The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne

This series was selected as a group read in one of my Goodreads groups. I’ll be posting reviews each month until we finish all the released books.

Mrs. Farah Mackenzie is a widow working as a clerk for Scotland Yard. When the infamous and wealthy criminal mastermind Dorian Blackwell, known as the Blackheart of Ben More, is brought in for questioning, he makes an amazing discovery that permanently changes the course of her life.

I’m loathe to share too much of the story as this one has one of the best opening chapters I’ve read in some time. It begins seventeen years earlier in the Scottish Highlands when eight-year-old Farah meets eleven-year-old Dougan Mackenzie. It will warm the most stoic heart and sets the stage for this wonderful tale. What happens to both Farah and Dougan is tragic and shapes both of them into adulthood. Dougan’s relationship with Dorian later becomes important.

I loved everything about this story and the characters couldn’t be better crafted and designed. Farah has a resilient, hopeful spirit, which is the complete opposite of the dark and ruthless Dorian. Their journey and discoveries are mysterious and exciting, with secrets slowly revealed throughout as there are threats to Farah’s well being. Even the secondary characters are compelling and interesting. And, it has a fantastic epilogue, giving us a conclusion worthy of what came before it.

I also chose to listen to the book and was extremely pleased with the narrator, Derek Perkins, who adeptly managed the important characters with distinction and verve. His storytelling skills are wonderful. I’m really excited about continuing the series, all on audio.

Book Info

• Release Date: September 1, 2015
  
• Series: Victorian Rebels #1
  
• Narrator: Derek Perkins
  
• Audio Length: 10 hours, 54 minutes
  
• Publisher: Tantor Audio

Listen to a Sample!

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