Vertigo 42

A Richard Jury Mystery, Book 23

By: Martha Grimes

Narrated by: Steve West

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

The inimitable Scotland Yard Superintendent Richard Jury returns in another "literate, lyrical, funny, funky, discursive, bizarre" (The Washington Post) mystery, now with a tip of the derby to Alfred Hitchcock’s famous movie Vertigo.

Richard Jury is meeting Tom Williamson at Vertigo 42, a bar on the 42nd floor of an office building in London’s financial district. Despite inconclusive evidence, Tom is convinced his wife, Tess, was murdered 17 years ago. The inspector in charge of the case was sure Tess’ death was accidental - a direct result of vertigo - but the official police inquiry is still an open verdict and Jury agrees to re-examine the case.

Jury learns that a nine-year-old girl fell to her death five years before Tess at the same country house in Devon where Tess died. The girl had been a guest at a party Tess was giving for six children. Jury seeks out the five surviving party guests, who are now adults, hoping they can shed light on this bizarre coincidence.

Meanwhile, an elegantly dressed woman falls to her death from the tower of a cottage near the pub where Jury and his cronies are dining one night. Then the dead woman’s estranged husband is killed as well. Four deaths - two in the past, two that occur on the pages of this intricate, compelling novel - keep Richard Jury and his sidekick Sergeant Wiggins running from their homes in Islington to the countryside in Devon and to London as they try to figure out if the deaths were accidental or not. And, if they are connected.

Witty, well-written, with literary references from Thomas Hardy to Yeats, Vertigo 42 is a pitch perfect, "pause-resisting" novel from a mystery writer at the top of her game.

©2014 Martha Grimes. All rights reserved. (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

A new Martha Grimes-Richard Jury fan

A huge fan of the "armchair mystery" genre of Agatha Christie (intelligent plots and puzzles requiring thought sans gratuitous violence), I thoroughly enjoyed Jury's crime solving methodology. While not as much of a fan of the narrator's scope of characterization (why did the sergeant's voice have to be created with the narrator seemingly holding his nose closed?), the clues were all there (fair play a la Christie), and it was just a race to see whether the reader could put the puzzle together before Jury. Jury was a little biased in favor of his personal emotional instincts (Poirot would never do that), but nonetheless, it was a good puzzle and very satisfying mystery. I look forward to reading more of Grimes, and hope there are just as many interwoven literary references, as it makes it all the more enjoyable!

Sadly Baroque

I have long loved Martha Grimes' Richard Jury mysteries, with their English coziness, humor and endearing characters. However, "Vertigo 42" was not up to her usual standards--maybe she's getting tired of Jury? The plot revolves around a 20-year-old child murder, a 17-year-old murder of an adult, and two contemporary murders--all of which Jury decides are connected. I don't know why the Metropolitan Police would allow one of their most talented investigators and his sidekick (Wiggins) to spend weeks pursuing cold cases and murders outside of the Yard's jurisdiction, but that is what Ms. Grimes would have us believe. The motives behind these murders, the amazing mountain of lies and misdirection, and the impossibly baroque complexity of the plot were never convincing. I didn't believe any of it, and that is the key to fiction--willing suspension of disbelief. I hope the next Jury mystery is sturdier.

As always, Martha Grimes comes through

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. The author always weaves an interesting story, and this time it has a great twist, in an extended reference to a classic movie.

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

I have not listened to others, but I certainly will. His presentation enhanced the story. I kept forgetting that the same person was reading all the different characters' lines!

Yet another stellar Richard Jury mystery by Grimes

What made the experience of listening to Vertigo 42 the most enjoyable?

As a longtime Martha Grimes fan, I was not disappointed. Unlike some, this one didn't have Jury in a love affair ... but every other element was present.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Richard Jury and Melrose Plant. The odd couple of an engaging British mystery series

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

Yes, all the ones he narrates of Martha Grimes. He is good.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I tried to pace myself as I know there will not be another one for some time.

Any additional comments?

A most enjoyable read. The one brief appearance of Agatha, Melrose's not blood related aunt, was limited and I didn't mind this. Would have like more of the antiques dealer. All in all, however, a wonderful book.

Vintage Jury!

Any additional comments?

I was pleased to find this to be vintage - perhaps even better than - some of the early Jury books. Great story keeps you on your toes until the end.

Enjoyed the book very much

But I always do. Have followed Martha Grimes her entire career. Wish Jury could find peace. Some people never do.

A lovrly English thriller

With time and people and even a dog with a clue
A charming mystery solved by the eminent Richard jury

It felt Like Old Times!

FINALLY!! It felt like old times, the good old times with “simon and schuster audio.” I don’t know anything about audio books. How an author gets from writing a book to having it put on audio. But if it was suggested to Martha Grimes to try a different recording company for less costs that advice was the BIGGEST MISTAKE ever given. As soon as I pressed play and heard the intro music 🎶 it felt like I had been reunited with a dear lost friend. I actually yelled out FINALLY YOUR BACK WHERE YOU BELONG!!!
PLEASE MARTHA GRIMES NEVER LISTEN TO THAT KIND OF ADVICE AGAIN!!

It was wonderful having the lovely beautiful voice of Steve West back as our narrator after just getting through The Black Cat 🐈‍⬛. Hearing all my favorite characters sound like themselves again was like sitting in your favorite chair all snuggled up in a blanket with a nice cup of tea and a good book.

I was not disappointed with this mystery. Again with all the twists and turns as to who dun it and with what motivate. There were a few gruesome scenes dealing with dog fighting that were hard to listen to. Manly because I love dogs and hate cruelty to animals in any form.

It was also nice to have Richard Jury back with Philis Nancy. I’m not fond of Martha Grimes making Richard Jury have multiple women at the same time like if he was a teenager with raging hormones. There is real chemistry between Richard Jury and Philis Nancy. I think she is his equal in every way. She keeps him steady and on his toes and best of all she isn’t afraid to be completely honest and forthright with him.

As usual all the old characters are there, especially Melrose Plant. I love the relationship between Melrose and Richard like brothers they argue and get on each other’s nerves. But it’s fun to listen to. I feel as though they have adopted each other their family. One can’t do without the other. And it shows as the mystery comes to a head and Richard Jury starts to doubt himself good old Melrose Plant helps him see he has it all together and stop second guessing himself. It’s a great scene.

Thank you Martha Grimes for seeing the light and taking us back home to the real Richard Jury Mysteries with simon and schuster audio and Steve West as our narrator. This is what your fans truly love ❤️!!!

Absolutely Wonderful

No bad language. Just very good story and excellent narration. I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.

Punny and twisty!

One suspicious death 22 years ago, another 17 years ago, and two murders five days apart. And then there's the dog. But Wiggins and Jury would never have solved the mess if it weren't for Alfred Hitchcock. The publisher's blurb gives clues but can't help untangle the mess. Be prepared for awful puns.