A Very Frustrating Intro to a Frustrating Series

I am not sure why this author made reading this series so confusing. I enjoyed quite a bit about this book but the entire time I was reading it I knew that there was a great deal of background fact that I knew nothing about, so chunks of this story made very little sense. The gaping holes meant I had difficulty following the plot and understanding the characters.

So I went to her website hoping there would be a FAQ or some other section that would explain what I clearly didn't get. That made it even more confusing. I discovered that the book I was listening to, which Audible labeled Malcom and Suzanne Rannoch Book 1, was originally written as Charles and Melanie Fraser Book 3, although chronologically it was Book 1, except for a new prequel that was just released. There was an attempt to address the character name change - some publisher issue, but that really didn't help, since it seems she continues to refer to Charles and Melanie on the website. The website has "letters" written between Charles and Melanie and a few other characters. I thought they might fill in some of the background, but like the books, they are not published in chronological order and it looks like many are no longer available. I then read the prequel about how Malcom and Suzanne or Charles and Melanie met and married, but it was written after Vienna Waltz and the explanation in the prequel doesn't match the information in Vienna Waltz.

I finished this book and started the next book in the series. But I don't know that I will finish it. I enjoyed Vienna Waltz, but there was just too much I didn't understand, it was too difficult to follow and the writer seems intent on intentionally keeping the series confusing. I think it will take way too much effort to read this series and it isn't well enough written to go through the hassle.

7 people found this helpful

Spy vs spy- but poorly done

Any additional comments?

Only a few chapters in, and I am turned off by the betrayal alluded to between the main characters. Perhaps the author is just being clever and burying the truth in the storyline, but the twists and turns have left me confused. I find I lack the energy at the moment to get through it. For pity's sake, the whole reason I'm mad for audiobooks is that for the first time in years, I am able to "read" books for pleasure while multitasking. Can't do that if I have to take notes. I'll have to set this one aside for now, but if I find time to listen to it again (from the beginning to the end) I'll update my comments. On the flip side, Derek Perkins consistently delivers a solid, versatile performance, and is the reason I am willing to give this one another try.

2 people found this helpful

Mystery and Romance

This is a well rounded story. There's enough attention given to the Rannoch's tenuous marriage to satisfy my romantic heart with plenty of mystery/suspense to keep me listening and entertained.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful series!

If you could sum up Vienna Waltz in three words, what would they be?

Engrossing historical mystery

What did you like best about this story?

The narrator made the story come alive- you wanted to know more about the characters

Which scene was your favorite?

Really the whole book

Any additional comments?

I am disappointed that there aren't audible for the whole series! The narrator was the Best!!