Death in White Pyjamas & Death Knows No Calendar

De: John Bude

Narrado por: Saul Reichlin

Two of John Bude's finest Golden Age mysteries return to the limelight.

In Death in White Pyjamas a theatre-owner, a 'slightly sinister' producer, a burgeoning playwright and a cast of ego-driven actors have gathered at a country home to read through a script. But before the production reaches the stage, one of their number is found murdered in the grounds wearing what seems to be somebody else's white pyjamas.

And in Death Knows No Calendar, detective-fiction enthusiast Major Tom Boddy is investigating a deadly shooting with no shooter in a locked artist's studio. There are four colourful suspects to scrutinise, and not one but two 'impossible' elements of the crime to solve.

Public Domain (P)2020 Soundings

Masterful First Story

Death in White Pyjamas is a gem! Very tightly written. Misogyny underscores most (if not all) of Bude’s female characterizations, but they read as relics of their time, and how Bude perceived the women in his own life is not a foregone conclusion. For example, his male characters will bemoan the irrationality of womankind, while at the same time, Bude shows the men behaving irrationally themselves. Hence the fun satirical romp that is these two books. Great narration, as well!

Not as good as expected

In general I thought it was too verbose and many characters were too simplistic. There were some very good portions.

Disappointed

Disappointed at meandering story after reading several good Bude novels. Narrator’s interpretation of characters was stilted, amateurish and detracted from the storyline.

Excellent story!

Enjoyed immensely, told from a time of innocence and elevated values. John Bude is great.

Fun Double Header

Fun double golden age mystery. Both feature unusual murders; a cast of colorful characters. Both enjoyable but give a slight edge to Death Knows No Calendar in which the adventures of the amateur sleuth Major Boddy & his batman now valet Syd Gammon who detect using the techniques learned from reading detective fiction. Quite a pair and they are far from buffoons.