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  • Foul Play

  • Bunburry - A Cosy Mystery Series 15
  • By: Helena Marchmont
  • Narrated by: Nathaniel Parker
  • Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (19 ratings)

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Foul Play cover art

Foul Play

By: Helena Marchmont
Narrated by: Nathaniel Parker
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Summary

Miss Marple meets Oscar Wilde in this series of cosy mysteries set in the picturesque Cotswolds village of Bunburry.

In the picturesque Cotswolds village of Bunburry, Alfie McAlister's personal life is in turmoil. He's finally admitted to himself that he's fallen for Constable Emma Hollis. But while one moment Emma was kissing him, now she's ignoring him. And to make matters worse, with grumpy Sergeant Wilson still on sick leave, Emma is now working alongside the young, handsome, personable Sergeant Angel. Alfie's relieved to have the distraction of exploring the private library of a Victorian mansion, along with his friend Marge and Gwendolyn, Bunburry's Goth librarian. But the library contains a century-old secret linked to the writer Oscar Wilde. And the discovery of this secret results in murder. The only thing to do is call the police - and Alfie finds himself confronted by Emma and Sergeant Angel...

Nathaniel Parker, born in 1962, graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and went on to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. His television career began in 1988 when he played Flying Officer 'Flash' Gordon in the LWT mini-series Piece of Cake. He is also the lead in the BBC series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, based on the novels by Elizabeth George. Nathaniel Parker has an extensive list of audio books to his credit, ranging from the classics of Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy to more modern writings and children's books.

©2022 Bastei Lübbe AG (P)2023 Lübbe Audio, Bastei Lübbe AG

What listeners say about Foul Play

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

Story and murder not very interesting. Fed up listening to everyone being questioned about the same thing and murder solved too easily and suddenly. Loved the series up to now but this one not very good apart from when Oscar was involved. Love his character and would be great if he was involved with a murder with the Bunburry Triangle.
Narration by Nathaniel Parker brilliant as always

1 person found this helpful

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Yet Another Cracking Good Tale.

l have become totally addicted to these wonderfully comforting stories.
The characters are an absolute delight (who could not fall in love with 'Gwendoline , the goth?').
Nat Parker does an excellent job of the narration and makes the characters come to life.
All that's needed to complete the experience is a comfy sofa and a pot of tea.

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I don't think I would like to live in Bunburry?

like so many murder mystery books, the more you hear about the stuff that goes on in these places you find yourself thinking, "I would just move?" You would either land up dead or a suspect in a murder enquiry... I love these characters and this felt a bit different, I like Alfie but it would be nice to change up the story and have the lead put on someone else. Also I am starting to get a bit bored of Alfie's love life. I am invested in these characters but Helena please can we sort out Alfie with someone and move on. I want to see Alfie solve a case with his niece Ruby, I also want Oscar to solve a case while Alfie and his 'girlfriend' are on holiday!

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  • N. J. Miin
  • 21-02-23

Great performance, dragging complicated love

I enjoy the Bunburry series, and love the narrator Nathaniel’s performance. However, I am getting sucked of Alfie’s dragging live life. For goodness sake is it necessary to have so many women falling for him? It has dragged long enough when it was with Betty, Emma and Alfie. Now we have to have Laura to complicate things. On that front I find her presumptuous and Alfie-hungry, not very likeable. The misunderstanding between Emma and Alfie happened too many times, all the shilly shally was exasperating now, and not fun anymore. I hope Helena Marchmont will just make a swift decision on who will be the one ( or none) for Alfie, and get the focus on the mystery.

5 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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  • Mim
  • 04-03-23

Disappointing Interlude

The series is a lot of fun, except that the author has forgotten to develop her characters, and the storyline in this particular installment was very, very weak and highly predictable

2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • alisa
  • 02-03-23

i love this series but....

Please oh please! Emma and Alfie are acting like such Dolts seriously no one is that stupid are they.... love all the characters keep it coming and never ever let anyone else narrate

2 people found this helpful

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  • Sandy Morris
  • 23-02-23

Love this series but………..

Truly I do this series but PLEASE move the relationship between Emma and Alfie forward 🙏🙏🙏

2 people found this helpful

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  • wisconsinclark
  • 20-02-23

Totally Entertaining!

I continue to enjoy this series, however, I do agree with other reviewers that it is time to move on from Alfie's tiresome love for Emma, and bring on more Oscar.

2 people found this helpful

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  • Bel
  • 21-05-23

Short and sweet

I do love this series. Witty and funny, with lovable characters. I love Nathaniel Parker‘s narration, or adds to the enjoyment.

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  • MOTchicago
  • 20-05-23

Series has lost its focus

The sleuthing has taken a backseat to Alfie’s love life. The books have gotten shorter too. Story lines and characters are less developed. I won’t be purchasing any more books unless they go on sale.

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  • Consuelo B. Graham
  • 16-05-23

Foul play review

Good story line with favorite characters.

Narration is excellent.

Worth the listen …. Hopeful for romance!

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 19-03-23

Please unite Emma and Alfie

I love Bunberry, but must admit I am very ready for Emma and Archie.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • yukon25
  • 12-03-23

VERY Disappoiting

I love the Bunburry series but this one was flat. The first half of the book was about Alfie's love life (or lack of) and the mystery didn't start until the middle of the book. Because of that, it had to be rushed to the end. The new Sgt is OK, but I was disappointed that the Bunburry Triangle really had nothing to investigate. If you skip this one, you won't be missing much.