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  • The Strings of Murder

  • Frey & McGray, Book 1
  • By: Oscar de Muriel
  • Narrated by: Andy Secombe
  • Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,005 ratings)
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The Strings of Murder cover art

The Strings of Murder

By: Oscar de Muriel
Narrated by: Andy Secombe
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Summary

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.

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 this case seems beyond reason. And once someone loses all reason, who knows what they will lose next...

©2015 Oscar de Muriel (P)2015 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about The Strings of Murder

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pure Class

I have over 400 titles in my library, this one is easily in the top 10.

For the most part I am grateful if the narration is not too annoying. This is real acting as opposed to just delivery. I just love that it is a Welshman that brings this English dandy, lassy and brusque Scot to life. And what attractive characters they are too, colourfully rendered and multi dimensional. The supporting cast of workman are just as lovable.

Combine these elements with a credible mixture of the occult an engaging mystery and a dash of humour and you have my perfect audio book.

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38 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A really good yarn.

I just loved this novel.
The characters were believable, at times funny, whilst chilling too.
The narration was spot on and really helped to bring a very intriguing story to life.
I hope we shall have many more of these.

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent debut mystery - cannot wait for more

This book was exactly what I was looking for - a great mystery story full of character, humour and a touch of the occult - think Sherlock Holmes with a lighter tone and an "odd couple" partnership. I particularly enjoyed its grounding in reality - from the use of the legend of Tartini's famous sonata to the authors note explaining the truth behind the revelation of the murderer, great touches that certainly added weight to the story and made its more fantastical parts more believable.

The only fault I had with this production was the obvious re-record of several chapters - the narrator took sometime to pick up the protagonists voice in quite the same way, which led to a few jarring passages that distracted from the story until my ears had adjusted. Not a deal breaker but a little irritating.

Overall a great listen and extremely enjoyable. I was very surprised to find this was the authors debut book and I will certainly purchase the next in the series in 2016.

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • R
  • 03-03-15

Great

Really enjoyed this book. Was a bit hesitant at first but got into it quickly and really liked it. Story and performance are good. Read if you are a Sherlock Holmes fan.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good

They bicker like an old married couple which keeps it light hearted. Well narrated. Kept me engaged.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

I was surprised by how the story keptmy attention.

From the very start I kept thinking "this isn't my thing" but I kept listening any way enjoying the characters and the narrator. He occasionally got the accents a bit muddled but I liked that you always knew who was talking by the voice he used.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • K
  • 01-02-17

Jaunty

This an amusing book. Not in a gut-busting way but my lols were definitely audible. The characters are drawn from standard stereotypes but in a jocular enough way for them to be three dimensional and endearing. Even the supporting characters, despite being like villains from fairytales or Oliver Twist, are engaging.

The plot lines are involving and, despite being convoluted, are not frustrating. In general, the writing is not polished but this is a really enjoyable stab at the period detective genre and while derivative is consciously so, and manages to maintain its own identity.

The reading of this book by Andy Secombe, is a particular highlight. It's so spirited that even his slightly dodgy Scottish accent for 'Nine-nails' McGray actively adds to the humour of the novel. I swear to God his rendering of Inspector Frey was based on a cross between Prince Charles and Laurence Llewelyn Bowen - hilarious!

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Rabid melodrama

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.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Giving Up

Would you try another book written by Oscar de Muriel or narrated by Andy Secombe?

No, I gave this one a really good "go", I don't know if it was the narrator or the story; a lot of the voices seemed over the top.

Would you ever listen to anything by Oscar de Muriel again?

Probably not.

Any additional comments?

About 1/3 of the way through, I realised that I still didn't really know who anyone was or why I should care. I went back to the beginning and tried again, with the same result. This book has good reviews so I'm sure that it's me.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous read

Thoroughly entertaining, witty and humorous - with a ghastly tale alongside. Very pleased I've discovered this series.

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11 people found this helpful