Slow Start, But Great Progression

So many diverse characters and backstories made this a slow burn in terms of getting to the crux of the story. It was inevitable who the murder victim would be.

Notwithstanding that, the intrigue was just as compelling as the previous 2 tales and the culprit just as surprising (even though I had surmised who it must be. However, I don’t congratulate myself for that, because even Georgie solved it this time).

The usual mix of Brits and Yanks as guests (but no mysterious Europeans this time.
Wonderfully read by Cornelius Garrett.

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45 people found this helpful

Excellently Written and Well-Performed - BUT

I do so enjoy this novel. It's a lovely satire of the Golden Age of Detective fiction, with all the things you'd expect.

Blackmail, torrid affairs, loose lipped servants, the death of a wealthy person, the will, it's all here.

And it's all told with some of the more remarkably 1930s-esque prose to not be written by PG Wodehouse.

HOWEVER, I'd caution against this audiobook version.

Not because it is badly performed or anything like that...

But because the sheer number of characters makes it incredibly difficult to keep track of who is who.

This may just be my issue, but I've never been one for remembering names that are told to me, so not seeing anything written down, and just hearing the constant barrage of different characters introduced in shorts bursts by Chapter 8 alone is a tad overwhelming.

It got so that I was completely lost as to who was who for a time.

So just a word of warning to those like me, the print version might be a lot better. It'll allow you to assign voices to the characters, and not have to try and distinguish between the performer's very similar vocal performances.

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1 person found this helpful

Shame there are only 3 books in this series

Really enjoyable characters. Shame it’s just a trilogy it could really have branched out into so much more

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Absolutely Spiffing

Thoroughly enjoyable, splendidly read. I have not come across the author before but will certainly look for some more.

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Absolutely wonderful

A great story delivered through marvellous narration. I did not feel the start was slow. Listening is such a delight that it does not matter the murder does not happen at the beginning. The characters are very likeable, the plot interesting as is the solution. Highly recommended.

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Excellent

I really enjoyed the three books. I wish there were more. An old fashioned great read.

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Fabulous listening

I thoroughly enjoyed this! Great story and great narration. Very engaging and lots of very distinctive voices from the narrator.

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Criminally perfect

The most perfect story, magnificently read and a Chief Inspector who is genius despite not being 'sanguine'. Read or listen to them all, over and over, an absolute joy!

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Great parody of country house murder mystery

I liked all three books& have listened to them several times. I would recommend very strongly!

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Cornelius Garrett is a superb narrator

I came to these stories as I’m a huge fan of the narration of Cornelius Garrett especially his readings of Georgette Heyer. Frankly I could listen to him read the phone book. However I fell in love with this series. The characters are warm and likeable. The plotting is good and generally they are a great yarn. I particularly enjoyed the characterization of the lugubrious inspector. I’m only sad that that there are only three stories. I’d love to know what happened to Gerry and her family. Most of all though the narration is superb and I’d recommend this actor across his body of work.

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