Enjoyable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, depending on the friend's tastes. It was a good yarn. An unexpectedly interesting thing about it was the time when it was written (first published in 1933). I enjoyed the portrayal of aspects of life at that time - the advertising business, drugs, office life for men and women - written naturally when it was all contemporary, rather than as nostalgia or social commentary. I liked the fact that it was normal - and rather dashing - for Lord PW to put on a monocle.

What did you like best about this story?

Lively characters, good writing, fun.

Any additional comments?

This is the first Dorothy L Sayers book that I've read. I'll definitely be reading more.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Pure Sayers ruined by pronunciation of Bredon

What made the experience of listening to Murder Must Advertise the most enjoyable?

The strength of Sayers plotting and the twists of the plot.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

If the narrator had listened to someone actually reading On Bredon Hill.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I could not come to grips with Wimseys's name pronounced as "breddon". It is pronounced "Breedun" . Spend two minutes finding On Bredon Hill - which is referred to in the text, making this an unforgivable error- on YouTube. It grated so very much. If the narrator didn't know or research this, then the editor should have. A pathetic and unnecessary mistake which had me clenching my fists on each hearing. Listen to the dramatised version with Ian Carmichael. A brilliant production and the one I should have bought.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Get the editors to do their homework.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

15 people found this helpful

Spiffing good fun.

Very interesting, a ripping good yarn old bean! Also great to hear about advertising and office life in the 1920s.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

OK story, poor reading

Any additional comments?

I have never felt this to be one of the better Peter Wimsey stories - the plot is overcontrived to fit around an advertising agency, the de Momorie crowd are cardboard cutouts, and the harlequin episodes are downright embarassing - but the advertising agency and its staff are enjoyable and the story bounces along at a reasonable pace. This reading of it is poor, however - I could almost forgive the mispronunciation of Bredon, but the dull and repetitive tone and constantly misplaced emphasis becomes very wearisome. Dorothy L Sayers deserves better - I hope someone will re-issue the whole series read by someone who can read them as if they are actually enjoying the job.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Very enjoyable.

One of my favourite Dorothy L Sayers' stories, expertly performed. I was worried about a female narrator for this piece, but no problem. Who is to say what is the correct pronunciation citation of Bredon, only Death is explained in the book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Wonderful tale, accurately but poorly rendered.

DLS’s stories are old favourites of mine, read and re-reread many, many, times. These Jane McDowell readings are accurate and the French well rendered but the lady, hard though she tries, has a poor command of the idiomatic. She rather breathlessly renders many phrases with incorrect emphasis. Many an old-fashioned phrase is less than perfectly interpreted. Rehearsal and editing might help. A great pleasure tinged with irritation.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Very entertaining

I really enjoyed this. I know a lot of people seem upset by the narrator, but personally I didn’t have any problem with her performance.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Murder must advertise

Enjoyed listening g to this recording but felt that it lacked the polish and refinement of recordings by Ian Carmichael and Edward Petherbridge. It needed more of an atmosphere of the deadly nature of the criminals. Pronunciation could was also a bit off kilter.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Classic story but...

Spoiled by a narrator who can't pronounce names and gets characterisation wrong. Old version better.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Disappointing

The mispronunciation of the name of the lead character spoilt the enjoyment of this recording

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!