Thank goodness I don’t know any authors like that one who received a well deserved ending.

This is the first time I’ve listened to a narrative written by this author and it won’t be the last! There were many twists and turns before it became possible to eliminate some of the many suspects. However, I never had a clue regarding the perpetrator who masterminded so many downfalls. In the end, every piece fitted leaving me to think that being an armchair detective was a safer option than working on a real life case. You’ll be in for a surprise or two if you listen but that’s always part of the journey.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Narrator a distraction

I very much enjoy J R Ellis's crime novels, and the story to this one was also a good one. However, I was greatly distracted by the voice of the narrator, as it was extra loud overall and just about every voice/accent sounded pompous! Also the women's dialogue sounded like it was being read by a female impersonator in a Christmas pantomime, also, still quite pompous....I tried not to let this affect my reception of the story itself, but it was impossible to ignore. Maybe it's just me, but I am used to much mellower narration, better suited to the scenario. Nothing personal, Michael Page, but I just don't think you were the right person for this story!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Very good

I really enjoyed listening to this book.
I hate the fact that one has to write a designated number of words in order to give a response.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

average

Not one of the best books I have listened to but
able to listen to the end story line ok. narration was good.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Arc celebris fontibus

As an old Harrogatonian I enjoyed the story very much. The characters are well described and the nostalgia was good to hear .
I can’t imagine Harrogate ever being the seat of as much drama, but I was hooked from the first few lines . Well done to J R on a well written storyline

Incidentally, Masham is pronounced Massem , not Mashem

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The Royal Baths Murder

Most enjoyable and addictive . I want to heat all the books in this series now

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A promising mystery

I enjoyed the setting and premise of this mystery - a mystery writers’ conference in Harrogate where Agatha Christie hid out during her infamous disappearance. And the notion of art imitating reality, and its reverse, was well done. However, if you like mysteries which focus on the crime and its solution, this novel may not be for you. It contains a lot of extraneous material, for example, about discrimination against women in the police force. A serious topic no doubt but one that does not add to the mystery and the novel’s entertainment value overall. Much of the dialogue is turgid, way too many words and too much statement of the obvious. Michael Page is an excellent narrator, but in this series his reading style is too loud, affected and unconvincing.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An Exercise in Endurance

Sadly I don't think this narrator's skills are suited to audio books. He had a shouty style & the gravelly voice characteristics he gave some characters were physically unpleasant to listen to. This is not the best crafted story & I did get tired if the 'bloody hells'. However it may have been more enjoyable with a different narrator.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Average

Not sure why I like this series it’s very old fashioned and at times dreadfully beige. Still I can listen to it while reading my Facebook pages.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!