THE LOCKSMITH'S DAUGHTER

As the only daughter of London's master locksmith, there is no lock that Mallory Bright cannot master--a talent that has earned her a position with Queen Elizabeth's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham. But when Mallory learns Sir Francis's ruthless method of control, her loyalties begin to turn, putting her and all those she loves in mortal peril. Author/narrator Karen Brooks shifts accents ably, and her dramatic narration conveys the heavy weight of Mallory's secrets. However, she doesn't vary her tone at all, thus missing many of the lighter, gentler moments in the story. She also habitually emphasizes non-critical words in dialogue, a weakness that can be distracting, especially during scenes of high tension. Nevertheless, listeners eager for a lush historical adventure will find much to enjoy in this mystery. B.E.K. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2017]