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The Crimson Rooms: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 659 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Evelyn is a young woman who has defied convention to become one of the country's pioneer female lawyers. Living at home with her mother, aunt, and grandmother, Evelyn is still haunted by the death of her younger brother James in the First World War. Therefore, when the doorbell rings late one night and a woman appears claiming to have mothered James's child, Evelyn's world is turned upside down.
Evelyn distrusts Meredith at first, but she also finds that this new arrival challenges her work-obsessed lifestyle. So far her legal career has not set the world alight. But then two cases arise that make Evelyn realize that perhaps she can make a difference. The first concerns a woman called Leah Marchant, whose children have been taken away from her simply because she is poor. In the second case, Stephen Wheeler—a former acquaintance of Daniel Breen, her boss—has been charged with murdering his own wife. It is clear to Breen and Evelyn that Wheeler is innocent but he won't talk.
After being humiliated in court, Evelyn is approached by the dashing lawyer Nicholas Thorne. She is needled by his privileged background and old-fashioned attitudes, but, despite being engaged, he cannot seem to resist sparring with this feisty young female. In the meantime, Meredith makes an earth-shattering accusation about James. With the Wheeler case coming to a head and her heart in limbo, Evelyn takes matters into her own hands.
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"I enjoyed this mystery. I liked the time period (1920's - post-war London) and the connections between the characters and the mystery. I always love a little romance as well. There were a few non-sequiturs in the narration that threw me, but other than that I loved this book."
— Randi (4 out of 5 stars)
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“In this determinedly old-fashioned novel of tangled mystery and morality, Evelyn makes for a smart and resolutely modest heroine.”
— Publishers Weekly -
McMahon's historical novels are often complex but extremely rewarding in their depth and character development. Her latest is her best novel to date.
— Library Journal Starred Review -
“Evelyn’s personal and professional struggles are convincingly rendered, and the period ambience and courtroom drama are equally satisfying. A thoroughly engrossing read that will appeal both as mystery and historical fiction.”
— Booklist
The Crimson Rooms Listener Reviews
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" This was a step above the lady detective period genre novels I've been reading lately. Really well written, nuanced characters, subtle humor slotted into a grim backdrop. "
— Judi, 2/19/2014 -
" A generally dull and obvious storyline. Quite slow and tedious in parts. The things that made me give 3 stars and not less were: Evelyn (the main character and narrator) is very likeable and easy to relate to. There are some interesting personalities, eg. Meredith, Nicholas and Breen. It was interesting to have a perspective of what it might have been like for the early female lawyers. "
— Iris, 2/1/2014 -
" I have read a couple of the author's other novels and they haven't really sat well with me. But I'm really glad I gave her another chance, this novel set after the Great War hosts an intriguing set of characters that made it an enjoyable read overall. "
— Elizabeth, 1/2/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this one. It started off as a "nice" story and added in tension and depth as it went on. Highly recommended. "
— Finn, 12/21/2013 -
" Sure I read the whole thing. I just had to know how her two legal cases would end and I kept wanting the author to pull out something really great - some well put line or ingenious twist. It just didn't happen for me. "
— Kim, 12/16/2013 -
" I'd say this was closer to a 2.5 star book for me than 3 stars, but I did enjoy it. "
— Siobhan, 12/7/2013 -
" Mystery set in post-World War I London with a female lawyer as protagonist. Well done. I'm thinking there may be the beginning of series==maybe. "
— Ann, 12/5/2013 -
" Thought it was great book. Good writing. The ending totally surprised me. I didn't see it coming at all. I recommend it. "
— Melyni, 11/14/2013 -
" A nice holiday read, nothing too deep but a gentle story of love, passion, a woman finding her way as a groundbreaking lawyer in the 1920's and gaining her own independence at the expense of her brother who died in the war. "
— Katie, 11/13/2013 -
" Really 2 1/2 "
— Linda, 7/30/2013 -
" Won't read any more of her books tho "
— Scherry, 7/15/2013 -
" I enjoyed this historical finish. It had a touch of romance, mystery and heart. "
— Kristin, 5/26/2013 -
" A good read from start to finish "
— Cheryl, 2/15/2013 -
" Really cant get into this book. It maybe my mood or the writting style, but I feel like its droning on... "
— Renae, 12/14/2012 -
" Set in England after the war. The main female character was perfect for the times...trying to make it in the world of men, she has intelligence but still has to temper her actions to get ahead. "
— Tamela, 8/20/2012 -
" I don't know why this one lost steam for me. I loved it through the middle, but during the trial I became less interested. I'm not really a fan of murder mysteries, so that is probably why this part dragged for me. "
— Christie, 5/9/2012 -
" An interesting and enjoyable book about a young female attorney in post WWI England. The story follows her struggles in dealing with her male colleagues, demanding family and difficult clients. "
— Ariana, 5/26/2011 -
" Engaging and well written. "
— Lori, 5/18/2011 -
" More love interest than strictly needed, but interesting insight into women entering the law profession in England "
— Barb, 3/15/2011 -
" A nice holiday read, nothing too deep but a gentle story of love, passion, a woman finding her way as a groundbreaking lawyer in the 1920's and gaining her own independence at the expense of her brother who died in the war. "
— Katie, 3/14/2011 -
" Inside look at women in lawyers in England after WW1. It takes a women's intuition to solve the case! "
— Christine, 2/21/2011 -
" Won't read any more of her books tho "
— Scherry, 1/13/2011 -
" I always like books that expose me painless to history and entertain me at the same time. "
— Dayne, 1/9/2011 -
" A wonderful change of pace...historical fiction and a few mystery's. My kind of book! Very well written. "
— Karen, 12/27/2010 -
" An intriguing mystery/slice of life/more set in post Great-War England. "
— Jen, 12/6/2010 -
" Rather dull in places but the historical context was interesting. The 'brash Americam' stereotying, and other aspects of characterisation were a bit tired, though, and the narrative a touch twee and clunky "
— Carolyn, 12/2/2010 -
" A historical fiction/mystery. It kept me interested, but I really expected a different ending. "
— Deborah, 11/30/2010
About Katharine McMahon
Katharine Mcmahon is the author of several novels of historical fiction. She is a former English teacher, writing instructor, and actress.
About Josephine Bailey
Josephine Bailey’s impeccable narrations include the British classics Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden. She has also used her subtly nuanced style to enliven historical fiction and light romances. She has won nine AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award.