The Strings of Murder cover art

The Strings of Murder

Frey & McGray Book 1

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The Strings of Murder

By: Oscar de Muriel
Narrated by: Andy Secombe
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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Strings of Murder by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe, including musical interludes recorded by the author himself.

'A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery' New York Times

'I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic' Ian Rankin


Edinburgh, 1888
. A virtuoso violinist is brutally killed in his home. But with no way in or out of the locked practice room, the murder makes no sense.

Fearing a national panic over a copycat Ripper, Scotland Yard sends Inspector Ian Frey to investigate under the cover of a fake department specializing in the occult. However, Frey's new boss, Detective 'Nine-Nails' McGray, actually believes in such nonsense.

McGray's tragic past has driven him to superstition, but even Frey must admit that this case seems beyond reason. And once someone loses all reason, who knows what they will lose next...

'This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch.'
Manda Scott

'A great cop double-act ... It's the pairing of the upright Frey and the unorthodox McGray that notches up the stars for this book. Like de Muriel, they're going places.'
Sunday Sport

'One of the best debuts so far this year - a brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting... with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It's clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written - The Strings Of Murder is everything you need in a mystery thriller.'
Crime Review

Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Scotland Crime Exciting Funny Witty Scary Murder
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Not one for those who are looking for a subtle story or performance. In fairness, one might well have experienced a similar level of frenzy in productions from the period in which this is set (1888, mid-ripper). The choice of that exact time period will tell the reader a lot about the degree of surprise they may expect from this novel. It is functional but can be a bit wearisome as the performance is fully in keeping with the Grand Guignol plot and at times it is too mannered to be taken seriously. It could be argued that there is not one moment in this novel that is intended to be taken seriously but it is hard to stay with the story at times when the scenery is being chewed.

It is OK but not great.

Do not expect more than 'Alf a Conan Doyle.

Rabid melodrama

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Not a bad book, a unique and interesting plot idea which moves along at a reasonable pace unfortunately burdened with a set of fairly thin yet equally uninteresting characters. The foppish lead is certainly part of the joke but it's a joke that wears rather thin and doesn't develop from the earliest pages to the last.

The performance is generally very solid and despite some sections where the characters voices wobble a little I shall certainly look for other readings by the same actor. I suspect the variations have more to do with production and different readings than the actors ability.

Nice accents, shame about the protagonist

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brilliantly narration, chuckled all the way through it. likable main characters, not a book to send you asleep, loved it.

surprisingly funny

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a refreshing work of crime fiction that keeps you guessing and the supernatural undertones add further intrigue. perfect narration. great. just super x

brilliant

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I didn’t know what to expect from this book but thought I’d give it a try based on the positive reviews and was thoroughly hooked from the start. It’s an unbelievably entertaining mystery - brilliantly told by the best narrator I’ve ever heard - with a giant helping of well timed laugh out loud funny dialogue. Clever, entertaining, hilariously funny, wrapped up into a pacey and interesting who dunnit. For those who enjoyed the marvellous Mr Sidney Grice, this is unmissable.

Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish

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