The Hog's Back Mystery
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Get 3 months for £0.99/mo
The Hog's Back Mystery
Buy Now for £16.99
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Narrated by:
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Gordon Griffin
About this listen
Dr James Earle and his wife live in comfortable seclusion near the Hog's Back, a ridge in the North Downs in the beautiful Surrey countryside.
When Dr Earle disappears from his cottage, Inspector French is called in to investigate. At first he suspects a simple domestic intrigue - and begins to uncover a web of romantic entanglements beneath the couple's peaceful rural life.
The case soon takes a more complex turn. Other people vanish mysteriously, one of Dr Earle's houseguests among them.
What is the explanation for the disappearances? If the missing people have been murdered, what can be the motive?
©2015 Estate of Freeman Wills Crofts (P)2015 SoundingsListeners also enjoyed...
Intrigued me ….but
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What made the experience of listening to The Hog's Back Mystery the most enjoyable?
Two things: the narration, which was exceptionally good, and the meticulous quality of Croft's writing. Although he is an intellectual writer (as opposed to one that plucks constantly at your emotions) he plays fair, so the dénouement is satisfying: not only practically feasible in terms of time and place, but psychologically comprehensible (in a way that some Agatha Chritie plots are not). I had never read anything by Crofts before, but I can see why he still retains his reputation for writing a classic 'puzzle' mystery.What other book might you compare The Hog's Back Mystery to, and why?
It has some of the qualities of a Dorothy Sayers mystery, in being intricately planned but honest: the reader is given all the information he needs to work out the solution.What does Gordon Griffin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Really wonderful characterisation. He is an outstandingly good narrator, one of the best I've listened to. He manages not only to produce different voices for the various characters, but he has got exactly the right pronunciation and intonation for a book set in the 1930's. Listening to his clipped, gentlemanly English one can almost see the wide, square suits and soft felt hats that the characters undoubtedly wore, as well-dressed men of their time. A very skilful job of narration that greatly enhanced the book for me.Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
No: but that is not any reflection on the book. This is an intellectual puzzle whodunnit, not an emotional novel, although the characters are attractive and interesting people.Any additional comments?
This book was an exceptionally happy marriage of an enjoyable mental puzzle and a really superb narrator. A really enjoyable listen that kept me absorbed for hours.A classic mystery, deservedly
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please can we have more
Great
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Would you listen to The Hog's Back Mystery again? Why?
Sometime in the future. Well written, evocative of the period, a well constructed puzzle and well read. I love crime and thrillers but have become satiated with graphic violence, depressed, drunken, detectives, Scandinavian Noire etc. Enter, Inspector French of the Yard ..... Very refreshing.What other book might you compare The Hog's Back Mystery to, and why?
Antidote to Venom by the same authorHave you listened to any of Gordon Griffin’s other performances? How does this one compare?
Yes. He is an excellent narratorWas this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No, because it was a joy to look forward to listening to it in episodes.Any additional comments?
If you enjoy a good classic golden age mystery, this is for you. The four stars for the story rather than five, are because I did guess the gist of who did it. However, this did not spoil my enjoyment.Loved It
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enjoyable golden age murder mystery
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