Very enjoyable listen

I am a fan of Josephine Tey’s crime novels and this series was recommended by a friend. This novel did not disappoint. It cleverly wove elements of Tey’s life with a fictional murder mystery. Tey’s successful play, Richard of Bordeaux, was the backdrop (pardon the pun) to the novel. I thought this was a most inventive story, a really good ‘whodunnit’ with everything tied up nicely at the end. The narrator, Sandra Duncan, was superb, with a real talent for accents and voices. I am glad to have found a new series of novels and look forward to listening to the next one.

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1 person found this helpful

Well read but dull story

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

It was ok but certainly not great

What will your next listen be?

Don't know yet

What about Sandra Duncan’s performance did you like?

This was very good most voices and accents well done

Could you see An Expert In Murder: Josephine Tey Series, Book 1 being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

No

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Brilliant narration!

This is a complex reading with many characters, the setting is just after the the First World War. The narrator, Sandra Duncan, captures the era, the variety of theatrical and ‘civilian’ characters and gives each a true personality and character. Sandra Duncan captures all the drama, pathos and empathy in the text making the story telling a true work of art. Thank you Audible

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1 person found this helpful

Brilliantly written

I’ve listened to this book twice. It’s fantastic. The writing is sharper and a bit more edgy than “cozy crime” and yet it still has the delightful elements of that genre. It’s set in the early 30s in London’s west end theatre scene. The characters are brilliantly drawn and a delight to be with but you also feel the true horror and pain of the crimes committed. It’s such a satisfying story and a wonderful world to inhabit. The actor reading is great. I may well listen to this again in a year or so! :-)

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A gripping read!

Wow, I've just finished this story and was utterly transfixed as the story unfurled, especially the last few chapters. This is not a typical gentle 'cosy' mystery but much more hard hitting, intriguing and intelligent. It requires active listening and concentration to follow the number of characters and the twists and turns in the plot.
The story explored many facets of human nature including jealousy, hatred, romance, love of many different kinds, sacrifice, loyalty and friendship.
Once I realised how it was going to unravel, I became completely engrossed in how it was going to be explained - gripping stuff!
Not a book to drift off to sleep to but a really enjoyable, gripping novel.
The narrator was excellent and I just loved Josephine Tey's soft 'borders style' accent!

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2 people found this helpful

disappointing

I found this difficult to follow as my mind wandered off so much and I had to keep winding back. It didn't grab my attention at all and I was relieved when it was over. On the plus side, the reader was very good.

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2 people found this helpful

Convoluted to stress levels beyond the imaginings of people

Very convoluted
Needlessly so
Very hateful with passionately evil antagonists and an otherwise truly idiotically slow witted caste of 2D characters.
I almost stopped listening an hour in, but I stayed with it and in the end found it’s construction was complex straining past the ability of the material to cope. But a fine tribute in the modern age to a golden era classic author( pen name)
Overall i’d probably listen to another in the series.

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1 person found this helpful

Truly could not recommend more!

I am a picky listener, I have been a member of audible for years and devour audiobooks like a rabbit at a salad bar. This book has ticked all my boxes. With Agatha Christie level of mystery, modern sensibilities and a cast of characters you can’t help but love- I really want you to try a credit on it!

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Good, old-fashioned story-telling

A mix of crime detection and human relationships with an emphasis on the latter, and with a story set in the early part of the 20th century. The style reminded me of the novels by Ngaio Marsh. The development of the characters, who will populate the later book in the series, is strong and the story was five star until the last hour or so when it became a series of impassioned monologues.
The narrator is excellent and I commend her for her authentic Inverness accent.

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Great Story

It was good the way the culprit remained anonymous and the whole plot of the story was great. The fact it was based on a real event was so much more poignant

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