Kissed a Sad Goodbye

A Duncan Kincaid / Jemma James Novel

By: Deborah Crombie

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Reminiscent of Ruth Rendell, multiple award-winning author Deborah Crombie creates graceful mysteries, resonating with lyrical prose, elegant suspense, and finely-drawn characters. This is her darkly irresistible tale of friendship shattered by shocking betrayal, and repercussions that echo down through the years.

A stunningly beautiful young woman is found strangled in London's Mudchute Park, her clothing carefully arranged to preserve her modesty. With that unusual detail in mind, Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his partner Sergeant Gemma James suspect the crime was more than a simple assault gone awry. As they collect the strange facts surrounding her death, they discover the victim's life was a mystery even to those who knew her best.

Internationally-acclaimed author Deborah Crombie brilliantly weaves together events of World War II England with complex problems of present-day London. As British actor Jenny Sterlin's superb dramatization unfolds, you'll understand why this crime novel is as at home on the bookshelf with literary novels as it is with the most baffling whodunit.

©1999 Deborah Crombie (P)1999 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"This complex, thoughtful novel is another satisfying entry in an exceptional series." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great book

Love the characters. Can’t wait for the next episode in their lives. I like the way Duncan and Gemma work together

Good resolution

I appreciated that although this is one of a series, it tied up the story, which was pretty emotionally hard, but engaging and entertaining and thought-provoking. 

Thoroughly absorbing

I love how ms Crombie intertwines the history of the Isle of Dogs and WW2, with a modern day mystery. And the characters totally drew me in.

Wrong narrator

This is the second Deborah Crombie book I have listened to and with this narrator wont be listening to any more, unfortunately, as her manner is quite at odds with the plotlines. I am sure Jenny Sterlin is a good narrator but her wimpy presentation just doesnt cut it for a police mystery - it sounds like she is declining on a sofa with her smelling salts for much of the time whereas she is supposed to be portraying hard nosed police officers. I think the plots are good, some of the places have significance for me and I was looking forward to listening but if I get any more I will get a different narrator, preferably a male.

Such wonderful characters

I love this series. The mysteries are complex and interesting, but it is the people in the books that I really love. I can't wait to start the next book.