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Death of an Avid Reader

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Death of an Avid Reader

By: Frances Brody
Narrated by: Anne Dover
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About this listen

A lady with a secret

Kate Shackleton's sterling reputation for courageous sleuthing attracts the attention of the venerable Lady Coulton. Hidden in her past is a daughter born out of wedlock and given up to a different family. Now Lady Coulton is determined to find her and puts Kate on the case.

A mysterious killing in the library's basement

But as Kate delves deeper into Lady Coulton's past, she soon finds herself thrust into a scandal much closer to home. When the body of the respected Horatio Potter is found in the Leeds library basement, the quiet literary community is suddenly turned upside down with suspicions, accusations and - much to Kate's surprise - the appearance of a particularly intelligent Capuchin monkey!

The most puzzling case in Kate's sleuthing history yet

Convinced an innocent man has been blamed, Kate sets out to discover the truth. Who would want Dr. Potter dead? Does Lady Coulton's missing daughter hold a vital clue? As the stories start to emerge in the seemingly quiet Leeds library, Kate is learning fast that in this case, she can't judge a book by its cover....

©2014 Frances McNeil (P)2014 Magna Large Print Books Crime Fiction Detective Fiction Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction

Critic Reviews

"Kate Shackleton joins Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs in a subgroup of young, female amateur detectives who survived and were matured by their wartime experiences. As self-reliant women in a society that still regards them a second-class citizens, they make excellent heroines." ( Literary Review)
"This is whimsical, colourful stuff and readers will warm to the entrepreneurial yet fragile Kate." ( Take a Break)
"Kate Shackleton is a splendid heroine." (Ann Granger)
"Kate Shackleton is a delightful leading character. The flavour of post First World War England is beautifully portrayed. An enjoyable and gripping mystery story." (CrimeSquad.com)
"Frances Brody succeeds brilliantly.... Her post-war world in which making any sort of living is hard grind and where an independent career woman is viewed with hostility is entirely convincing. Kate is a heroine to like and admire.... Her further adventures are eagerly awaited." ( The Daily Mail)
"Refreshing and highly entertaining, especially for the winter nights." ( Gazette and Herald)
"Brody's excellent mystery splendidly captures the conflicts and attitudes of the time with well-developed characters." ( RT Book Reviews)
"I have enjoyed all five Kate Shackleton books but this is the best so far. Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers." ( Daily Mail)

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Private eye

Loved this, terribly British . Though it was going to be funny but not, quit grim. Love the main character Kate and her side kick. Complex story

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Another excellent instalment.

A thoroughly enjoyable instalment in this cozy mystery series. Probably my favourite one for both the mystery and development of the main characters. Perfectly narrated.

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