by India Holton
Published 2021
A New York Times Notable Book of 2021 “The kind of book for which the word “rollicking” was invented.”—New York Times Book Review A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance. Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She's also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means. Sure, she has a dark and traumatic past and an overbearing aunt, but all things considered, it's a pleasant existence. Until the men show up. Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately, that happens to be while he's under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, who possesses a gothic abbey bristling with cannons and an unbridled hate for the world, intends to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman. When Morvath imperils the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to team up with her handsome would-be assassin to save the women who raised her--hopefully proving, once and for all, that she's as much of a scoundrel as the rest of them.
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Top voices for narrating this book
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“This voice perfectly embodies the lively and fun spirit needed for a fantastical historical romance, with its bright energy and expressive character work, making it highly engaging for the listener.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Classy
“The classic British RP accent and warm, soft tone of this voice make it an excellent choice for a classy, confident storyteller, ideal for setting the tone of this witty adventure.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“With its kind, friendly, and warm qualities, this voice offers a pleasant and encouraging narrative style that aligns well with the book's genre and the narrator's engaging role.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Classy
“The clear Received Pronunciation and gentle emotional tone of this voice would bring the adventurous tales to life, providing a sophisticated yet expressive narrative presence.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Crisp
“This voice's crisp, clear, and engaging qualities, combined with its elegant yet warm delivery, are well-suited for a narrator guiding listeners through a charming and adventurous story.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
The ideal Victorian lady who is also a cunning thief. Her voice should be elegant and prim, yet capable of wit and underlying determination.
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Crisp
“This voice's crisp, clear, and elegant British tone perfectly captures Cecilia's prim yet witty demeanor, reflecting her dual nature as a lady and a thief.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“The smooth, soft, and well-spoken classy delivery of this voice would beautifully convey Cecilia's elegant facade while hinting at her underlying determination.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Classy
“A clear, versatile British voice that brings stories to life, this option is ideal for showcasing Cecilia's confident and articulate personality, even in her cunning moments.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Classy
“The classic British RP and classy tone of this voice would suit Cecilia's Victorian lady persona, providing a refined yet subtly energetic portrayal.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Classy
“This voice's low, grounded, and warm delivery, combined with its classy British accent, offers a subtle strength that would underscore Cecilia's determination beneath her elegant exterior.”
A dangerously charming assassin who is smitten with Cecilia. His voice should be smooth, alluring, and capable of both menace and warmth.
Male · Young · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · Educational · +58 more
“This young male voice has a smooth, sexy quality, perfect for Ned's dangerously charming and alluring persona, capable of conveying both warmth and a hint of mystery.”
Male · Young · Medium · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · +56 more
“With a relatively deep and calm tone, this voice offers a conversational and smooth delivery that would suit Ned's charming yet mysterious nature, making him approachable yet enigmatic.”
Male · Young · Deep · Social-Media · Educational · Advertisement · +57 more
“The casual, laid-back delivery and conversational tone of this young male voice would work well for Ned, allowing for a natural portrayal of his allure and wit.”
Male · Young · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · +56 more
“This young male voice, described as friendly and expressive, could bring out Ned's warmer, smitten side, while still maintaining a conversational ease that hints at his charm.”
A crazed pirate filled with unbridled hate. His voice should be dark, authoritative, and convey a sense of volatile intensity.
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“The deep, haunting voice with an eerie elegance is an ideal match for Captain Morvath's crazed and intense hatred, perfectly conveying his volatile nature.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“This voice's bold, expressive, and intense tone, designed to build tension, would effectively portray Captain Morvath's unbridled rage and dramatic presence.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“The voice's ability to build intensity with every line, along with its gripping storytelling quality, makes it suitable for conveying Morvath's dark and menacing character.”