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Ruritanian Rogues #2
A Nest of Vipers
A string of unexplained gruesome deaths brings fear and uncertainty to the streets of Ruritania’s capital.
And it could not have happened at a worse time. The planned visit by the Vice Chancellor of Jermania, to commence peace talks, is thrown into jeopardy. Will all the preparation for the negotiations come to nothing? Will the brutal war between the two nations escalate once again?
Meanwhile, the spate of thefts from wealthy homes continues. Who is responsible? And how can they be stopped?
And who is the mysterious figure who continually gains illegal access to the city apothecary?
With many conflicting and intertwining agendas, this proud and noble city faces the very real danger of becoming a nest of vipers.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2017
10 people want to read
About the author
Richard Storry
13 books17 followersRichard is delighted that all his books are available from Amazon, not only in print, but also as e-downloads and as audio versions!
Prior to writing his first novel, "The Cryptic Lines" Richard was very busy in the theatrical world:
He composed the incidental music to Chekhov's Three Sisters, seen in London's West End, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Eric Sykes, and subsequently broadcast on BBC4 television.
His music for Rumplestiltskin received over 300 performances in its first year alone.
His musical adaptation of "The Brothers Lionheart" premiered at London's Pleasance Theatre, followed by a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival where it was voted 'Best Childrens' Play'.
"The Cryptic Lines" has now been adapted for the stage and screen. Following the publication of his second novel, "Order of Merit," about a professional hitman who uses his musical skill as cover for his nefarious exploits, Richard has frequently been asked whether he wrote it from his own experience. Naturally, he is not at liberty to answer such questions(!)
Prior to writing his first novel, "The Cryptic Lines" Richard was very busy in the theatrical world:
He composed the incidental music to Chekhov's Three Sisters, seen in London's West End, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Eric Sykes, and subsequently broadcast on BBC4 television.
His music for Rumplestiltskin received over 300 performances in its first year alone.
His musical adaptation of "The Brothers Lionheart" premiered at London's Pleasance Theatre, followed by a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival where it was voted 'Best Childrens' Play'.
"The Cryptic Lines" has now been adapted for the stage and screen. Following the publication of his second novel, "Order of Merit," about a professional hitman who uses his musical skill as cover for his nefarious exploits, Richard has frequently been asked whether he wrote it from his own experience. Naturally, he is not at liberty to answer such questions(!)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 1, 2018
A second book in the Ruritanian Rogues series. Used to be a trilogy.
Baron Rudolph Von Meyerling is one of my favorite thieves. Not that I really approve of thievery, but the Baron really is an amazing character 😎
A perfect thief! 🤣
I read the first book sometime in May 2018 and it surprised me for being so different than other things I've been generally reading. This time, I needed more.
The first book had a clever and, often witty, dialogue and a gripping story.
The second one had a clever and, often witty, dialogue and a story.
Not a bad story but not a particularly engaging one either. The side story is actually much more interesting here than what's happening in the front plane. So much that I actually groaned when the story focus changed back to main.
Can't help it, I've been expecting a lot more story from... Storry.
See what I did there? 😅 Of course, you did. I'll show myself out...
I still liked the pun 😀
As for the narrator, Urry, he wasn't in particular hurry 😂
Sorry, I'll stop that 😂
His voice perfectly followed the slow rollout of the story. I was able to listen to it at 1.2x speed like I can with every good narrator. They should be presenting for the people who can't listen to a very fast speech and I should be able to set the speed to 1.2x to maximize my enjoyment. All good there.
Why the 4* then?
Two things. While Urry does give a specific note to every one of the characters, they aren't all that different and a few times I had issues figuring out who said what. A quick "Person A, Person B, Person A, OK, must be Person B now" mental rewind later I was all caught up. No big deal, but I am used to a wider variety of voices provided by narrators today.
In line with my "toughened metrics" I've been running with for a few months now, as not everything that amuses me can be rated 10/10, this is a 3* book. Definitions of Goodreads and Audible say "3 - Liked it / Pretty good". That's exactly how I feel. The book was pretty good and I liked it.
Despite the lower rating than expected, I am really looking forward to the closing chapter of a trilogy which isn't a trilogy anymore as part 4 has been released recently 😅
A Nest of Vipers (Ruritanian Rogues #2)
Richard Storry (Author), Jake Urry (Narrator)
Baron Rudolph Von Meyerling is one of my favorite thieves. Not that I really approve of thievery, but the Baron really is an amazing character 😎
A perfect thief! 🤣
I read the first book sometime in May 2018 and it surprised me for being so different than other things I've been generally reading. This time, I needed more.
The first book had a clever and, often witty, dialogue and a gripping story.
The second one had a clever and, often witty, dialogue and a story.
Not a bad story but not a particularly engaging one either. The side story is actually much more interesting here than what's happening in the front plane. So much that I actually groaned when the story focus changed back to main.
Can't help it, I've been expecting a lot more story from... Storry.
See what I did there? 😅 Of course, you did. I'll show myself out...
I still liked the pun 😀
As for the narrator, Urry, he wasn't in particular hurry 😂
Sorry, I'll stop that 😂
His voice perfectly followed the slow rollout of the story. I was able to listen to it at 1.2x speed like I can with every good narrator. They should be presenting for the people who can't listen to a very fast speech and I should be able to set the speed to 1.2x to maximize my enjoyment. All good there.
Why the 4* then?
Two things. While Urry does give a specific note to every one of the characters, they aren't all that different and a few times I had issues figuring out who said what. A quick "Person A, Person B, Person A, OK, must be Person B now" mental rewind later I was all caught up. No big deal, but I am used to a wider variety of voices provided by narrators today.
In line with my "toughened metrics" I've been running with for a few months now, as not everything that amuses me can be rated 10/10, this is a 3* book. Definitions of Goodreads and Audible say "3 - Liked it / Pretty good". That's exactly how I feel. The book was pretty good and I liked it.
Despite the lower rating than expected, I am really looking forward to the closing chapter of a trilogy which isn't a trilogy anymore as part 4 has been released recently 😅
A Nest of Vipers (Ruritanian Rogues #2)
Richard Storry (Author), Jake Urry (Narrator)
Verdict Could have been much better
Runtime 05:05
Overall
Performance
Story
March 11, 2019
A return to Ruritania adds a darker plot in Richard Storry’s A Nest of Vipers. Right at the cusp of peace talks in the brutal war with the neighboring country, citizens of Ruritania are mysteriously falling dead. To add to this, a string of robberies has broken out. But are they related? Storry does a great job of bringing his world to life through practiced description and a cast of believable and likeable characters. I’ve loved my adventures in the intrigue-stepped nation of Ruritania and can’t wait to see what happens next!
March 10, 2018
( Format : audiobook )
"Still the rat munched away happily..."
A superb second story set amongst the glitterati of Ruritania, so atmospheric it is almost possible to hear the medals clink and jowls tremble. The combining of of the pomposity of the high officials and the titled with humour, as well as the background horror as cloaked figures meet by lantern light to plot murder and mayhem is simply delicious, reminiscent of a mixing of the 1963 film, The Raven, starring, amongst others, Vincent Price, Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre, and the 1959 Peter Sellers' film, The Mouse that Roared. A balance of horror and humour.
Whilst Ruritania and Jermanica attempt to end the long time war by holding peace talks, there are some who would prefer the hostilities not to stop. People start dying horribly, apparently poisoned. And Willie is in despair of ever getting his master and friend, Baron Rudolph Von Meyerling, to cease his nefarious ways. Even to the extent of refusing him his favourite chocolate Tiffin.
If the story alone were not delicious enough, it is read by the superb Jake Urry, whose voice can be both warmly inclusive and simultaneously chilling. He is pace perfect, charismatic, and his portrayal of the various protagonists from the military men to the unhappy Willie are always individually suited. He lifts the story to even greater heights ( or should that be depths?).
A great book to cause both creepy tingles and smiles. My thanks to the rights holder for freely gifting me a complimentary copy of A Nest of Vipers, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Although this is a stand alone, I recommend that the reader first gets to know the quirky characters in all of their rather pompous glory in the first Ruritanian Rogues story, A Looming of Vultures, also read by Mr.Urry. But it's certainly not essential - just peep in, eavesdrop and enjoy.
"Still the rat munched away happily..."
A superb second story set amongst the glitterati of Ruritania, so atmospheric it is almost possible to hear the medals clink and jowls tremble. The combining of of the pomposity of the high officials and the titled with humour, as well as the background horror as cloaked figures meet by lantern light to plot murder and mayhem is simply delicious, reminiscent of a mixing of the 1963 film, The Raven, starring, amongst others, Vincent Price, Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre, and the 1959 Peter Sellers' film, The Mouse that Roared. A balance of horror and humour.
Whilst Ruritania and Jermanica attempt to end the long time war by holding peace talks, there are some who would prefer the hostilities not to stop. People start dying horribly, apparently poisoned. And Willie is in despair of ever getting his master and friend, Baron Rudolph Von Meyerling, to cease his nefarious ways. Even to the extent of refusing him his favourite chocolate Tiffin.
If the story alone were not delicious enough, it is read by the superb Jake Urry, whose voice can be both warmly inclusive and simultaneously chilling. He is pace perfect, charismatic, and his portrayal of the various protagonists from the military men to the unhappy Willie are always individually suited. He lifts the story to even greater heights ( or should that be depths?).
A great book to cause both creepy tingles and smiles. My thanks to the rights holder for freely gifting me a complimentary copy of A Nest of Vipers, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Although this is a stand alone, I recommend that the reader first gets to know the quirky characters in all of their rather pompous glory in the first Ruritanian Rogues story, A Looming of Vultures, also read by Mr.Urry. But it's certainly not essential - just peep in, eavesdrop and enjoy.
January 28, 2018
He's a cheeky chappie that Richard Storry! He writes a brilliant tale of duplicity and skulduggery, all of it with a sarcastic slant; an edge of black humour. I absolutely adore the tongue in cheek aura of these books, and Mr Storry has very cleverly ensured that I listen to the next in the series! Almost unbelievably, the wit of this tale is raised to a higher level due to the masterful narration of Jake Urry. How does he do it, time and again? Whether it's a baron, a servant or a sexually excited lady, he manages to give them a whole personality and back story through their voices. Mr Urry is a narrator beyond compare and anything he blesses with his voice is worth listening to. 5 stars and a standing ovation from me.
April 11, 2018
Ruritanian Rogues Book 2 “A Nest of Vipers” By Richard Storry; initially I wasn’t sure if this genre would hold my interest but wow was I wrong. Immediately after finishing Book 1 “A Looming of Vultures” I went into Book 2 “A Nest of Vipers” what a great second book! I love the teasing between Willy and his master, and there are more twists in book 2, I’m really enjoying this genre and looking forward to more. Narrated by: Jake Urry who is by far one of my favorite, I could listen to him read gibberish and I’d be captivated. Recommended!
November 18, 2018
FUN, EXCITING & SUSPENSUL TRILOGY!
This was such a fun listen, really enjoyed this entire series, really interesting!
What a world the author has created - dangerous, intriguing, and even comical on occasion. War can bring out the best and the worst in people....
When you push them to their limits, it can backfire.
Very well written, I was drawn in and listened to one after the other, until I was done.
Narration was awesome, really enjoyed it!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This was such a fun listen, really enjoyed this entire series, really interesting!
What a world the author has created - dangerous, intriguing, and even comical on occasion. War can bring out the best and the worst in people....
When you push them to their limits, it can backfire.
Very well written, I was drawn in and listened to one after the other, until I was done.
Narration was awesome, really enjoyed it!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 1, 2018
This is exciting and suspenseful right up to the end.Storry writes great stories about the nobility of Ruritania.In this book the murders of a few people can actually undermine an end to war.Vipers indeed!Jake Urry may be my favorite narrator!He has such a pleasant voice.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
February 15, 2020
It's like a twisted Sherlock Holmes tale. Not bad, interesting, but different from my normal read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews