At the Villa Rose
Gelesen von Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
A. E. W. Mason
(4,543 Sterne; 242 Bewertungen)
Harry Wethermill, the brilliant young scientist, a graduate of Oxford and Munich, has made a fortune from his inventions, and is taking a vacation at Aix-les-Bains. There he meets, and immediately falls in love with, the young and beautiful Celia Harland, who serves as companion to the aging but warm-hearted Madam Dauvray of Paris. All this is observed by Julius Ricardo, a retired financier from the City of London, who spends every August at Aix, expecting there to find a pleasant and peaceful life. Imagine his consternation when he learns that Mme. Dauvray has been brutally murdered, and imagine Harry Wethermill's consternation when he learns that every finger of suspicion is pointed at the now vanished Celia Harland.
Implored to do so by Wethermill, Ricardo asks his friend Inspector Hanaud, the great detective of the Paris Sûreté (who is also vacationing in Aix) to involve himself in the case so that the truth may come out. Hanaud agrees to do so (with the permission of the Aix police, of course), and goes to work. Will he be up to the job? And will Harry Wethermill ultimately be glad that he called in the great man? We can only wait to find out. But surely Hanaud will exercise his powerful little grey cells – one of several characteristics he shares with a famous Belgian detective of later decades, and indeed some scholars of mystery stories suggest that Agatha Christie, in her invention of Hercule Poirot, owes a debt to Mason and his invention of Inspector Hanaud. And indeed Julius Ricardo has than a passing resemblance to Arthur Hastings, Poirot's sidekick, who is invariably a few confused steps behind the detective.
(Introduction by Nicholas Clifford) (7 hr 22 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
Diabolical Thievery, meets "Drats!"
Angels Walk
(5 Sterne)
I adore these, "Who DunnIt" mysteries, and this was wonderful. The story leads me into my favorite pass time of, wild imaginings, dark corners and sharp twists, while landing me gently, into a Happy Ending. Pair that, with the amazing voice & incomparable reading talent of, Nicholas Clifford, and you have a deliciously entertaining way to pass the hours.
Murder mystery
mikezane
(5 Sterne)
The summary covers the plot nicely without giving anything away. This mystery is quite complex with a number of turns before the true culprits are revealed. I had to re-listen to a couple of chapters to get all of it. Oddly the bad guys are caught in the middle of the book, but the true motives and culprits are revealed slowly during the remaining chapters as told from different viewpoints. The reader did an excellent job, and the recording quality is excellent.
Story is good, reader is great
alclubb
(4 Sterne)
There were a lot of details to follow and it got confusing at times. The reader is fabulous and does a great job. I enjoyed the book, but I could have done without so many plot twists.
Debra
(5 Sterne)
Love this reader. He doesn’t make fake voices and he reads with clarity and smoothness. So lovely to listen to. The book is involved and complicated but very interesting and offers glimpses into culture.
Kam
(4,5 Sterne)
this was a really cook book to read. quite interesting and different in the writing which keeps me interested. it's the reader too who carries the plot through and along with the detective they Make a great pair. thank you.
Good
Tamara
(5 Sterne)
I did like trying to find a comparison with Christie's Poirot . but I do like her characters better although this was very well then and I really enjoyed it lots of twists and turns
Quite excellent
Ancient Aunt
(5 Sterne)
This was a surprisingly well written story. I listen to a lot of mysteries from this period and most are good but this was great. Excellent volunteer reader as well.
Convoluted
Karebil
(5 Sterne)
a good mystery which gets convoluted @ times. You need to pay really close attention or you'll get lost. Definitely don't recommend for bedtime listening because of the intense concentration required.