Whodunnit?: Murder in Mystery Manor

By: Anthony Zuiker

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

A grand estate. Ten unsuspecting guests. A diabolical game of life and death.

A companion to the upcoming show Whodunnit? on ABC.

Ten excited guests arrive at the Westlake Estate, expecting a lavish retreat. They are the winners of a sweepstakes to "Live Like a Billionaire for a Week." But what was supposed to be a promising escape soon turns into a horrific nightmare. Within hours of arrival, the guests sit down for an extravagant dinner. When they pull their party poppers as instructed, a loud chorus of bangs resounds, followed by earsplitting screams as the guest seated at the head of the table bursts into flames and slumps to the floor. The others are told they must solve the crime or be the next victim. The killer, their diabolical host, is hiding among the frightened guests. Is the murderer the well-toned trophy wife, the retired deputy sheriff, the stoned college dropout, or perhaps the sweet, homely grandmother? The killer toys with them, inviting the guests to explore the lavish estate, from the stables to the hedge maze, in an effort to uncover the gory details of how the murderer pulled off such a gruesome murder. Alliances are forged carefully and information is shared warily, since none of the remaining guests knows whom to trust. The next to die a hideous death will be the one with the least accurate solution to the latest murder. In the end, only three guests will remain: the winner, the loser, and the killer.

Full of tricky plot twists and over-the-top schemes, Whodunnit? Murder in Mystery Manner is riveting required listening for mystery fans. Listeners are treated to an edge-of-their-seat thriller as they participate in solving the crime. It's Clue meets Ten Little Indians.

Anthony E. Zuiker is the creator and executive producer of the CSI franchise, which includes CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, and CSI: NY. His mystery reality show, Whodunnit?, is his first foray into unscripted television. He lives in Los Angeles with his three children and his wife, Michelle.

Whodunnit is performed by the show's host/butler, accomplished narrator Gildart Jackson.

©2013 Anthony Zuiker (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

A free listen

This was an okay listen. The beginning was a little far fetched, but when the story got going not too slow but my advice is to imagine your own ending.

loved it!

I absolutely love the whodunnit's! The performance is amazing and I love the story! ☆☆☆☆☆

Great Listen, but One Thing Bugs Me

Where does Whodunnit?: Murder in Mystery Manor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's definitely at the top. The story is very interesting, the narrator is great, the characters are well-defined. It's like an old-fashioned mystery that you get really wrapped up in and feel like you're actually there in the mansion.

What other book might you compare Whodunnit?: Murder in Mystery Manor to and why?

Maybe some of the old Agatha Christie novels. Lots of rich characters, interesting setting.

What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?

He does a great job with voicing the many characters, to the point where I sometimes forgot it was the same person performing.

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

At times I did chuckle or gasp.

Any additional comments?

The one thing that is wrong, and is different from the normal mystery formula, is the POV. In both this one, and Murder on Mystery Island, the POV of the murderer is misleading. They think the same things as the victims, have the same concerns, etc. That isn't realistic. If I'm the killer, I wouldn't be worrying about whether or not I'm investigating the right room, or trusting the right people. That part was very disappointing. Otherwise, this is great. I bought it a year ago, and I still listen to it often, even knowing the outcome :)

Fun Story, Fun Prep for the show

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Sure! It's a fun (although gruesome the detail of the murders) whodunnit that you can vividly visualize as you listen.

Would you be willing to try another book from Anthony Zuiker? Why or why not?

I am interested in the second one when it comes out.

What three words best describe Gildart Jackson’s voice?

Pompous, Engaging, Appropriate

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

Yes, it was enjoyable...besides, who wants to wait to figure out whodunnit?

Good old mystery

Took awhile to get in to this book. Once it gets rolling it has you gripped in it's pages. I had picked three murders before it was over. It comes alive and you become part of the story. really enjoyed it.

Loved it

Wish he had written more. Makes the miles fly by on an airplane or in a car.

Great way to introduce the new tv series

great for being free!! Loved the concept. The reality show is good, except for the personal drama they throw in. liked that it just kept moving without getting to involved with character depth. I think that was the point...
This book is the reason I watch the reality show. had I not listened to the book, I never would have watched

blah

What would have made Free: Whodunnit? better?

I would have used another book

What could Anthony Zuiker have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

didn't make it far int the story to care

Which character – as performed by Gildart Jackson – was your favorite?

don't know

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

don't know

Any additional comments?

wasn't interested after listing the first couple mins.

Whodunnit!!!!

Being a fan of the show I was very excited to find this book and better yet find it was free. I greatly enjoyed being able to get lost in Mystery Manor, in trying to solve the murders or anticipate who was next. The book kept me guessing and reminded me very much of the campy movie Clue. I looked forward to getting to listen and had I been able to I would have listened to the entire book in one sitting. If more books are released I plan on reading them.

Would not have thought

What did you love best about Free: Whodunnit??

That it was a murder mystery always asking whodunnit

What did you like best about this story?

This story, keep both my boys and I guessing on who the real murder was and when we did find out, not a one was right.

Which character – as performed by Gildart Jackson – was your favorite?

The butler, having been forced into the Game unknowingly and then being marked forever after.

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

We did listen to it in all one sitting, because the time fit into our travel plans and gave us all something to pause the play and talk about when we made stops.