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A Different Class of Murder
- Narrated by: Anna Bentinck
- Length: 15 hrs and 58 mins
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A Different Class of Murder
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Summary
On 7 November 1974, a nanny named Sandra Rivett was bludgeoned to death in a Belgravia basement. A second woman, Veronica, Countess of Lucan, was also attacked. The man named in court as perpetrator of these crimes, Richard John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan, disappeared in the early hours of the following morning. The case, solved in the eyes of the law, has retained its fascination ever since.
Laura Thompson narrates the story that led up to that cataclysmic event and reexamines the possible truths behind one of postwar Britain’s most notorious murders.
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Critic reviews
What listeners say about A Different Class of Murder
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tedbar
- 13-12-23
Excellent
Really in depth book about Lord Lucan. I remember when it happened and am still fascinated by the story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CTRichardson
- 09-07-23
Brilliant narration
A fascinating insight into the lives of a tiny louche upper class set that disdained the normative values and conduct of ordinary people in the middle years of the 20th century: a deep immersion into a brittle, glamorous world which, like so much else, the digital age has swept away.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stuart
- 26-11-15
Excellent book that comprehensively re-examines a famous mystery
I first heard of the Lord Lucan story on the 20th anniversary of the murder of Sandra Rivett in 1994. This book gives a full and lengthy background to the case and could serve even as social history of the well off living in Belgravia and Mayfair in the early 70s. Piece by piece. Thompson pulls apart all the nonsense that has been said about Rivett's murder and Lucan's disappearance and instead puts a convincing, evidence based theory in its place
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Christina Croft
- 10-10-15
Fascinating
What made the experience of listening to A Different Class of Murder the most enjoyable?
The very different perspective it had on the usual story of events.
What does Anna Bentinck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The book is very well-read and the voice is easy to listen to.
Any additional comments?
A really enthralling book!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fiona
- 08-03-21
Gripping Narrative!
There is so much to learn from this book, which was never illustrated in the media coverage at the time. She does go over and over the same territory, which is a shame but it’s still well worth listening to and I highly recommend it.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- AnnieJuly
- 18-06-16
Interesting!
Refreshing to have this mystery examined from a fresh angle and some good insights missing from the Ransom/Veronica Lucan narratives that have imposed themselves as hard fact. Slightly improbable conclusions but alternatives to ponder. Narration good when Bentinck reading narrative: but awful, bewildering impersonations when reading dialogue that let it down! Her impersonations of "coppas" in that "ol' right, guvna" fashion were absolutely toe-curling. Spoiled it a little.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- White Socks!
- 22-12-17
Did he, didn't he
The book thoroughly lays the foundation of the Lucan background, from his ancestral routes, upbringing, lifestyle and marriage before going into the for and against of the fateful night.
What I love about it is the way the argument swings back and forth, discussing the different accounts, their plausibility, and pitfalls. It never show bias to either side.
The narration was wonderful. Anna Bentinck has a pure and clear voice that was beautiful to listen to.
A fantastic book.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Richard L.
- 26-03-18
REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT ......
What did you like best about A Different Class of Murder? What did you like least?
Excellent account of the class divisions still prevalent in the '70's; the crushingly empty lives led by the 'gilded few'; the menace and amorality of that class, especially Aspinall and Goldsmith but repetition abounds. Could easily have been reduced by half without losing any information. Worth it if you have the time ..... and yes, Lucan was responsible.
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
A tale of the times was very interesting; the least? The great annoyance at knowing how much was frittered away by such vacuous creatures.
Did Anna Bentinck do a good job differentiating each of the characters? How?
Author knew subject well but feel too much emphasis was put into how she depicted the differences in the society of the time. Strongly suspect she feels she would like to be considered part of the high society set, as she sees them.
Was A Different Class of Murder worth the listening time?
No.
Any additional comments?
EXCEPTIONALLY HARD TO GET INTO AS THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS WERE VERY GARBLED WITH NO COHERENT PLAN.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BodieDoyle
- 17-01-19
Just listen open-minded
Laura Thompson has done a fantastic job of pulling many loose ends together to reconstruct what happened by tracing much new information than before to give the listener many view points that help you understand the facts rather than tabloid myths. 1000%
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pippi Longstocking
- 07-07-24
Barking Dog
Excellent book. Very detailed approach from all aspects and very well narrated. Might be naive of me but the report of forensic pathologist, Keith Simpson seems to show that most of the injuries to Sandra were on her right side and her attacker was facing her Would this not indicate her attacker was probably left handed? Just an observation.
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