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A Meditation on Murder
- A Death in Paradise Novel
- Narrated by: Phil Fox
- Series: Death in Paradise, Book 1
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Summary
An original story from the creator and writer of the hit BBC One TV series Death in Paradise, featuring onscreen favourite DI Richard Poole.
Enhance your enjoyment of the series as, for the first time, Robert Thorogood brings the characters to life in an all-new locked-room mystery.
Aslan Kennedy has an idyllic life as leader of a spiritual retreat for wealthy holidaymakers on one of the Caribbean's most unspoilt islands, Saint Marie. Until he's murdered, that is. The case seems open and shut: when Aslan was killed, he was inside a locked room with only five other people, one of who has already confessed to the murder.
Detective Inspector Richard Poole is hot, bothered, and fed up with talking to witnesses who'd rather discuss his aura than their whereabouts at the time of the murder. But he also knows that the facts of the case don't quite stack up. In fact he's convinced that the person who's just confessed to the murder is the one person who couldn't have done it.
Determined to track down the real killer, DI Poole is soon on the trail, and no stone will be left unturned. A must-listen for fans of the TV series and Agatha Christie crime classics featuring Marple and Poirot.
Critic reviews
"Thorogood's classic crime novel is laced with tongue-in-cheek humour and outlandish plot twists. Readers will love this gentle, quirky crime thriller.' ( Lincolnshire Echo)
"Fans of the series will relish...plenty of red herrings and twists to keep readers guessing until the Agatha Christie style showdown." ( Daily Express)
"Fans of the Agatha Christie style BBC drama Death in Paradise will enjoy this book from the show's creator." ( Mail on Sunday)
"Sun, sea and suspense: If you like a classic whodunnit, and tropical settings, you won't want to miss Death in Paradise" ( Daily Mail)
" Death in Paradise feels like a little ray of sunshine." ( Mirror)
"Fans will enjoy returning to DI Richard Poole...just switch off and relax." ( Love Reading)
" Death in Paradise fans rejoice! Detective Inspector Richard Poole is making a comeback...just not on television." ( TV Wise)
"Fans of the show who are missing DI Richard Poole have another chance to spend some quality time with him thanks to A Meditation on Murder. It was an absolute delight from start to finish." ( Entertainment Outlook)
"A treat." ( Radio Times)
"This brilliant whodunnit is based on the BBC One drama Death in Paradise ( Woman)
More from the same
What listeners say about A Meditation on Murder
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Performance
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- Mark H
- 03-07-17
Death in Paradise lives on
I really enjoyed the first two series of Death in Paradise and I wanted to have more of the same characters, including Richard Poole. So, as I listened I remembered Ben Miller and his colleagues and the characterisation that they bought to the TV screen. I am sure that this story would have made a great episode, but equally I felt that there was something missing, something the actors bought to the story that was not in the writing (thus the 4 stars). That said, I really enjoyed this book. It had red herrings and a sufficiently complicated narrative to keep me interested. If you liked the first two series on TV then you should enjoy this too.
5 people found this helpful
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- Rogayah
- 14-11-16
Lotus eaters!
This is the line between dreams and reality. Scams and schemes to get rich quick are as likely as winning the lottery! Disillusioned victims meet the con artist who is a seemingly reformed character. When he is murdered by one of these people Richard, a Croyden policeman exiled in paradise and his local police team have to solve the case, a locked room mystery.
Between his work and his obsession with order Richard has his work cut out. Funny, challenging and entertaining this is a well-told tale worthy of a listen.
4 people found this helpful
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- nikki
- 15-08-17
Very enjoyable
If you like the TV series you'll like this! Classic Robert Poole, I'm hoping for one with Humphrey :)
3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Ms R J D
- 13-06-17
A meditation on murder
I found this book tedious at times as it seemed to repeat itself. However, I could not help warming to Richard despite is peculiar idiocyncrasies and may try another book
I
3 people found this helpful
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- Robert Millard
- 01-09-16
Brilliant
Brilliant! Better than the TV series!! Can't wait to start the next book but must wait 2 weeks for my holiday!
3 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 11-10-18
Great listen
Well narrated, just couldn't wait to listen to the next chapter and then the next till it was finished.
1 person found this helpful
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- Natalie
- 11-06-18
Death In Paradise
This is the best one in the series so far. I was unsure about the narrator at first but he did really good and he did well with all the different accents. I Highly recommend this book to those who love Death in Paradise antd for those who just love crime books.
1 person found this helpful
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- Nick
- 19-12-17
very good novelisation of TV series.
great story, recognisable characters and some lovely plot twists. it looks long time but it flies by at good pace. Voice work is excellent too.
1 person found this helpful
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- Emma Symonds
- 17-08-17
Relaxing story with a good twist
I really enjoy the TV series so was pleasant surprised that the book is just as enjoyable. its easy to listen too, the characters are good and the deduction of the crime was cool. I'll be trying another book in the series.
1 person found this helpful
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- Crediton Jules
- 23-05-22
Good story but a bit too repetitive!
I loved the story and could almost imagine the characters from the series as I listened. The thing which I found a little irritating was the recapping the story so many times! I didn't get the murderer but was pleased that one of my theories was pursued!! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
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- Kindle Customer
- 11-12-21
I was expecting the mini series
Not as fast as the mini series.
The same British humour without the blatant Island feel.
Doesn't start as far back as the series.
By and large, a good (not great) read.
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- Melissa Rose
- 12-06-20
Satisfying Mystery
I don't know if it is everything going on in the world right now, but it took me a while to get into the jive of this book- I even had to restart it at one point because my mind had gotten too distracted. Though, once I did get into the story, I found myself enjoying the 'closed room mystery' that was A Meditation of Murder.
As a fan of the television series, it was nice to revisit D.I. Richard Poole, my favourite Death in Paradise detective in a novel; the Inspector's beloved, yet curmudgeonly personality translated well from the screen to paper.
In terms of narration, I felt that Phil Fox did a decent enough job; I found it to be a touch monotone at times, but it wasn't severe enough to detract from the narrative.
However, while I mostly enjoyed this novel, I found that the story got somewhat repetitive with certain details, which felt like plot filler at times.
Additionally, I had figured out the murderer early on, but not the motive (which didn't seem to ruin the book for me too much).
In the end, no major complaints from me, though.
Overall, despite some minor issues, I enjoyed A Meditation of Murder. It may have been a slow start, but, as a reader, it was satisfying to watch the puzzle unravel in true Death in Paradise-style.
I would recommend this book to those who love the television series and to those who love closed room mysteries.