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Death Makes a Prophet

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Death Makes a Prophet

By: John Bude
Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
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About this listen

'Small hostilities were growing; vague jealousies were gaining strength; and far off, wasn't there a nebulous hint of approaching tragedy in the air?'

Welworth Garden City in the 1940s is a forward-thinking town where free spirits find a home - vegetarians, socialists, and an array of exotic religious groups.

Chief among these are the Children of Osiris, led by the eccentric High Prophet, Eustace K. Mildmann. The cult is a seething hotbed of petty resentment, jealousy and dark secrets - which eventually lead to murder. The stage is set for one of Inspector Meredith's most bizarre and exacting cases.

This witty crime novel by a writer on top form is a neglected classic of British crime fiction.

©2017 Estate of John Bude (P)2017 Soundings Classics Crime Crime Fiction Fiction Witty
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Not sure why I keep reading Bude's books as they're all similar with their complicated plots, but dull telling. The solution is fairly unguessable but that might be because you actually don't really care any more.

It's quite dull, despite the great setting

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I enjoyed this book for two reasons: the author's characterisation of cult members laced with dry wit and subtle observations, and the puzzle posed by the evidence at the scene of the crime. The detective is a very normal and likeable character, which I found refreshing because I'm so tired of socially alienated detectives wrestling with their inner demons.
The disclosure of the culprit has a clever twist in the tale. Not altogether fair play on the part of the author because elements that were previously hidden from the reader are suddenly revealed, but it's forgivable because all loose ends are tied up so neatly.

Dry humour and a twist in the tale

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Lots of detective story writers of the Golden Age have set their tales within the cranky cults that flourished between the wars - G K Chesterton, Ngaio Marsh, even Chandler and Hammett in the US. This is a good example of the genre, a good story, a good listen, well narrated. It reflects attitudes of its time, but not too intrusively I think.

Excellent period piece

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Good old fashioned detective story which is very entertaining. Love the narration and the introduction at the beginning of each of John Bude’s books.

Such a relaxing listen

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Distinct lack of likeable characters. Either colourless, superficial or neurotic. Narrator did well with the material. Setting very bland. Had previously read Bude's The Cornish Coast Murder which I enjoyed a lot.

Disappointing

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