.

I look forward to listening to other books in this series. Thank you audible

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1 person found this helpful