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A review by robertod2004
A Most Efficient Murder by Anthony Slayton
4.0
With thanks to the author, publishers BooksGoSocial Audio, and NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
A classic early 20th-century English murder-mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie!
In the midst of a birthday party being thrown for his niece at his estate by Lord Unsworth, the body of a young woman is found. She was not an invited guest, and none of the other party-goers seem to know who she is or where she came from. Lord Unsworth's secretary, Mr. Quayle, is tasked with solving the mystery on his behalf, and must operate between Lord Unsworth's extended family and Scotland Yard, neither of whom is particularly happy with his assignment. When the finger of guilt appears to point to a family member who then vanishes, Mr. Quayle must work fast to overcome obstacles at every turn and uncover the true identity of the killer!
The author did a great job of keeping the story moving forward at all times, and the characters were well-developed and engaging while the plot was sufficiently well woven to keep me guessing as to the killer's identity until practically the end. I enjoyed the setting of this story as well as its timeline, where the range of modern forensic techniques was not available and detectives had to rely on good old-fashioned policework to solve crimes
I listened to the audiobook version of this work, and the characters were represented wonderfully by the narrator, Rafe Beckley.
Overall a very enjoyable experience, and I look forward to the next installment in the Mr. Quayle mystery series!
A classic early 20th-century English murder-mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie!
In the midst of a birthday party being thrown for his niece at his estate by Lord Unsworth, the body of a young woman is found. She was not an invited guest, and none of the other party-goers seem to know who she is or where she came from. Lord Unsworth's secretary, Mr. Quayle, is tasked with solving the mystery on his behalf, and must operate between Lord Unsworth's extended family and Scotland Yard, neither of whom is particularly happy with his assignment. When the finger of guilt appears to point to a family member who then vanishes, Mr. Quayle must work fast to overcome obstacles at every turn and uncover the true identity of the killer!
The author did a great job of keeping the story moving forward at all times, and the characters were well-developed and engaging while the plot was sufficiently well woven to keep me guessing as to the killer's identity until practically the end. I enjoyed the setting of this story as well as its timeline, where the range of modern forensic techniques was not available and detectives had to rely on good old-fashioned policework to solve crimes
I listened to the audiobook version of this work, and the characters were represented wonderfully by the narrator, Rafe Beckley.
Overall a very enjoyable experience, and I look forward to the next installment in the Mr. Quayle mystery series!