The Point in the Market

By: Michael Pearce

Narrated by: Bill Wallis

As the clouds of World War I threaten to engulf Egypt, Gareth Owen, the Mamur Zapt, head of the Secret Police, confronts a series of personal and professional challenges, from the pitfalls of his marriage, to a riot in Cairo's Camel Market.©2005 Michael Pearce (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Bill Wallis is a brilliant narrator

This wonderful continuation of Michael Pearce's entertaining mystery series set in the pre-WWI Ottoman Empire features a tour de force performance by the incomparable Bill Wallis. He simply is every character in the book, from British police hero Gareth Owen to Bedouin camel traders to Egyptian princes. And the pacing is great - a conversation sounds like a conversation, if you know what I mean. The plot of this installment focuses on the efforts of Owen, who is head of the British Secret Service ("ruling" Egypt at the time) to solve the murder of a camel trader in the midst of a Cairo full of intrigue. It's fascinating, often funny, and very cleverly written. And as I said, outstandingly narrated.

Excellent book and reader

A mystery novel with abundant human and cultural elements and a subtle sense of humor. The reader a perfect fit to the book. I recommend without qualification.

Excellent story and superb narration. A first rate performance

An an excellent story and a first rate performance by the narrator. The story pulled me in and the interaction between the various characters was fascinating.

The store and plot are great the reader ruins it.

I have listened to all of the audio books from the Mamur Zapt series by Michael Pearce(of which this is the most recent)and I must admit that Bill Wallis is the absolutely worst reader of all. The absolutely best reader of all these books is Simon Prebble. That said I think this is a great series and well worth listening to. I hope that audible will get all the books in this series.
The series has great stories which depict Pre WWI Egypt and are filled with witty and interesting characters. It is too bad that Wallis has trouble capturing the essence of these characters. He is especially weak with female voice.
The plots are always fascinating and have interesting twists which are firmly based in the author's real life experience in the region. I only gave this book a 3 star because of the reader. The plot and story are 5 star.