Requiem for a Mezzo

By: Carola Dunn

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

With dashing Scotland Yard Inspector Alec Fletcher at her side, Daisy is enjoying a delightful performance of Verdi's Requiem, featuring her neighbor Muriel Westlea's celebrated sister, Bettina. But when all that emerges from the doomed diva's vocal chords is a dying gasp, Daisy soon discovers that the notoriously difficult opera star had her share of adversaries; among them a smugly philandering tenor, a burly Russian bass, and even her own vocal coach husband, with whom she shared a hardly harmonious marriage.

Did one of them fatally poison the acclaimed mezzo? Or is someone else determined to see that Daisy's investigation ends on as bitter a note as Bettina's fateful last performance?

©1996 Carola Dunn (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc

Critic Reviews

"Dunn describes 1920s London and the characters in detail and highlights the interplay between Alec and Daisy. A snug read." (Library Journal)

Pleasant Listen

A very nice listen, a goog mystery for drve time.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Please get the rest of the series in audible!

Love Daisy. Why only four of the books available? And such a big gap between book three and book ten or so?

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Daisy rides again!

These books are lightweight and very enjoyable. Ms Dunn does a fabulous job writing about the music in this book. The regular characters, Daisy, the heroine, Lucy, her BFF, Alec, the dashing Inspector, and his policemen are well rounded. The new characters for the mystery are interesting and you actually care about them. I did figure out "whodunnit" but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. Bernadette Dunne did a nice job with the many voices. I saw a comment that didn't care for her voices but they suited the story, at least for me.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Light, easy and entertaining

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

I would recommend this audiobook because the story is entertaining, the narrator has captured the essence of the story and the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Requiem for a Mezzo?

I really enjoyed when Daisy and Alec went out for dinner.

Which character – as performed by Bernadette Dunne – was your favorite?

Of course the main character, Daisy Dalrymple and Alec Fletcher are the usual favorites but I do like Daisys roommate Lucy.

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

I would have loved to sit and listening to the whole story but unfortunately I could not.

Any additional comments?

I would like to see all of the Daisy Dalrymple books in audio.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Couldn't listen to narrator

I enjoy this series when reading silently, but I couldn't listen to even one hour of this narrator. She acted out the characters' voices, making them whispery and simpering, and I think if she had just read it straight in her natural voice, it might have been ok. I hate to write something negative, but I wish I had known about this. Maybe, if it didn't make the site too slow, we could try out 4 min. or so of a book before buying??

3 of 5 people found this review helpful

Good light-hearted listening.

One of the things I really enjoy about Carola Dunn’s writing is that it is quite descriptive in its detailing of environments, characters, and personalities. I really enjoy the fleshed out aesthetics of her style. Daisy’s indignation gets a little tiresome and heavy handed at times, and Alex’s exasperation feels paternalistic occasionally too. Overlooking those peccadilloes, it’s good fun.

love me some Daisy

daisy, daisy, give me your answer true. how can I be a smashingly wonderful girl live you?

Love this series!

The Dalrymple series is a wonderful combination of cosy mystery and period drama that makes it a must to progress to the next book.

Delightful English Mystery

I stumbled upon this series and I'm sooooo glad I did. It is so easy to "read."
I really enjoy the characters and the plot moves along very well. I have over 300 books on my wish list and have combed through Audible.com. , so stumbling across such a fantastic story unexpectedly is a real treat.

Fun escape

Lighter than air mystery that is a near perfect listen on long drives or before falling asleep.

Requiem for a Mezzo

Interesting enough book. But the irritating false British accent of the narrator detracts completely from the plot.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Hear the sample before you buy...

I didn't and I could kick myself. I can't move beyond the silly accent, it keeps grating on my nerves and what should have been a very enjoyable few hours (at least based on the first Daisy Dalrymple mystery which I read in paperback) has turned into a painful chore. I'd rather it was read in an American accent or whatever the reader's native accent is, than this farcical attempt at English RP. Sounds to me like it could only be passed off as an English accent to any other than an English audience. Maybe this was aimed at the American market? I rate it two starts for the narration, not the book which I shall have to read in paperback.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great

Great story. Another tantalising mystery with twists and turns. Would recommend. Good easy listening and very good to follow

Read it, don't listen.

Passage is not pronounced parsage, Derby is pronounced Darby, enquiries is not pronounced en-qeeries, dashing is not pronounced darshing. Too, too annoying that too many times where English words that are supposed to be pronounced by an aristocratic lady are mis-pronounced.

Proper English pronunciation, please!

Stories are enjoyable but pass age instead of passage and marmalard instead of marmalade and many others are very distracting.

Change of narrator needed

I don't know what nationality the narrator is, but I suggest unsuitable for the Upper Class young ladies of the story.

Other than that, another enjoyable book in the series. I particularly enjoy reading them in order as the unfolding of the relationship between Alec Fletcher and Daisy is one of the best features.

You get used to the funny accent

Once you get used to the reader's funny accent she is really very good and brings all the characters to life. Don't be too put off you soon get used to it. The stories are a bit whimsical but a very easy listen. Excellent for those moments of stress when you want something light! And of course you want to know what happens to Daisy next...