Fall from Grace

An Inspector McLevy Mystery 2

By: David Ashton

Narrated by: David Ashton

London had Sherlock Holmes.

The dark alleys of Edinburgh had Inspector McLevy.

Known as the father of forensics and a likely influence on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, real-life police inspector James McLevy is here reinvented by David Ashton in a thrilling mystery - the second in a series - set in dark, violent Victorian Edinburgh.

A burglary and murder at the home of Sir Thomas Bouch, the enigmatic architect of the ill-fated Tay Bridge, sets Inspector James McLevy off on a train of brutal killings, lethal liaisons, and double suicide which leads to a violent encounter with an old enemy, Hercules Dunbar.

Caught up in a terrifying storm as he tracks his foe to Dundee, McLevy watches the rail bridge collapse and plunge into the icy depths of the Tay. The aftermath brings the destruction of reputation and love as the inspector uncovers the secret passions which have led to murder.

©2016 David Ashton (P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton

Critic reviews

"David Ashton impeccably evokes Edinburgh." ( Financial Times)
"Elegant and convincing." ( The Times)
"Ashton is the direct heir to Robert Louis Stevenson." (Brian Cox)
"Excellent." (The Sherlock Holmes Society)
"A real page-turner." ( Sunday Post)
"Dripping with melodrama and derring-do." ( Herald)

Love David Ashton's readings

He puts so much drama and feelings into his performances, I felt like I was right there, by McLeavy's shoulder, joining in his musings. As always, wonderful.

A solid addition to McLevy series

Now that I'm familiar with the author/narrator's breathy style and heavy Scottish accent (having read the first mystery) I fully enjoyed this one. The returning characters are continuing to develop and McLevy himself may be feeling the pangs of love. Who could imagine it! The author/narrator brings the period and characters to life with his vivid portrayal of late 19th century Scotland.

Might be a good story, but narrator drove me crazy

What would have made Fall from Grace better?

Different narrator or some coaching on his narration. VERY slow pace was first problem. But when I tried using 1.25, that worked until he hit the first female voice, who for some reason spoke much more quickly. Ugh. Sound is crisp, which I usually like, but I could hear every movement of saliva in this guy's evidently very wet mouth. Frustrating, b/c I usually love narrators from England, Scotland, and Ireland, but this was toooo annoying. Ended up returning it.