Listen free for 30 days

  • The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

  • Mackenzies Series, Book 1
  • By: Jennifer Ashley
  • Narrated by: Angela Dawe
  • Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (24 ratings)

Thousands of incredible audiobooks and podcasts to take wherever you go.
Immerse yourself in a world of storytelling with the Plus Catalogue - unlimited listening to thousands of select audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie cover art

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

By: Jennifer Ashley
Narrated by: Angela Dawe
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £18.29

Buy Now for £18.29

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Summary

A woman is drawn to a dangerously intriguing man in this unique historical romance from New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Ashley.

It was whispered all through London Society that Ian Mackenzie was mad, that he’d spent his youth in an asylum, and was not to be trusted - especially with a lady. For the reputation of any woman caught in his presence was instantly ruined.

Yet Beth found herself inexorably drawn to the Scottish lord, whose hint of a brogue wrapped around her like silk and whose touch could draw her into a world of ecstasy. Despite his decadence and his intimidating intelligence, she could see that he needed help. Her help. Because suddenly the only thing that made sense to her was...The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.

©2009 Jennifer Ashley (P)2020 Jennifer Ashley

What listeners say about The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    13
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Romamce with a bit of mystery

This is a new author to me and she does have a different style insofar as there is mystery and  suspense as well as romance.

The hero is the third son who has spent a deal of time in an asylum, with what I would suggest is autism, but in those days was considered mad. This can be seen very clearly early on by his love of Ming porcelain and his love of the widow, Beth Ackerley, who he saves from a disastrous marriage. 

In the meantime, however, there has been a murder for which a police officer is convinced that our hero did it. Added to the mix is Ian' family that to say the least are rather eccentric.

I loved the hero and his love and devotion for the Beth was very touching. I loved his slow seduction and the way that Beth was undaunted by everything that was thrown at her.

There were bits of the book that droned on and a good editor would have been of benefit, but having said this, he was a great hero and if you are after romance, this book has it in spades.

I was also left intrigued enough to read the next book in the series.

The narration was excellent.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Loved every second of it. This is the first time listening to a book by this author. And will definitely not be the last. The love scenes were beautiful. I loved both the heroine and the hero, and all the family.
The narrator was very good. Will definitely continue the series.
So on you the next one.

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful book, inconsistent performance

I love this book. A wonderful story about two imperfect people finding home in each other. Lord Ian is a Scottish laird who has something akin to autism. In his younger years he was locked away in an insane asylum and subjected to horrific treatments. Beth is a young widow with an impoverished and background who unexpectedly inherited a fortune. To save her from an awful marriage to a penniless scoundrel with twisted tastes, Ian warns her about his numerous kept women and offers to save her through marriage. She ends the engagement and travels to Paris, and Ian follows. they reconnect and a romance begins.

Performance - it took me a while to figure out what I didn't like about this. The narrator did a wonderful job with the male characters and the Scottish burr (not always easy) and Beth's voice was well paced and it was a good tone. If you liked the sample you should give this a go, I don't want to spoil it for you. If you want to know what the issue was, scroll down.


The issue came in the recitation of the prose - the RP was fake and not well done. It was like someone putting on what they think someone from the tonne might sound like, but the vowels are all wrong. Intonations in sentences overly heavy, stresses on broad vowels, long when they should be short and vice versa - but not consistently. Examples grande pronounced 'grawnd' arms - alwms. Part-pawht. Softly -sawhftly gone - ghawn Once you notice it's really hard to ignore. It's a real shame, because there are moving moments of sincerity and lovely gentle conversations that are delightful. If the narrater had just used her normal voice, which seems to have a lovely tone, it would have been so much better.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

love it, love the character, and how they develop.

great read..
narrator did a great job. making me enjoy the story more.. I was able to picture each character by the description.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Pookie_Plans
  • Pookie_Plans
  • 09-03-21

Perfect

One of the best books I’ve ever read: Ian and his family will break your heart as you fall in love with them. No one writes like Jennifer Ashley; she is an extraordinary wordsmith who crafts luscious characters & stories you won’t soon forget.
Beautifully written, exquisitely performed, this is a masterpiece. Bravo!!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Bree D
  • Bree D
  • 18-05-21

Love this book and the rest of the series!

At first I was a little unsure if I would like this book. It seemed interesting but did I think that it was going to be one of my favorites no not really. But boy was I wrong. Great writing and you just fall in love with the characters (for me so much so I made sure to read all books in the series) it has a mystery aspect that keeps it from just being another romance novel and the fact that Lord Ian Mackenzie and his family are not the every day make leads/characters in romance book doesn’t hurt either. Angela did a great job narrating she really helped keep you in the book. I say get the book you will love it!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Ceal
  • Ceal
  • 01-11-21

Loved It

Not s normal story line, the main character is emotionally scarred but is also a genius. The cadence of his speech put me in mind of a savant. There is some mystery , interesting people and passionate love scenes. The heroine is confident and smart.

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Mutli
  • Mutli
  • 09-10-21

Disappointing

I got this based on the reviews. I am a couple of hours in and cannot continue. No story really so far just unpleasant physical garbage. Wish I could return it for something better. Wasted a credit :(

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 05-02-22

Take time to enjoy and fall in love.

Sometimes the story feels like it is dragging out but the there is the reward of finding the hidden truths. So many intriguing secrets and the deep love of the main characters, making this a great story. I can not wait to start the next book in the series!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Taramisu
  • Taramisu
  • 30-10-21

Meh

I think the fact that I didn't love this book says more about me than it. It's impossible for me to love a character who pays for sex. Whether or not it's acceptable in the book's time and setting doesn't matter. It's gross. And I don't find it "sexy" for the male protagonist to demand the heroine to "lift your skirts." Really gross.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for C. Brown
  • C. Brown
  • 26-01-23

Delish

I absolutely loved this story. The H has certain personality flaws, I'm not really sure what it is, but I'd say similar to autism. He's lovable, vulnerable, and very interesting. The h is a strong woman and likable as well. There's no drama or pushing and pulling between them, which is nice for a change.
There's lots of steamy scenes that aren't just thrown in at random times. The whole story was excellent and engaging.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Brianna Peterson
  • Brianna Peterson
  • 18-01-23

Oh just the best story.

This is such a sweet and lovely story, Ian and Beth are absolutely obsessed with one another which is fantastic. Ian is the absolute best Mackenzie hands down!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for darlingdeb
  • darlingdeb
  • 30-12-22

seriously one of my favorite series

I loved it I did not struggle to finish I listened to it straight through. probably the most memorable moment was when Ian met Beth's eyes and was able to keep it. I have never read an author that was able to deal with autism in this way. my hat is off to you. coming from a family with several autistic members I know how hard their lives are and I cannot believe how hard they must have been back in the day. Jennifer dealt with this in an amazingly thoughtful, realistic, and sweetly romantic way. this is a very very good story.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Chanlynn Tatum
  • Chanlynn Tatum
  • 09-12-22

couldn't stop listening

This was absolutely amazing! Original and refreshing to create a period piece hero this way!

1 person found this helpful