REVIEW BY: Christie
TITLE: According to Hoyle
AUTHOR: Abigail Roux
NARRATOR: Mason Lloyd
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
LENGTH: 7h 48m
RELEASE DATE: August 23, 2016
BLURB:
US Marshals Eli Flynn and William Henry Washington – longtime friends and colleagues – are escorting two prisoners to New Orleans for trial when they discover there’s more than outlawry to the infamous shootist Dusty Rose and the enigmatic man known as Cage. As the two prisoners form an unlikely partnership, the marshals can’t help but look closer at their own.
When forces beyond the marshals’ control converge on the paddle wheeler they’ve hired to take them downriver, they must choose between two dangers: playing by the rules at any cost or trusting the very men they are meant to bring to justice.
Contains mature themes.
REVIEW:
Okay, so this was a great book. Was a little hesitant to get this audiobook, because the last historical western I listened to ended up disastrous for me. But, since According to Hoyle was written by the very talented Abigail Roux, I decided to give it a chance. So very happy I did. And, Mason Lloyd, you did a wonderful job narrating. I can’t imagine having to do multiple different accents, and you pulled them off quite well.
Well, this is a story of 4 people; two are US Marshals, and two are outlaws. Eli and Wash have been friends and colleagues for quite some time, and are tasked with escorting a couple of prisoners to New Orleans in order for them to go on trial. Unfortunately, the trip does not go as planned.
Dusty Rose, the famous and infamous gunslinger, and a mute man named Cage are outlaws on their way to New Orleans in order to face trial for their supposed crimes. I say supposed because in each case (this time at least), they really are innocent. There are instant sparks between the two and they soon become very close. All the while, Eli and Wash are forced to take a look at what each is feeling for the other.
Things get crazy when the foursome run across a plot to take over the paddle wheeler they are on, and not only attempt to steal something valuable off of it, but blow it up as well. With Dusty and Cage’s relationship in full swing, and Eli and Wash still trying to find out what they are to each other, it will take all they have to fight for each other and save everyone on the paddle wheeler.
Do the foursome make it out of the ordeal on the ship in one piece? Do Eli and Wash ever decide what they are to each other? How about Dusty and Cage? Do they make it to New Orleans to stand trial? What is this mysterious item that outlaws are willing to kill and blow up a boat in order to obtain? Well, I bet you know what I am going to say: get the book and find out!
Such a great book, and wonderful narration! Dusty and Cage’s relationship was really sweet amidst the grittiness of the old west, and that was refreshing. The way Dusty could tell exactly what Cage wanted to say, even tho he couldn’t actually voice it was touching. And, the pure affection Cage had for Dusty was wonderful.
Mason Lloyd, this was my first audiobook as narrated by you, and it definitely will not be the last. You impressed me, sir. Well done and nice job!
RATING: 
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