A Share in Death

After buying on this sale, I abandoned it as too cliched a detective tale (James/Rendell wannabe), but after starting another Crombie sale acquisition later in the series, I returned to #1 to better understand the Jenna/Duncan backstory - Glad I did! I just finished # 7 - Each gets stronger as a novel, so if you enjoy minimally violent British-set detection with threads of a developing relationship (no explicit sex), you may enjoy this.

I loved Deehey as a narrator, loved Jenny Sterlin when the series adopted her voice (and started incorporating a historical thread in more complex plots), and am really looking forward to the upcoming (early 2013) instalment with Gerard Doyle, once I get to Book 15.

Crombie is still not a Rendell or James, but then, I don't always want to think that much.

One of the reasons I love Audible so much is that other readers review books I haven't discovered before. A recent review of Deborah Crombie's latest book led me to the first in the series. Set in a country house, organized as a time share, this could have been a re-telling of the old "parlour" whodunit. Happily, the story was fresh and the characters were well-drawn. I enjoyed "meeting" Duncan Kinkaid and look forward to learning more about him. What little was glimpsed of Gemma James made me want to know more. The narrator, Michael Deehy, is excellent. In all, a very enjoyable listening experience.

Duncan Kincaid goes on holiday to of all places a sort of upscale boarding house in the English countryside. The English certainly have an odd taste in holidays. Duncan, baby, what are you thinking? The Costa del Sol is only a few hours away from London by plane! Of course, there is a murder and of course Duncan steps in to solve it. This is one of my favorite Deborah Crombie stories--not sure why exactly. I like the set-up of a diverse, ill-tempered bunch of egotists all thrown together in a small hotel; I like the fact that it was a little less graphically brutal than some of Crombie's other books. The narrator is excellent.

Interesting, puzzling, engaging.

I enjoyed the characters and the glimpses into the motivations and hidden parts of their lives and actions. They are not all black and white, but complex and interesting. There are still enough likable ones to keep me reading. It is fun to see the beginnings of the developing relationship between Kincaid and Jenna James.

Easy to listen to; not obtrusive or distracting.

I think the climax, although a bit predictable, was still moving.

Great British mystery for fans of cozy and not too gory mysteries. Well written.

Didn't read the print version so yes the audio version is better.

I always love it when it all pulls together in the end and you see all the clues so clearly. You think something isn't right from time to time but you don't always get it and I like when it all comes together.

I liked the way it was read The voice changed for different characters and the English accent was perfect. Easily understood and clear but the accent is a nice one.

Yes, but wasn't able to.

This is a nice listen with good characters, believable, and a methodical solve leading you to the somewhat exciting end.

I read this years ago and have kept up with this enjoyable series. This is a solid, if not spectacular, opening. The mystery is good, and Duncan Kincaid emerges as a very attractive and sympathetic Inspector. There's not the instant feeling that this would develop into the top-notch series it has become, but it is a worthy start. The narrator is adequate, with precise enunciation, but he fails to convey any real personality in the characters.

Deborah Crombie's Kincaid/James series is among the best. I hope the audio versions will improve with future entries.

My family and I planned to listen to this book on a 12 hour drive this winter. We listened to about an hour of it and all of us agreed it was time to stop. The story went absolutely nowhere, the characters were flat and unappealing and the narrator was only average. I picked this book up on a buy one get one offer...I guess you really do get what you pay for!

Not really. I'd save my money for something more interesting.

I don't think so.

Yes, I suppose so.

Not really.

Sorry I got it. Couldn't even really finish it.

I've developed a habit of checking the reviews on Amazon along with those that are here on Audible. Most of the comments were favorable, and since Audible was having a sale, I thought I'd give this author a try. First off, I'd say that it DID hold my interest until the end, however, I found the story to be mediocre. I continued to listen because I wanted to find out who did it. Would I listen to more by this author? Maybe. But I'd save the money and rent from my local library.
For those who are interested, this book contains some language that may be considered offensive, but it's not often - just a sprinkling here & there. No F-bombs, though. Some of the people are having affairs, but it's not described in detail.

The characters might have been developed more. I found the story nearly boring for a mystery.

I liked the idea of a mystery for the Detective on holiday. His partner was least interesting because she was minimally involved in this story.

no favorite

Yes, not to buy the next book.