Caffeinated Reviewer

Narrated by Sarah Mollo-Christensen & John Hartley, A Treacherous Trade by Kerrigan Byrne is the second audio in the Fiona Mahoney Mysteries. This historical fiction mystery has Fiona once again chasing down evil. Grab your earbuds and see why I love this series.

“Forgive me…for I have sinned.”
And nothing interrupts a good confession like a murder.

Fiona Mahoney stands in the ashes of her hopes facing her tempting adversary, Inspector Grayson Croft. Her sins are about to spill from her lips, when he says the one thing that could dispel all thoughts of revelation or redemption.

Someone is leaving the corpses of prostitutes in the streets, and a name is being whispered in the fearful shadows. The name against which Fiona would sell her very soul for vengeance.

Jack the Ripper.

Old enemies and new friends join Fiona as she chases a relentless evil through the streets of Victorian London. She’ll pull upon every contact in her arsenal including Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Inspector Aberline, “The Hammer” a charismatic gangster, “The Blade” an enigmatic assassin, and, of course, Jack.

I love stories about Jack the Ripper and was drawn to the Fiona Mahony Mysteries. The first audio gave us one narrator, but this time around, we have two. While I loved John Hartley giving voice to the males, particularly the men vying for Fiona’s attentions, I wasn’t as taken with Sarah Mollo-Christensen and felt her accent was off, but I enjoyed the audiobook and will continue listening to the series.

Jack the Ripper wasn’t at the forefront of this story, but was always present. The case was suspenseful and well crafted. Fiona cleans murder scenes and is asked to investigating the murders of prostitutes. She poses as one of them in a house of ill repute.

Fiona is surrounded by men of power, and they are all vying for her attentions. We have Scotland Yard Inspector Grayson Croft and the Hammer, a dangerous lord of London’s underbelly. Then there is Aramis Night Horse, a trained assassin. Last but certainly not least, she has caught the attentions of Jack the Ripper. All four men play a part in the investigation. All of them are unique, fleshed out and intriguing in their own right.

The flow of A Treacherous Trade was stronger than the first book and wasn’t as grisly. I loved the interactions between each of the men and Fiona. While this is not a romance, it has romantic elements.I have the feeling all would love to deflower our feisty heroine. Because this is the second novel, the case felt stronger as Bryne had already introduced us to the world and characters. The case felt more like a mystery-thriller and kept me engaged. Bryne is taking her time with the romantic interests and allowing the listener to better get to know the players and Fiona.

We see growth in Fiona as her world and experiences expand. She still seeks revenge, but also justice for the dead. I am looking forward to the next novel. Fans of historical murder-mysteries and thrillers will want to add this series to their TBR pile.

The story translated well on audio and despite some reservations about the female narrator; I enjoyed the changing voices, particularly for the men.

Fans of historical mysteries, Jack the Ripper and female sleuths will want to add the Fiona Mahony Mysteries to their TBR pile.

Amazon | Audible

About Kerrigan Byrne

Kerrigan has done many things to pay the bills, from law enforcement to belly dance instructor. Now she’s finally able to have the career she’d decided upon at thirteen when she announced to her very skeptical family that she was going to “grow up to be a romance novelist.” Whether she’s writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, Kerrigan uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in almost every story. She lives in a little Victorian coast town on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State with her wonderful husband. When she’s not writing you can find her sailing, beach combing, kayaking, visiting wineries, breweries, and restaurants with friends, and hiking…okay…wandering aimlessly clenching bear spray in the mountains.

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About John Hartley

British voice actor and romance novel narrator with a penchant for accents, moody heroes and mysterious heroines.

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About Sarah Mollo-Christensen

Sarah Mollo-Christensen is a stage and voice actor who has appeared on such regional stages as the Folger Theatre and the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. She received her BA from Dartmouth College and went on to graduate from the Atlantic Theater Company's Acting Conservatory in New York. In addition to her work with audiobooks, her narration can be heard on programs such as public radio's This American Life.

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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