Audio Review ~ According to Hoyle ~ Abigail Roux

According to Hoyle by Abigail Roux
Narrated by: Mason Lloyd
Release Date: August 23, 2016
Genre: Adult, Historical M/M Romance
Source: Tantor Audio sent me a complimentary copy
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
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.

"According to Hoyle" - in accord with the highest authority; in accord with a strict set of rules.

I admit I had to look up this phrase. I'd never heard it before and I appreciated how Roux incorporated it into this story. It was brilliant, really. Especially when you think about whether or not life is black and white or shades of gray.

According to Hoyle is historical - a western really - set in the west following the Civil War. Our four main characters are 2 Marshals and the 2 prisoners their charged with getting to trial. Along the way, Wash and Flynn have to decide whether living "According to Hoyle" makes sense or whether, in fact, there are some things in life that don't necessarily fit within the strict confines of law or societal norms.

Highlights

• Western setting - we see Denver, Lincoln, Junction City, St. Louis, all as the marshals transport their prisoners to trial in Louisiana. Roux captured the west, its dust, its cool plains nights, beautifully.
• Well-developed characters that evolve as the story moves along. In each one of them we see they are more than meets the eye and the circumstances they find themselves in cause them to question some things as well as proves each one to be selfless with those they care about. Not only is the law questioned - whether there are shade of gray and if all things defined as punishable on a surface level really are when examined closely, but feelings, dare I say love, are questioned, examined, wondered at outside the bounds of what society considers acceptable.
• The suspense/mystery. In true western fashion, there is a hold up of sorts. There were guns and bandanas and dynamite. It was all very exciting and kept me guessing.
• The narrator. Mason Lloyd was absolutely perfect! His gruff voice and range was spot on for a western. He kept the voices distinct, the pacing even, and the suspense tight. Truly, I think he enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

I'll definitely be reading (or listening) to more Roux!