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The Last Serenade
(Sybil Ingram #2)
by
"If one enjoys a great mystery with a touch of romance, there are few better than this!" --InD'Tale magazine
When Sybil takes the stage again, murder plays the leading role. In September 1873, actress and spirit medium Sybil Ingram is eagerly anticipating her marriage to dashing violinist Roderick Brooke. But the wedding plans are halted by Roderick’s former lover, Ju ...more
When Sybil takes the stage again, murder plays the leading role. In September 1873, actress and spirit medium Sybil Ingram is eagerly anticipating her marriage to dashing violinist Roderick Brooke. But the wedding plans are halted by Roderick’s former lover, Ju ...more
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Kindle Edition, 324 pages
Published
October 20th 2016
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Start your review of The Last Serenade (Sybil Ingram, #2)

So glad to be back with Sybil and Roderick again! And what a fun new adventure. What starts as a (somewhat) simple effort to help foil a blackmailer turns into a murder investigation. Amanda DeWees deftly weaves mystery, romance, the supernatural, and humor into a wonderful story, following my (still) favorite of her heroines as she supports (and pushes) her hero into overcoming his personal demons, while learning more about her mystical superpower to contact the undead and blowing the Paris sta
...more

Sybil Ingram is lucky enough to take the stage again in the newest installment by Amanda DeWees. Sybil is a fearless female heroine who prefers to take action in every situation. Although I didn’t care for the circumstances around this little adventure for her and Roderick, I still was entertained. In real life if my fiancé’s ex-girlfriend needed help with anything, I would tell her to get lost. I did enjoy the many twists, turns, and guesses in this novel. I hope there are future stories featur
...more

The Last Serenade continues the story of Sybil Ingram and Roderick Brooke, whose relationship began in the novel Nocturne for a Widow. This novel is set in the theatre world of 1873 Paris, and it has all the elements that make reading books by Amanda DeWees such a delight: compelling characters and storyline, mystery, intrigue, and of course a ghost or two. Another great Victorian/Gothic mystery from one of my favorite authors.

Another great read from Amanda DeWees
Amanda DeWees is always fantastic. Great for fans of Victoria Holt or Barbara Michaels. Well written with elements of paranormal that don't overwhelm the book. . ...more
Amanda DeWees is always fantastic. Great for fans of Victoria Holt or Barbara Michaels. Well written with elements of paranormal that don't overwhelm the book. . ...more

The Last Serenade is another thoroughly enjoyable gothic historical mystery by Amanda DeWees. This is the second story in the Sybil Ingram Mysteries and follows a few years after the first book in the series, Nocturne for a Widow, where we are introduced to Sybil, who is a spirit medium and her fiancé, Roderick Brooke, who is concert violinist. However, rather than setting this second story in the Hudson Valley of New York, The Last Serenade is set in the theatre world of 1873 Paris.
The story ...more
The story ...more

The Last Serenade is another thoroughly enjoyable gothic historical mystery by Amanda DeWees. This is the second story in the Sybil Ingram Mysteries and follows a few years after the first book in the series, Nocturne for a Widow, where we are introduced to Sybil, who is a spirit medium and her fiancé, Roderick Brooke, who is concert violinist. However, rather than setting this second story in the Hudson Valley of New York, The Last Serenade is set in the theatre world of 1873 Paris.
The story p ...more
The story p ...more

I really loved the first book in this series. The snap and sparkle of both Sybill by herself, and her interactions with Roderick were delightful.
I must admit that I was a tad disappointed with this second book. I feel like Sybill went off the rails a bit in this story. In the first book, Sybill was strong and fierce and determined and took shit from nobody. She was going to look after herself and do what was necessary to protect herself and her interests so I found her wonderful.
Somehow, resolvi ...more
I must admit that I was a tad disappointed with this second book. I feel like Sybill went off the rails a bit in this story. In the first book, Sybill was strong and fierce and determined and took shit from nobody. She was going to look after herself and do what was necessary to protect herself and her interests so I found her wonderful.
Somehow, resolvi ...more

Not quite as good as the first, I think, but still undoubtedly enjoyable. That said, (view spoiler)
...more

A sequel to Nocturne for a Widow, and equally as interesting. Sybil and Roderick's marriage is delayed when he receives a plea from his former lover Julia to rescue her from a blackmailer. Since he feels guilty for killing Julia's husband years ago, Sybil agrees and they go off to Paris. Julia is determined to get Roderick back again, but they go along with her plan to retrieve some letters for which she is being blackmailed. Julia wants Sybil to take her place on stage while she goes to steal t
...more

Book Two: Sybil
In this book, Sybil apparently has been developing skills as a medium since her experience in book one with Roderick 's murdered Mother. Their plans for marriage are temporarily derailed when Roderick recieves a letter from the infamous Julia begging his help. Julia had nearly destroyed him and involved him in a illegal duel with her husband who was killed. It also nearly ended his career as a famous violinist until he met Sybil. Sybil feels they should travel to Paris and help J ...more
In this book, Sybil apparently has been developing skills as a medium since her experience in book one with Roderick 's murdered Mother. Their plans for marriage are temporarily derailed when Roderick recieves a letter from the infamous Julia begging his help. Julia had nearly destroyed him and involved him in a illegal duel with her husband who was killed. It also nearly ended his career as a famous violinist until he met Sybil. Sybil feels they should travel to Paris and help J ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

I actually liked this book better than the first one; mainly because it had a tad less ghostly atmosphere to it. The element is still there for those who love that type of atmosphere.
Roderick and Sybil go to Paris to help a former girlfriend (Julia) of Roderick's. Sybil agrees to go onstage impersonating Julia so she can get back some damaging information about herself from a man named Fortnier. Unfortunately, Fortnier is found murdered in the theater. Julia, Sybil and eventually Roderick are ...more
Roderick and Sybil go to Paris to help a former girlfriend (Julia) of Roderick's. Sybil agrees to go onstage impersonating Julia so she can get back some damaging information about herself from a man named Fortnier. Unfortunately, Fortnier is found murdered in the theater. Julia, Sybil and eventually Roderick are ...more

Missing pages
For some reason, the Kindle edition had blank pages often enough to interfer with my ability to follow the plot. I enjoyed the first Sybil Ingram mystery and had looked forward to reading this one. Unfortunately, the missing pages have discouraged me from reading any other of Amanda DeWees' books. It was just too frustrating to try to guess what was on the missing pages ...more
For some reason, the Kindle edition had blank pages often enough to interfer with my ability to follow the plot. I enjoyed the first Sybil Ingram mystery and had looked forward to reading this one. Unfortunately, the missing pages have discouraged me from reading any other of Amanda DeWees' books. It was just too frustrating to try to guess what was on the missing pages ...more

A little reminiscent of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series in feel, I loved that series too.
The narrator draws you into right away. I couldn't stop listening.
This book was provided free by the author/narrator/publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed, Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Great world building, Haunting, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Unpredictable Witty, Wonderful characters. ...more
The narrator draws you into right away. I couldn't stop listening.
This book was provided free by the author/narrator/publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed, Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Great world building, Haunting, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Unpredictable Witty, Wonderful characters. ...more

This sequel to Nocturne for a Widow wasn’t as compelling to me as the first, but I was already enjoying the character of Sybil Ingram. It was by no means a disappointment as I loved the first one, it was just that he setting didn’t speak to me. Even so, I enjoyed the book and will definitely read the third in this series. I am looking at other stories by this author as well because she writes well.

I've been enjoying this series. Can't wait to start the next one.
...more

Another great read
It has everything. Mystery, atmosphere, the supernatural, relationships, good characters. And a happy ending. I'm looking forward to the next book. ...more
It has everything. Mystery, atmosphere, the supernatural, relationships, good characters. And a happy ending. I'm looking forward to the next book. ...more

Dec 13, 2019
Amber Lovell
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Anyone
Recommended to Amber by:
I found it on Amazon. Read 'Nocturne for a Widow' and was hooked!
Absolutely fabulous and I love Sybil and Roderick. I will definitely be back for more.

I'm a fan of gothic romance, so I was really happy to see that Amanda DeWees has put out a new book with Sybil Ingram and (spoilers for the first book) her fiancee Roderick. Just in time for Halloween! I say that because there's a nice carryover from the first book (Nocturne for a Widow) in terms of some supernatural abilities developing for Sibyl that are a really key part of the plot.
This may sound like a backhanded compliment, but I like it when I can get through a book quickly -- what I mean ...more
This may sound like a backhanded compliment, but I like it when I can get through a book quickly -- what I mean ...more

I loved this, the latest Sybil Ingram book from Amanda DeWees. I love the charming and resourceful Sybil character and her fiance, the dashing and fiery Roderick. DeWees's books represent the best of the gothic tradition. This one is her most suspenseful yet, and is told at a brisk pace. There are lots of suspects who have a motive to have committed the murder and enough red herrings to keep you guessing. The book is set against a fascinating period of French history that I knew nothing about. A
...more

Not bad, I liked the first one better, though. (view spoiler) The character seemed kind of incongruent her portrayal in the first book. It was entertaining, though, and that's really the important part, I suppose.
...more

4.5/5.0
If one enjoys a great mystery with a touch of romance, there are few better than this!
Read full review in the 2016 December issue of InD'tale Magazine. ...more
If one enjoys a great mystery with a touch of romance, there are few better than this!
Read full review in the 2016 December issue of InD'tale Magazine. ...more

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.
I like and I don't like the Sybil Ingram series. I like that is a historical mystery, the author provides excellent descriptions of clothes/places/atmosphere, the fact that the stories revolve around theater, and that there is a supernatural element to the stories.
What I don't like is the heavy-handedness of the romance part of the stories. Yes, I understand the relationship between Sybil and Roderic ...more
I like and I don't like the Sybil Ingram series. I like that is a historical mystery, the author provides excellent descriptions of clothes/places/atmosphere, the fact that the stories revolve around theater, and that there is a supernatural element to the stories.
What I don't like is the heavy-handedness of the romance part of the stories. Yes, I understand the relationship between Sybil and Roderic ...more
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Amanda DeWees received her PhD in English from the University of Georgia and wrote her dissertation on 19th-century vampire literature—the perfect training, although she didn’t know it at the time, for writing Victorian gothic romance novels. Her books include With This Curse, winner of the 2015 Daphne du Maurier Award in historical mystery/suspense. Her other passions include costuming, movies, C
...more
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