D. Hamelink

Mrs Pollifax is so much fun

Revisado: 04-10-25

I love these books. I have ever since a friend introduced them to me in the 1990’s. With Audible, I am now able to listen to most, if not all, of them in the series. I’ve enjoyed them so much. Thanks Audible❣️

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Unusual Narration

Revisado: 03-21-23

Many people were put off by the unusual narration and I confess it took me off guard and was off-putting at first. But I pressed on and finished listening to the story because I absolutely love this series by Alexander McCall Smith.
Unfortunately, this was not one of my favorite stories in this series. Basically the problem was that I personally have trouble with descriptions of animals killed by poachers. It haunts me for many days afterwards. So I did skip over a few parts of the book.
In the story overall, there were a few comical moments, as well as a couple of storylines that were very touching upon resolution.
In conclusion, Ms Andoh was not my favorite narrator, but any narrator trying to follow Lisette LeCat would suffer in comparison. And the book as a whole, was a pretty good 21st Book in the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series. I'm glad I stuck with it.

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Beautifully written and narrated

Revisado: 01-27-23

I truly enjoyed this book. There is so much about it I liked, it would take more time than I have to explain.
But I do highly recommend it to anyone interested in WW II Britain.

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The Narration Was Inconsistent

Revisado: 11-19-22

I have enjoyed this series for several years and the narrator, Davina Porter, has always been a joy to listen to. However, I noticed that something had changed in Ms Porter's narration around Chapter 17 of this book. It sounds as if she had had a stroke or had been drinking. Since the latter doesn't make any sense, I can only guess that Ms Porter had a stroke or other malady before she had finished narrating this book and came back to finish the reading once she received a doctor's OK. However, it is very evident something had drastically changed. Her narration became very slow and she was slightly slurring some words. It actually became a bit disconcerting and I'm having trouble listening to the rest of the book as a result. Whatever happened to her, I pray it was of short duration and that she has been restored to more of her normal self. She was/is a very good narrator usually.

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A Different Kind of Book from Jacqueline Winspear

Revisado: 01-09-19

I liked this book, but I felt it was very different from Ms Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series... it kind of took me by surprise. However, Ms Winspear is still a master story-teller and expert on WWI history, so if you like her other books, I believe you will enjoy this book as well. Cheers.

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Great Book & Narrator, Occasional Poor Audio Qual

Revisado: 09-18-18

I love ALL of Lilian Jackson Braun's, "The Cat Who..." series. This book in the series did not disappoint... except... Audibles audio version is really not very good. In at least 3 places the volume and quality would transition from good to bad, then back to good again. If I didn't love this author and this book series so much, I might not chance purchasing another poor quality audio version in the series from Audible. Also, Audible has so few books in this series available to Audible customers. I know ALL but "Tall Tails..." are available on great quality CD... I love Audible but, come on y'all, you can do better...

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So Predictable and Labored

Revisado: 03-21-18

What disappointed you about The Penguin Pool Murder?

How did this book disappoint me? Let me count the ways... It was so juvenile and predictable, I couldn't even finish listening to the book. Conversations and character development was probably written at a 4th-grade level.

What was most disappointing about Stuart Palmer’s story?

Again, it was totally predictable and excruciatingly laborious.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I think the narrator, Julie McKay, did a passable job with the book, she just didn't have much to work with.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Penguin Pool Murder?

I wouldn't have even published the book in the first place or I would have labeled it a book for adolescents.

Any additional comments?

I am not interested in listening to or reading any other books by this author.

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I Love The Whole "Cat Who" Series

Revisado: 03-21-18

Would you listen to The Cat Who Blew the Whistle again? Why?

I have listened to all "The Cat Who" books at least once and some of them twice. I do have favorites to be sure, but whether one starts with Book 1, "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards", or Book 29, "The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers", the books are a delight from beginning to end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cat Who Blew the Whistle ?

As usual, Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cat sleuths, Koko and Yum Yum, investigate various and sundry mysteries. This mystery involves the disappearance of Pickax's wealthy railroad buff--and alleged multimillion-dollar embezzler, along with his secretary. The cats weren't as involved in solving this mystery as they are Lilian Jackson Braun's other books, but I always love their crime-solving contributions and Qwilleran's realization of those contributions. Plus this one has an interesting twist at the end...

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I LOVE George Guidall's narrations. He is my favorite American male narrator. It was The Cat Who series that introduced me to George Guidall and he never disappoints. In fact, I have listened to books I wouldn't have picked up ordinarily simply because he is the narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A purrr-fectly executed million dollar heist, a disappearance, a train wreck and a murder... all confounded by "The Cat Who Blew the Whistle".

Any additional comments?

I have read reviews where The Cat Who mystery series is described as "cozy". I agree with that wholeheartedly. Lilian Jackson Braun started this series in 1966 and it ended in 2007, though she was working on the 30th book a few years before she passed away in 2011. Because of this timeline, her books are not filled with crude language or crude anything! In the days and years since 9/11 and the divisiveness of society these days, I have found great comfort in the gentleness and simplicity of The Cat Who series. They are, for me, quite literally a much-needed vacation from all of turbulence, complexity, and hatefulness of society today.

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I Love The Whole "Cat Who" Series

Revisado: 03-21-18

Would you listen to The Cat Who Blew the Whistle again? Why?

I have listened to all "The Cat Who" books at least once and some of them twice. I do have favorites to be sure, but whether one starts with Book 1, "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards", or Book 29, "The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers", the books are a delight from beginning to end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cat Who Blew the Whistle ?

As usual, Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cat sleuths, Koko and Yum Yum, investigate various and sundry mysteries. This mystery involves the disappearance of Pickax's wealthy railroad buff--and alleged multimillion-dollar embezzler, along with his secretary. The cats weren't as involved in solving this mystery as they are Lilian Jackson Braun's other books, but I always love their crime-solving contributions and Qwilleran's realization of those contributions. Plus this one has an interesting twist at the end...

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I LOVE George Guidall's narrations. He is my favorite American male narrator. It was The Cat Who series that introduced me to George Guidall and he never disappoints. In fact, I have listened to books I wouldn't have picked up ordinarily simply because he is the narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A purrr-fectly executed million dollar heist, a disappearance, a train wreck and a murder... all confounded by "The Cat Who Blew the Whistle".

Any additional comments?

I have read reviews where The Cat Who mystery series is described as "cozy". I agree with that wholeheartedly. Lilian Jackson Braun started this series in 1966 and it ended in 2007, though she was working on the 30th book a few years before she passed away in 2011. Because of this timeline, her books are not filled with crude language or crude anything! In the days and years since 9/11 and the divisiveness of society these days, I have found great comfort in the gentleness and simplicity of The Cat Who series. They are, for me, quite literally a much-needed vacation from all of turbulence, complexity, and hatefulness of society today.

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A Shocking Ending

Revisado: 03-21-18

Would you try another book from Linda Barnes and/or Hillary Huber?

I have read other books by Linda Barnes and I have liked them. However, I'm glad I didn't read this book first... I wouldn't have read any of her other works if so. Also, I found the narrator having trouble maintaining the correct accent. Sometimes it was a New York type accent then morph into a Southern accent, but mostly little to no accent. It was distracting.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

First of all, a different narrator would have been better. Also, the psychologically complex lead character was possibly too complex for me... on the other hand, because she was such a bundle of contradictions, fears, and insecurities, the ending was even more unexpected.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Hillary Huber?

If either of these ladies were still alive, Betty Davis or Joan Crawford...

Could you see The Perfect Ghost being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Maybe a psychological thriller and only as a movie... no sequels, please... The lead actress, either Betty Davis or Joan Crawford. Can't think of a modern day actress who could pull off the truly crazy hiding behind the mousy neurotic outside.

Any additional comments?

I think I will stick to Linda Barnes' Carlotta Carlyle Mystery Series, it's more my speed with its lighter touch and smattering of humor.

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