Death in Kashmir

A Mystery

By: M. M. Kaye

Narrated by: Shibani Ghosh

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

When young Sarah Parrish takes a skiing vacation to Gulmarg, a resort nestled in the mountains above the fabled Vale of Kashmir, she anticipates an entertaining but uneventful stay. But when she discovers that the deaths of two in her party are the result of foul play, she finds herself entrusted with a mission of unforeseen importance. And when she leaves the ski slopes for the Waterwitch, a private houseboat on the placid shores of the Dal Lake near Srinagar, she discovers to her horror that the killer will stop at nothing to prevent Sarah from piecing the puzzle together.

©1984 M.M. Kaye (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

So disappointing with narrator

This was one of my favorite books from M.M. Kaye and I’ve read it so many times. I was excited to get the audiobook, and then so disappointed when the narrator was not native British. I’m trying to finish it but very annoyed while listening cuz it’s just off. Kind of a waste really…

Too bad it was not read by someone else!

I have always enjoyed reading the author's books over the years and listening to some of the audible versions as well. However, the narrator of this particular book has really put me off them for a while. Her voice and mispronunciation of certain words as she reads in a monotone manner is actually quite annoying. It was very difficult to finish listening to the end. Thank goodness I have read the book before! Giving the narrator one star is too good a rating.

British accents preferred for English characters

This novel takes place in India but all the main characters are British. I feel that the narration would have been much enhanced by having someone read who spoke the Queen's English with an English accent. The mispronunciation of so many words detracted from a very well written story.

Poor choice of performer

It is unclear why this book is being read by a non native English speaker, when the characters are all British. It’s distracting, particularly when words are mispronounced, and the inflections and stresses on words are regularly misplaced. For example, at one point early on in chapter 3 it was funny to hear Hugo’s character describing himself as smelling so bad, “you can wind me from 500 yards…” Unfortunately the reader pronounced wind “wined” as in to wind up a clock, which of course is a different meaning from the author’s. There were MANY of these sorts of mistakes. I love this book, but it was frustrating to hear it read like this.

The wrong Narrator

What would have made Death in Kashmir better?

The narrator has a plesant voice but no range. No character has a distinct voice. Men and women all sound the same which makes for a boring listen. I read M.M. Kaye's Death in mystery series and know them to be an exciting series. This narrator just put me to sleep.

What didn’t you like about Shibani Ghosh’s performance?

She was unable to create distinct characters. I think the best narrators are good actors who create and project a range of personalities.








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Wonderful book, wrong narrator.

I have enjoyed reading all of M. M. Kaye's books over the years, and I was looking forward to listening to this book. Whoever selected the narrator must have been unfamiliar with M. M. Kaye and her books. It is a delightful story, but the audible version has been ruined by the poor narration. I hope they issue a new version with a narrator who is able to speak and understand English.

Great book, poor narrator

I love MM Kaye books and her Death in series are excellent. I have read this book in the past and loved it. However, I couldn't get past the first chapter with this narrator. She missed the humor, her voice had no inflection, and she didn't know when to pause. Please Audible, find a new narrator!

Great story, but the narrator ruins the experience

How did the narrator detract from the book?

It's an interesting idea, having someone with an Indian accent read the book, but Ghosh's narration is very harsh. I had an audiotape recording of the book, read by Virginia McKenna, which was amazing. Despite how much I love the story, I had to stop listening after less than an hour because she was giving me a headache. I was unable to focus on the beauty of M.M. Kaye's writing because the narrator's forceful speech was so jarring. It's really a shame, because I adore this book, but I will be returning this recording.

Was Death in Kashmir worth the listening time?

Story? Yes. Narration? AVOID.

Any additional comments?

I have loved M.M. Kaye's mysteries since I discovered one in France. Death in Zanzibar was the only English book available, so I read it, and became an instant fan. Death in Kashmir is a great story. M.M. Kaye's descriptions are extremely vivid, her characters are charming, and the plot moves quickly.

The Narrator Disappoints

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Recommend the book - Yes, but I would never recommend this audio version. I adore M.M. Kaye's Death In mystery series and even requested more titles in the series after Death in Zanzibar was added to Audible's library.

When I saw that Death is Kashmir had been added to Audible's library I immediately purchased it and looked forward to a pleasant evening listening to this great story. Unfortunately, Shibani Ghosh ruined my listening experience...there was no character distinction, pauses in the wrong places, and no presence of emotions.

The quality of the narrator is vital in any audiobook, and whomever selected Ms. Ghosh to perform the narration completely missed the mark.

Would you be willing to try another one of Shibani Ghosh’s performances?

Unfortunately I will avoid any audiobooks where the narration is performed by Shibani Ghosh.

Any additional comments?

In my excitement at seeing this title available, and even noting an unknown narrator, I did not use the sample player...lesson learned.

Terrible narration!

The story is good, the narration is unbearable. I wish I could get it with a different reader.