Naked Once More by Elizabeth Peters, narrated by Grace Conlin
#4 Jacqueline Kirby
Historical Mystery
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Published: 8.5.08
Time: 12 hours 42 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Format: Audio
Source: Purchased
Sellers: Amazon
ADD TO: GoodReads
Goodreads Synopsis:
She may be a bestselling author, but ex-librarian Jacqueline Kirby's views on the publishing biz aren't fit to print. In fact, she's thinking of trading celebrity for serenity and a house far away from fiendish editors and demented fans when her agent whispers the only words that could ever make her stay: Naked in the Ice.
Seven years ago, this blockbuster skyrocketed Katleen Darcy to instant fame. Now the author's heirs are looking for a writer to pen the sequel. It's an opportunity no novelist in her right mind would pass up, and there's no doubting Jacqueline's sanity...until she starts digging through the missing woman's papers - and her past. Until she gets mixed up with Kathleen's enigmatic lover. Until a series of nasty accidents convince her much too late that someone wants to bring Jacqueline's story -and her life - to a premature end.
Sophia Rose's Review:
The final book in the series catches Jacqueline caught in a bid to write the sequel to a dead author’s fabulous bestseller, fending off rivals, and slowly coming to the conclusion that the author’s death was no suicide. A little darker, a little more atmospheric, and Elizabeth Peters’ ends the series strong.
Naked Once More is the fourth and final standalone Jacqueline Kirby mystery.
Following on the heels of Die for Love in which Jacqueline, at the very end of that one, wrote a satirical historical romance and she was as shocked as anyone else when it hit the bestsellers. Her second book was nearly as popular, making her a name in the romance world.
After a few rounds with all the TV, radio, and newspaper interviews and guest speaking, she’s not so enamored with fame and the romance book world. When her agent talks of retiring, he dangles a different writing project under her nose- finish the story of the hottest book to hit the market in ages.
So, Naked Once More trails Jacqueline as she tosses her hat into the ring and does her level best to stir up the writer’s heirs, lawyers, the competition, and half the small town in rural Virginia. Jacqueline becomes the confidante of a few and studies the author and all the past documentation on her and her books so she can do her best by the sequel. In doing so, she spots some chilling hints that Kathleen Darcy might not have taken her own life in that clearing in the woods. Plenty of people had motives starting with her dependent relations, rival love interests, and others in the book industry.
Naked Once More was slow build and had some delicious atmospheric moments, twists, and suspense married with Jacqueline’s snappy dialogue and clever way of doing circles around those who were out to get her or bully those she saw in need of protection. This was definitely my favorite of the series and reminded me a lot of the author’s darker more suspenseful stories written under her Barbara Michaels’ name.
All in all, this was a fabulous revisit and my first time on audio. I was glad Grace Conlin was the series’ narrator and I look forward to more of her work and more of Elizabeth Peters’ books.
Author’s Bio:
Elizabeth Peters is a pen name of Barbara Mertz. She also wrote as Barbara Michaels as well as her own name. Born and brought up in Illinois, she earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago. Mertz was named Grand Master at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986 and Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar Awards in 1998. She lived in a historic farmhouse in Frederick, western Maryland until her death.
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose
This sounds fun. Lovely review Sophia. I am glad the audio offered a splendid revisit!
ReplyDeleteI was a little sad to finish the nostalgic revisit to the series. It was a good time. :)
DeleteI enjoyed these but it's been a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
I couldn't remember half of what was in them so it turned out to be a refreshing trip back to the oldies. :)
DeleteIt sounds good, I'm glad you enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! I had the time of my life. :)
DeleteAlways good with a revisit :D I am glad audio worked too
ReplyDeleteYou said it! The revisit went so well. :)
DeleteI've never read any of her books, but this sounds like a mystery I'd love! Glad that it's out on audio too!
ReplyDeleteI think this was the best of the series that just kept getting better as it went. Yes, the audios were a definite hook.
DeleteHow did I not realize she is Barbara Michaels??? My mind is blown, as I've thoroughly enjoyed several of her books, but have never read an Elizabeth Peters book.
ReplyDeleteLOL, yes! I have had that shocker about a few of the older big name writers who had more than one pen name. Her Elizabeth Peters' books are the lighter end and often have a strong humor element.
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