PRH to release over 50 Heyer audiobooks

Penguin Random House UK is to release more than 50 of Georgette Heyer's Regency romance novels in audio this year.

Heyer is often credited with having invented the genre of romantic historical fiction set in Regency England. Although most famous for her historical novels, she also wrote 11 detective stories which will be released in August as part of a year-long schedule celebration of Heyer in audio.

Actors Michael Maloney, Tanya Reynolds, Kristin Atherton and Jot Davies are among those confirmed to read the first collection, which published earlier this month. The new audio recordings are billed as appealling to fans of Netflix’s "Bridgerton" series.

Audio commissioning editor James Keyte said: “I’m so excited for Georgette Heyer’s many fans - old and new — to hear these vibrant new recordings. We are delighted to be refreshing her audio catalogue for a modern audience and our brilliant, contemporary narrators have truly brought her books to life.”

Heyer’s publisher, Selina Walker at Cornerstone said: "I am a huge admirer of Georgette Heyer, and it is a joy to know that her countless fans will now be able delight in all her books in audio format where they are read by a hugely distinguished cast of actors. Her books are exactly what we all need to transport us through these dark days and beyond."

Titles released this month are These Old Shades, read by Alexander Vlahos, Powder And Patch, read by Jot Davies, Sylvester, read by Matt Addis, Bath Tangle, read by Poppy Gilbert, April Lady, read by Tanya Reynolds, An Infamous Army, read by Kristin Atherton, Devil's Cub read by Michael Maloney, The Convenient Marriage, read by Avita Jay and Black Sheep, read by Natalie Simpson.

Further titles to be published later in 2021 include Regency Buck, Cousin Kate, and Charity Girl, in addition to some of Heyer’s thrillers and mysteries, still to be announced.