Math-lover Adelina
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The Man in the Brown Suit
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Nicola Barber, Graeme Malcolm
- Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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First published in 1924, The Man in the Brown Suit is a thrilling adventure and murder mystery by Agatha Christie. The protagonist is Anne Beddingfield, the orphaned daughter of a famous archaeologist, who goes to live with her father’s solicitor and his wife in London. Anne is searching for an adventure and something exciting to occupy her time when she is witness to the sudden death of a man at Hyde Park Corner tube station when the man falls onto the electrified train track and is killed instantly.
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My First Agatha Christie Novel
- By LOVES2SHOP on 11-23-20
- The Man in the Brown Suit
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Nicola Barber, Graeme Malcolm
Great Listen
Reviewed: 06-28-24
As a huge Poirot and Tommy/Tuppence fan, I grabbed this stand-alone Agatha Christie novel while it was free with the Audible sub.
Similar to the Secret Adversary in terms of a young leading lady and of course, the standard Christie belief in love/romance, The Man in the Brown Suit took a few chapters to get into, as there are several points of view for this story, with all of the characters being new to me. However, the narrators were good and the string of classic Christie twists at the end did not disappoint!
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Some Danger Involved
- Barker & Llewelyn Series, Book 1
- By: Will Thomas
- Narrated by: Antony Ferguson
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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An atmospheric debut novel set on the gritty streets of Victorian London, Some Danger Involved introduces detective Cyrus Barker and his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn, as they work to solve the gruesome murder of a young scholar in London's Jewish ghetto. When the eccentric and enigmatic Barker takes the case, he must hire an assistant, and out of all who answer an ad for a position with "some danger involved", he chooses downtrodden Llewelyn, a gutsy young man with a murky past.
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Clever writing!
- By Kathi on 01-13-17
- Some Danger Involved
- Barker & Llewelyn Series, Book 1
- By: Will Thomas
- Narrated by: Antony Ferguson
Good story, grating narration
Reviewed: 06-02-24
When I picked up this title, I was afraid I'd be wasting my time on a Sherlock clone, but I was pleasantly surprised. A Wikipedia article claims that the author based Barker on real-life figures including Sir Richard Francis Burton. In fact, I wonder whether Agatha Christie was criticized early on for Poirot and Hastings being derivative of Holmes/Watson, though of course today we recognize her as a master in her own right.
LLewelyn (the "sidekick") is a likeable, relatable main character, and while he shares some similarities with Hastings, he is very much his own man.
The second book was even better, but my only complaint is the narrator. As an American, his Scottish and American accents, as well as his emphasis on certain words just rubbed me wrong.
Overall, a good book, worth the listen.
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Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry - introductions
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 71 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Ever since he made his first appearance in A Study In Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes has enthralled and delighted millions of fans throughout the world. Now Audible is proud to present Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, read by Stephen Fry. A lifelong fan of Doyle's detective fiction, Fry has narrated the definitive collection of Sherlock Holmes - four novels and four collections of short stories. And, exclusively for Audible, Stephen has written and narrated eight insightful introductions, one for each title.
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Chapter Guide!
- By Katya Rice on 05-25-18
LOVED FRY--Casebook Missing
Reviewed: 02-18-24
63 hours of Holmes, Watson, and Fry--perhaps the most value I've gotten out of a single credit!
My favorite thing about this collection were the introductions that Stephen Fry wrote. As a fan of Sherlock TV and Cinema, but new to the writing, those introductions contextualized the stories and excited me for the next novel or collection, making both Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle more understandable and interesting. I would recommend this audiobook for the introductions alone. Fry's voices are excellent, as well.
I expected that I would take a break between each novel or collection, but I only broke once for another title once, listening to the whole thing basically all the way through.
The least interesting part of the collection was that first novel, Study in Scarlet--give Sherlock and Watson a chance if the first novel or two are a bit dry, because by the time you get to the short stories and the Hound of the Baskervilles, you won't feel that way anymore!
If I had a complaint it would be this only--where is the Casebook of Sherlock Holmes? The fact that this collection is ALMOST complete was a bit of a let down (the reason my "Overall Rating" is only 4 stars), but let me reiterate, still well worth the credit.
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
- By: Lewis Carroll
- Narrated by: Jodie Comer
- Length: 3 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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On a sunny afternoon, Alice discovers a bottle that says DRINK ME. Unable to resist, she follows the label’s instructions...and immediately shrinks to tumble down a rabbit hole into an adventure where nothing is as it seems. From The Mad Hatter to the White Rabbit, the grinning Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts, Alice meets a cast of characters who are both eccentric and memorable.
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Jodie Comer Invented Acting
- By Cam Astankova-Park on 01-19-21
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
- By: Lewis Carroll
- Narrated by: Jodie Comer
Perfect
Reviewed: 11-03-23
As a huge fan of this book throughout my whole life (childhood and adulthood), I have read this book many times, but never listened to it in audio form. Jodie Comer was lovely, good pacing and great voices. Will definitely listen again someday.
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Oracle
- Oracle, Book 1
- By: Andrew Pyper
- Narrated by: Joshua Jackson
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Original Recording
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Oracle is a psychological thriller audiobook following Nate Russo, an FBI psychic who helps solve abductions and homicides by touching those close to the missing persons. His unique gift comes with a terrible price: He sees the horrific moments before the victims disappeared.
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Surprisingly good.
- By Carrie Byrnes on 08-21-21
- Oracle
- Oracle, Book 1
- By: Andrew Pyper
- Narrated by: Joshua Jackson
Grungy, Heavy, Unpleasant
Reviewed: 10-31-23
...but all of those feelings were intentional on the author's part, I believe. The story was creepy and atmospheric and held my attention. Unfortunately, the first person narrator has a lot of conversations with himself while talking to other characters, without the author delineating which was spoken and which was internal. This would be fine if I was physically reading, but was confusing for an audio experience.
The narration was solid, I would definitely listen to more from Joshua Jackson.
To sum it up, decent read if you're into the psychological, but if you don't want to hear the thoughts of monsters that find it acceptable to murder children, pass on this one.
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Frankenstein
- By: Mary Shelley
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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The tale of Dr. Frankenstein and the horrendous monster he unleashes on the world when he tinkers with the laws of nature had almost as strange a birth as the monster itself. It was the product of one of the most famous ghost story telling sessions in history. Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and several others were stranded on the shores of Lake Geneva during a particularly sodden summer.
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A Great Performance for a very Boring Story
- By Brian Zohner on 12-29-15
- Frankenstein
- By: Mary Shelley
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
High Quality Narration, Story Not Entertaining
Reviewed: 10-14-23
Since I listen to audio books mostly while commuting, the primary thing I look for from a book is to be entertained or to be encouraged to think about something from a new perspective. Frankenstein missed that mark for me.
I have enjoyed some of the Classics from the late 19th century so I figured I'd branch out and try Frankenstein. I assumed that the book would explore the theme that death gives meaning to life and was surprised to find that theme absent. Even the theme that humanity is full of monsters was fairly subtle. The book does have warning about unchecked pride and prioritizing the people in your life--a lesson seemingly lost on Frankenstein, as evident from his conversation with the captain/crew in the last chapter.
Overall, it read a bit like two self-absorbed, self pitying individuals (monsters?) chasing each other across Europe leaving destruction in their wake, with plenty of stopping for long descriptions forests, flowers, and frozen tundras.
It should be mentioned that Derek Jacobi did NOT disappoint. His pacing and voices were on point and I will be happy to listen to more titles from him in the future.
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The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
- Hercule Poirot Mysteries , Book 4
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Richard Armitage
- Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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The story that made Agatha Christie famous ends with one of her most dramatic twists. The villagers of King’s Abbot are shocked when a wealthy local widow commits suicide and the very next day her fiancé, Roger Ackroyd, is stabbed to death. Dr. James Sheppard, the local physician, discovers the body of his friend and narrates the ensuing hunt for the killer. All the guests and staff at Ackroyd's country house seem to have solid alibis - except for his missing stepson.
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Impeccable performance
- By Amazon user on 10-23-22
- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
- Hercule Poirot Mysteries , Book 4
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Richard Armitage
Yes!
Reviewed: 10-14-23
My favorite among the Agatha Christie books so far. Armitage is one of my favorite readers, too.
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The Woman in White
- By: Wilkie Collins
- Narrated by: Ian Holm
- Length: 24 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Late one moonlit night, Walter Hartright encounters a solitary and terrified woman dressed all in white. He saves her from capture by her pursuers and determines to solve the mystery of her distress and terror. Inspired by an actual criminal case, this gripping tale of murder, intrigue, madness and mistaken identity has never been out of print since its publication and brought Collins great fame and success.
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The outstanding narration is what I enjoyed most
- By Leslie Grey on 12-03-10
- The Woman in White
- By: Wilkie Collins
- Narrated by: Ian Holm
WOW! Well worth the listen.
Reviewed: 10-10-23
Ok. This is certainly a long book. And for modern tastes, it does get redundant from time to time. I tend to prefer short mystery stories, like Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot, to longer, sprawling novels. However after finding Wilkie Collins novel, The Moonstone, to be enjoyable (if somewhat redundant/predictable), I figured I'd give this a try.
Ian Holm absolutely blew me away with the detail in his narration and voices, and The Woman in White, even when I felt for a few minutes that it was starting to drag, ALWAYS had a new twist waiting.
If you liked The Moonstone, this story is superior in every way.
The Woman in White is well worth the listen.
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The Moonstone
- By: Wilkie Collins
- Narrated by: Peter Jeffrey
- Length: 18 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Considered the first full-length detective novel in the English language, T.S. Eliot described The Moonstone as 'the first and greatest English detective novel'. The stone of the title is an enormous yellow diamond plundered from an Indian shrine after the Siege of Seringapatam. Given to Miss Verinder on her 18th birthday, it mysteriously disappears that very night. Suspicion falls on three Indian jugglers who have been seen in the neighbourhood. Sergeant Cuff is assigned to the case....
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An engrossing detective novel
- By Lucie on 01-03-09
- The Moonstone
- By: Wilkie Collins
- Narrated by: Peter Jeffrey
Worth the Longer Read!
Reviewed: 09-12-23
The Moonstone is well worth a listen for mystery fans. To my understanding, it is only the second detective novel to be published, inspired by authors such as Poe and Dickens. It's a longer read, but the variety of perspectives kept it interesting.
While certain aspects of the story may be viewed as "dated," the characters are layered, loveable (or hateable!), and vividly brought to life by the OUTSTANDING narrator.
For me, a narrator can absolutely save or ruin an audio book. This narrator is up among the finest I have heard on Audible, exceptional pacing with a multitude of unique accents and pitches plus real emotions/hesitations just as the chacters would have--a true voice actor.
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The Maltese Falcon
- By: Dashiell Hammett
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Tough, cynical PI Sam Spade is hired by the story's irresistible femme fatale, Brigid O'Shaughnessy, to locate the client's sister by tailing her companion. Spade's partner, Miles Archer, takes on the assignment, and quickly both he and the man he was shadowing are murdered. As Spade pursues the mystery of his partner's death, he is drawn into a circle of colorful characters - all of them after a legendary statuette of a falcon fashioned long ago for King Charles of Spain.
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Narrator makes a classic noir story dull
- By rose711 on 02-01-21
- The Maltese Falcon
- By: Dashiell Hammett
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
Good Story--Mediocre Listen
Reviewed: 08-25-23
I have been listening to Poirot and decided to branch out in the dectective/mystery genre. After years of hearing how great The Maltese Falcon and the Thin Man (both by the author) were, I figured this would be a delight, but it wasn't quite what I was hoping.
The story is solid, but the main character felt one-dimensional. Not sure if that was the reader or the author's choice to constantly talk about his "V-shaped mouth" and smiles/grimaces.
In favor of the book, I will say the noir atmosphere really paints a picture. I liked that. In favor of the reader, he does LOTS of recognizable voices--easy to follow.
But the pacing of this was off somehow.
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