Audiobook Review: The River Knows by Amanda Quick

The Rivers Know
Author: Amanda Quick
Narrator: Ashford MacNab
Publication: Tantor Audio (February 21, 2023)
Length: 10 hours and 18 minutes

Description: From New York Times bestselling author Amanda Quick comes a delightful romp filled with breathtaking suspense, dazzling wit, and steamy Victorian passion . . .

The first kiss occurred in a dimly lit hallway on the upper floor of Elwin Hastings's grand house. Louisa Bryce never saw it coming. Of course, handsome, wealthy Anthony Stalbridge couldn't possibly have had romantic intentions. The kiss was merely meant to distract the armed guard about to catch the two unlikely sleuths. After all, the only thing these two interlopers have in common is a passionate interest in uncovering the dastardly secrets of Mr. Hastings—a prominent member of society whom they suspect of murder.

Brought together by their desire for the truth, Anthony and Louisa finally discover the incriminating evidence they're looking for. But bringing Hastings to justice will be more perilous than they anticipate, especially since their thrilling attraction to danger—and, it turns out, to each other—might very well get in the way . . .

My Thoughts: This late Victorian romantic suspense title follows Mrs. Louisa Bryce and Mr. Anthony Stalbridge. They meet in the upper hallway of Elwin Hasting's home when they are both intent on searching his bedroom. Louisa wants information about the whorehouse he owns. Anthony is looking for proof that Hastings murdered his fiancée. A close encounter with a guard leads to a heated kiss.

Louisa is under the impression that Anthony is a high-class jewel thief and wants to hire him to help her break into Hastings's safe. Anthony in not a jewel thief but has the advantage of his father having invented the safe where Hastings's secrets are held.

Anthony stashes Louisa in his carriage and returns to the house to open the safe where he discovers his fiancée's necklace and some papers. The papers are evidence that Hastings was, among other things, a blackmailer and fraudster. 

The pair teams up to find the information each needs and find themselves in danger from Hastings's henchmen. They fall in love while trying to solve their mysteries. But Louisa fears that Anthony could ever love her since she is holding a terrible secret of her own. 

This was an entertaining mystery with interesting characters and a great setting. 

I bought this one at Chirp October 3, 2025. You can buy your copy here.