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The Strangler Vine

The Blake and Avery Mystery Series (Book 1)

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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of M.J. Carter's The Strangler Vine, read by the actor Sam Dastor.

India. 1837. William Avery, a fresh young officer in the East India Company, arrives in Calcutta expecting to be seduced by its ancient traditions. Nine months later he hasn't learnt a word of Hindoostani, is in terrible debt, and longs to return home before the cholera epidemic finishes him off.

A few months earlier, so rumour has it, the infamous and disgraced poet Xavier Mountstuart leaves Calcutta in order to track down the last of the remaining Thugs, a sinister secret fraternity notorious for strangling thousands of travellers. But after reaching the kingdom of Jubbulpore, Mountstuart mysteriously disappears.

Then the Company leads Avery to Jeremiah Blake, an unruly ex-Captain who has embraced native life. Their mission? To cover 700 miles of treacherous road in three weeks and find Mountstuart. A more unlikely duo couldn't be imagined, but they must bury their differences if they wish to succeed - for all is not as it seems, and at the rotten heart of everything lies the secret of the macabre Thugs...

 Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting
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Most relevant

Would you consider the audio edition of The Strangler Vine to be better than the print version?

Don't know

Who was your favorite character and why?

Don't consider books in this way. I'm more interested in the way the story unfolds different characters and how their personalities influence what happens

Which character – as performed by Sam Dastor – was your favourite?

As above

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

No

Any additional comments?

This format for reviews is really unhelpful.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dan Snow's recent TV series the 'Birth of Empire' about the East India Company and decided to read this novel to complement it. Although a novel, several historical characters are included and I found the story both believable and fascinating. Sam Dastor brought characters to life with consistent accents and a lively rendition. If like me you have an interest in understanding how history influences what happens today, this is an intriguing glimpse into the 'foreign', in every sense, world of late 1830s India.

The East India Company's later machinations

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Historically informative and accurate, packed full of detail as well as brilliant characters, both real and fictional. Gripping storyline throughout from the tiniest scenes to the biggest dramas.

The narrator is amazing too. Absolutely perfect for this book.

I'll definitely find time to listen to it again, even though I know the plot twists.

Quite simply the best book I've listened to this year

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Good yarn but I found the narrator's rendition of a Devon accent grated as it didn't seem appropriate for the character of Avery. It sounded much older than the character to my ear.

Distracted by accent

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What did you like most about The Strangler Vine?

There's nothing to dislike: there is history, adventure, travel, strong characters, murder and mystery. All set in Victoria's Indian Empire with jewels and opium and dust. Most of all it is about the building of an unlikely friendship between the two main characters.

What about Sam Dastor’s performance did you like?

I loved his accent and narration. It seems perfect for the place and time in India.

Any additional comments?

Still waiting for M J Carter's sequel to be turned into an audio book and read by Sam Dastor. Why is it taking so long?!

One of my most favourite audio books - loved it!

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Would you listen to The Strangler Vine again? Why?

No, but only because I almost never re-read novels. I would love to listen to the sequel if/when it becomes available as an audiobook.

What about Sam Dastor’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed his Indian accents in the Vish Puri books but here the British/Scottish accents sometimes didn't work. Nonetheless, a very good narration.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, it just kept me totally engaged. I had recently travelled to many of the areas described in the book, which added to the sense of place. I found the historical perspective fascinating and really enjoyed the short explanation of historical context at the end.

Any additional comments?

I love the mix of true historical perspective and exciting fictional story telling.

Captivating read

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