Kissed a Sad Goodbye

A Duncan Kincaid / Jemma James Novel

By: Deborah Crombie

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 14 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Solve more mysteries with Duncan Kincaid and Jemma James.

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

Critic reviews

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

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.

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. 

Another thought

Additional thought. This author has moved away from the inspector/mystery story and has moved into the area of literary far-ra-ra. Every chapter is preceded by a poetry extract and is not what I want in a mystery story. But I did enjoy it - I simply stomached the superfluous poetic nonsense.

A compelling listen

Any additional comments?

Good mystery with interesting, intriguing characters. Another good book and a satisfying listening experience.

Phenomenal author

The 1st book this narrator read sort of ruined the beginning of the book for me. I love the way the author writes. Her characters are well developed & believable. Her settings are visible in your head, but not overly descriptive (which I dislike…my mind wanders). The narrator wasn’t great on that book. While the book was outstanding. Anyway, this 2nd book narrated by Jenny Sterlin is much better. She’s picked up the author’s cadence & style. She’s better with the voice differences & character personalities this round. I can’t say enough good things about Deborah Crombie, though. This is my 5th book I believe. Love her!! Truly wonderful!!

Exceptional

Highly entertaining. Another outstanding addition to an exceptional mystery series! Can’t wait for the next.

Complex story is overshadowed by bad parenting

The main mystery in the novel is intriguing and pulls the reader into the story. I can't say the same for the personal problems of the two detectives, Duncan Kincaid and Jemma James, and their cluttered relationship. Duncan Kincaid's lack of attention to a small child staying with him made me dislike him early on. Can he really be so thick as to leave the child unattended for hours? And the fact that Jemma James was having a physical relationship with Kincaid, her superior officer, was so unprofessional that I disliked them both for it. Especially since Jemma had an unfathomable attraction to a street musician. I didn't buy the coincidence of this character being in both the murder plot and in Jemma's plot. I am not sure I will return to Duncan and Jemma. I don't mind flawed characters, I just don't like stupid ones. I did enjoy the narration.

My favorite Duncan & Gemma so far!

This is #6 in the series. Though it could be read as a stand-alone book, I don’t think readers could appreciate the story as much without knowing the backgrounds of the two main characters. Each book has been better than the one before, and Duncan & Gemma are like old friends to me now.

It took me a little time to adapt to the change in narrator that came beginning with the 5th book but Jenny Sterlin is good. I think I just missed Michael Deehy as Duncan’s voice.

Fabulous

Intrigue, history, complexity and humanity; it had it all! Wonderful read. Thank you Deborah Crombie