Lesley G

So disappointing.

Revisado: 10-24-24

I was delighted to find this book, set in my home country, and even more delighted to discover that the author had set the story in my (very small) home town! I was happily going along recognizing place names and being able to really “see” the story unfolding in my imagination. The subject matter is delicate, but, unfortunately abduction and abuse does happen, so my hope was that the author would handle the subject with sensitivity. They DO NOT. The description, in first person narrative, of the pain and fear experienced by the child is graphic and adds nothing to advance the story, but when they add in animal abuse, and the physical destruction of a still living animal (cat) it dives straight into horror for me. I could not continue. Technically, the book is well written, the characters and scenery are well executed, but the unnecessary descriptions serve no purpose and are horrifying to hear. Possibly, if you have a print copy, you can redact those passages and still enjoy the mystery, but sadly, that option is not available to listeners. Be warned.

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Middling story

Revisado: 05-09-21

Having seen the story advertised on TV, I purchased the audible book to get the full story. Much, much better than the show, practically different stories. (The show is not faithful to the book at all)
I enjoyed the book, the story is YA, but interesting for all that. I will probably buy the series on kindle, but I most likely won’t buy the audible versions. I find the narration to be monotone, and in places it’s difficult to know who is talking which is confusing. Even is places where narration is directed (“whispered”, “I cried angrily”, “she said with anguish” ... there’s nothing in the narration. It’s the same volume and the same emotion (semi-bored) and frankly annoying.

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Thoroughly enjoyable

Revisado: 08-25-18

I’ll confess, I’ve read most Agatha Christie books, just by virtue of being old! So the stories themselves, while enjoyable, aren’t mysteries, since I already know the endings. But I do love to hear Hugh Fraser read Dame Agatha’s detectives, Poirot, Battle, Tommy and Tuppence, etc. He just has the right “voice” for these stories and it is pure pleasure to hear him, without all the histrionics of other readers.

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Cute series

Revisado: 05-16-17

Pretty much typical of the genre - suspect a cast of characters in turn, heroine falling in like/love with handsome ( in this case) former boyfriend/current detective, and a cute critter (cat) who is much smarter than average, and yet, these stories by H Y Hanna work very well and Pearl Hewitt does an excellent job of narration.
I find cosy mysteries a lot of fun if they're well done, and these are. I'm happy to while away a few hours in the company of Gemma and her mom, Cassie, the old biddies, the doctor, the detective and especially Muesli!

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Missing Zara Ramm

Revisado: 01-27-17

If you could sum up My Name is Markham in three words, what would they be?

Not. The. Best.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Markham, but really, he's the only character.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Not really - I am used to Markham being a bit more lively.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did, but it's so short, it would be difficult not to.

Any additional comments?

Since I have all the other St Mary's books in audible format, it was a given I was going to purchase this one too, but I have to admit to being a bit disappointed in it. Frankly, if this was my first "experience" of St Mary's, I wouldn't be looking another one.
It's not that the book or narration is bad, per se, it's just that the others are so very, very good. I can understand the selection of Piers Wehner to narrate, after all, Markham is a man and it appears the intention is Markham speaks! in his own voice!, and Mr Wehner certainly has a very nice voice ... but Zara Ramm has already given Markham a *very* distinctive voice - amusing, interesting and not the slightest bit boring. The accent she has chosen for Markham is understandable and unmistakable. Even without Max saying so, you always know when he enters the conversation.
Mr Wehner gives him little emotion, except at the end when Markham is whining, (and for goodness sake, what was *that* all about? Markham does. not. whine.) and it gets a bit droning on to be honest.
I have just now finished listening, and sadly, I can't really review the plot of this short story, because I don't remember it. It was raining, Arthur didn't burn the cakes and something about a dog in heat. (?) I think. I'm knitting a mindless project while listening, so I'm certainly not distracted, but I found myself drifting off into my own thoughts.The other books have had me laughing out loud at Markham's antics and quips, I would so love to hear what Ms Ramm would do with this. I have a feeling it could be very funny indeed.
I rated it four stars overall, so as to not "downgrade" it, but really, three stars is more in line with my opinion. It's average.
Buy the book, it's supporting a good cause, and it's not a bad book as such, just not as good as the previous ones.(And if Audible or whoever decides these things released a Zara Ramm version, I'd buy it in a heartbeat)

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Among The Mad

Revisado: 11-30-15

Any additional comments?

Good story and good narration. It is obvious however, that Ms Cassidy is not familiar with Scottish accents, (hint - we don't sound Irish) although to be fair, there is a multitude of them. Also, she appears unfamiliar with the times in which these books are set. 1930s policemen, even Scotland Yard Special Branch policemen, seldom came from the upper classes, and when they did, they did not take junior roles in investigations. I can believe that Masie Dobbs would have worked to lose her natural accent given the times and her jobs, but "grunt" policemen, not so much. The class structure was very much alive and well between the wars. These mis-steps, along with the occasional mispronunciation, were enough to throw me out of the story. Not enough to "omg, it's ruined" but enough to make me tut. ;) And having written this, I shall now purchase the next audiobook in the series, because it is a good series with good narration.

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