Reading the Detectives discussion

Does anyone have particular Audible/audiobook versions of mysteries that they enjoyed, or readers who they always look out for?

Also, are there any radio adaptations you'd recommend?

I was an Audible member for a while, but have now stopped my monthly membership for the time being as I was stockpiling loads of books I hadn't had time to listen to - so aiming to catch up on those before going on!

I like the idea of audiobooks since it means you can read while doing something else, but in practice I often find it hard to concentrate, so I find it helps to have a really good reader.

When listening to Tied Up In Tinsel over Christmas, I really liked the reader on the Audible version, actor James Saxon - he died in 2003 but had recorded a lot of books which are still available, including a lot of Ngaio Marsh's novels, so I'll watch out for him in future. He had a great gift for doing a different voice for each character, making it easy to keep track of who is speaking!

I agree that James Saxton's narrations are good versions of Ngaio Marsh's books.

I particularly enjoyed the audiobooks of Kerry Greenwood's Corinna Chapman series, narrated by Louise Siverson. Her voices are excellent.

Judy, did you know that you can take a break on your membership? About a year ago I called Audible when I broke my ipod and had lost my phone (!) and they were very helpful and just put a three month stop on my account so I kept all the books I had until I had sorted myself out. Then I just resumed my membership, which was very helpful.

Thanks, Susan - glad to hear Audible were helpful when you had no phone or ipod for a time!

Unfortunately I wasn't eligible to take a break this time as I'd already had one break some months back, and you can only do so once a year. Seems I'm just too slow at listening to audiobooks, but hope to do better this year!

Judy wrote: "Does anyone have particular Audible/audiobook versions of mysteries that they enjoyed, or readers who they always look out for?

Also, are there any radio adaptations you'd recommend?"

Not a Golden Age (nor British) but Grover Gardner does excellent narration of the Inspector Montalbano mysteries (the first one is The Shape of Water but many think this is the weakest book in the series so you might want to start with The Terracotta Dog).

Nadia May also narrates Ngaio Marsh books well.

The BBC radio adaptations of Simon Brett's Charles Paris books narrated by Bill Nighy are also very good.

The right narrator makes all the difference I find.

Ruth, I've listened to one of those Simon Brett adaptations with Bill Nighy and thought it was great - he has such a wonderful voice!

I haven't heard any of Nadia May's narrations but I remember a friend recommending her a while back - I didn't realise she had done any crime books.

Leslie, thanks for the Inspector Montalbano tip. I'm not quite sure why I haven't tried these books yet, as I love Italian settings, and sounds as if they would be ideal to listen to. The Terracotta Dog looks great.

HJ, thanks, I didn't realise Kerry Greenwood had done another series as well as Phryne Fisher! I just took a peek at Corinna Chapman and they look like a lot of fun, but I'm not sure I should try a baker sleuth right at the moment when I'm supposed to be on a New Year diet!

Ann, that's great that you can get audio books from the library. I'm not sure if that's possible in my area - I know they used to be available on tape cassette and CD, though, so must investigate.

I've enjoyed the Hamish Macbeth mysteries on my Sansa which I download from my library. I like them in part because they aren't "fair" mysteries in that Beaton doesn't give you all the clues you need to solve the mysteries, so I don't have focus on trying to figure out the mystery since I know I can't, but just enjoy the ride. Really, they're more light novels with a mystery element tossed in, but much of them are about his life rather than the actual mystery they use for their justification.

Judy wrote: "Ann, that's great that you can get audio books from the library. I'm not sure if that's possible in my area - I know they used to be available on tape cassette and CD, though, so must investigate."

Overdrive is a great resourse Judy. Is this your library service? http://suffolklibraries.co.uk/elibrary

I use Overdrive. I use it from my old library. I haven't ventured to the new library yet. Partly because I don't know if they have Overdrive and, if they do, whether they have a good selection. Not sure how much longer my library card is good for - it was renewed shortly before I moved.

Thanks for the link, Ruth! I've just had a look and this looks like a great resource, as you say.

Judy wrote: "HJ, thanks, I didn't realise Kerry Greenwood had done another series as well as Phryne Fisher! I just took a peek at Corinna Chapman and they look like a lot of fun, but I'm not sure I should try a..."

Mmm yes, she does talk quite a bit about different types of bread, which could make you hungry! Don't forget about them, though; they're really good audiobooks.

Jan C wrote: "I use Overdrive. I use it from my old library. I haven't ventured to the new library yet. Partly because I don't know if they have Overdrive and, if they do, whether they have a good selection. Not..."

I think many libraries in the US have this, but as you say the selection is different for different libraries. I happen to have access to three libraries which have Overdrive, and their offerings are remarkably different.

Everyman wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I use Overdrive. I use it from my old library. I haven't ventured to the new library yet. Partly because I don't know if they have Overdrive and, if they do, whether they have a good ..."

My brother had told me about Overdrive and they use it from 2-3 different libraries with varying selections.

I'm currently listening to Artists in Crime by Ngaio Marsh read by Phillip Franks and it's excellent. I think one of the marks of a good narrator is that you forget that it's one person reading the book and start hearing each individual character.

This is the book that introduced Agatha Troy and it's lovely to be reminded of how their relationship started.

Overdrive is great but limited at the library.

Sherry wrote: "Overdrive is great but limited at the library."

That depends on the library as Everyman pointed out in message 17.

True. It also depends on what you're looking for.

Whenever I go looking it seems like everything is romance. Not what I'm looking for. They don't really have all romance. It just pops up a lot.

And that was a good library. Makes me reticent to switch to my new library. So as long as they keep honoring my number I'll be fine.

You could use both libraries. :)

Just bumping this thread to say I was interested to see that Radio 4 has just broadcast a new Inspector Morse radio play, House of Ghosts, starring Neil Pearson as Morse - the script was written by Alma Cullen, who also wrote some episodes of the TV series.

The play will be available on BBC iplayer for another 27 days:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08k12z8
Has anyone listened to it yet? I plan to do so.

This is also an opportunity to pay tribute to author Colin Dexter, who has just died. Morse and Lewis are truly great creations - must admit I haven't read all that many of the books, but hope to put that right.

Thanks for the tip! I'll certainly listen to it.

After reading the whole thread a tip in return ;-) audible has a "secret" subscription plan too. But it requires you to call their service desk and actively ask for the silver plan. Which ought to be half price and half the yearly credits.

I am a big audible fan! I have a long daily commute and sometimes after a long working day you just want to stare out of the train window, listen to a story and shut out all the people around you. Enjoyment certainly depends on the right reader though!

I'm getting more into audio books now, so thought I'd bump this thread again! Just wondering if anyone else loves listening to books read by favourite actors?

I'm currently listening to A Pocket Full of Rye read by Richard E. Grant, and he really does a great job - I love his voice anyway, and he also does good voices for the different characters.

In the past I also enjoyed listening to one of the Georgette Heyer regency romances, Venetia, read by Richard Armitage - it was an abridged version.

Jessica wrote: "Thanks for the tip! I'll certainly listen to it.

After reading the whole thread a tip in return ;-) audible has a "secret" subscription plan too. But it requires you to call their service desk and..."

Jessica, sorry I failed to reply to this comment at the time, not sure why now! I actually forgot to listen to that Inspector Morse play (looks like I was being forgetful all round in March!), so will need to see if it is still available or gets a repeat some time.

Belated thanks for the tip about the 'secret' subscription plan for audible. I currently belong to Scribd and can listen to one audio book a month there as part of my subscription - they have some of the same titles as audible - but I will bear this in mind as a future option.

Judy wrote: "I'm getting more into audio books now, so thought I'd bump this thread again! Just wondering if anyone else loves listening to books read by favourite actors?

I'm currently listening to [book:A Po..."

I also love Richard E Grant as a narrator.

I have an recording of two of the Holmes short stories read by Basil Rathbone, The Speckled Band and The Final Problem. Cadmeon released all sorts of good stuff on LP back then. Vincent Price reading Poe was part of their offerings as well as several more Ratbone/Holmes recordings.

I just listened to The Circular Staircase (again). Whoever read it was a decent reader.

I just tried listening to The Witches: Salem, 1692 and had to put it down. The reader made it sound like a sarcastic book, everything was a joke to her.

Jan C wrote: "I just listened to The Circular Staircase (again). Whoever read it was a decent reader.

I just tried listening to The Witches: Salem, 1692 and had to put it down. The..."

I do so agree that a poor narrator can just ruin a book. After a couple of bad experiences I now try to always listen to a sample first, but you can still be caught unawares if the narrator changes mid-series!

Philip Pullman's new novel, The Book of Dust, is being read on radio 4 this afternoon at 2.30 by the amazing Simon Russell Beale, then from Monday it is the book of the week or book at bedtime can't remember which.

Not a mystery but big news in the publishing world, the prequel to His Dark Materials, so thought I would mention it.

Ruth wrote: "I do so agree that a poor narrator can just ruin a book. After a couple of bad experiences I now try to always listen to a sample first, but you can still be caught unawares if the narrator changes mid-series! ..."

Definitely agree, Jan and Ruth. I now try to only listen to audio books where I really love the narrator, as, if I think they are just OK or am not sure, I often start to find it irritating after a few chapters.

I will be looking to see if I can find any more books read by Richard E Grant once I finish A Pocket Full of Rye, as I really love his voice and the way he narrates.

I just received Pocketful of Rye. Listening right now to The Mistletoe Murder: And Other Stories, read by Jenny Agutter.

I was looking on Audible yesterday and came across this which I thought looked good:Lord Peter Wimsey: BBC Radio Drama Collection Volume 1: Three classic full-cast dramatisations
There is also a volume 2 available for pre-order.

That looks great, Susan, I love the Ian Carmichael dramatisations of the Wimsey books and it's good that he did the books which weren't included in the TV series on radio.

I believe he also read some of the books on cassette but these aren't on Audible - maybe they will turn up soon too.

That's the ironing taken care of for a while, Judy. I always love ironing as it's when I listen to my audio books!

For the 'classic' twentieth century books, I have 1984, Brighton Rock and the Day of the Triffids read by Samuel West, who is one of the better readers. There are more, including A Shropshire Lad, by A E Housman.

And I have just seen that he has been doing unabridged readings of Colin Dexter's Morse books. That is even more for me to buy!

BBC 2 tonight has Front Row (TV version not radio) doing an Agatha Christie special with Kenneth Brannagh and talking about the Murderon Orient Express. Can't remember the time but it clashes with Strictly.

Thank you, Michelle - sounds well worth watching.

Thanks, Michelle.

You're welcome, looks like a good one

Audible deal of the day today is Atonement

I still haven't read this, but there has been some talk of Ian McEwan lately, so I thought some of us might be interested.

Susan wrote: "Audible deal of the day today is Atonement

I still haven't read this, but there has been some talk of Ian McEwan lately, so I thought some of us might be int..."

Too late for this daily deal, but I recommend this book...

Criminal is Audible deal of the day.

A Quiet Life In The Country is Audible Deal of the Day

A book I'm currently reading on Kindle Unlimited, A Man of Some Repute, by Elizabeth Edmondson, automatically came together with the audiobook version, read by Michael Page. Quite convenient to be able to swap to and fro between the two.

I just noticed this post on the Goodreads blog, asking for recommendations for readers new to audiobooks.

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1...

This made me wonder if anyone has recommendations for detective stories on audio (or particular readers) to get new listeners hooked?

Agatha Raisin and the Witches' Tree is an audible deal of the day today. Book 28 in the series £1.99

Cotswolds inhabitants are used to inclement weather, but the night sky is especially foggy as Rory and Molly Devere, the new vicar and his wife, drive slowly home from a dinner party in their village of Sumpton Harcourt. They strain to see the road ahead - and then suddenly brake, screeching to a halt. Right in front of them, aglow in the headlights, a body hangs from a gnarled tree at the edge of town. Margaret Darby, an elderly spinster, has been murdered - and the villagers are bewildered as to who would commit such a crime.

Agatha Raisin rises to the occasion (a little glad for the excitement, to tell the truth, after a long run of lost cats and divorces on the books). But Sumpton Harcourt is a small and private village, she finds - a place that poses more questions than answers. And when two more murders follow the first, Agatha begins to fear for her reputation - and even her life. That the village has its own coven of witches certainly doesn't make her feel any better....

Audible Deal of the Day Maigret's Revolver £1.99

Book 40 in the series.
When Maigret's .45 revolver is stolen from his home, he becomes embroiled in a murder in which the gun may have played a deadly role.

Maigret is the victim of a burglary in which the .45 revolver he had received as a gift from the FBI is stolen. That evening Maigret attends a dinner where François Lagrange, an acquaintance of Maigret's friend, is expected but fails to appear due to ill health.

Following his instincts, Maigret decides to investigate Lagrange's absence and uncovers a body stowed in a trunk as well as Lagrange, who refuses to talk and seems to have lost his mind. Only Maigret can uncover the truth - and the fateful role his revolver may have played.