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Death in a Family Way

By: Gwendolyn Southin
Narrated by: Cynthia Barrett
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Publisher's summary

TouchWood Editions is proud to introduce the first female sleuth in our selection of mystery novels. Author Gwendolyn Southin uniquely blends the charm of gumshoe techniques with the fresh perspective of a developing female detective. The Margaret Spencer Mysteries offer action and suspense, with a human subtext.

At age fifty, Margaret Spencer's empty nest and empty marriage prompt her to answer an ad for part-time office work at the office of private investigator Nat Southby. Suddenly, she is deep in the most unlikely of adventures for a woman in 1950s Vancouver, helping him with a case of missing young women involved in a shady business ring. Maggie finds unexpected freedom as a developing detective and along the way she uncovers evil in the quaintly urban setting.

©2008 Gwendolyn Southin (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
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Editorial reviews

Get sleuthing with this feisty female. Margaret Spencer is on the case of a missing young woman. Meanwhile, she finds new freedom as a budding private eye in the 1950s. Death in a Family Way is author Gwendolyn Southin's first installment of her Margaret Spencer Mysteries series. Performer Cynthia Barrett keeps the pace smooth and the action energetic. She plays the characters with verve, experimenting with distinct accents, pitches, and verbal ticks. Utilizing her versatile voice, Barrett captures the mysterious tone and paints an engaging picture of 1950s Canada. Detective story fans, take note: There's a new Sherlock in town!

What listeners say about Death in a Family Way

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Great Story but Increase speech speed

Good story, and good representation of 50s marriages and home life roles. I like how she strikes out to find herself. Increase speech speed to 1.10 at least.

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A great series

This is a great series, very glad I found it. The author does an excellent job of crafting realistic characters and conflicts. Particularly where Maggie’s husband is not a caricature, but you can fully understand why things play out the way they do.

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Gwendolyn Southin great author

Just finished listening to the first of Gwendolyn Southin books in the series Margaret Spencer Death in...a Family Way!
It takes place in the 1950s and a bored housewife turns 50 and applies for a job! It ends with said housewife in the hospital...no spoilers! It is a fun read, a history lesson for those of us not born in the '50s, and to show you can change!

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1 person found this helpful

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Death in a family way

Margaret has just turned 50 and is boared. she goes and gets a job. It's at a private eyes office as a secretly. She ends up getting involved in the cases. Her Husband doesn't want her working. I couldn't stand him. Margaret turns out to be a really good detective. This book holds your attention from start to finish. I highly recommend this book and series. I will listen to every book in this series. Cynthia Barrett does a great job narrating this book. If my review is any help will you please click on the helpful link below. Thank you.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Looking forward to more of this series

I discovered this series for the first time this week and enjoyed it a lot. The 1950s Vancouver setting and life of the heroine were convincingly portrayed. The storyline of the mystery was unique and interesting. The narrator had the perfect voice and style for the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

loved

loved it and very entertaining good story and great characters. enjoyed it very much. recommend this story to mystery lovers

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interesting new series

Enjoyed this book, was a little different, I guess I will get the next book

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Good Book

I really liked this book it was never dull and I liked the characters very much
I can't wait to hear the next book

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    4 out of 5 stars

worth a listen

I have listened to them all and very much enjoyed being transported to the 50s. The characters all emerge well with humour. I liked the performance, I thought the voice was perfect for the 50s!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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I can not go on

I will not waste any more time.
The narrator is terrible.
The main character is as dumb as a stump.
I hate women portrayed as stupid.

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