
Vertigo 42
A Richard Jury Mystery, Book 23
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Narrated by:
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Steve West
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By:
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Martha Grimes
About this listen
The inimitable Scotland Yard Superintendent Richard Jury returns in another "literate, lyrical, funny, funky, discursive, bizarre" (The Washington Post) mystery, now with a tip of the derby to Alfred Hitchcock’s famous movie Vertigo.
Richard Jury is meeting Tom Williamson at Vertigo 42, a bar on the 42nd floor of an office building in London’s financial district. Despite inconclusive evidence, Tom is convinced his wife, Tess, was murdered 17 years ago. The inspector in charge of the case was sure Tess’ death was accidental - a direct result of vertigo - but the official police inquiry is still an open verdict and Jury agrees to re-examine the case.
Jury learns that a nine-year-old girl fell to her death five years before Tess at the same country house in Devon where Tess died. The girl had been a guest at a party Tess was giving for six children. Jury seeks out the five surviving party guests, who are now adults, hoping they can shed light on this bizarre coincidence.
Meanwhile, an elegantly dressed woman falls to her death from the tower of a cottage near the pub where Jury and his cronies are dining one night. Then the dead woman’s estranged husband is killed as well. Four deaths - two in the past, two that occur on the pages of this intricate, compelling novel - keep Richard Jury and his sidekick Sergeant Wiggins running from their homes in Islington to the countryside in Devon and to London as they try to figure out if the deaths were accidental or not. And, if they are connected.
Witty, well-written, with literary references from Thomas Hardy to Yeats, Vertigo 42 is a pitch perfect, "pause-resisting" novel from a mystery writer at the top of her game.
©2014 Martha Grimes. All rights reserved. (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.Listeners also enjoyed...
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A charming mystery solved by the eminent Richard jury
A lovrly English thriller
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The best
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Very confusing keeping track of some characters toward the end
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Narration was perfection.
Grimes is great
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If you could sum up Vertigo 42 in three words, what would they be?
Death, Heartbreak, RevengeWho was your favorite character and why?
I love Carol Ann. She plays dumb but is very clever. This book is so dark she helps provide some comic relief. Love her interactions with Jury.Which character – as performed by Steve West – was your favorite?
Jury as always.If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
He is still heartbroken and wants answers.Any additional comments?
I hope this is not the last Jury book. I really look forward to them.Misadventure and Death
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely. The author always weaves an interesting story, and this time it has a great twist, in an extended reference to a classic movie.Have you listened to any of Steve West’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I have not listened to others, but I certainly will. His presentation enhanced the story. I kept forgetting that the same person was reading all the different characters' lines!As always, Martha Grimes comes through
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it was too long and boring. I would not recommend this book.
Too long!
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Story and Narrator well matched.
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A new Martha Grimes-Richard Jury fan
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Enjoyed the book very much
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