Number Seventeen


Read by Kirsten Wever

(4.5 stars; 18 reviews)

The number Seventeen refers (at first) to the London apartment of a young widow who is strangled (off-scene) at the beginning of the book. Her neighbor, novelist Frank Theydon, joins with millionaire-philanthropist James Forbes to bring the murderer to justice. In the end, we discover that there is another sinister meaning to the number seventeen.

The international theme is dominant, beginning with a discussion of the possible danger posed by advances in air technology: will such advances bring the weapons of war to the skies – as submarines bring them to the seas? (The book was written before World War I.) This theme dominates the book, whose Asian “bad guys” represent the so-called Yellow Peril (widespread fears that the growing powers of Japan, China and other Asian countries posed great threats to the west).

“The law” is here represented by Scotland Yard’s Chief Superintended Winter and his friend, enemy and side-kick, Inspector Furneaux. Winter is big, burly, friendly, straight-forward and conventional. Furneaux is (of course, representing Winter’s opposite) small, puny, uncannily intuitive, often devious and unconventional.

- Summary by Kirsten Wever (9 hr 5 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Outcome of Artistic Curiosity 37:42 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 2: The Compact 30:51 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 3: In the Toils 34:01 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 4: A Telephonic Talk and Its Consequences 34:13 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 5: A Leap in the Dark 33:23 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 6: Close Quarters 33:07 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 7: Wherein Mr. Forbes Explains Himself 32:19 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 8: The First Counter-Stroke 32:25 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 9: Sharp Work 32:03 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 10: Captures on Both Sides 33:14 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 11: The Reappearance of Handyside 32:48 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 12: No Surrender 30:29 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 13: Some New Moves in the Game 33:41 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 14: Wherein Theydon Suffers From Faint Heart 29:44 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 15: Forceful Tactics 30:13 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 16: Wherein Unexpected Allies Appear 29:08 Read by Kirsten Wever
Chapter 17: The Settlement 26:16 Read by Kirsten Wever

Reviews


(3 stars)

The three stars are for the reader who is quite clear even though she is lacking in expression a little. I'm not giving the story any stars as I thought it was lame and ultra sensational without any depth. The main character was quite a jerk at the beginning of the story but he did behave better after awhile and of course got engaged to the pretty girl at the end. I listened to The Postmaster's Daughter and also The Strange Case of Mortimer Fenley by the same author and enjoyed those quite well so this book was a sad disappointment.


(5 stars)

Enjoy the mystery stories that the reader selects so far. She has an even paced reading style that is very clear, relaxing, and not too loud or too quiet. Plus I enjoy catching the occasional purring or faint meowing of a cat in the background every now and then.


(4.5 stars)

Always enjoy your reading. Thank you! Very enjoyable mystery/romance. Although some may be offended by the racial and ethnic slurs of the time, I find that it makes me appreciate more fully the journey toward unity.

Great mystery, excellent reader


(5 stars)

This kept my interest throughout the reading. The characters represent the time period well and the values of the time. The story moves right along and never lost my interest.