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  • The Strangling on the Stage

  • By: Simon Brett
  • Narrated by: Simon Brett
  • Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (147 ratings)

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The Strangling on the Stage cover art

The Strangling on the Stage

By: Simon Brett
Narrated by: Simon Brett
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Summary

When Jude agrees to lend her vintage chaise longue for the local Amateur Dramatic Society’s production of George Bernard Shaw’s The Devil’s Disciple, little does she realise she’ll end up in a starring role.

It’s an ambitious play, culminating in a dramatic execution scene: a scene that’s played for real when one of the leading actors is found hanging from the specially constructed stage gallows during rehearsals. A tragic accident - or something more sinister?

As Jude and her neighbour Carole know only too well, the Smalting AmDram Society is a hotbed of seething resentments, clashing egos, overreaching ambition and thwarted passion - but are any of the members emotionally-charged enough to commit murder? Carole and Jude make it their business to find out.

©2013 Simon Brett (P)2014 Isis Publishing Ltd

What listeners say about The Strangling on the Stage

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

The Fethering ladies tread the boards

The Fethering Mysteries are on my ESSENTIAL-NEED-THEM-TO-LIVE list. As are ALL Simon Brett's books. And I have listened to "Strangling" many times already.

Brilliantly read by the author, all the colourful character and witt, wry observations and social and class commentary are here; the essential and much loved ingredients of Simon Brett's writing.

This time, the ladies are pulled into the amateur dramatic society. Full of small town mentality and jealousy, motives and opportunities are everywhere.

Very much recommended.

3 people found this helpful

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Not my favourite

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Perhaps my tastes have changed over the years, but to me this was not one of the greatest of the Fethering mysteries Mr Brett has written. Not a great deal seemed to happen for most of the book, when it did............. well I guess I had worked out who was going to be murdered, if not the reason why and who did it. By the end I don't in all honesty think I even cared. Perhaps I ought to listen to it again, maybe I might find it better the second time around, though I doubt it.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Got to the murder considerably earlier, added a few more suspects.

Have you listened to any of Simon Brett’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes, I have all of the Fethering books one way or another, plus many of his other works. This one would be somewhere near the bottom of the pile.

Did The Strangling on the Stage inspire you to do anything?

Listen to something else!

Any additional comments?

Could do better, much better. Go back to the original basics of the Fethering series.

2 people found this helpful

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Another Fethering Winner!

I have enjoyed all of this series, and love Carol and Jude!
An enjoyable read, best with a bottle of Chillean Chardonay!
<3

1 person found this helpful

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Brilliant

Perfectly captures the world of Am Dram with a satisfyingly intriguing mystery. Clever plot.

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Escape to Feathering

Love this series with Jude & Carol, entertaining and read with the right amount of humour and drama for an engaging listen. Don’t stop writing for Featherings finest amateur sleuths, I should miss them.

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NOT MY FAVOURITE!

The book started very slowly, there seemed to be a lot of unnecessary dialogue, and given his other work, I was left hanging around waiting for a murder to happen! I've given 5* to all others so far in the series, but alas I couldn't offer anything close for this!

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A really good listen

Really good book. Good plot. Good characters and excellent performance. The second book I have listened to by this Author and I am have thoroughly enjoyed both. Would highly recommend.



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better with age

borrowed a lot of simon brett books from the public library years ago I am really enjoying listening to them now marvellous technology brings so much pleasure will be trying to find more

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  • Anonymous User
  • 30-03-14

Always dependable

Would you consider the audio edition of The Strangling on the Stage to be better than the print version?

I always enjoy listening to Simon Brett read his own books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jude - she embraces life and ignores the things that worry so many people eg getting old.

Have you listened to any of Simon Brett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

His stories are formulaic, but none the worse for that. The Strangling on the Stage did not disappoint.

3 people found this helpful

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  • Michigan Resident
  • 12-08-17

Another Fethering hit

I love these books. I've read or listened to most of these books, and loved them all. I will probably go back and listen to them again they are so much fun. Try one !

2 people found this helpful

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  • Beatrice
  • 27-03-14

Another good book

Simon brett gives us another good book with Carole and Jude. They get involved with another murder and put their ameteur sleuth skills to work. It's a good book.

2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Debbie
  • 02-12-22

Too Many Drinkie Things

I'm a big fan of this series, but 15 books in maybe some things are wearing a little thin . . . if I NEVER hear "drinkie things" again it will be too soon. To me this book wasn't as fresh or as much fun as most of the other ones. I love following the characters and some of them are missing in The Strangling on the Stage. To each their own. I will still listen to more, as this a favorite series of mine, just not this particular one.

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  • Sylvia
  • 18-09-22

Author is great narrator for an interesting novel

I thought a story about an amateur acting society would necessarily be boring or, perhaps, a repeat of similar themes in other books and TV shows. But I was pleasantly surprised! The story is full of well-enough-developed characters, all somewhat quirky, as one might expect of those connected with the stage. Of course there was an expected murder (see the title of the book). But you are kept guessing, till almost the end, about who done it. And there is more than one death! And more than one affair. And more than one bizarre relationship. All in all, it's a fun listen. You get to see different sides of Carol and Jude than in previous books. I thought it was out of character for Carol to fail to take Jude to the hospital (don't worry, this is not really a spoiler). But I can overlook that. It was good to see Carol become more self-aware throughout the book. And there is a happy ending, which was really nice!
(Honestly, why Carol would expect her son to be any different than he is, any less formal, is baffling, considering how formally and reservedly she conducts herself, LOL!)
Read these books in order for the best experience.

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  • lil tate
  • 16-03-22

Fun series

A high quality cozy mystery series. Well written. I feel like I know the characters, they are funny and endearing.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • L. May
  • 19-01-22

Does not disappoint

Simon Brett knows his audience and gives plenty of satisfaction, as usual. More fun from Jude and Carol.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • V.R.
  • 19-12-20

Another fun book!

As usual: the performance just as important as the book itself. Just s pleasure to listen to.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • TAJ
  • 07-03-16

Dynamic Duo

What made the experience of listening to The Strangling on the Stage the most enjoyable?

It's not Batman & Robin, it's Carol & Jude on the case. Simon Brett is marvelous at accentuating Carol's foibles, Jude's, too. Their banter is so much fun on my four mile walks. Simon's narration is right on. He's one of the few authors who narrates their own story. He's great at it!

What did you like best about this story?

Puzzling out the actor's death on the gallows.

Have you listened to any of Simon Brett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Well, he's just the best.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

He makes me laugh when describing Carol & Jude's relationship.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Anita
  • 13-08-14

Love Brett's reading

Narration and characters lovely as always; enjoy the development of Carol and Jude across the series. Plot slightly less satisfying than others in the Feathering group.