Grey Mask

Miss Silver, Book 1

By: Patricia Wentworth

Narrated by: Diana Bishop

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

The first of the classic mysteries featuring governess-turned-detective Miss Silver, who investigates a deadly conspiratorial ring.

Charles Moray has come home to England to collect his inheritance. After four years wandering the jungles of India and South America, the hardy young man returns to the manor of his birth, where generations of Morays have lived and died. Strangely, he finds the house unlocked, and sees a light on in one of its abandoned rooms. Eavesdropping, he learns of a conspiracy to commit a fearsome crime.

Never one for the heroic, Charles’ first instinct is to let the police settle it. But then he hears her voice. Margaret, his long-lost love, is part of the gang. To unravel their diabolical plot, he contacts Miss Silver, a onetime governess who applies her reason to solve crimes and face the dangers of London’s underworld.

©1929 Patricia Wentworth (P)2007 Isis Publishing Ltd.

A Riveting Mystery

I like this story and it's twists and turns. Unfortunately, I had to restart it 3 times before I could follow the beginning.

Good narration, awful story! Not even a poor man’s Christie :(

I’m shocked that the public- never mind the publisher!- opted for a sequel after this! For my fellow Christie superfans, you will be disappointed in this book BUT her later ones are better! Maybe Wentworth was just finding her style as a writer? I really hope that’s it! I found Margo(Margaux?)/Grita to be absolutely- or, to use her favorite word,- “frightfully” mind numbing! I was so aggravated with her character that I literally could not follow the storyline! I can’t tell you how many times I had to back up bc I zoned out or fell asleep-DURING A “THRILLER”!!! 🤦‍♀️It was really as if my brain was running away from this book! 🤦‍♀️🙉🤦‍♀️ I didn’t finish it on audible because I don’t really believe in reading books that are actually repulsive- BUT- I DID check to make sure that I was correct about the solution 😉 (which I had guessed as soon as the character was introduced bc Wentworth is SUPER obvious with her clues in this book!) No spoilers but, for the record, the first chapter (and every subsequent appearance) in which the alter ego of “Grey Mask” appears, is, in my opinion, full of giveaways! Bottom line: don’t read if you value your time!🙉 However, if you are like me and you have a NEED to read a series all the way through, in order, go for it. You’ve been warned...😉

Complex storyline

Second time listening thru the series. Ms Silver is definitely old school. Plot is throughly drawn out and parts are skillfully woven together to bring the story to its conclusion.

Great Book

I loved that Charles tried to save everybody without giving up his true love. However I wish Ms. Silver played a more prominent role in the book. It was great to go back in time when women were dainty and men are gentlemen.

Old times

First, the narrator was quite good. Realizing the era in which this was written, it really has to be taken with a rather large grain of salt. Even given that the author was a woman, the women in the story are hard to take: the term ‘airhead’ comes to mind. Also, I expected Miss Silver to be more....present. Aside from that, the general storyline was pretty good. I won’t, however, be listening to any more Miss Silver. Back to Christie for me!

A Well Written Mystery Story

I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I did not want to put it down. The story unfolded at just the right pace, and the revelations about the characters' motivations were not made too soon. As they are first introduced, the reader is led to believe they are one thing and only as the main character who has just returned after a four year absence begins to investigate what happened four years earlier and what has been going on since, does the reader become enlightened. I was so glad NOT to be in the aggravating position of knowing more than the lead. When you find yourself thinking "How can he or she be so stupid?!" The one thing I would caution is that readers understand the period the author knew and wrote about. It would be useless to expect an author who was born more than 100 years ago to write as one who was born 40 years ago. Even with that, the mystery story is great and not one that has been told over and over. As much as I enjoy Miss Marple and Poirot, I don't want to read, listen or watch the same stories over and over and over. Patricia Wentworth, the author, and her style of writing is a treat! And Diana Bishop, the narrator, is wonderful in her ability to voice each character and help the listener become lost in the story.

Good story and performance

Very enjoyable! Definitely kept my attention the whole way through. I will definitely read more in this series!

We all need a Miss Silver to turn to

Any additional comments?

As a fan of the Enlgish cozy mystery, these stories from the 30's are fun and engaging. Not as clever as Agatha Christie but still a writer from the golden age of mysteries.

Good, but a little wordy

I enjoyed this mystery, but thought it got bogged down early on by so much description. it got better at about one third of the way through. Turned out to be a pretty good mystery. And I did enjoy the description about the old castle -like buildings. I do recommend for mystery fans. Enjoy!

Outstanding Miss Silver

I have read or listen to every one of the Miss silver books. I thoroughly enjoyed them and I hope you will too.