Carl P. Beetz

Nigh-il-ism

Revisado: 01-17-19

The previous entries that I have heard featured an American narrator whom seemed appropriate given that the main character, Bernie Gunther is out of the L.A. school of hardboiled detectives. However, selecting this particular very English narrator has almost destroyed the joy of the novel. After enduring countless unnecessary mispronunciations in the favor of an English flavor, I have drawn the line at nigh-heh-lism. I have talked to my multicultural friends, not including English at the moment but including Irish, French, Italian, Hispanic and Polish. Nobody has said anything but neee-hi-lism. Philip Kerr's stories remain a joy but this particular reader is dreck of the worst, English snob, sort.

I recommend the story but also recommend some whiskey of the Irish, Scots or American sort or better, schnapps from Germany to listen to this. Perhaps it will calm raging for the snotty English narrator.

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Not so good

Revisado: 12-23-16

The early part of this novel consists of people gathering in slightly different clusters to rehash the same information over and over. There is very little story. There are a lot of "bruised" looks and "hurt" eyes.

Anybody hoping to learn some of the historical setting will be in the wrong place. At one point there is dialogue discussing how the Russians had been beaten by the Chinese fleet in 1905. Check a history book if you don't know what is wrong with that statement.

In the end the crimes themselves make little sense and can leave the reader scratching their head about motivations.

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Solid "Golden Age" Mystery

Revisado: 06-09-16

In some respects this book made me think of a P.D. James novel. Much of it is filled with gradual revealing of the personalities and interactions between the different characters. The mystery itself is not that fantastic and, for me, not as interesting as the stories of the people. Nonetheless the writing and the story were involving for me.

I found the narration to be well above solid and feel it added a great deal to the feel of the novel.

It is far from a more modern detective or slasher story and one that might appeal only to folks with an appetite for a period piece story. However, for those of us who seek out such novels it might be a real treasure.

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Surprising Decent

Revisado: 05-10-16

A lot of time passed before I decided to try this audiobook. Questions about the narration, the period, the author.

Narration is, to my ear, very decent. I don't have issues with distinguishing characters and I find the (male) narrator to be easy to hear.

The story is decent and not a locked room or Christie sort of story. Things peel away at an increasing pace and there are appropriate surprises towards the end. The story and mystery are more organic, rather than staged, than many. My sorrow is that the author died after only a couple sequels so that the exploded plot lines will not have a chance to develop.

Characters are a little formulaic but that can probably be excused for a first novel in a series since it gives us a foothold for future development. The core set are pleasing. They allow me to want to learn more of them and to look forward to hearing more from them.

Overall a decent effort and worth a listen.

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My Favorite

Revisado: 03-12-16

This is my favorite of the G. Heyer mysteries.

I really enjoy the reader although she mispronounces some words. Her voice characterizations are distinctive and her impression of the female lead is memorable.

The story is a good one but the best parts are the gatherings where several characters trade comments. In a film this might have been done with several people speaking at once but for a book, which is necessarily linear, the author gives a good impression of an active conversation.

As with most of her mysteries, G. Heyer's culprit is not difficult to spot for mystery fans. However, her writing and sense of scene make all of these books worth listening to and worth reading.

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I know, I know, but it is THAT good.

Revisado: 06-03-12

An enormous, well written book about a fascinating period. Told, as detailed in a longish foreward, in a narrative style, it is a frightfully good listen for a book that can be tough to finish from its size. I found myself compelled to listen at any free moment. If all history could be dealt with in this manner...

The narrator fits the tale perfectly and proceeds through almost flawlessly. There are a few words that seem to have incorrect pronunciation, even for the English dialect, but nothing to detract from the whole. To the contrary, I found the narrator to be a significant enhancement to my enjoyment of a marvelous book.

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