The Mitford Murders

By: Jessica Fellowes

Narrated by: Rachel Atkins

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

*Named one of the best audiobooks of 2017 by The Times (UK)*

This program includes a bonus interview with the author.

Set amid the legendary Mitford household, The Mitford Murders is a thrilling golden age-style mystery audiobook, based on a real unsolved murder, by Jessica Fellowes, author of the New York Times best-selling Downton Abbey books.

It's 1920, and Louisa Cannon dreams of escaping her life of poverty in London.

Louisa's salvation is a position within the Mitford household at Asthall Manor, in the Oxfordshire countryside. There she will become nursemaid, chaperone, and confidante to the Mitford sisters, especially 16-year-old Nancy, an acerbic, bright young woman in love with stories. But then a nurse - Florence Nightingale Shore, goddaughter of her famous namesake - is killed on a train in broad daylight, and Louisa and Nancy find themselves entangled in the crimes of a murderer who will do anything to hide their secret....

Based on an unsolved crime and written by Jessica Fellowes, author of the New York Times best-selling Downton Abbey companion books, The Mitford Murders is the perfect new audio obsession for fans of classic murder mysteries.

©2018 Jessica Fellowes (P)2018 Little, Brown Book Group

Critic reviews

"A real murder, a real family, and a brand new crime fiction heroine are woven together to make a fascinating, and highly enjoyable, read. I loved it." (Julian Fellowes, creator and writer of Downton Abbey and Belgravia)

"The pleasures of this English murder mystery, set in 1920, are many. Rachel Atkins's crisp performance is just right, moving the pace along without rushing and channeling everyone from nasal aristocrat to working-class copper." (AudioFile)

Loved it!!

Can’t wait to continue the series. It made me want to know more about the Milford’s too!

Best read of the year so far

The story is woven around the lives of real people in an extraordinary way. I enjoyed the book immensely and look forward to the next title in the series. The narration was very well suited to the time and place. I highly recommend this book.

Wonderful read

I didn't want to put it down! Action and adventure around every corner. I found myself holding my breath many times. I was surprised to find out how historically accurate it was.

Very Enjoyable

The plot was interesting and the narration enjoyable. A very enjoyable way to spend a few afternoons relaxing. I recommend this book.

A bit convoluted, but still compelling

Good characters, but plot was a bit twisted. A very good book that makes me look forward to others in the series.

Historical Mystery

Reminds me of the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. It made me want to learn more about the Mitford girls.

Entertaining

The plot was actually pretty good but sometimes it was very hard to follow. Maybe a few too many twist and turns but still very entertaining. I very much liked the development of the character, Nancy. She was quite entertaining. I also liked Rowland’s character. He was presented in the perfect fashion. I think it would be interesting to bring him back in another novel. I would like to see more of him. I think he has a lot to offer to future plots. As far as “fight scenes go”, it is hard to make them not sound too cheesy or too what I like to call “Batman style”. For people old enough to remember when the original Batman would fight and then the scene would freeze and a word like “pow” would show up on the screen which I think definitely comes off as lacking total imagination. The author did do a descent job of the fight scene even though it too was confusing at times. Overall the characters and story is quite entertaining with an excellent narrator.

Very Mundane Whodunit

I know it can take a lot out of you to get invested in a new set of characters you have never connected with before but at the end of the day I felt very little of the people introduced to me in this story.

It was a bit chaotic when jumping to different persons in the story. Means your full concentration is needed.

I found the set of circumstances very unbelievable - and I think because I was disengaged with the story the logic of this out-won the pleasure of disregarding these facts as I have done with other whodunit's.

I don't think I will be back for another story from this series. And I am unsure if I will give this another listen. Very heavy on the details rather than the story itself.

However, Rachel Atkins is a narrator I have never listened to before and I have to say I loved her performance. I will take a look at her catalogue and find more stories performed by her!

Downton abbey writ with mystery

Not enough change in timbre by the reader to fully identify the various characters.
Could have been written in fewer chapters.

Great story

I really loved this book. The reader Rachel Atkins is terrific. The characters are believable as is the story line. I like that it's beginning was a true murder and that is well incorporated into the mystery. It is set in England post World War I and it tells of the classes and the struggles. A must listen for those who follow that time period.