The Man with a Load of Mischief

A Richard Jury Novel, Book 1

By: Martha Grimes

Narrated by: Steve West

At the Man with a Load of Mischief, they found the dead body stuck in a keg of beer. At the Jack and Hammer, another body was stuck out on the beam of the pub's sign, replacing the mechanical man who kept the time. Two pubs. Two murders. One Scotland Yard inspector called in to help.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Jury arrives in Long Piddleton and finds everyone in the postcard village looking outside of town for the killer - except for one Melrose Plant. A keen observer of human nature, he points Jury in the right direction: into the darkest parts of his neighbors' hearts.

©2013 Martha Grimes (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

first book in a crime series

First time author, Martha Grimes, who among other things once taught at the University of Iowa. The author early on was involved with poetry then at age 50 decided to embark on a crime series. This book is the first in the series and so far there over 20. The title of each book is named after a pub in England. This book and series is a bit different in that Grimes is an American author that writes crime thrillers set in England. She pokes fun of things British; the language and pronunciations, customs, royalty, the people, etc. The book had a bit of Sherlock Holmes and Watson in it using deductive reasoning. Her website describes her writing style as “literate, lyrical, funny, funky, discursive, bizarre”. I agree with the description although I admit I had to look discursive up in the dictionary. If you like this desciption of the author's books, you might want to give it a try.

A Good Old Fashion Mystery

What made the experience of listening to The Man with a Load of Mischief the most enjoyable?

Yes, at first I was confused, 2 men died in two seperate places

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

In the beginning yes, until I figured out who did the murders. However I really could not figure out why.

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

I never listened to Steve West before but, after this novel I did order more Martha Grimes novels.
His portrayal of Lady Agatha Ardry, was exquisite. Like Jury you wanted to strangle her for her constant interference .

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

When Jury interaction with the brother and sister, James and James. Another Jury interveiwed Ruby Judd's family their cold and aloof treatment of their daughter

Love these mysteries

Always have loved the Richard Jury books - the characters begin to feel like old friends after a while...and nice to get things done while someone else reads it to you!

love this book

the thing that makes this book are the characters. i love plant and jury and their relationship. funny, thoughtful and entertaining

Hear this!

I have read this book, and its companions, several times, but to hear the words read makes a great story a fantastic trip! I’m buying them all on Audible!

Great story but for one character

Definitely a unique story and a good performance, but the character of Lady Audrey WAS SO ANNOYING that I almost stopped at chapter 3. I've read and heard many book with an unlikable character with either a tiny saving grace or that was at least amusing, but Lady Audrey is absolutely hateful and aggravating.

The ending was very good, a great who done it.

I enjoyed it very much. I plan to enjoy it in the future and enjoy it even more.

Favorite Author

Over many years I have read and or listened to every one of Martha Grimes - Richard Jury books more than once and am now starting over by listening to them again!

I wish I could live in this village, take my dogs to these pubs and enjoy the friendship of these characters! They work together to solve the crimes and these books are the most relaxing and entertaining murder mystery with just a bit of humor!

The narration is perfect!

I enjoy many authors books and always throw one of Grimes in the mix!

Read this amazing thing! You must!

beautifully conceived & crafted, complex and twisty, intelligently wrought & the narrator truly rises to the narrative--or did narrative speak to reader's genius. both, i'm sure.. excellent work, no spoilers :)

enjoyable cozy mystery, was looking fwd to this series, yet this narrator applies VOICE FRY, grating and unpleasant!!!

Re: enjoyable cozy mystery, was looking fwd to this series, yet this narrator applies VOICE FRY, grating and unpleasant!!!
A significant cozy mystery author with decades of story telling and many books to share
Sadly, this narrator, Steve West, applies significant VOICE FRY to his narration? His voice is unpleasantly grating and very irritating to listen to