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The Hog's Back Mystery  By  cover art

The Hog's Back Mystery

By: Freeman Wills Crofts
Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
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Publisher's summary

Dr James Earle and his wife live in comfortable seclusion near the Hog's Back, a ridge in the North Downs in the beautiful Surrey countryside.

When Dr Earle disappears from his cottage, Inspector French is called in to investigate. At first he suspects a simple domestic intrigue - and begins to uncover a web of romantic entanglements beneath the couple's peaceful rural life.

The case soon takes a more complex turn. Other people vanish mysteriously, one of Dr Earle's houseguests among them.

What is the explanation for the disappearances? If the missing people have been murdered, what can be the motive?

©2015 Estate of Freeman Wills Crofts (P)2015 Soundings

What listeners say about The Hog's Back Mystery

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

A real hard slog to get through

I read another review before buying that warned it needed editing and my god, does it ever. I almost gave up at least 4 times as it was just so slow. The actual action takes place in about an hour of the reading. Most of the rest is the detective thinking about things. With editing this could be quite a good traditional british period piece but with the length it is, it makes it an ordeal. As a side note, by the time "who done it" was revealed I couldn't remember who they were. Best listened to in one go so you don't feel a similar disappointment alongside the thrill of having reached the end.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Our family likes Freeman Wills Crofts

Where does The Hog's Back Mystery rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I admit that my husband and I are very old and our grown up daughter is old. We all like Freeman Wills Crofts' mysteries and we rate them high. We would love to have more of these stories available on audible. I see that there is at least one other on Audible UK. Could you import it?

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

Yes.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Puzzle

The author allows the reader to follow the detective's thought process. I disagree with the reviewers who consider this work boring. The author compellingly describes the fact-gathering process which is, after all, detection. The author also allows the reader enough information to consider and evaluate how those facts fit in with varying theories. The reader feels a participant in the sleuthing process. Very clever plot. Well-performed.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Oh, my, how boring; i cannot

Would you try another book from Freeman Wills Crofts and/or Gordon Griffin?

Not likely

Would you ever listen to anything by Freeman Wills Crofts again?

Not likely

Which scene was your favorite?

They all sort of blurred together, so far as I made it, that is

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

Just tedious

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Needs to be abridged

Good story. Tedious to the point of boring. Less details, or abbreviated details needed. Narrator good.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!!!

This is the first Inspector French b o ok I've listened to -- and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed it!!!
I've read a couple of Freeman Wills Crofts short stories and liked his characters so when I found this one on Audib l e, I wanted to try it -- and I'm glad I did!
Great plot and well developed characters. And if you like police procedurals, you'll enjoy this. The narrator does an excellent job too.
Now if I can just figure out a way to find ALL of the Ins pector French titles (and read them in order!!), I'll be a happy camper!
Thanks , Audible, for another enjoyable listening experience...

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Listen to Ms Lixie

This book is dull. Way dull. Relentlessly dull. Unmitigatedly dull. A slog of dullness. And repeat.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

OCD detective, engaging puzzle

Crofts, a railway engineer, has written a greatly intriguing mystery which is really a mystery needing to be solved by a detective whose powers of ratiocination are persistent and ultimately ingenious. The reader is superb. Characters are mildly interesting, but it's watching Detective French that's delightfully engaging.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A real puzzle!

I loved the thought process and how insoluble it seemed! Definitely need to pay attention though, very satisfying!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

This is not for inattentive listeners with the attention span of gnats. If you want tv watch tv. If you want a very well written and intriguing tale this is one is it.

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