Regular price: £13.59
Gerald Hennessey - silver-screen star and much-loved heartthrob - never quite makes it to Temple Regis, the quaint Devonshire seaside town on the English Riviera. Murdered on the 4.30 from Paddington, the loss of this great man throws Temple Regis' community into disarray. Not least Miss Judy Dimont, corkscrew-haired reporter for the local rag, The Riviera Express. Investigating Gerald's death, she's quickly called to the scene of a second murder.
Whose Body? first introduced Lord Peter to the world and begins with a corpse in the bath of a London flat. Clouds of Witness finds Wimsey investigating murder close to home, and in Unnatural Death he investigates the suspicious demise of an elderly woman. First broadcast on BBC radio in the 1970s and presented here in their entirety, these full-cast adaptations are admired by fans of the genre worldwide.
Lose yourself in the gripping first novel in a new series of Golden Age murder mysteries set amid the lives of the glamorous Mitford sisters. It's 1919, and Louisa Cannon dreams of escaping her life of poverty in London, and most of all her oppressive and dangerous uncle. Louisa's salvation is a position within the Mitford household at Asthall Manor, in the Oxfordshire countryside.
The year is 1929. As the world teeters on the brink of a global recession, Bletchley Park plays host to a rather special event. MI5 is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and a select band of former and current employees are gathering for a weekend of music, dance, and heavy drinking. Among them is Sir Hilary Manningham Butler, a middle-aged woman whose entire adult life has been spent masquerading as a man. She doesn't know why she has been invited, but it is clear she is not the only one with things to hide.
Gower Street, London, 1882: Sidney Grice, London's most famous personal detective, is expecting a visitor. He drains his fifth pot of morning tea, and glances outside, where a young, plain woman picks her way between the piles of horse-dung towards his front door. Sidney Grice shudders. For heaven's sake - she is wearing brown shoes. The Mangle Street Murders is for those who like their crime original, atmospheric, and very, very funny.
A classic mystery for the festive season: mulled wine, mince pies...and murder. Mordecai Tremaine, former tobacconist and perennial lover of romance novels, has been invited to spend Christmas in the sleepy village of Sherbroome, at the country retreat of one Benedict Grame. Arriving on Christmas Eve, he finds that the revelries are in full flow - but so, too, are tensions amongst the assortment of guests.
Gerald Hennessey - silver-screen star and much-loved heartthrob - never quite makes it to Temple Regis, the quaint Devonshire seaside town on the English Riviera. Murdered on the 4.30 from Paddington, the loss of this great man throws Temple Regis' community into disarray. Not least Miss Judy Dimont, corkscrew-haired reporter for the local rag, The Riviera Express. Investigating Gerald's death, she's quickly called to the scene of a second murder.
Whose Body? first introduced Lord Peter to the world and begins with a corpse in the bath of a London flat. Clouds of Witness finds Wimsey investigating murder close to home, and in Unnatural Death he investigates the suspicious demise of an elderly woman. First broadcast on BBC radio in the 1970s and presented here in their entirety, these full-cast adaptations are admired by fans of the genre worldwide.
Lose yourself in the gripping first novel in a new series of Golden Age murder mysteries set amid the lives of the glamorous Mitford sisters. It's 1919, and Louisa Cannon dreams of escaping her life of poverty in London, and most of all her oppressive and dangerous uncle. Louisa's salvation is a position within the Mitford household at Asthall Manor, in the Oxfordshire countryside.
The year is 1929. As the world teeters on the brink of a global recession, Bletchley Park plays host to a rather special event. MI5 is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and a select band of former and current employees are gathering for a weekend of music, dance, and heavy drinking. Among them is Sir Hilary Manningham Butler, a middle-aged woman whose entire adult life has been spent masquerading as a man. She doesn't know why she has been invited, but it is clear she is not the only one with things to hide.
Gower Street, London, 1882: Sidney Grice, London's most famous personal detective, is expecting a visitor. He drains his fifth pot of morning tea, and glances outside, where a young, plain woman picks her way between the piles of horse-dung towards his front door. Sidney Grice shudders. For heaven's sake - she is wearing brown shoes. The Mangle Street Murders is for those who like their crime original, atmospheric, and very, very funny.
A classic mystery for the festive season: mulled wine, mince pies...and murder. Mordecai Tremaine, former tobacconist and perennial lover of romance novels, has been invited to spend Christmas in the sleepy village of Sherbroome, at the country retreat of one Benedict Grame. Arriving on Christmas Eve, he finds that the revelries are in full flow - but so, too, are tensions amongst the assortment of guests.
When Miss Seeton walks out after a performance of Carmen and witnesses a real-life stabbing, all she can recall is a shadowy figure. But how could she have guessed that her latest artistic endeavor is a picture-perfect portrait of the killer? Her sketch puts her in a perilous position, for back at her recently inherited cottage in Plummergen village, she's fated to be a sitting duck...for murder most foul!
At the end of her first unsuccessful season out in society, Lady Georgiana has all but given up on attracting a suitable man - until she receives an invitation to a masked Halloween ball at Broxley Manor. Georgie is uncertain why she was invited, until she learns that the royal family intends to marry her off to a foreign prince, one reputed to be mad.
A curmudgeon. A loner. That's how people describe Garrison Gage, and that's when they're being charitable. After his wife's brutal murder in New York, and Gage himself is beaten nearly to death, the crippled private investigator retreats 3,000 miles to the quaint coastal town of Barnacle Bluffs, Oregon. He spends the next five years in a convalescent stupor, content to bide his time filling out crossword puzzles and trying to forget that his wife's death is his fault. But all that changes when he discovers the body of a young woman washed up on the beach....
At the offices of the Hatton Garden diamond merchant, Duke and Peabody, the body of old Mr Gething is discovered beside a now empty safe. With multiple suspects, the robbery and murder is clearly the work of a master criminal and requires a master detective to solve it. Meticulous as ever, Inspector Joseph French of Scotland Yard embarks on an investigation that takes him from the streets of London to Holland, France and Spain and finally to a ship bound for South America.
An unabridged reading of Philip Pullman's nerve-shattering thriller, set in the murky streets and opium dens of Old London. When 16-year old Sally's father drowns in suspicious circumstances, she is left to fend for herself in Victorian London. Although she doesn't know it, she is already in terrible danger.
It's 1934. When Miss Pongleton is found murdered on the stairs of Belsize Park station, her fellow boarders in the Frampton Hotel are not overwhelmed with grief at the death of a tiresome old woman. But they all have their theories about the identity of the murderer and help to unravel the mystery of who killed the wealthy 'Pongle'. Several of her fellow residents - even Tuppy the terrier - have parts to play in the events that lead to a dramatic arrest.
May 1915. With thousands of Britons fighting in the trenches, a severely depleted police force remains behind to keep the Home Front safe. Scotland Yard is already overstretched when the sinking of the Lusitania sparks an unprecedented wave of anti-German riots and arson attacks. Among the victims is the immigrant tailor Jacob Stein, found dead in his burnt-out shop.
James Randolph is murdered early one evening and his body found a few hours later. When the police arrive, they discover that Randolph's safe has been ransacked, and discarded wrapping paper litters his bedroom floor. Perhaps by chance or perhaps by design, Trent seems to have been the last person, other than the murderer, to see Randolph alive. But this is only one aspect amongst many which connect Trent with the murder and stimulate his interest.
Northumberland, 1809: A beautiful young heiress disappears from her locked bedchamber at Linn Hagh. The local constables are baffled and the townsfolk cry "witchcraft". The heiress' uncle summons help from Detective Lavender and his assistant, Constable Woods, who face one of their most challenging cases.
Gaius Petrius Ruso is a divorced and down-on-his-luck army doctor who has made the rash decision to seek his fortune in an inclement outpost of the Roman Empire, namely Britannia. After a 36-hour shift at the army hospital, he succumbs to a moment of weakness and rescues an injured slave girl, Tilla, from the hands of her abusive owner. And before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar.
When Bobbie Cheldon falls in love with a pretty young dancer at the Frozen Fang night club, he has every hope of an idyllic marriage. But Nancy has more worldly ideas about her future: She is attracted not so much to Bobbie as to the fortune he expects to inherit. Bobbie's miserly uncle Massy stands between him and happiness: Massy will not relinquish the $10,000 a year on which Nancy's hopes rest.
London, 1867. As Inspector Ben Ross of Scotland Yard walks homeward one Saturday night, the fog that swirls around him is like a living beast. After it has lifted a woman lies murdered in Green Park. Allegra Benedict was the beautiful Italian wife of an art dealer. As Ben begins his investigation, his wife Lizzie looks into Allegra's private life and uncovers more than one reason why someone might want her dead...
From the tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his cheviot trousers, he's the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered.
Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he’s learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be - not the butler nor blackmailer, the chauffeur nor embezzler. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer - and trying harder to impress Madeline - Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.
My sympathies lie with Ronald Knox, who must be spinning in his grave. Having read all of Knox's detective fiction, I'm at a loss to know why there is so much religion in this book. Knox never put any into his. He did put his religious views into the books but as logic not as prayer or idiotic pleas to any god.
I'm sure this book has a plot, I was just unable to find it (as were most of the characters). By the time the book is over, so many people are murdered that it's obvious whodunnit. The writing is all over the place, clues are not well defined at all and I doubt this was written by anyone who had read any Golden Age books.
On that point, I doubt the "author" is English. There are points of etiquette in the book that are totally wrong - no Englishman of that era would take such liberties as calling a woman by her first name after a day or so of knowing her, let alone kissing her. It's all wrong. Also there is a passage in the gardener's cottage where there is a reference to "menfolk" - not an English term.
All (or nearly all) Knox's rules are broken which makes the title a bit silly.
The one saving grace is Simon Vance's narration and I'm not sure he would be proud of having read such drivel. The narration is perfect, well paced and well voiced.
I would suggest to this "author" that they read a LOT of English works before trying again, learn about plotting and leave the prayers out of it. They add nothing to the book. If one wants to write a book about sermonising, do so. If one wants to write a detective book, leave the prayers out of it.
This book was a sad disappointment. I'm surprised any publisher touched it without a lot of editing.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This was a mystery with twists and turns that kept me guessing. It is the first time I have read a mystery with a Christian theme that did not seem contrived. Good job!
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
The good is: 1) the price - it was on sale, 2) the narrator - Simon Vance is one of the very best, and 3) the plot was plenty twisty in the end. The bad is: 1) the story was rather plodding and I almost gave up on it several times so almost didn't get to the end, 2) as other reviewers have mentioned, there is an inordinate amount of gratuitous religion and "preaching" that is not necessary to the story, 3) while I don't want to reveal any spoilers there are a number of instances that occur that make little sense as they are never totally explained or resolved, and 4) in the era this story took place, I have trouble imagining that young women would be allowed the freedom with the opposite sex that these girls apparently had.
All that being said, however, it was an okay read but I am afraid I am spoiled by the Christies, Allinghams, and Edmund Crispins etc. of the literary world. This one doesn't measure up by those standards.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
"Rules of Murder" is the first of the Drew Farthering books, a new series which is set in England in the 1930's. It meets all the requirements for a British classic detective story -- a large country estate hosting a large party, a wealthy man playing detective (in connection with several murders at his large country estate), an investigating police superintendent who would very much prefer that the amateur sleuth stayed out of his way, a rather sweet love story, a loyal sidekick, a number of servants who don't realize they have important information, and red herrings galore.
Given that framework, Julianna Deering has created an engaging and intricate plot, and has peopled the book with intelligent characters who engage in intelligent, very often amusing, dialog. The amateur sleuth, Drew Farthering, is not, alas, an aristocrat, but this failing does not keep him from being bright, intelligent, eager and, of course, handsome. The plot is well-paced, and several red herrings kept this reader guessing.
As usual, Simon Vance's performance was superb.
I would recommend this book to fans of Sayers, Allingham or Marsh. While this may not be quite up to their standards, it will still entertain, and I believe that succeeding books will reach higher standards over time.
12 of 15 people found this review helpful
I have long been seeking new mystery novels that were written in the old style where the puzzle was the focus and the emphasis wasn't on sexual perversion or graphic gory details. If you enjoyed the writing of Agatha Christie, you will appreciate the new books by Julianna Deering.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Would you listen to Rules of Murder again? Why?
I don't usually listen more than once, but maybe I would in the future.
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
Yes. It was a long way into the book before I figured it out.
Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
I don't know!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
“Rules of Murder” is the first book in a mystery series. The author Julianna Deering set the story in 1930s England. The book is a bit different in that we have a female author with a male main character. The book is written in the classic mystery style set by Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Arthur Conan Doyle. The author writes in a simple style and uses an active voice rather than passive. None of the prose is out of place or awkward, Deering keeps constant to the 1930 style of speech. Drew Farthering is the hero character, he is the wealthy heir to the Farlinford Processing Company his companion is Nick Dennison and Madeline Parker the American niece of Drew’s step father is the romantic item. They are all avid mystery fan readers and discuss Ronald Arbuthnot Knox, a Catholic Priest who came up with the 10 commandments for a detective novelist. In solving the murders at the Farthering home they mark off all the rules the current situation brakes. The story is written in a light style with humor, suspense and a glimpse of life in a wealthy English home of the 1930s. The book makes a delightful read and brake from more serious reading. The audio master Simon Vance narrated the book.
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
A cozy little murder mystery . . . that didn't quite catch my fancy . . . although there's not one thing I can put my finger on . . . the narration is very good . . . and I love English mysteries, the resolution was good . . . clean story . . . just didn't get into the tale as I would have wanted to . . . maybe you will . . .
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Superb performance, well written mystery with a terrific ending! Looking forward to more by this author and narrator.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Kept me intrigued! narration very good. First time for this author, will not be the last!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This was a great mystery, a cute love story, and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I like mysteries where I don't know "who dunnit" until the end and this kept my interest from the beginning. Although this story is set in the 19 thirties, it does not have much historical involvement. The performance by the narrator was exceptional. His accents helped me see the characters. I look forward to more!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful