Smallbone Deceased cover art

Smallbone Deceased

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Smallbone Deceased

By: Michael Gilbert
Narrated by: David Thorpe
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About this listen

Horniman, Birley and Craine is a highly respected legal firm with clients reaching to the highest in the land. When a deed box in the office is opened to reveal a corpse, the threat of scandal promises to wreak havoc on the firm's reputation - especially as the murder looks like an inside job. The partners and staff of the firm keep a watchful and suspicious eye on their colleagues, as Inspector Hazlerigg sets out to solve the mystery of who Mr Smallbone was - and why he had to die. Written with style, pace and wit, this is a masterpiece by one of the finest writers of traditional British crime novels since the Second World War.

©1939 Michael Gilbert (P)2019 Soundings Crime Detective Mystery Traditional Detectives Fiction British Detective Mysteries

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When listening to a sample before buying, it's important that the listener hears the narrator of the book rather than the introduction performed by someone else. This book has an effective introduction by Martin Edwards but the body of the story is read, rather irritatingly by David Thorpe. To begin with, he gives the impression of never having seen the text before, giving unnecessary emphasis or stridency to dialogue rather in the way of being called unexpectedly to read from a strange book. It brought to mind a note I once saw on a pub piano "If you can play the piano, please do. If you cant, please DONT." Having said that, Mr Thorpe's delivery did improve as the story progressed and I suspect the whole could have been enhanced by better preparation. For a lesson in particularly skilful reading, I can recommend the late James Saxon, Martin Jarvis, Philip Franks, David Rintoul, Juliet Stevenson, and Stephanie Cole.

A good story spoiled by poor narration.

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Recommended as a very good multifaceted entertainment . Not at all dated despite hermit was set.

Clever and entertaining

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This story needs a cuppa and a free afternoon/evening for listening, not one you can shove on and multi task to as there is quite a lot of detail in the plot. I loved the twists and there are a number before you reach the end. If you enjoy British Classic Crime, this is an enjoyable addition to the collection.

Intriguing...

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I have to agree with a previous reviewer in that David Thorpe is the wrong narrator for this book. He is excellent at the voices, and has done excellent work in other books, but here in this story, everyone seems mildly hysterical, in the wrong places to me anyway...even the narrators voice is mildly sardonic which does not seem appropriate. The narrator spoiled this book for me, and took away much of the potential enjoyment. But well written and some lovely touches in the writing. But I will read in book form next time, if the same narrator is used for another of Michael Gilberts books..

Wrong Narrator in my view

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I was pleased to find this title as I had listened to it when originally broadcast by the BBC. The story holds interest and there are plenty of clues to follow in this traditional type of crime writing. The performance is good and easy to listen to.

I recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic crime novels.

Good period piece

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I enjoyed this story. Twisty enough to concentrate on, not too complicated it put me off. I've been enjoying these re-issued old murder mystery novels. Some real gems. My only issue with these books is that when you try the sample you get a section from the introduction not the story. I need to know if the written style is one I can listen to, I'm not interested in someone else's opinion of the book. Puts me off dipping my toe into the unknown.

Why the introduction as a sample, not the story?

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I enjoyed the narration, setting and the main character. The problem for me was the detailed descriptions of legal niceties. I lost track. Also, v dated attitudes to women but that’s to be expected I suppose.

Good stuff but …

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