Preview

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Zebra-Striped Hearse

By: Ross Macdonald
Narrated by: Edward Asner, Kathryn Harrold, Jennifer Tilly, Joe Pantoliano
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.56

Buy for $15.56

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Celebrated private eye Lew Archer is hired by a father intent on preventing the marriage of his daughter to a penniless and possibly murderous artist. The chase takes Archer from Mexico to Lake Tahoe and from the San Francisco Bay area to Los Angeles as more than one murder crowds the investigation.

©2000 KCRW (P)2000 Ross MacDonald
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Zebra-Striped Hearse

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    61
  • 4 Stars
    12
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    62
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    5
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    59
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just this once.

I never listen to mystery books. Just not my thing. However, this story is so iconic and touches on every good part of the genre. Then the performances bring the whole thing to life! I recommend this book to everyone.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Novel and Performance by Large Cast

Although distributed under the BBC name, this was originally produced by LA radio station KCRW, which did several such large-cast unabridged readings back in the day. Harris Yulin directed and plays Archer. Others in the cast include Tyne Daly, Richard Masur, Harry Shearer, and Bruce Davison.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Complicated noir

I liked the intricacy of the plotting — and laughed at the two california actors’ ridiculous pronunciation of Camino Real (are they sleeping together under the same rock). The essay that follows the novel is worthy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Typical Archer mystery as done by full BBC cast

Macdonald is one of the best noir mystery writers from the 50s and 60s. His plots are all similar in that the key to solving a mystery is in the past and hinges on motives. Knowing this is of little help in unravelling any particular mystery as his plots are full of twists and turns and the end is usually a surprise. Unlike many modern mystery writers, whose books can be used for door stops (e.g. Elizabeth George and Robert Galbraith), Macdonald's novels are short as we learn little about Lew Archer, his protagonist. It's all about the mystery. "The Zebra-Striped Hearse" is typical Macdonald: Archer sorts through a basket full of interesting characters in order to solve several murders and in the end the reader exclaims, "I didn't see that one coming." This one is special as it is presented as a BBC radio production with big name actors (e.g. Edward Asner as Lew Archer). Enjoy!

If you haven't read any Lew Archer novels, don't be afraid to start anywhere. Each is an independent mystery as there is no character development of Archer, the tough guy hero. He used to be a police detective and is divorced; all there is to know.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ross MacDonald is a treasure!

if you've not read or listened to his works, please start now. His deftly wrought writings are layered, complex and, well, just perfect. This was my first. I believe it is the start of a roll.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good Production

This was produced by a radio station in Los Angeles, and it has some high priced talent. It’s quite good.
The last 3 chapters are a biography of the author. Skip it unless you’re a big fan.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Nice Surprise

The story is better than most Plus books and the performance with the large cast is excellent. I recommend for those who like vintage detective mysteries.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Psychological character portrayals

The cast of narrators is amazing and the twists are engaging. Such. Good story and the prologue explains his own personal life and its struggles,

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Twists and Turns

And then, a twist here, a turn there…an intricately conceived plot! Very much enjoyed the story and the performances.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

American Detective Fiction At Its Finest

If you cherish high-quality luminary prose interwoven into the contemporary fiction genre of detective novels— you must experience the brilliance and insight of American literary titan, Ross Macdonald, aka Ken Miller.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!