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  • The Shadow of Death

  • The Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mysteries, Book 1
  • By: Jane Willan
  • Narrated by: Helen Lloyd
  • Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (317 ratings)

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The Shadow of Death

By: Jane Willan
Narrated by: Helen Lloyd
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Summary

A charming and clever traditional mystery debut set at a bucolic Welsh convent, The Shadow of Death introduces Sister Agatha, a mystery loving nun who finds herself in the midst of a real-life murder case.

The sisters of Gwenafwy Abbey have cherished their contemplative life - days spent in prayer, reflection, tending the convent's vegetable gardens and making their award-winning organic cheese, Heavenly Gouda. Life seems perfect, except for Sister Agatha, a die-hard mystery fan who despairs of ever finding any real life inspiration for her own novel. That is, until the abbey's sexton is found dead under an avalanche of gouda. Despite the reservations of the local constable, Sister Agatha is convinced it's murder and the game is afoot.

Armed only with the notes she's scribbled during her favorite podcast, How to Write a Mystery Novel, as well as lessons learned from crime heroes ranging from Hercule Poirot to Stephanie Plum, Sister Agatha leads the nuns of Gwenafwy Abbey (and her unwitting sidekick, Father Selwyn) as they begin a race against time to resolve the death of Jacob, save the abbey, exonerate a beloved postulant, and restore the good name of their cheese.

©2019 Jane Willan (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing
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What listeners say about The Shadow of Death

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gentle paced and engaging

Obviously written for an American audience, this was nonetheless enjoyable. The narrator did a good job with the various accents. The plot was gently paced and the characters likeable and engaging. Just one small criticism from an Ospreys fan. The Ospreys play rugby union not rugby league. The team home stadium is Swansea not Cardiff.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Why is it full of so many Americanisms?

This would be a great easy listening detective story if it weren't s
aimed so blatantly at the American market who seem unable to figure out what a mobile phone or a rubbish bin is. For a British market the constant references to cell phones etc is jarring and annoying for a story set in Wales when such terms would not be used. If you set a story in the UK use UK terms of reference, likewise in the US.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great Listen Terrible Americanisms

brilliant story pity about all the dreadful American terms that ruin a truly British tale. superb performance

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

In need of translation

This is not a good story. A thin plot and some unbelievable characters. It was obvious from the beginning that the author was not very au fait with contemporary life in north Wales, the pastiche being unconvincing. A real off-put was the use of American English, which should have been translated (no one says “on the lam” for example). However the poor language did sometimes make me smile. The narrator did a good job with a convincing Welsh accent, struggling through the Americanisms. One thing I couldn’t puzzled was how these “poor nuns” could afford so much tea and cake.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

fantastic

loved it started next story straight away the narrater is easy to listen to

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

like being read by a robot

Good story .... sorry but terribly boring narrator.... one tone syllable... could get to the end ....

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Story fine - BUT needs input from Welsh proofreader or editor.

This was a nice enough tale but a warning must be put for any Welsh or even British readers. There are so many things that are culturally inaccurate or just plain Americanisms it somewhat spoils the experience.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Too many American words

I found a story set in Wales difficult to listen too with so many American words in. Such a shame

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Why do welsh nuns talk about zucchini

I thought the story was sound and characters were interesting but it drove me nuts all the times some very American cultural thing got inserted in, not because i don’t like basket ball or fire marshals but because the whole point was how welsh the whole thing was suppose to be so you had this odd mix of WELSH almost forced referencing and then blatant lack of welshness

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Annoying Americanisms.

Enjoyed the story and the narration is good. It is just very irritating to keep hearing American words like ‘zucchini’ and ‘diapers’ in a novel that is set in Wales. It makes you question the author’s knowledge and understanding of life in a small Welsh village.

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