Christmas at Candleshoe: An Inspector Appleby Mystery

What an enjoyable few hours I have had listening to this recording, It is not as described as there was no Inspector Appleby in the recording at all. What there was ,was a book that was very different to what I had expected and I enjoyed it, even though I had guessed the end it was still fun getting there.

I bought this because it was on the "advent calendar", not normally the sort of book I would choose, especially as it was only 6 hours longs and I like my books to last me a bit longer. I was pleasantly surprised as it started, the narrator had a voice that made you want to keep listening and I was drawn into the world of the book from the start.

The story was good and not as predictable as I thought it would be, I kept listening to the end and next time I am looking for a book, I might go back to this author especially if the same narrator is reading.

I got this book as one of the Audible Christmas advent calendar buys, I wouldn't normally choose a period crime/detective thriller but am thoroughly glad I did. Initially I struggled with the dialogue but with Matt Addis's expert narrating I found myself enjoying the authors superb story telling and was soon transported into Candleshoe Manor and immersed in the strange goings on there. Perhaps because I'm new to Michael Innes's writing I wasn't sure what to expect, but he wove a superb mystery; I fluctuated between wondering if the Chadleshoe residents were real and if Jay was normal. This wasn't a passive listen, I was kept guessing and conjecturing and would recommend this audio book to any one who enjoys a well written mystery.

I had to listen to this audiobook twice to check that i hadn't misheard it. It is a surreal story, being a mixture of a Bertie Wooster era and more modern day times. The characters are not extremely clear, the 'gung ho' nature of the tale being more obvious. This audiobook is what might be described as a 'ripping yarn' and fulfils this remit. I would recommend it as a fireside tale on a dark night but not for the beach!

I downloaded this book as part of the advent calendar in the build up to Christmas, 2012. The title given implied that this is a mystery, particularly "An Inspector Appleby Mystery", but not much mystery here and certainly there was no Inspector Appleby. I think Audible basically destroyed this book with this misleading title. I started off listening to it, expecting any moment the book to turn into the promised mystery and Inspector Appleby to make an appearance. However, as it turned out, nothing of the sort was going to happen. So I was left half bewildered, half confused about what has happened. In the meanwhile the superb writing style and dialogue and the tapestry of the real story almost passed me by. I wish I hadn't started listening to it with the wrong impression and had the chance to enjoy the real book.

An interesting and nicely read tale but I failed to see why it is nominated "An Inspector Appleby Mystery" as there was neither mystery nor any sign of Inspector Appleby.

Took too long to get tot he story line, got bored of it pretty quickly.

I was really looking forward to this audio book,unfortunately I was really disappointed. I don't think it's the narrators fault,it's the story,it really does not grab you at all. In fact I fell asleep long before the end.

Despite the title this book has nothing to do with the Festive Season, nor is it an Inspector Appleby mystery. The Christmas in the title is actually a surname.



A good fun story set, I guess, in the late 1940s. The language is quite old fashioned, which I quite enjoyed, but it may annoy some people.The story concerns two branches of an old family, an orphan, a rich American widow, and the possibility of some hidden treasure. General mayhem ensues.



In some places I was reminded of Peter Pan, and in others of P.G. Wodehouse. No sex or bad language and almost no violence. Not ground breaking or life changing but an enjoyable listen.