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Scales of Justice  By  cover art

Scales of Justice

By: Ngaio Marsh
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch
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Publisher's summary

The lives of the inhabitants of Swevenings are disrupted only by a fierce competition to catch the Old Un, a monster trout known to dwell in a beautiful stream which winds past their homes.

Then one of their small community is found brutally murdered; beside him is the freshly killed trout. Both died by violence - but Chief Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn's murder investigation seems to be much more interested in the fish...

©1958 Ngaio Marsh (P)2008 Hachette Digital

What listeners say about Scales of Justice

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  • PJ
  • 08-01-12

Cumberbatch is a great narrator!

Have you listened to any of Benedict Cumberbatch’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

On par with all of his brilliant voice performances. He's very good at keeping the listener engaged.

Any additional comments?

Inspector Roderick Alleyn is a favourite of mine and Benedict Cumberbatch does a great job. Please have him narrate more if possible.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

BC is glorious

Would you listen to Scales of Justice again? Why?

I would listen to it 10 times just to hear Benedict Cumberbatch read. His voice is wonderful. The story is excellent, old England as we all imagine it to be (well, not with a murderer, but the rest).

What about Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance did you like?

His voice is amazing and keeps you coming back for more.

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

Yes.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

enjoyable light-mystery; beautifully read

I liked this book better than 'Death in a White Tie' by the same author, especially the character of the nurse. Honestly, though, I could listen to Benedict Cumberbatch read the phone book. For the most part, he is spot on - especially with female characters, which some male narrators can butcher.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful mystery and so well read!

Ngaio Marsh is a Grand Dame of Crime. The mystery is a good length and well read. Enjoyed it in one afternoon.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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She does it again

Liked this shorter less complicated mystery. Had me guessing til the end…Marsh has done it again. Good job! Fun listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Narration

I have read and re-read Ngaio Marsh's wonderful mysteries since I was a teenager in the 70's. i must admit that Scales of Justice was not my favorite of her books, but I was tempted to give it another chance when I saw that it was read by Benedict Cumberbatch. I already admired his brilliant portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the, British television series Sherlock, and now I so enjoyed hearing him bring his narrative style to Roderick Alleyn. He breathes life into the rather bizarre inhabitants of this picturesque English village and is the only narrator I feel has done justice to my favorite detective. it is a joy to listen to him.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

A paen to the rustic petty aristocracy

I found this story insufferable. All the tributes to the British petty aristocracy seemed antiquated and absurd. The culprit revealed in the last 10 minutes was the most absurd of all. I got the book because I like the actor Benedict Cumberbatch. But he did not shine this time. Except perhaps that the voices he used to portray the universally annoying characters with no redeemable qualities were all very stuffy, pompous, and self satisfied. Still, it sounded like someone imitating these characters rather than the characters themselves speaking. The story is extremely dated and I will not be listening to any more novellas by Ngaio Marsh.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Abridged?!

Love these books and Benedict Cumberbatch's voice just wish I would have noticed it was NOT the full book. Now I have to go get the FULL book and read what I missed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent.

I love books narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. A perfect pairing with these books by Ngaio Marsh.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I missed exits on purpose

I missed exits on purpose to listen just a little more. Captivating story, amazing performance.

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