enjoyable

tried this couple of months ago, couldn't cope with narrator whispering. tried again better.

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Very enjoyable

An early John Wyndham originally published under the pseudonym John Benyon. It was written some years before the Second World War and very much of its time, but all the more enjoyable for that. Some reviewers have criticised Zoe Thorn’s narration but I thought it suited the book excellently. Her diction was clear and her voices of the different characters were perfect. An easy going listen for a relaxing afternoon.

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boring

started off well but became more confusing as the story went on, I kept having to go back to see what I'd missed ..in the end I was past caring.

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Not vintage Wyndham

I enjoyed this crime thriller, it's not sci-fi but there's still an interesting female lead, a great sense of society and place and the obvious fear of a War to come and it's potential dreadfulness for the civilian. By the way the narrator is very good but not Zoe Thorn, she announces herself at the end as Zoe ......

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1 person found this helpful

1930s detective story

I really enjoyed the characterisation and laughed out loud several times. The only spoiler was the sudden ending with not enough relationship/feeling, when it was there in spades before. I didn't like Detective Logan. If Wyndham had stuck with the three main characters and the Professor's aide and let them work it out themselves it would have been a perfect detective story. The usual Wyndham shockers were present; can't really complain about the dystopian element of ruthlessness which runs through all his work.

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Couldn’t cope with the whispering

I can’t really comment on the story really because I couldn’t continue to listen to more than a couple of chapters. The narrator’s weird whispering was too much.

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brilliant and old fashioned

a really good book that seems dated, but that doesn't detract from the story. the narration was very good, however on occasion I felt like the narrator was whispering..?

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Could not finish

Was looking forward to listening to this , but unfortunately the narrator was awful, why was she whispering one minute then a loud voice the next , I gave up on this book as was so hard to listen too, such a shame .

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Before it's time thriller, nostalgic delivery

This novel was published in 1935 and the only thing that dates it is the narration. Zoe Thorn does a good job but I'd be interested to hear it without the obligatory plummy English accents so often attributed to the time. Its still good but I think it would be taken far more seriously if it were recorded with less affected accents. The plot isn't dated at all & the denouement is chillingly appropriate now.

Brilliant story of intrigue which would gain more stars if it sounded less like a black & white BBC home service pastiche. However, that does give it a charm some listeners will prefer.

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One for the wyndham enthusiast.

I enjoyed JW’s science fiction and was expecting something similar. Unfortunately these earlier books demonstrate how his skills improved with time, and although there were some decent events, overall I was disappointed. If you need to pass some time on a journey, this is a reasonable choice but don’t expect his later entertainment value.

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