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Title: This Pen for Hire

Subtitle: A Jaine Austen Mystery

Author: Laura Levine

Narrator: Brittany Pressley

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-30-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 81 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Smarmy personals ads. Daring declarations of love. Writer-for-hire Jaine Austen has penned them all. But when one of the love connections she made is broken up by murder, Jaine finds herself freelancing free-of-charge - and uncovering more than she bargained forNo one seems to need her help more than geeky, gawky Howard Murdoch. His request is simple enough: a letter proclaiming his undying love for Stacy Lawrence, a gorgeous aerobics instructor. The fact that he's never actually met the woman gives Jaine pause - but she soon overcomes her misgivings, warms up her computer, and starts pitching woo on Howard's behalf. To Jaine's surprise, the letter is a success - the unlikely Romeo lands a date! But his triumph is, sadly, short-lived. On Valentine's Day, Howard finds Stacy bludgeoned to death with a Thigh Master - and is quickly named the prime suspect. Upon hearing the news, Jaine is shocked. Sure, Howard's awkward, eccentric, and a tiny bit odd. But a murderer? That's hard to believe. Especially after a little sleuthing turns up a whole bunch of people who harbored less-than-loving feelings towards the svelte Stacy. But Jaine had better wrangle her clues quickly, before a crafty killer catches on--and puts a whole new spin on her ghost writing career

Members Reviews:

Funny and Entertaining

I enjoyed this book. It was funny and clever. The story is well plotted, and the pace never lets up. Jaine Austin is a great character, very witty and bright. The other characters are also well developed and clever. I especially loved Cameron Bannick. He shares the spotlight with his witty conversations.

This is a great debut to a mystery series. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

Not bad

I love a mystery where I still haven't figured it out until the end when the sleuth themselves are figuring out the red herrings!

ENJOYED!

Good 1st book. Plan to read the next. Narration is good, voice changing done pretty well for various characters. I notice that "men" are always hard to do for a women narrator for the most part but she did okay :-) I liked her voice in fact, some voices I don't enjoy, hers I did...good voice for narration.

Some cute descriptions of "herself", her hair, her general appearance, other things/people and of her kitty as well. Makes for enjoyable reading in between the "playing detective" portions of the book.

Only one thing I noticed that could be changed... used the word "gusto" for the same description of one thing in particular too much... maybe 3-4 times but shoulda been a better way to describe that same thing differently each time? Not a biggie but still.... all in all, interesting reading, not complicated with too many characters so that I couldn't remember what was happening if I had to put it down for a day without reading/listening.

I did figure out a couple things in advance but I seem to be good at figuring out murderers and various things that are being led up to on TV as well, I nearly always know the killer ahead of time and it boggles my husband's mind how I do it but I'm always right. I can't guess EVERY TIME, but very, very often but it didn't ruin the book for me just because I figured out the end ahead of time.

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Title: Death Comes to the Village

Subtitle: A Kurland St. Mary Mystery

Author: Catherine Lloyd

Narrator: Susannah Tyrrell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-14-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 169 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

A wounded soldier and a rector's daughter discover strange goings-on in the sleepy village of Kurland St. Mary in Catherine Lloyd's charming Regency-set mystery debut.

Major Robert Kurland has returned to the quiet vistas of his village home to recuperate from the horrors of Waterloo. However injured his body may be, his mind is as active as ever. Too active, perhaps. When he glimpses a shadowy figure from his bedroom window struggling with a heavy load, the tranquil faade of the village begins to loom sinister....

Unable to forget the incident, Robert confides in his childhood friend, Miss Lucy Harrington. As the dutiful daughter of the widowed rector, following up on the major's suspicions offers a welcome diversion - but soon presents real danger. Someone is intent on stopping their investigation. And in a place where no one locks their doors, a series of thefts and the disappearance of two young serving girls demands explanation....

As Robert grapples with his difficult recovery, he and Lucy try to unearth the dark truth lurking within the village shadows, and stop a killer waiting to strike again....

Members Reviews:

A Happy Surprise!

Based on the reviews I have read about this book I was expecting a post WWI Rector and his daughter solve a cozy British mystery. It isn't that at all. The story is set during the Regency Period around the Napoleonic Wars--early 1800s. It is a wonderful period mystery with terrific characters, village intrigue and loads of fun interaction and insight. The narrator has a slow drawn out sort of voice which added to the feel of the era and the suspense and drama. The author paints every scene with just enough information to transport the reader back in time. To me it proved an excellent diversion that gained speed gradually and held my attention to the last word. I've done some checking and it is the first book of a new series--book two is due out in December 2014. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Susannah Tyrrell was wonderful.

What made the experience of listening to Death Comes to the Village the most enjoyable?

Susannah Tyrrell was wonderful. She made all the characters come to life. It felt as if you knew them. He accent was perfect for this story. The story was fun. Can't wait for the next book.

What other book might you compare Death Comes to the Village to and why?

It reminds me of Agatha Christi books.

Which character as performed by Susannah Tyrrell was your favorite?

I liked the main character

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Warm and Intriguing with a since of humor. Fun mystery.

Any additional comments?

If I don't like the narrator I cannot listen to the book. I found Susannah Tyrrell voice very soothing and sophisticated. I loved her voice. She was perfect for this book. I am looking for more stories read by her.

Well-written Regency Mystery with a Twist

Set in the village of Kurland St. Mary, "Death Comes to the Village" is the first in a projected series. The mystery plot is intriguing, with several twists along the way, featuring two missing maids from two households, and a series of thefts of small items from the houses of each of the wealthier families in the area.

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Title: The Red Queen Dies

Subtitle: A Mystery

Author: Frankie Y. Bailey

Narrator: Jorjeana Marie

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-12-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Frankie Bailey introduces readers to a fabulous new protagonist and an Alice in Wonderland-infused crime in this stunning mystery, which kicks off an exciting new series set in the near future. The year is 2019, and a drug used to treat soldiers for post-traumatic stress disorder, nicknamed "Lullaby," has hit the streets. Swallowing a little pill erases traumatic memories, but what happens to a criminal trial when the star witness takes a pill and can't remember the crime? When two women are murdered in quick succession, biracial police detective Hannah McCabe is charged with solving the case. In spite of the advanced technology, including a city-wide surveillance program, a third woman is soon killed, and the police begin to suspect that a serial killer is on the loose. But the third victim, a Broadway actress known as The Red Queen, doesnt fit the pattern set by the first two murders. With the late September heat sizzling, Detective Hannah McCabe and her colleagues on the police force have to race to find the killer in a tangled web of clues that involve Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and Abraham Lincolns assassination. Fast-paced and original, this is a one-of-a-kind mystery from an extremely talented crime writer.

Members Reviews:

Good, but thought the marketing was misleading

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The marketing set up expectations that weren't fulfilled.

Would you recommend The Red Queen Dies to your friends? Why or why not?

No. It's a pretty good police procedural, set in an alternative near-future (with better toys and tools), but it was marketed as an "Alice in Wonderland infused mystery." Maybe so, in the broadest possibile terms. But, I was expecting an innovative re-telling of the Alice story, with a murder of the queen. What I got was, again, a fairly predictable police procedural that barely touched on Alice as bit part back story.

What does Jorjeana Marie bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

The reader was good.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Nope.

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Title: The Ghoul Next Door

Subtitle: A Ghost Hunter Mystery

Author: Victoria Laurie

Narrator: Eileen Stevens

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-07-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 361 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

On a well-deserved hiatus from the ghoulish grind of their TV show, Ghoul Getters, psychic medium M. J. Holliday, her boyfriend, Heath, and her best friend, Gilley, are back home in Boston. But theres no rest for the weary ghost busters. M. J.s ex comes to her for help - his fiances brother Luke seems haunted by a sinister spirit.

The crew sets up surveillance cameras to watch for the possessive poltergeist while Luke is sleeping. But when he goes outside in the middle of the night and returns hours later covered in blood, they are all very concerned - especially when the news reports the murder of a young woman in the neighborhood.

Now M. J., Heath, and Gilley must remain self-possessed as they try to stop a wicked ghost whose behavior is anything but neighborly.

Members Reviews:

Spooky series

There is much about this series I love and much that annoys. Regardless it is entertaining and I have been hooked for quite some time.

With this book we are back in Boston, where the who series began. I have made no secret that I thought MJ and Stephen should be together, this book makes it a point to show every example of how they just don't suit. I am sure Ms Laurie is trying to put paid to that relationship, it is successful but heavy handed. She also take every opportunity to show how perfect Heath is for her, fine I will admit he has won me over.

Gil seems to have mellowed this book, thank goodness! He tends to be uber drama and a little hard to take. I am thrilled he is more bearable this time around. His relationship has progressed as well, it is rather sweet.

The mystery this time is just as dark as recent books. The ghosts they are encountering are really evil. What bothers me is that they do not seem to know much about these sorts of ghosts. If you have been practicing since puberty, one would expect you would know about all aspects of your craft. They seem to come across many spectral entities that have them stumped. This is something that has bothered me throughout the series.

The romance has progressed and they seem to be at a precipice in the relationship. I expect that the next book will have them engaged. The smexy time is strictly closed bedroom door, but they do get rather frisky.

I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Eileen Stevens, who is delightful as always. She has a real feel for the characters and energy of the books. Her voices have been consistent and distinctive throughout. I appreciate that Gil's voice is less high pitched. Ms Stevens does a wonderful job with the creepy elements of the story, adding to the sinister feel with a truly eerie voice of the bad guy. She is always a pleasure to hear on this series.

Overall, I am still a fan of the series and will be on the lookout for the next book. I have been with MJ and company this long, might as well take it to the very end. There are a few loose threads that need to be tied up.

another winner

glad gilly has calmed down some. was a good story line. several times found myself sitting in the car waiting for stopping point. was worth every penny. lets get the next one on the road.

Light listening for a dark story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was a really fun listen! It was very light considering the storyline was so scary. I couldn't wait to get in my car just to hear some more. The romantic scenes were awkward in a cute way.

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Title: Dog Bless You: A Golden Retriever Mystery

Subtitle: Golden Retriever Mysteries, Volume 4

Author: Neil S. Plakcy

Narrator: Kelly Libatique

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-13

Publisher: Neil Plakcy

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Autumn has come to Bucks County, and Steve Levitan has a new job: develop a conference center for Eastern College at Friar Lake, a few miles from campus. But on his first visit to the property, his golden retriever Rochester makes a disturbing discovery: a human hand rising from the dirt at the lake's shore. Whose hand is it? Why was the body buried there? The answers will take Steve, his photographer girlfriend Lili, and the ever-faithful Rochester to a drop-in center for recovering drug addicts on the Lower East Side, a decaying church in Philadelphia's Germantown, and finally to a confrontation with a desperate killer.

Members Reviews:

I love this series :)

What did you love best about Dog Bless You: A Golden Retriever Mystery?

I really like how after four books in the series, Neil Plakcy is able to continue to write stories that not only have a real human (and canine) touch, but ones that are intriguing and keep you going till the end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dog Bless You: A Golden Retriever Mystery?

It was really touching (and I'll try not to do a spoiler here) when the sibling of the victim comes face to face with where his older brother was murdered. The narrator really got the different characters and emotions. The victim had been into some things he should not have, but part of his intentions were to help his younger brother both medically and educationally.

Which scene was your favorite?

Well what I can I say, I liked the ending where Steve Levitan and his faithful Rochester break up the bad guys plans.

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

I think I covered it in the 'most memorable' part, but there were others. Steve's friends genuinely care about him and while they know he's technically breaking the law, don't judge him and instead want to help. There's some moving parts that lead up to a more moving part at the end.

Any additional comments?

I've heard there's a 5th book coming out. Good. Enjoying the audiobooks a lot. :)

Rochester and Steve do it again

I like the characters a lot, especially cop Rick Stemper. Steve is an interesting character and this book delves deeper into his hacking obsession.

The intermittent mispronounciations (e.g., chic pronounced chick instead of sheik) and the editing errors (e.g., taunt for taut) that carry into the audible version are a nuisance and distraction from the story.

read the whole series

What did you like best about Dog Bless You: A Golden Retriever Mystery? What did you like least?

I think the plot of this one was the best of the lot

Was Dog Bless You: A Golden Retriever Mystery worth the listening time?

I listen while walking my dog...not to heavy

Must love dogs

The mystery is almost beside the point, the point being the dog. Unlike many narratives featuring a canine, this series gets down and dirty in the dog world. There are hairs on the owner's trousers, the dog eats God-knows-what and gets sick, with nasty results, All of this is described. The dirt is in the details, especially this time out.

I've listened to all four of of these "Golden Retriever Mysteries," which suggests a certain amount of liking.

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Title: Ten Lords A-Leaping

Subtitle: A Father Christmas Mystery

Author: C. C. Benison

Narrator: Steve West, Jean Gilpin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-03-13

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 55 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Although Father Tom Christmas serves his little church in enchanting Thornford Regis with a glad and faithful heart, he never expects to find himself skydiving to raise money for it. Nor, safely back on the ground, to see two of the other divers leap from the plane, then tangle in a midair punch-up and begin falling to the earth.

To say that there is tension between the men in question - Oliver, the 7th Marquess of Morborne, and his brother-in-law Hector, the 10th Earl of Fairhaven - would be an understatement. But the trouble among this ancient landed family really began a generation ago, when a marquess divorced his first spouse to marry his brothers wife, fathering in his two marriages a vipers nest of arrogant young aristocrats. Now they have all turned up for the show to witness this shocking event in the sky.

Thankfully the men land safely, but death will not be slighted. Much to Father Toms dismay, he later discovers Lord Morborne lying deceased on castle grounds. Rumors of bigamy, art forgeries, and upstairs/downstairs intrigue fly. So do whispers of unvicarly behavior between Tom and Olivers beautiful half-sister, Lady Lucinda. In fact, the vicar may be headed for a very hard landing of his own.

C. C. Benison gives a virtuoso performance in this gripping new puzzle, a compelling and wise holiday mystery with the irresistible allure of hot tea and warm scones on a cold winters day.

Members Reviews:

Love it!

Love the story, the performance and the atmosphere. Wishing there would soon be more books!!!

Great easy listening and entertaining.

Was this really written by CC Benison??

What would have made Ten Lords A-Leaping better?

Coherence, an outline, and a reduction of force (living and dead) As I had enjoyed the two other Father Christmas mysteries available through Audible, I looked forward to a pleasant listen with Ten Lords.. Alas. The appearance of the labyrinth in the story setting might have been a warning. Granted, any mystery worth air time has twists and turns; but the shifting accounts, behaviors, alibis and characters- many of whom are known by multiple names!--is like the labyrinth once one is properly lost: nothing seems real or accountable. I was hard pressed to keep in mind even the name and significance of the murder victim--THIS one, not the 4 or 5 others who keep popping up with apparent relevance (as, on a ouija board- ugh). When the two-named girl came on the scene to add her complication, labyrinth turned to maelstrom. Let me off!

Would you ever listen to anything by C. C. Benison again?

Yes; but not for a while, and not without numerous strongly positive reviews.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Steve West and Jean Gilpin ?

Steve West is lovely forMartha Grimes' Richard Jury mysteries. He was, however, not at his best with this reading, strident and urgent too much of the time. He really did bring Max to life, though- I felt I could see him and like him. Too babyish, perhaps, with Miranda. Oh, yes, and Canadians do NOT sound like MidWesterners who've spent a lot of time in Alabama!

Ms Gilpin must be as provoked as by now I am with Madrin's (sp?) stuttering letters to her mother. In print, are the words actually CROSSED OUT?? No one types or writes letters that way; ridiculous.

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Title: Silent Echo

Author: J. R. Rain

Narrator: Phil Gigante

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-01-13

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 58 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Not much could drag Jim Booker out of a peaceful, if lonely, retirement and back to late nights, crime scenes, and chases. Jim Booker is done with detective work and would just like to enjoy a cup of coffee on a sunny day. But when an old friend shows up with a case about an old flame, Booker can't say no.

What starts as a missing persons case soon delivers more than he bargained for, and when Booker's own past offers clues, it's clear that no one else can solve this mystery. But there's a catch: Booker was given six months to live eight months ago.

J. R. Rain shows us that when it seems there's nothing left to live for, there's also nothing left to lose. His characters will take a chance on danger, doubt, even an unlikely romance - as long as they get a cup of coffee first.

Members Reviews:

Emotional. Perfect Ending

What a sad but lovely tale of a gay man and his friendship with a straight man that defines love as more than superficial acts of attraction or lust.

The MC is straight, completely and fully. His best friend is gay, completely and fully but in the end gay/straight it didn't matter. It was one human protecting, loving, comforting another human being. Just a beautifully sad tale.

This is not a romance, there are no real erotic scenes (though the main MC does spend a small amount of time with a women he fell in love with).

The mystery part of the story added a layer of heartbreaking emotions that didn't over take the story, only added another emotional punch.

Yea, I was crying at the end of this story but the ending was so beautiful to me. It truly was. I loved seeing a gay character portrayed in a fiercely strong protective confident angelic way towards his friend. A bit of unrequited love but In more ways than one, he took care of his straight best friend and it was so beautiful to me.

So, this is not a romance what so ever. But it is a great story of loss, true friendship, and a crime mystery long over due to be solved.

I love J.R RAINS. books.

I can't get enough of his books. I like the happy ones better than the sad but that is life. He has a wonderful sense of humor. My favorites are Samantha and Jim knighthorse. thank you for the hours of great entertainment. Keep up the excellent work.

okay-ish

story was okay,. The story seemed to want to have a more complex plot than it did. This narrator is tolerable, but not my favorite. ~JTC~

The most depressing story ever

This story has the be the saddest most depressing story ever.

As a fan of mysteries I am used to the books being focused on the crime. instead the author choose this to be an amazing story off being human, that just do happened to have a murder mystery in it.

If you are looking to read a gay mystery thriller this book is not for you. If however you are wanting a story that reminds you of the human condition and dealing with it read/listen to this book tonight.

A different spin on the serial killer genre

What did you love best about Silent Echo?

The narration was fantastic.

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Title: 419

Author: Will Ferguson

Narrator: Pete Bradbury

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 10-22-13

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 55 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Will Ferguson takes listeners deep into the labyrinth of lies that is 419, winner of the 2012 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

A car tumbles through darkness down a snowy ravine. A woman without a name walks out of a dust storm in sub-Saharan Africa. And in the seething heat of Lagos City, a criminal cartel scours the Internet, looking for victims. Lives intersect. Worlds collide. And it all begins with a single email: "Dear Sir, I am the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, and I need your help".

When Laura Curtis, a lonely editor in a cold northern city, discovers that her father has died because of one such swindle, she sets out to track down - and corner - her father' s killer. It is a dangerous game she' s playing, however, and the stakes are higher than she can ever imagine. Woven into Laura' s journey is a mysterious woman from the African Sahel with scars etched into her skin and a young man who finds himself caught up in a web of violence and deceit. And running through it, a dying father' s final words: "You, I love."

Members Reviews:

Great story

Narration was very good and the story was captivating. Very moving and entertaining, I would like to read more by this author.

Exceptional narration! Really good story!!!

Narration blew me away! It took maybe an hour or two to really get into the story, but I felt so connected to the characters. so good!

Okay book

Had the read the book for class it's okay at first then gets realllyyy confusing then really good at the end ! Over all okay book !

read the book instead

this narrator does not do the author any favors. The book is slow enough but the narration is painfully slow. It is a book I could read in 5 hours, not 12, For the last half I listened at 1.5x speed and it was just right to maintain my interest.

The story itself is just ok but I never really bought into it. Especially the ending.

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Title: The Black Book

Subtitle: An Inspector Rebus Novel, Book 5

Author: Ian Rankin

Narrator: Michael Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-08-13

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 150 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Five years ago, a mysterious fire burned Edinburghs seedy Central Hotel to ashes. Long-forgotten and unsolved, the case reappears when a charred body - with a bullet in its head - is found among the ruins. Inspector John Rebus knows that his superiors would prefer he leave things alone. He knows that part of the answer lies somewhere in a cryptic black notebook. And he knows that to solve the case, hell have to peel back layer after layer of unspeakable secrets in order to arrive at the truth.

Members Reviews:

Rebus really gels here

If you are interested in Rebus but not attracted to the whole series, this might be your entry point.

I am rereading/listening to Rebus, in order this time since the unabridged audio of all is now available in my region. This seems to be the novel where Rebus becomes that character some of us love so much, fascist though he can be. Though I usually prefer lighter crime novels with justice for all, Rankin created my favourite detective of all time here.

Michael Page is NOT a favourite narrator of mine so I delayed listening to a couple of his Rankin novel narrations, but he's OK for Rebus - more restrained than in other novels, but he still goes too gruff to distinguish some male characters (less shrill for women than he can be). However, James MacPherson became the voice of Rebus to me, so I feel something missing with Page and others - if MacPherson versions are available to you, get them if you can understand a delightful Scots accent. But skip the abridgements, even with that narrator --they make little sense because too much plot and character is skipped (not to mention setting, a real star of the series' later novels).

Not my favorite but still good

Not my favorite Rebus story but the writing is so excellent that it overcomes a weaker (in my opinion) story. Rebus is a fabulous character but I got confused by all the other characters in this book. I think that's the one drawback with listening to an audiobook, one can't go back and see the previous paragraphs very easily.

This narration was great. Michael Page is one of my favorites.

Shocking pronounciation

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

Partly - the story was good - the pronunciation of names and places was terrible.

What other book might you compare The Black Book to and why?

Other Rankin / Rebus books narrated by James Mcpherson

What didnt you like about Michael Pages performance?

Bad preparation of pronunciation of names and places

Did The Black Book inspire you to do anything?

Write this negative review

I love Rebus readings

I read an Inspector Rebus novel and, while I enjoyed it, I didn't really get into the characters until I listened to one of the books performed. The readings made all of the Scots come alive!

My First Rebus. . . and I'll Try Another

Good storyline for those who enjoy detective/police procedurals; although Rebus is a rebel and doesn't always follow procedure. Interesting plot and subplots, though I found it difficult to really "care" about most of the characters in the story. At the end, I wasn't so interested in the outcome as I should have been, but still, a solid mystery!

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Title: The Greek Coffin Mystery

Subtitle: The Ellery Queen Mysteries

Author: Ellery Queen

Narrator: Mark Peckham

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-27-13

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 57 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

In one of his earliest cases, Ellery Queen confronts a murder in blue blood. From the very beginning, the Khalkis case struck a somber note. It began, as was peculiarly harmonious in the light of what was to come, with the death of an old man. Georg Khalkis, internationally famous art dealer and collector, died of heart failure. After his funeral, his attorney found that the will was missing and immediately called in the district attorney.

When Inspector Queen and his son, Ellery, are brought in to solve the mystery, Ellery mentions the one place they have not searched for the will: the coffin. Upon exhumation of the Khalkis coffin, they find that it contains not one body - but two!

Members Reviews:

A Muddled Mess Poorly Written...

Ellery Queen is one of the giants of American Detective fiction, but it's hard to tell from this over-written mess. Over-written is an understatement. The plot is a mess with several unexplained lapses in it (for example, how was the will stolen). Compounding this is the authors' inability to explain the action clearly. So convoluted is the writing and smothered by lavender prose that it is practically impossible to tell what is going on. Did I mention overwritten?

The plot is a weak variation of Hammett's brilliant "Dain Curse," and as they say in the mystery game, is not strictly "fair". Ellery withholds from the reader and, in fact, perpetrates a lie on the reader, so the reader's inability to solve the mystery is more a testimony to muddy writing and obfuscation than plotting genius.

And for fans' of the legendary TV show, Jim Hutton is the best thing to happen to Ellery Queen. The Ellery of this novel is not the absent-minded mystery of the later novels and TV show. This Ellery is such an insufferable dilettante I kept hoping he would be the next victim.

The narration doesn't help. Bad and poorly distinguished voices (I couldn't tell the difference between the District Attorney's voice and Inspector Queens) and a sickening penchant for drooling over each and every word of the prose made this 13 hour audiobook seem like 1300 hours.

Save your credits.

A puzzler from Queen

In this entry, Ellery is involved in a will case, where the deceased is exhumed, only to find another body added to the coffin! Lots of false clues here, and we get some classic Queen "false" solutions. The explanation of the crime is wordy, but probably necessary, due to the involved nature of the mystery. Trying to figure this one out will likely give you a headache.

Too long winded

The end is anti climax. Takes too long to tell even the simplest of plot lines. Narration of EQ is somewhat at odds to his character in this and other books. Not my fave EQ book.