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The Affair of the Thirty Nine-Cufflinks cover art

The Affair of the Thirty Nine-Cufflinks

By: James Anderson
Narrated by: Cornelius Garrett
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Summary

Understandably, Lord Burford had some misgivings about hosting another house party at Alderley, his beautiful country mansion. After all, the previous two could at best be described as disastrous, since a couple of their guests were bumped off during their stay on each occasion. But with family members travelling down for the funeral of an elderly relative, the Earl really had no choice but to offer them accommodation.

And it didn't take long for things to start to go wrong. One of the guests claimed she had knowledge that would ruin the others' reputations, but nobody took her seriously enough to take offence.

At least, not until her body was found...

©2006 The Estate of James Anderson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Affair of the Thirty Nine-Cufflinks

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Slow Start, But Great Progression

So many diverse characters and backstories made this a slow burn in terms of getting to the crux of the story. It was inevitable who the murder victim would be.

Notwithstanding that, the intrigue was just as compelling as the previous 2 tales and the culprit just as surprising (even though I had surmised who it must be. However, I don’t congratulate myself for that, because even Georgie solved it this time).

The usual mix of Brits and Yanks as guests (but no mysterious Europeans this time.
Wonderfully read by Cornelius Garrett.

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45 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Mystery with lots of red herrings

I have read a James Anderson before and felt it was a bit too much of a farce to feel very Agatha Christie like, but this book contained more real characters (although still quite exaggerated) and a more likely story. I like that the detective always solves it not the amateur who 'gives it a go'. I'm not a huge fan of the farcical evening movements but it at least confused me such a lot. This narration is mostly very sharp - a couple of times at the beginning some characters accents mix slightly. However Wilkins is brilliant and totally conjures the image of the description throughout. I will look out for another one in the future. These books would make a fabulous dramatisation.

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Ersatz Agatha Christie

The placing of a disparate group of people with secrets in a country house is a formula much used by Agatha Christie, however she keeps her characters within the bounds of believable albeit mainly comprised of the privileged from an earlier era. The present book is populated by caricatures voiced at times by the narrator with such over-the-top accents that were either a pain to listen to or so affected that is is difficult to make out what they re saying, particularly those of the elderly females. I nearly gave up after the first few hours as the story is so slow, but it does take off once the murders start. I ploughed on as I couldn't return the book as it was part of a 2 for 1 offer. Maybe it was the mood of the time (March 2020) but I didn't find the book entertaining even as pastiche of the genre.
I felt the narrator over did the silly voices.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

P.G. Wodehouse meets Dorothy Sayers. And she loses

If you could sum up The Affair of the Thirty Nine-Cufflinks in three words, what would they be?

Jolly good fun.

What other book might you compare The Affair of the Thirty Nine-Cufflinks to, and why?

Reminds me of Wodehouse's 'Blandings' stories, only with murder. Convoluted and fantastically silly

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Loved any scene involving anyone trying to explain anything to Penny.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Moved me only to laughter

Any additional comments?

Dashing good blarney. Spiffing plot.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very enjoyable

An involved puzzle that is unravelled by the inimitable Wilkins. Recommended to anyone who enjoys a good country house detective story. The only fly in the ointment is that Anderson only wrote three novels in the series.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

I found it difficult to pause listening to these mysteries. very addictive listening. A detective Chief inspector who spoke in a broad Yorkshire accent, could speak French and Russian AND did the Times crossword over breakfast. He topped Poirot every time.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely fabulous!

What did you like most about The Affair of the Thirty Nine-Cufflinks?

What is not to like?! Brilliant writing, brilliant reading, another mystery at Audleigh, loveable characters, laugh out loud funniness... For those who love Agatha Christie/Marjorie Allingham/Ngaio Marsh (etc) novels, this is a treat. But read/hear the first two before this one!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too many lovely characters that, in this third book, now feel more like friends.

Which character – as performed by Cornelius Garrett – was your favourite?

Mr Garrett is brilliant, I love all the Saunders, but he brings life to everyone in the book.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If you love classic murder mystery, watch this! Sorry it's a bit lame, I'm not really into films!

Any additional comments?

I absolutely loved this book, can't praise it enough. If only there were more!

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7 people found this helpful

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

Good Listening

If you, like me, appreciate a gentler more civilised genre of detective fiction then give these books a go. Wonderful characters. Love the policeman. Funny and mysterious with little twists and turns. A riveting listen.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Such wonderful convoluted fun

I am a thriller fan usually, but sometimes a need for a gentler theme requires satisfying. This is one of three books in the series written by James Anderson, and I sincerely hope he will write more. . Great charm and well sketched characters in this old fashioned country house style murder mystery, read by the estimable Cornelius Garrett, master of every voice. I loved it.

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4 people found this helpful

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Very enjoyable murder mystery!

Great period set light murder mystery. If you like Agatha Christie and similar then you'll most likely enjoy this third installment in the series. Enjoyable characters and twists.

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4 people found this helpful