The Franchise Affair

By: Josephine Tey

Narrated by: Carole Boyd

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Marion Sharpe and her mother seem an unlikely duo to be found on the wrong side of the law. Quiet and ordinary, they have led a peaceful and unremarkable life at their country home, The Franchise. Unremarkable that is, until the police turn up with a demure young woman on their doorstep.

Not only does Betty Kane accuse them of kidnap and abuse, she can back up her claim with a detailed description of the attic room in which she was kept, right down to the crack in its round window. But there’s something about Betty Kane’s story that doesn’t quite add up.

Inspector Alan Grant of Scotland Yard is stumped. It takes Robert Blair, solicitor turned amateur detective, to solve the mystery...

©1948 Josephine Tey (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

A Great Novel from A Master

The narrator, Carol Boyd, is fantastic. Josephine Tey is one of the great classic British mystery of manners writers.

In this original and charming story, an eccentric woman and her daughter are accused of kidnapping and abusing a girl they picked up at a bus stop. She arrives home full of bruises and with the clothes on her back.

The girl's story is compelling and, of course, the women swear they've never seen her much less held her prisoner. The plot has some holes as large as the Chunnel but it's still a fun listen made better by a terrific narrator

If she wasn't held captive in the women's attic, where had she been for the month she went missing?

What a pleasure, Carole Boyd and Josephine Tey

I read an audible review recently from someone who had listened to Tey’s Brat Farrar, a book I’d read years ago and forgotten. So I listened to Carole Boyd narrate Brat Farrrar and was entranced. I looked for more Carole Boyd’s narrations and saw another Tey that I didn’t know. Although I probably liked the novel Brat Farrar a bit more, both works made me wonder how what was obviously a crime could be proved so. The Franchise Affair relies more on coincidence than Brat Farrar, a reason for the latter’s superiority. But what was excellent in both was Boyd’s narration as she seems to be able to enter into the voice and nuances of all characters.

The Franchise Affair

An enjoyable mystery by Josephine Tey, one I will listen to again and again. When this book was written the usage of graphic descriptions to provide the reader with gut wrenching imaginings was not yet in vogue. This is my type of preferred reading, a mystery, a court case, without the need for overly debasing the victims or glorifying the horrific acts of the perpetrators. And the narration by Carole Boyd was perfect. With a lovely timbre to her voice she was able to keep my attention from chapter to chapter. Changing her rhythm, tone, and accents she delightfully enchanted my ears. If only Carole Boyd narrated all of Tey's books.

Love this Tey story

One of my favorite Josephine Tey stories. Watched the BBC movie, but wanted to listen to the original. Very much enjoyed the story and narration.

Fun, old fashioned story

Josephine Tay is one of those great old “English” (actually from New Zealand) writers of mysteries from the Early to Mid 20th Century. This one shows its age somewhat, since it is pretty sexist, but nonetheless has a great sense of mood and is very well delivered by the reader. Certainly a good pay to pass the time: not exactly a “who done it,” more a “what will happen next” story.

Josephine Tey is always enjoyable

Would you consider the audio edition of The Franchise Affair to be better than the print version?

Both excellent for different situations

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Franchise Affair?

The moment when the evidence finally all came together.

Which character – as performed by Carole Boyd – was your favorite?

All equally good

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The last scene on the plane.

Hope more will be on Audible from this author

I really enjoyed this book. Her other book on Audible "Brat Ferrar" is excellent also. The author's literary style is to be envied by anyone wanting to write a novel.

The Narration is Fabulous

This is an absorbing listen, as is every book by Josephine Tey. And the narrator makes this good book even better. I'd never heard of Carole Boyd, but am so glad I know her work now. She is EVERYTHING a listener wants in a reader. Dear Audible: More books read by Carole Boyd, please!

Great narration, great story.

Where does The Franchise Affair rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is just stellar, great British mystery and fabulous narrator. I usually prefer male narration but this was the best of all I have enjoyed. There was no character she was not able to bring to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Franchise Affair?

How contemporary a 1940's embedded context was to our own times.

Great fun! English prose at its best!

Good fun! Tey at her best. Wonderful prose! Great character studies as well. very much indeed worth the time.