MRS COX

Narrator Jilly Bond offers a fine performance of this straight-to-audio historical mystery. Set in 1608 London and featuring proto-feminist ribbon seller Mrs. Cox, this first novel's realistic scenes and dialogue are helped by its New Zealand author's love of seventeenth-century diaries. Mrs. Cox has formed a "Maiden's Guild" to guard neighborhood businesswomen from the depredations of powerful men. When one of their members is found murdered, and then her body vanishes, the guild launches a secret investigation. Although female characters are occasionally hard to differentiate in conversation, do not be deterred. Bond's pleasant voice, crisp diction, and colorful inflection combine with clear pacing to keep listeners on track through the wealth of characters and plot. Happily anticipating the next Mrs. Cox adventure. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2018]