Murder in the Afternoon

By: Frances Brody

Narrated by: Anne Dover

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dead One Minute: Young Harriet and her brother, Austin, have always been scared of the quarry where their stonemason father works. So when they find him dead on the cold ground, they scarper quick smart and look for some help.

Alive the Next?: When help arrives, however, the quarry is deserted, and there is no sign of the body. Were the children mistaken? Is their father not dead? Did he simply get up and run away?

A Sinister Disappearing Act: It seems like another unusual case requiring the expertise of Kate Shackleton. But for Kate this is one case where surprising family ties makes it her most dangerous - and delicate - yet....

©2011 Frances McNeil (P)2011 Magna Large Print Books

Critic Reviews

"Kate Shackleton joins Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs in a subgroup of young, female amateur detectives who survived and were matured by their wartime experiences. As self-reliant women in a society that still regards them a second-class citizens, they make excellent heroines." (Literary Review)

"This is whimsical, colourful stuff and readers will warm to the entrepreneurial yet fragile Kate." (Take a Break)

"Kate Shackleton is a splendid heroine." (Ann Granger)

"Kate Shackleton is a delightful leading character. The flavour of post First World War England is beautifully portrayed. An enjoyable and gripping mystery story." (CrimeSquad.com)

"An excellent read. The characterisation is strong and convincing and the sense of period well conveyed." (Mystery Women)

"Dying in the Wool is a delightful book. It's everything I hoped it would be for a cosy mystery...Kate Shackleton is a wonderful character." (Book Chick City)

"Refreshing and highly entertaining, especially for the winter nights." (Gazette and Herald)

"Frances Brody succeeds brilliantly.... Her post-war world in which making any sort of living is hard grind and where an independent career woman is viewed with hostility is entirely convincing. Kate is a heroine to like and admire.... Her further adventures are eagerly awaited." (The Daily Mail)

"Brody's excellent mystery splendidly captures the conflicts and attitudes of the time with well-developed characters." (RT Book Reviews)

"Reminiscent of the Golden Age mysteries, Murder in the Afternoon delivers an excellent whodunit, an atmospheric period piece, a snapshot of a bygone England and, in Kate, an appealing heroine with a complex past." (Richmond Times Dispatch)

Thoroughly enjoyable

What did you like most about Murder in the Afternoon?

I really enjoy the fact that the story is set in the West Riding, and also that it evokes the period just after the first world war. The story runs along and the interaction between Kate Shackleton and Mr Sykes is well done

What other book might you compare Murder in the Afternoon to, and why?

The other books about this detective are similar in that they have the same characters and settings, also the plot lines are good

Have you listened to any of Anne Dover’s other performances? How does this one compare?

The performance of Anne Dover adds to the story's enjoyment

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I like to savour these books and listen to them, with the light off, last thing at night.

The best in the series so far

This book kept my attention from start to finish. The plot was interesting and plausible and I didn't guess the ending. It was very enjoyable and I look forward to reading the rest of this series of books.

Interesting story

Really enjoyed the story. Much more interesting than book two in the series. Like the narrator. Nice calm voice

Good story

I enjoyed it and it got better and more complex as it progressed. Rather emotional epilogue.

Genteel

Set in the 1920s, more a book about people and their lives than murder. Well narrated-I loved the pace, not fast but not slow either. I could listen anywhere out loud as gory details were not given.
I will listen to more by F B.

Excellent book and narration.

Fantastic improvement on first two narrations as the character is being developed in a very interesting way

A good listen

I loved listening to this one, keeps things light hearted, and at the same time made me think about whodunnit!

A beautifully rich and absorbing book

This book transports the reader to a bygone age so completely - you can almost smell and taste the lives of the characters, their surrounds and the times in which they lived. Beautifully told with twists and turns keeping you guessing to the last. I will most certainly be spending my Audible credits on many, many more of Frances Brody’s wonderfully rich novels.