When I read the description of The Mistress and the Key, I knew I had to read it. But after just one chapter, I realized I needed to go back and read The Midnight Ride first – and I’m so glad I did. The second book picks up immediately after the first, and reading them in order added critical context to the intricate storylines and character dynamics.
This series is told through multiple POVs: a good-hearted ex-con fresh out of prison, a brilliant card-counting MIT student, a renowned professor, and an FBI art theft agent. Together, they form an unlikely and begrudging team, racing through Boston and then across the globe to solve mysteries hidden by America’s most iconic figures. Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and other historical legends come alive in this thrilling narrative, which also explores events and objects like the Gardner Museum theft, the USS Constitution, the Liberty Bell, and more. Mezrich weaves fact and fiction together in a really fun way.
Think National Treasure or The DaVinci Code crossed with an intense Netflix limited series (which they totally should make and I’d 100% watch) – it’s a fast-paced, fact-meets-fiction adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I often found myself googling paintings, historical events, and artifacts, eager to separate truth from fiction. While the beginning of The Midnight Ride felt a little overwhelming, the characters and story quickly clicked, and by the end of The Mistress and the Key, I was fully invested in this dynamic crew and their quest.
The second book ends with a mind-blowing cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to see where Ben Mezrich takes this series next. If you love stories that weave history, art, and high-stakes adventure, this series is not to be missed!
The audiobooks are both narrated by Corey Carthew, who does a remarkable job working with the variety of POVs in the book. He’s. Narrated a lot of fast-paced crime fiction and was just what these books needed in a narrator. The Midnight Ride is 8h and 14m while The Mistress and the Key is 11h and 49m.
The Midnight Ride: 🌟🌟🌟💫
The Mistress and the Key: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Audiobooks: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Book Smart Kate 