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  • The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

  • Written by: India Holton
  • Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
  • Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (45 ratings)

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The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

Written by: India Holton
Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
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Publisher's Summary

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.

©2021 India Holton (P)2021 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

One of the New York Times' 100 Notable Books of 2021

An Indie best seller

One of Bustle's Best New Books Out June 2021

A PopSugar Best Summer Read of 2021

"Holton is having as much fun as the English language will permit - the prose shifts constantly from silly to sublime and back, sometimes in the course of a single sentence. And somehow in all the melodrama and jokes and hilariously mangled literary references, there are moments of emotion that cut to the quick - the way a profound traumatic experience can overcome you years later." (New York Times Book Review

"This melds the Victorian wit of Sherlock Holmes with the brash adventuring of Indiana Jones.... A sprightly feminist tale that offers everything from an atmospheric Gothic abbey to secret societies." (Entertainment Weekly

"The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels is easily the most delightfully bonkers historical fantasy romance of 2021! Featuring lady pirates in flying houses and gentleman assassins with far too many names, I enjoyed every absorbing moment. I will never look at a cup of tea (with tea before milk, under pain of death) the same way again!" (Jen DeLuca, author of Well Played

What listeners say about The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

Average Customer Ratings
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So very enjoyable.

This hooked me immediately. The narration was flawless, the story so fun. An absolute treat.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Delightful

This book was such a pleasant surprise! It was quirky and witty, and written so well. To add to a wonderful story line, this narrarator was PERFECTION. She did such a good job bringing this story to life, I was in love within the first few minutes.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A Rollicking Good Time!

Oh I loved this book! Just the right amount of tantalizing titillation. A brave independent heroine and a noble handsome rake who can’t help but fall in love on their daring adventure - with lots of stolen kisses along the way. The supporting cast of characters are interesting and fun. I can’t wait for the next in the series.

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Fun

It was a little predictable in some areas but it was such a fun read and very entertaining.

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Fabulous !

I wouldn't even consider reading this book! There is no way my mind would do it the justice the narrator did. Best performance I have heard! The story is wondeful, the writing smart and witty! What a fun ride!

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  • Megan P.
  • 2021-09-03

Well written and funny but I still DNF

First, I feel I should say that Knowelden is a fantastic narrator. If you like her, definitely check out her work on the Lady Hardcastle series. It's a jolly good time.

Now, as for this book, it's going in the DNF pile simply because most of these characters are just...awful people. Another reader mentioned that if you like Deanna Raybourn you'd enjoy this book, but as someone who plowed through the entire Veronica Speedwell series available to date in a week, that just ain't true.

Frankly, the practical and sometimes self-righteous Ms. Speedwell--and even the gallant-towards-all-women Stoker--would rather despise the people in this book. And I doubt Lady Julia Grey would want much to do with them either. Because the ladies of the Wisteria Society are, well, rotten. Like, they're the worst sorts of people. Overindulged as a birthright and when you add the piracy to the mix, they're just that extra bit selfish and inconsiderate. They treat the servants poorly--like chattel--and even their social equals are beneath them. The book *is* silly as a lot of people have pointed out, but that's the point and it's honestly handled well. I think that, with a slightly more empathetic and likable cast, I'd have been sorry to see it end. As it is, I'll be returning it after making it just past the 2hr mark. I guess I just prefer to actually like the characters I'm going to spend so many hours with, at least when I'm reading a fantastical rom-com. I most definitely don't wish to be reminded of how the rich and powerful get away with pretty much anything.

To be fair, the writing itself is quite good. A bit wordy, as someone mentioned, but I feel like it helped cement that ~Victorian~ feel, especially in a book with such a very un-historically accurate premise. I did laugh several times and really, really enjoyed when our main characters all "meet" for the first time. Cecilia and her would-be beau (I've already forgotten his name and can't be bothered to go look for it) don't even seem as bad as some of the secondary characters. But I just hate everyone else so much that it's not worth sticking around for their swashbuckling-ever-after.

On a final note, I'm so friggin' tired of writers--historical romance writers in particular--having their 18/19/20-year-old characters act, speak, and think like they're closer to 32. It's not even historically necessary since for Victorian women, especially those of means, they didn't marry until 25 or 26. Even for a Regency woman, the average age was somewhere around 23. If you want your character to be a little bit older and wiser, then just let her be older and wiser. A minor picadillo, but still a detail that broke the immersion for me when since Cecilia does not act like a teenager at all.

So, mini-rant aside, if you enjoy, or at least don't mind, spoiled rich people being spoiled and rich in your escapism, by all means, give this book a try. I say that with all genuineness. But if you prefer a bit more humanity in your romantic leads and supporting characters, then you may want to look elsewhere.

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24 people found this helpful

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  • Dana
  • 2021-06-27

Sorry but not for me

Going by the reviews I was expecting to find myself enjoying a fantasy romance, having a few laughs and enjoying the pleasure of reading something a little different. I am someone who likes "weird" books but so far I am finding this story to be silly and dull, woman pirates in flying houses instead of ships is just not for me. It is well written (if at times a bit too wordy) and maybe it does improve but I have a lot of other books I can listen too and my time is precious. For now I am debating whether to ask for a refund or leave and try another day . No issues with the narrator, she was quite good.

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17 people found this helpful

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  • Claire Conger
  • 2021-06-18

Fun Witty Swashbuckling Romance

The book is witty and genuinely made me laugh out loud many times. I really like the main hero and heroine (Rooting for them from the start) and BONUS this novel is chock full of delightful side characters too.

The narrator did a great job with the comic rapid-fire of this book.

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13 people found this helpful

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  • Melissa Snyder
  • 2021-07-13

Excellently-elocuted Hijinks!

I tumbled hilariously into the adventures and overtures of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton. Cecilia Bassingthwaite is so perfectly prim and proper and piratical. I enjoyed myself far more than is seemly, I'm sure. Holton's writing is witty, sharp, funny, and beautifully-rendered, and Elizabeth Knoweldon's reading practically perfect in every way. I cannot wait for The League of Gentlewoman Witches!

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9 people found this helpful

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  • Gigi
  • 2022-03-31

Wanted to love this so much

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I couldn't make it through two chapters before chucking it. I love how empowering the women are, I detest the way men are portrayed. Yes, men have treated women poorly in history, I believe that this book is degrading men instead of the sexes having equal power. It is a huge problem with society. No, men aren't better than us nor are we better than them.

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6 people found this helpful

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  • teenareads
  • 2021-08-24

Victorian Adventure

If you like Deanna Raybourn’s books, you will like this one! Pirates, magical realism, all kinds of fun. I laughed out loud in many parts. All of the characters are enjoyable. Can’t wait for the next one.

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  • Lonora
  • 2022-01-08

I expected more

After reading all the rave reviews about this book, I was expecting an adventure romance with a strong, swashbuckling heroine. Instead, I found this to be a Monty-Python-ish collection of silly sketches crammed into a book. it felt like the story was all over the place and REDICULOUS (and not in a good way). I imagine this book will appeal to some readers, but if you're like me and are more annoyed than amused by Monty Python, I'd suggest steering clear of this one. I also struggled with the narrator's style and had a hard time hearing/understanding her.

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5 people found this helpful

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  • Kiera
  • 2021-08-04

So good!!

The narrator did an amazing job of representing the book. We’ll written and genuine, I laughed out loud more times than I count.

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  • little red
  • 2021-07-02

Silly

Very silly story. Some funny parts...but wouldn’t listen again or recommend to anyone else.

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  • Whimsical Dragonette
  • 2021-07-10

Utterly Delightful!

haven’t had this much fun with a novel since I discovered Terry Pratchett! It’s clever and hilarious and zany - really the only possible descriptor - and I absolutely adored it.

Proper Victorian ladies who are also ruthless pirates who fly (their houses! other people's houses!) into battle and calmly shoot their enemies whilst drinking tea and reading books. I never knew I wanted it but it's clearly what my heart has been wishing for. I couldn't stop laughing at the constant witty (and ridiculous) prose.

I can’t wait for the next book and I only hope we get more of Cecelia and Ned (and the other lady pirates of course).

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3 people found this helpful