Wobble to Death

Sergeant Cribb Investigation, Book 1

By: Peter Lovesey

Narrated by: David Thorpe

London, 1879. Crowds have gathered at Islington's chilly Agricultural Hall to place their bets on who will become the next world champion in a six-day, 500-mile speed-walking race, the wobble. When one of the highly favored contenders dies under suspicious circumstances, Sergeant Cribb also has a race on his hands - to pursue a ruthless murderer.

Wobble to Death was Peter Lovesey's debut novel. In the 45 years since it was published, its author has gone on to write more than 30 world-renowned mysteries, win numerous crime fiction prizes. There is no better place to dive into Lovesey's legendary oeuvre than with this sparkling debut.

©1970 Peter Lovesey (P)2020 Recorded Books

What an excellent first novel

This was an interesting tale with an unpredictable ending. The reader was perfect for the story. An enjoyable ride.

Not his best

This story was hard for me to understand as a period piece at first. Then all hell broke loose. I couldn't figure who the detective was for quite awhile. I almost figured out everything at the end.

The contrasts between a race of that duration vs today’s foot races

Interesting to think of pedestrian race over days! Character introductions and development good. Listening to the participants’ list progress read multiple times became a bit tedious. Narrative good except for the Sergeant who was shouting every word. Will try one more of this series and if that continues I will have to quit. It’s very irritating to listener.

Way too long. Not recommended.

You spend a lot of time listening to a six day foot race story. Truly boring. It feels like the murders are a side issue. Because of the race, there’s seemingly loads of repetition. I listened at first waiting for something to happen. Continued only because I was doing something else while it was running.

Cribb at a pedestrian race

Well performed, well written fair play mystery set in Victorian London. Reasonable ending. Recommended