Captives of the Night by Loretta Chase

Captives of the Night

Narrated by Kate Reading

For those of us who are fans of historical romance audios, Loretta Chase’s name has long been at the top of the list of “authors whose books we’d like to see in audio format”. In 2014, our long wait was amply rewarded, with Ms Chase’s Dressmaker books, the ever popular Lord of Scoundrels and a handful of her earlier Regencies all coming to audio. We also got a couple of early Christmas presents in the form of The Lion’s Daughter and Captives of the Night, both of those narrated by the always excellent Kate Reading, whose wonderful recording of Lord of Scoundrels has quickly become one of my all-time favourite audiobooks.

Captives of the Night is the sequel to The Lion’s Daughter, and in it, Ms Chase skilfully and memorably redeems the villain of the earlier book and turns him into a sexy, enigmatic and supremely capable hero – and a villain-turned-hero is like catnip for yours truly!

Former assassin, gun-runner, kidnapper – and cousin to the ruler of Albania – Ismal Delvina has re-invented himself as Alexis Delavenne, Comte d’Esmond, and has, for the past ten years, worked for the British government as a covert operative. His current assignment sees him in Paris, where he’s keeping a discreet eye on Francis Beaumont, a thoroughly unpleasant and ruthless man who maintains his extravagant lifestyle through an intricate web of blackmail and extortion. He is one of the most debauched men in the city – an habitual drunkard, addicted to opium and sexually promiscuous with members of both sexes. Beaumont lusts after d’Esmond, whose masculine golden beauty regularly sets hearts aflutter in the salons and ballrooms of Paris, while d’Esmond is smitten with the man’s beautiful wife, Leila.

Leila was seventeen when her beloved father was murdered by men with whom he’d been illegally and traitorously involved in arms dealing. She was rescued from their house in Venice and spirited away to England by the young and dashing Francis Beaumont. Believing herself in love, Leila was seduced by and then married Francis and the pair moved to Paris where Leila was able to fulfil her dream of becoming an artist. In the intervening years, she has become a portraitist of some renown, while Francis has fallen deeper and deeper into dissipation, and although the couple inhabits the same house, they lead separate lives.

When Francis is found dead in his bedroom not long after he and his wife had a blazing row, suspicion immediately falls upon Leila. Even though d’Esmond initially harbours the same suspicions, he nonetheless determines to exonerate her, and gradually comes to see that she is as innocent of murder as she claims. His quick thinking and skilful manoeuvering quickly see Leila cleared, but with the British authorities concerned that the fallout from Beaumont’s blackmailing schemes could strike at the heart of the aristocracy and government, d’Esmond is charged with finding out who committed the murder.

Neither Leila or d’Esmond is particularly happy at this turn of events. Leila, whose life with Francis was difficult and unpleasant, has determined never again to fall under a man’s spell or to succumb to the natural desires her husband cruelly convinced her were unladylike and wanton. She’s sharp and standoffish with the Comte, yet she’s unable to shake her fascination with him. He’s gorgeous and simply oozes sexual charisma, but she’s also drawn to his intelligence and insight, and discerns somehow that there’s something beneath the surface that doesn’t quite add up.

Captives of the Night is a wonderfully complex story, part romance and part mystery, in which both plot elements are equally compelling and well-developed. The dialogue is terrific and the protagonists are flawed characters who have a long way to go together. At the beginning, Leila is distant and hostile, but as her character is revealed layer by layer, the listener is able to discern why she is so prickly and determined to resist d’Esmond’s charms. And he’s a man of many secrets – secrets that he has guarded for so long that his natural inclination to reveal as little as possible threatens his relationship with Leila almost before it’s begun. They work brilliantly together during the course of the murder investigation, their quick, intuitive minds working like a well-oiled machine; and in the more introspective and romantic moments, the air fairly crackles between them. It’s clear from the start that these two people are perfectly matched, intellectually and physically, and while their eventual HEA is inevitable (this is a romance, after all!) their journey from mistrust to love makes for a fascinating listen. The slow-burn of their deepening attraction and d’Esmond’s careful seduction are incredibly sensual, and when they do eventually come together, it’s nothing short of explosive.

I’ve seen some reviews of the book which talk about the pacing being slow at certain points, but this is not something I experienced when listening. Kate Reading’s narration is so utterly enthralling that if there are any pacing issues, I didn’t notice them at all and I was completely wrapped up in the story from start to finish. Her interpretations of the two principal characters are spot on; she injects just the right amount of cold frigidity into Leila’s tone in her early dealings with d’Esmond, while also being able to convey her inner turmoil, and the conflicted nature of her feelings towards him. The comte’s husky drawl is perfect for this man, who hides a shrewd mind behind the laconic exterior of the bored, dissipated aristocrat. For most of the story, Ms Reading delivers his dialogue using a very slight French accent, but once he reveals his true name, the accent (quite rightly and according to the text) disappears, and from then on she switches effortlessly between his two different vocal characterisations. There is also a fairly large cast of secondary characters, all of whom are very clearly differentiated, with Francis is particularly well portrayed. He sounds suitably unpleasant when necessary, but there’s also an element of pathos to him that’s never far from the surface.

I was absolutely thrilled when this title popped up at Audible with Ms Reading’s name attached to it. Loretta Chase is an exceptional storyteller with a unique voice which needs – and deserves – a top-notch narrator in order to fully translate all her cleverness and subtlety into audio format. She has certainly found that superlative performer in Kate Reading, and long may their association continue.

Captives of the Night is definitely an audiobook I’ll be returning to over and over again.

Caz


Narration: A+

Book Content: A-

Steam Factor: Glad I had my earbuds in

Violence: None

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: NYLA

10 thoughts on “Captives of the Night by Loretta Chase

  1. Fantastic review, Caz! This audiobook is perfection. I’m wishing all the wishes for Kate to keep narrating Loretta’s books.

  2. Thank you for this lovely review! I have committed to recording several Loretta Chase books, so there will be more delicious period bust heaving adventures to look forward to. And, for the first time, I agreed to a royalty share, so sales from these books will cast a rosy glow on my finances!

    1. You’re very welcome. I think it’s safe to say that I haven’t yet met a narration of yours I haven’t liked!

      I will jump up and down quietly in the corner at the news you will be recording more of Ms Chase’s books :)

      1. I’m jumping already and not at all quietly although I’m trying to refrain my enthusiasm. This is wonderful news Kate. So happy for both you and Loretta! (and for us fans as well). The waiting will be sweet.

  3. Great review Caz! Your description of the background of the story is great, and much more informative, and orienting, than the relatively condensed blurb on Goodreads: ) I also agree with you, Kate Reading’s narration is simply fantastic!

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