An Expert in Murder

By: Nicola Upson

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

March 1934. Revered mystery writer Josephine Tey is traveling from Scotland to London for the final week of her play Richard of Bordeaux, the surprise hit of the season, with pacifist themes that resonate in a world still haunted by war. But joy turns to horror when her arrival coincides with the murder of a young woman she had befriended on the train ride - and Tey is plunged into a mystery as puzzling as any in her own works. Detective Inspector Archie Penrose is convinced that the killing is connected to the play, and that Tey herself is in danger of becoming a victim of her own success. In the aftermath of a second murder, the writer and the policeman must join together to stop a ruthless killer who will apparently stop at nothing.

©2008 Nicola Upson. All rights reserved. (P)2011 AudioGo

Great-catchy story but a bit too left-leaning

Would you try another book from Nicola Upson and/or Davina Porter?

No.

What could Nicola Upson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The initial plot seemed interesting but I felt like the author was trying too hard to advance a gay agenda...great for some folks, but for the tame at heart, I'd look elsewhere. I did not finish the book.

So many character names!

I struggled to keep everyone straight. The same person was referred to differently each time.

Not a bad mystery

A fairly intelligent mystery. Interesting to have Josephine Tey, the real-life writer (pseydonym), be the main character in the story.

The plot became increasingly preposterous and the author started to rely on the characters to tell us what happened. So we get long monologues filling in details.. By the end the characters are mostly just sitting around explaining things to each other.

Sadly, doesn't live up to intriguing potentials

This is the only book in this series that I've listened to and I won't be going on. I love the narrator and I've really enjoyed the mysteries written by the actual Josephine Tey but I struggled to get through this book. I wanted to like the story, but there was just so much sitting around and talking. And I say that as a lover of classic golden age mysteries. I usually love details and setting and deep background but in this book it all seemed to be superfluous padding and an unnecessary and unwelcome extension of a surprisingly boring premise. I wouldn't waste a credit on this book. Instead, listen to some of Ngaio March's classic theater mysteries like Enter a Murderer or Night at the Vulcan.

Josephine Tey fans

I loved this book and audio. Davina Porter is a favorite narrator. I am reading Tey's Inspector Grant series. this is a welcome addition. Author Upson used many of the names from Tey's books but not the characters. it is a wonderful homage. I look forward to reading book 2

You're going to be busy

I really liked this book, but I'm warning you-- There's about 9,000 characters here with their own agendas and YOU are going to have to keep track of them all. Despite the "busy work " the story and narrator (Davina Porter) are absolutely fantastic. I will be continuing on with the series. Good luck:)

suspenseful

kept me interested to see who the killer was and how they were going to be caught and if the girl was going to be safe! can't wait till the next book

I loved it!

I loved it!
The plot is fantastic. The characters are enjoyable. I definitely want to listen to more in this series.
Davina Porter is excellent as always. I could listen to her read a cookbook and enjoy it.

Good narrator; pedestrian story

I stuck out listening to this story to see if it improved as it went along. For me, it remained a forgettable experience.

First, the language is not early 20th century appropriate. Too many psychological concepts are described in late 20th century vernacular with insights not available at the time. Second, much of the descriptions of the effects of the War are repetitive. Laurie R. King does a much more convincing job of *showing* us its devistation on a generation, rather than telling us. Third, the incredible tension arising from homophobic social perspectives is not convincingly presented.

I listened to the second in the series, and unfortunately it is pretty dreary and comes with a too apt and convenient ending.

Quite good!

This is a tough review to write. I liked it a lot. Truly! But there were a few plot points that had me in tears. I guess emotion is what the author hopes to evoke. This is a good mystery story with many suspects and excellent development. The characters are well written and interesting. I read another review that said the author over-used the word "lover." I tend to agree but the term fit.

Davina Porter is one of my favorite narrators and I loved listening to her read this. I'm looking forward to starting Book 2.