Surfeit of Lampreys

De: Ngaio Marsh

Narrado por: Philip Franks

Ngaio Marsh’s most popular novel begins when a young New Zealander’s first contact with the English gentry is the body of Lord Wutherford - with a meat skewer through the eye....

The Lampreys had plenty of charm - but no cash. They all knew they were peculiar - and rather gloried in it. The double and triple charades, for instance, with which they would entertain their guests - like rich but awful Uncle Gabriel, who was always such a bore. The Lampreys thought if they jollied him up he would bail them out - yet again.

Instead Uncle Gabriel met a violent end. And Chief Inspector Alleyn had to work our which of them killed him....

©1941 Original Text of 1941 by Ngaio Marsh (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"The brilliant Ngaio Marsh ranks with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers." ( Times Literary Supplement)

"The queen of the straight crime novel - long may she reign!" ( Sunday Times)

"Brilliantly readable...first class detection." ( Observer)

"Ngaio Marsh transcended the detective genre by the power of her writing and the rich variety of characters who people her novels." (P. D. James)

Mystery, Macbeth, and a crazy family

The story starts in New Zealand, introducing us to a charming family who are a bit odd. It is all fun until we get to England with murder, references to Macbeth and a play fair mystery which I didn't guess. Recommended

Wow!I felt like I was sitting in the parlor with them!!

Phillip Franks narration was superb! It is going to be difficult to listen to anyone else… I felt totally transported to that era. Of course the delicious story line and rich language as well personality of each character draws one in completely… I found myself laughing out loud… with the family’s conversations… wonderful mystery!

So Charming

I have been waiting for years and years for someone to do an unabridged audiobook of this title!!! It was worth the wait. I first read this book when it was entitled "Death of a Peer" and fell in love with the charming Lampreys.
And I have to say that the Narrator is unequaled!!! What a total delight!!!

One of her best

Would you consider the audio edition of Surfeit of Lampreys to be better than the print version?

Haven't read print version.

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

Yes

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

Yes, he is terrific .

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

It resonated with a certain type of eccentric family I have experienced several times in my life.
This is what makes Nagio Marsh so wonderful. Her characters are timeless, and, in a sense, so are topics, and cultural milieu, which proves the adage, the more things change, the more they remain the same.

Any additional comments?

Just think Philip Franks and James Saxon are both fabulous narrators, really amazing actors so that it seems one is hearing AND watching a stage play, which is why Nagio's stage experience brings so much to her writing. And both narrators seem to totally bring that reality to life.

Quite good

Excellent writing and a very good example of the golden age of detective fiction. Phillip Franks is a terrific voice actor. He's more than a "reader" and I look forward to hearing more from him.