A Lady Never Lies

A sparkling performance by narrator Veida Dehmlow brings out the nuances of eighteenth-century sexual mores. Widow Lady Morley is in a dire financial state, but she's determined not to marry for money a second time. Instead, she'd rather defy expectations as an independent woman--even as she finds herself falling for inventor Phineas Buck. Dehmlow brings out the subtle jabs in the battle between the sexes. She's skilled at portraying male characters, especially the macho Duke of Wallingford and the Italian men whom Lady Morley annoys when she travels to Italy. Dehmlow's vocal modulation and pacing capture all the irony in the story, making for a lively listen. M.F. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

June 25, 2012
Lady Alexandra Morley is in financial trouble, and tall, broad-shouldered, notoriously brilliant Phineas “Finn” Burke is the only one who can help. Her fortune is tied up in a machine works, and she hopes the famous scientist will give her information she can pass along to the failing company. Finn is wary of the dazzling widow’s reputation for recklessness and seduction, while Alexandra’s previous marriage taught her to protect her independence. In the remote countryside of 1890 Tuscany, Finn and Alexandra explore their mutual attraction as they work together on Finn’s automobile invention. Their love affair unfolds against the backdrop of early automobile history, as enthusiasts all over Europe prepare for a race to show off their horseless carriages. Alexandra and Finn’s friends provide an entertaining diversion (and setup for a sequel) as the main romance develops.