The Zig Zag Girl

The Brighton Mysteries, Book 1

By: Elly Griffiths

Narrated by: James Langton

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In the first installment of a compelling new series by Elly Griffiths, a band of magicians who served together in World War II track a killer who's performing their deadly tricks. Brighton, 1950. The body of a girl is found cut into three pieces. Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens is convinced the killer is mimicking a famous magic trick - the Zig Zag Girl. The inventor of the trick, Max Mephisto, is an old war friend of Edgar's. They served together in a shadowy unit called the Magic Men, a special ops troop that used stage tricks to confound the enemy. Max is on the traveling show circuit, touring seaside towns with ventriloquists, sword-swallowers, and dancing girls. He's reluctant to leave this world to help Edgar investigate but advises him to identify the victim quickly - it takes a special sidekick to do the Zig Zag Girl.

Those words come back to haunt Max when the dead girl turns out to be Ethel, one of his best assistants to date. He's soon at Edgar's side, hunting for Ethel's killer. Another death, another magic trick: Edgar and Max are sure the answer to the murders lies in their army days. And when Edgar receives a letter warning of another "trick" on the way - the Wolf Trap - he knows they're all in the killer's sights.

©2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2015 Blackstone Audiobooks

Marvelous and wonderful

I almost did not purchase this book due to the lukewarm reviews. This this is a GREAT book, in the finest Agatha Christie tradition. The story line is complex and the characters are intriguing. The narrator makes it easy to distinguish between them. The story line proceeds at a good clip you are not tempted to skip ahead. And as in all great literature there are themes of redemption and heroism from unlikely sources. There is no overt humor in the book but you will smile remembering the story. This is a book you will want to keep and reread by the sea. I was so impressed with this authors work I am buying a paperback for my guest room. And may buy more copies for gifts for my mystery loving friends.

Disappointing

Because it was written by one of my favorite authors, I felt good about giving it a try. Now I'm sorry that I wasted a credit. It was fair at best. James Langton was as fine as he always is, but even he couldn't make it a good read and I was glad when it was over. Hopefully, she will go back to what she does well. For a really good mystery read, I prefer Peter Robinson, many of which are also read by Langton. There we find characters we care about as well as a really great story.

after the war magic flops

the narration of the book was very good, I felt that the story was bogged down by too much filler, the story was too long drawn-out it could have been a little bit more suspenseful or not as predicted, the author left little clues along the way but it was it seemed too muddled. this was a free book so to speak from my credit card company seems like it had an interesting story but it was just too boring.

wasnt sure about the New Series

didnt think I would like this new series because was do sad she wasnt writning mote Ruth Galloway books. but I gave it a try and Loved it! Elly Griffiths is a superb writer. am waiting for more of this series .

Gets rolling 1/3 of the way through.

As the first novel in new series it isn't a grabber, immediately, but 1/3 through I really connected with the characters, and the mystery itself is great!

A very entertaining listen

A interesting combination of characters. I am looking forward to hearing from them again in the next installment.

not galloway but still enjoyable

even though I am more fond of her other series this one was entertaining and worth a listen.

Above My Head

I tried to like it, but after 3 chapters it was a no go and I gave up. I hope it works for someone else.

Tedious

A dull, plodding mystery. I'm generally not very good at figuring out "whodunit", but I had this one figured out with two hours left to go in the story. I know a book has good characters when I'm sad that the book has ended - or I'm immediately reaching for the next one - to find out what happens to them. I didn't really care about any of the unhappy characters in this book by the end. There are more stories in the Brighton Mysteries series, but I won't be wasting my time on any of them.

I will say that the narration was good. I tend to listen to stories while I'm doing other activities, whether it's household chores, driving, or whatever. If the narrator is unclear, or the volume levels change dramatically, I often struggle to follow the story. This was easy to hear, and the voicing was done well.

Great story

This book takes you back in time to the 40s. It's a murder mystery that keeps you guessing. I liked this book because there was a happy ending for the main character.