The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin

By: Alison Goodman

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

In Regency England, the eccentric Colebrook sisters are amateur detectives who use their wits and invisibility as “old maids” to fight injustice in this delightful and fiercely feminist novel of mystery and adventure from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman.

To most of Regency high society, forty-two-year-old Lady Augusta Colebrook, or Gus, and her twin sister, Julia, are just unmarried ladies of a certain age. But the Colebrook twins are far from useless old maids. They are secretly protecting women and children ignored by society and the law.

When Lord Evan—a charming escaped convict who has won Gus’s heart—needs to hide his sister, Hester, from their vindictive brother, Gus and Julia take Hester and her lover into their home. But Lord Evan’s complicated past puts them all in danger. Gus knows they must clear his name of murder if he is to survive the thieftakers who hunt him. No easy task—the fatal duel was twenty years ago and a key witness is nowhere to be found.

In a deadly cat-and-mouse game, Gus, Julia, and Lord Evan must dodge their pursuers and investigate Lord Evan’s past. They will be thrust into the ugly underworld of Georgian gentlemen’s clubs, spies, and ruthless bounty hunters, not to mention the everyday threat of narrow-minded brothers. Will the truth be found in time, or will dangerous secrets from the past destroy family bonds and rip new love and lives apart?

Character relationships along with heartfelt connections to characters. Performance awesome as usual!

Still a little too gory for me but better than the last, good story. Love the performance and love all of the characters.

Two amazing ladies

What an exciting adventure this book will take you on. Finally a look at what 40 year old women are capable of, not simpering young misses. Kristin is an amazing reader.

Strong women in Victorian times - LOVED IT

I loved every part of this book. The detail of the time described - caste, moral expectations, dress was astounding. The story is well crafted. The narration is FABULOUS.

Loved the story of independent women during a time when this was not appreciated

I loved all of it. Nothing to complain about! Can’t wait for the next in the series

A faithful continuation of a great story!

I love that I feel in good hands— that my investment in the characters and story will pay off across multiple books.

I love that Lord Evan’s sister is not miraculously restored to perfect health in Chapter 1 of Book 2, after all that happened in the first book. We truly pick up where we left off.

I love that there’s an element of murder mystery in the unraveling tale of what actually happened in the duel of 20 years ago.

Our narrator has found her voices and settled in well. I admit that I was worried about it in the first book— but she’s hit her stride and now I hope she reads (performs) the whole rest of the series!

I love the setup for the third book.

I do not love that I have to wait for it to be written! I have a feeling I will listen to both books multiple times before Book 3 drops.