The Attenbury Emeralds

By: Jill Paton Walsh

Narrated by: Edward Petherbridge

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on the characters created by Dorothy L. Sayers.

The recovery of the magnificent gem in Lord Attenbury's dazzling heirloom launched a shell-shocked young aristocrat on his career as a detective in 1921. Thirty years later, a happily married Lord Peter has just shared the secrets of that mystery with his wife, the detective novelist Harriet Vane. Suddenly, the new Lord Attenbury—grandson of Lord Peter’s first client—seeks his help to prove who owns the emeralds. As Harriet and Peter contemplate the changes that the war has wrought on English society, Peter, who always cherished the liberties of a younger son, faces the unwanted prospect of ending up the Duke of Denver after all.

©2010 Jill Paton Walsh and the Trustees of Anthony Fleming, deceased. (P)2011 AudioGo

As good as the originals

Would you consider the audio edition of The Attenbury Emeralds to be better than the print version?

yes - because of the excellent narration by Edward Petherbridge - who was to me the most perfect Lord Peter Wimsey

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

it had as many strange, unexpected twists as the Dorothy L. Sayers originals

Which scene was your favorite?

the scene by the pink marble sundial - I love it when people stay in love

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was just time well spent with characters I have loved since early adolescence

Any additional comments?

Please get "Gaudy Night" recorded - then the Lord Peter Wimsey/Harriet Vane series will be complete.

Over-ambitious

Covering 30 years and three generations, this book attempts to capture and extend the entire Peter Wimsey saga. I found it muddled and unsatisfactory.

Since Dorothy L. stopped writing novels too soon

While it isn't quite the gob-smacking whingdinger that Gaudy Night or Murder Must Advertise is, Paton Walsh continues to do a really very nice job developing the characters of Lord Peter and Harriet Vane. The conceit of splitting action between a shell-shocked Peter's first detectival foray and the post-WWII Wimseys' lives helps smooth over any minor, inevitable discontinuities in style or characterization. I particularly enjoyed Walsh's treatment of the changes in class distinctions in post-WWII Britain, and the way she explored both Peter's and Bunter's likely reactions to those changes--something Sayers herself seemed unsure how to handle, based on Bunter's near-absence from her last few works.

Lord Peter Wimsey Returns

What did you love best about The Attenbury Emeralds?

Walsh gives the reader one more opportunity to follow Lord Peter Wimsey through a case of murder and mystery in the English aristocracy. The characters were flawlessly Sayers and flawlessly performed.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was less than satisfying, with no real surprises but also no "aha" moment. Some unexpected events and artifacts appear out of nowhere, with little connection to the rest of the story.

Which character – as performed by Edward Petherbridge – was your favorite?

Lord Peter was not only written with his original voice, but Petherbridge brought him to life with true accuracy. His subtle portrayal of this reluctant aristocrat was flawless.

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

I truly enjoyed spending time with the characters as written and read. So,
I did listen essentially in one sitting, but not because it was a particular page-turner. It's not.

Any additional comments?

This novel, which imagines Lord Peter Wimsey's first case, Is for lovers of the work of Dorothy Sayers. Those unfamiliar with the characters may experience the story as a bit weak. But, the exceptional performance goes a long way toward masking the flaws.

A Return to the Golden Days of Mysteries

Would you listen to The Attenbury Emeralds again? Why?

Jill Paton Walsh has adapted to the style of Dorothy Sayers wonderfully.

What did you like best about this story?

The story draws you in and the many layers unfold gracefully, following the pattern of mystery stories from the 20s and 30s. I thoroughly enjoyed the characterization of an older Peter and Harriet, and the growth of Bunter is just as I would have imagined. There is room here for the development of further plots and I look forward to seeing what Walsh will come up with in the future.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes with Peter and Harriet discussing the events and deciding how to move forward in the investigation drew me into the plot and the discussion of the weight of the ducal duties was fascinating.

Any additional comments?

A thoroughly readable book that took me back to the days when I first read Sayers, Marsh, Christie, Allingham. A wonderful piece of work!

A charming and welcome addition to Dorothy Sayers wonderful Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries!

Well crafted and beautifully narrated "new" Wimsey mystery, with exceptionally fine characterization of Lady Harriet, always my favorite persona in these stories. Delightful!

Only for listening to in quiet places

Would you try another book from Jill Paton Walsh and/or Edward Petherbridge?

This is definitely my favorite of Ms. Walsh's Wimsey mysteries. She's developed the characters - both Peter and Harriet - in interesting ways while still keeping them true to the "feeling" of the Sayers originals.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lord Peter. This is why I read and listen to the Lord Peter stories!

What didn’t you like about Edward Petherbridge’s performance?

His voice often fades away to a whisper. I usually listen to stories in my car or while working in the yard. The fact that his voice often fades away meant that I didn't hear a lot of this story. It's being done for dramatic effect, but it's not a dramatic effect if you can't hear it. This probably wouldn't be a problem if I was listening while sitting still on noise-cancelling headphones, but that's not how I listen to stories.

Do you think The Attenbury Emeralds needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Ms. Walsh's Lord Peter stories have gotten stronger with each one. Keep up the good work, and let's see where the characters go from here!

Wrong narrator.

Wrong narrator. Infections too distracting. Hard to listen to. Kinda makes Peter sound creepy. Ick.

A Lord Peter Wimsey for True Connoisseurs

I truly loved this marvelous mystery starring the great team of Lord Peter Wimsey and his crime novelist wife, Harriet Vane.
It spans 30 years, from 1921 to 1951, and gives us unforgettable characters as well as history recreated in stunning detail.
Edward Petherbridge is a dream as Lord Peter and everybody else!
He's a gem of an actor.
Bravo!

Characters perfect!

Walsh is pitch perfect on Sayers' characters and dialogue. This one was a bit slow to get started -- at first it had the feel of Sayers' short stories rather than the novels. Once it got going, it was wonderful! It was so nice to get reacquainted with Peter and Harriet. I wish Audible would get Walsh's earlier two Wimsey novels. And speaking of Sayers, where is Gaudy Night?