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The Wintringham Mystery
- Cicely Disappears
- Narrated by: Mike Grady
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
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The Wintringham Mystery
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Summary
Republished for the first time in nearly 95 years, a classic winter country-house mystery by the founder of the Detection Club, with a twist that even Agatha Christie couldn’t solve!
Stephen Munro, a demobbed army officer, reconciles himself to taking a job as a footman to make ends meet. Employed at Wintringham Hall, the delightful but decaying Sussex country residence of the elderly Lady Susan Carey, his first task entails welcoming her eccentric guests to a weekend house-party, at which her bombastic nephew—who recognises Stephen from his former life—decides that an after-dinner séance would be more entertaining than bridge. Then Cicely disappears!
With Lady Susan reluctant to call the police about what is presumably a childish prank, Stephen and the plucky Pauline Mainwaring take it upon themselves to investigate. But then a suspicious death turns the game into an altogether more serious affair....
This classic winter mystery incorporates all the trappings of the Golden Age—a rambling country house, a séance, a murder, a room locked on the inside, with servants, suspects and alibis, a romance—and an ingenious puzzle.
First published as a 30-part newspaper serial in 1926—the year The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was published, The Wintringham Mystery was written by Anthony Berkeley, founder of the famous Detection Club. Also known as Cicely Disappears, the Daily Mirror ran the story as a competition with a prize of £500 (equivalent to £30,000 today) for anyone who guessed the solution correctly. Nobody did—even Agatha Christie entered and couldn’t solve it. Can you?
Critic reviews
"Detection and crime at its wittiest - all Berkeley’s stories are amusing, intriguing and he is a master of the final twist." (Agatha Christie)
"Anthony Berkeley is the supreme master not of the 'twist' but of the 'double-twist'." (Milward Kennedy in the Sunday Times)
What listeners say about The Wintringham Mystery
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sheryl Mason
- 19-12-21
Loved it!
I wasn't sure about this one as I'd read good and bad reviews but I really loved this laid back mystery. Mike Grady did a sterling job of narration and brought the book to life wonderfully. I'd half guessed the solution but not all of it, so I have to give Anthony Berkeley credit for that twist at the end.
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms. TJ Norwood
- 10-01-23
Absolutely stellar!
Anyone who really loves a good locked room mystery will love this book. The writer has an excellent turn of phrase and as it is written contemporary to the time when it takes place, it is lovely to read all the details of a bygone era. I found the mystery compelling enough to keep my attention but really found the main characters so charming that I was easily invested in the rest of the story. The narrator does a lovely job, including the differentiating voices. Will definitely read more from this author again in the future.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 28-11-23
Utterly charming
The very best of this murder mystery genre. Great characters and amazing storyline with a great twist. Highly recommended .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John P. Allum
- 22-11-22
A jolly country manor crime romp
Nice easy gentle listen, well narrated and a story very much of it’s time. No sophistication, just a good old cosy crime story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 13-12-23
Jolly good country house murder
No gore or police involved but the crimes get solved by the footman! Fun and easy going. I enjoyed this story, not so believable in parts but who cares.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tracey
- 05-01-24
Thoroughly entertaining
The narration was excellent . the writing modern, speedy. And fun. I have listened to it twice & found new surprises the second time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 17-01-23
Superb.
Excellent story excellent narration. I particularly liked the rendering of the character Bridger. Highly recommended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MissTFie
- 13-11-23
Only partway through right now but
The mispronounciation of Mainwaring is irritating me, but I am enoying the story and narrator.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Zoe
- 20-02-24
Couldn't wait for bed time to keep listening!
Plot, setting, description, narration are peerless, super fuelled Agatha Christie style mystery, with all ends satisfyingly, but cleverly, tied up. Totally recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark Erving
- 10-04-24
narrator is superb
Great story, well read. Well worth a credit. thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. n
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