The Widows of Broome

An Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte Mystery, Book 13

By: Arthur Upfield

Narrated by: Peter Hosking

Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Broome is a small, sun-drenched town on the barren northwest coast of Australia. It's small enough that everyone knows everyone else's business. How, then, did someone murder two widows in similar fashion and not leave any clues?

It's a case for Detective-Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, who arrives on the scene incognito. He's barely begun his investigation when a third woman is killed. Bony realises that he is dealing with a madman, and that time is running out to stop a forth murder.

©1950 Bonaparte Holdings Pty Ltd. published in association with ETT Imprint. (P)2013 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Bony - a unique figure among top-flight detectives" (BBC)

"The complex Bony is, I think, my favourite fictional detective of the past twenty years". (Anthony Boucher, The New York Times)

"Highly Entertaining". ( Glasgow Herald)

Love Arthur Upfield!!

Arthur Upfield's books as read by Peter Hosking are always delightful. They keep me listening to the very end, with never a dull moment. Upfield's descriptive talent is unbelievable - his Australia is so vivid. He's witty and charming, just like his main character, Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte. Upfield is a master of character development, at least with the primary characters in each story. Besides Bonaparte, there's always at least one character that is sketched in high relief, and the reader always gets a good feel for even the minor characters.

But Peter Hosking - he MAKES the audiobooks. What a talented narrator and what a pleasure it is to listen to him!

Widows of Broome is not my favorite Upfield book - there are others that are more captivating, descriptive, involved - but it's still quite good and worth every minute.

Would love to see more of Arthur Upfield's books read by Peter Hosking available on Audible!

I’m addicted to these!

I can’t stop listening to them! This one was particularly good, with a clever plot and some —especially one—very well-drawn female character. And while he does portray Aborigines as someone childlike, he is also sympathetic, and laments the loss of their culture, which he states was destroyed by stupid white men.
And Peter Hosking was superb as usual.

Another Bony Winner

Audible.Com Audio Reviews 5.6.2019.0108 D1

I’ve listened to 18 audiobooks in this series. In order of importance, on the basis of quality of narration, plot and story, character development, content and profundity, prose and felicitous expressions, memorable quotes and novelty, I offer these ratings:

Excellent:
Battling Prophet…..The Bone is Pointed…....Bushmaster of the Skies..…Death of a Swagman…..Mister Jelly’s Business…..Devil’s Steps…Sands of Windee…..Murder Must Wait…..Wings of Damantina…..

Very Good
Author Bites the Dust….Bony and the Kelly Gang…..Clue of the New Shoe…..Mystery of Swordfish Reef…..Venom House…..Widows of Broome….Bony and the White Savager,…..

Worthwhile:
Death of a Lake…..Mountains Have a Secret…

Mediocre or Lower Rating
None of these audios are mediocre or of lesser quality. All are at least worthwhile listens.

Narration: As with others in series, brilliant narration.
Story: Clever plot and prose, as usual, is superb.

Never a disappointment!

Love the series. I find cultural attitudes are a different yet. Interesting to hear about. Excellent narrator you won’t be disappointed.

A great audiobook . However if you like small town mysteries this is a great one in that vein

I gave us only a four because I only get five star ratings to multiple voice actors this is a great murder mystery dealing with the 1930s to 1950s Australian outback the terms match the time. If you don’t like it you should just skipped the class and get to the point

perfectly entertaining

loved it. we have spent alot of time in Broome so the setting was as interesting as the murder plot