Sophia Rose is revisiting her teen years with My Borther Michael by Martha Stewart. Come see why she loved revisiting this story on audio. Travel, adventure, romance and suspense await you in this 1959s classic tale.
by Mary Stewart
Narrator: Jasmine Blackborow
Length: 10 hours and 40 minutes
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.2x
ONLY A MOMENT BEFORE
Camilla Haven is on holiday alone, and wishes for some excitement. She had been sitting quietly in a crowded Athens cafe writing to her friend Elizabeth in England, "Nothing ever happens tome..."
Then, without warning, a stranger approached, thrust a set of car keys at her and pointed to a huge black touring car parked at the curb. "The car for Delphi, mademoiselle... A matter of life and death," he whispered and disappeared.
From that moment Camilla her life suddenly begins to take off when she sets out on a mysterious car journey to Delphi in the company of a charming but quietly determined Englishman named Simon Lester. Simon told Camilla he had come to the ancient Greek ruins to "appease the shade” of his brother Michael, killed some fourteen years earlier on Parnassus. From a curious letter Michael had written, Simon believed his brother had stumbled upon something of great importance hidden in the craggy reaches of the mountainside. And then Simon and Camilla learned that they were not alone in their search...
The ride was Camilla's first mistake... or perhaps she unintentionally had invoked the gods. She finds herself in the midst of an exciting, intriguing, yet dangerous adventure. An extraordinary train of events turned on a nightmare of intrigue and terror beyond her wildest daydreams.
Sophia Rose’s Review
Originally published in 1959, Mary Stewart penned a captivating holiday adventure for a single Englishwoman traveling abroad in a masterful style. With Mary Stewart, the setting is as much a key player as her characters and plots and My Brother Michael was no exception.
I devoured every Mary Stewart title I could get my hands on back in my teen years and then they came to my attention once again when her titles were re-released in audio format. I had vague memories of most of them or no memory at all so I was tickled to snatch this one up as a perfect summer ‘armchair traveler’ read that took me to the Greece of sixty years ago. This is a classic now, but it still shines as brightly as ever and passed the test of a reread so well.
With irony layered on thickly, the story begins when a young English woman moping about her holiday feeling rather flat because she’s touring Greece on a pinched budget. Lo and behold the catalyst for her big chance at adventure lands in her lap. Good on Camilla for not missing fate’s tempting opportunity.
I enjoyed Camilla as the story narrator. She’s an everyday average working gal getting over a relationship that didn’t work out and she intrepidly steps out on faith from the get go when she takes the car and sets out to find this ‘Simon in Delphi’. Simon captivates her and his story of a murdered brother, stolen English gold and guns, and an odd clue referencing Greek mythology. Camilla is a woman of sense and proportion so she feels fear and inadequacy, but she pushes forward anyway. Like most Mary Stewart stories, the reader gets a fusion of amazing setting and atmosphere- this time its Greece- people, culture, and history- and a slow-build suspense with a whiff of romance.
The audio narrator, Jasmine Blackborow, was new to me, but I thought she did a bang up job. She told the narration bits with good pace and tone, caught the characters well, and didn’t trip over the accents. I would definitely listen to more of her work.
All in all, this was a wonderful and nostalgic experience rediscovering Mary Stewart is as stellar as I remember. Definitely a recommend to those who like the old-style romantic suspenses written by one best in the genre.
About Mary Stewart
Lady Mary Stewart, born Mary Florence Elinor Rainbow, was a popular English novelist, and taught at the school of John Norquay elementary for 30 to 35 years. She was one of the most widely read fiction writers of our time. The author of twenty novels, a volume of poetry, and three books for young readers, she was admired for both her contemporary stories of romantic suspense and her historical novels. Born in England, she lived for many years in Scotland, spending time between Edinburgh and the West Highlands.
About Jasmine Blackborow
Jasmine will next be seen as Charly in Guy Ritchie’s THE GENTLEMEN for Netflix opposite Theo James and Joely Richardson. She plays the Princesse de Lamballe in MARIE ANTOINETTE penned by Deborah Davis for CAPA Drama, Banijay Studios France, the BBC and CANAL+ and is currently shooting the second series. Other credits include Marie in SHADOW & BONE for Netflix, independent feature films SCHOOL’S OUT FOREVER for Rebellion Productions, THE ART OF LOVE on Netflix and the BAFTA nominated short AAMIR.
On stage her credits include THE BREACH directed by Sarah Frankcom at Hampstead Theatre and most recently the lead role in SUPER HIGH RESOLUTION directed by Blanche McIntyre to rave reviews.
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About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. 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.
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
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I think I’ve read a Mary Stewart in the past but I couldn’t tell you which book. This sounds delightful and I love that it’s now on audio! I can fit those in easier than an e-copy. I’ll see if I can get it through my library. So fun that you got to revisit a teen favorite, Sophia!
Sophia Rose
Yeah, its been a while since the first time reading it. I was thrilled to find them on audio. Hope you enjoy it when you get the chance, Rachel!
Katherine
I’m very slowly reading through Mary Stewart’s books but I haven’t gotten to this one yet! I’m very much looking forward to reading it though! I love when a favorite lives up to the reread.
Sophia Rose
Yes, always a gamble when going for a reread of one from many years ago, but these Mary Stewarts are really working for me. I’ve got more than half her books still to go and I’m eager to pick these up.
Mary Kirkland
That sounds like it would be a fun read.
Sophia Rose
Sure was, Mary! I enjoyed my armchair visit in Greece and the revisit to the story.
Lorna
I loved all her books when I was a teenager. I remember the title of this one but not the plot. I do remember Moonspinners by her. I loved it and the movie too. Glad you enjoyed it all over again.
Sophia Rose
I didn’t remember the plot of this one either so it was a fun getting a full refresh with the audio version. Yes, loved Moonspinners, too, Lorna!