The Mystery of 31 New Inn

Great Story

(5 stars)

AW

I don't usually like stories read by several narrators and some of the recordings were not good quality but the story was so interesting it didn't matter. The last reader in particular was very impressive.

A quirky story

(4 stars)

benefitsingers

This story was overall a good mystery, although there were times in that it truly frustrated me. It starts out with you thinking Jervis is the main character but really he isn't. His friend Thorndyke in my opinion was the "Sherlock Holmes" of this story and Jervis was probably Dr. Watson. Sometimes Jervis was so dim I wanted to scream. Also the one part of the case that jumped out at me as being a completely glaring piece of evidence was not focused on as much as I thought it should have been. The story also ended a bit abruptly which I found rather odd as well. Overall it is a mystery that will hold your interest and worth listening to. The narration was mixed and I only liked the male narrator's on this one. If any of those three had narrated the whole story I think that would have been much better. Kudos to those male narrators in particular Steven Seitel and Jim O'Conner (love that sweet New England accent). I will look for more books with those gentleman as narrators.

Mostly good book

(4 stars)

mikezane

Dr Thorndyke, medical doctor and detective, has been engaged on another case where a gentleman has died, leaving his fortune to his estranged brother. The case looks fishy because the will was created just before his suicide, and just after his wealthier sister died. The lawyers for the deceased can't find anything suspicious in the will, yet the timing is too perfect to be genuine. How will Thorndyke solve this case? Good story, if a bit predictable. The readers are mixed, some recordings are a bit rough, GE will filter them fine. The only minor grouch I had was the reader of the last two chapters is kind of annoying; his cadence is difficult to follow.

Very enjoyable

(4 stars)

Margaret87

Even a good story can be spoilt by a poor reader. Then again, I see from other comments that we don't all agree about who is a good or a poor reader. For instance I found R.E. Faust reading of the two last chapters very enjoyable – lively and clear, whereas an earlier reader swallowed the syllables of so many words I kept losing track. R Austin Freeman's Dr Thorndyke stories are so fascinating that even if whodidit is easy to identify, how he and his chums go about proving it is really entertaining. Thank you Librivox for these books. Being forced into inactivity for the moment, the tv not worth putting on these days, and with failing eyesight, I'd go nuts without you.

Good mystery for 2/3 of the book

(4.5 stars)

I am Jill's wasted life

The mystery had me intrigued for about 2/3 of the story. One character is especially pedantic and condescending sounding. I believe the author was attempting a Sherlock Holmes type of character, but his "Holmes" comes across as a douche to everyone around him. The mystery itself was well thought out. I believe if Mr Freeman had focused most on the mystery and developing original characters it would have been a stronger story. Most of the readers of this version are pleasant to hear. Only one or two caused me to strain to understand with a little more effort. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

Good story, good readers

(4 stars)

alclubb

I enjoyed this book but I didn't think it was as good as The Red Thumb Mark. Most of the readers were very good, with the exception of sound qualities with one and an odd, jerky cadence with another. Also, one part of the story was never explained, but it is certainly worth listening to.

(5 stars)

michelle

this was a great story and very good readers too. as a lawyer I love the use of legal terms in the analysis, which gives it a subtle humour to my ears. I loved the reading of the chase scene in the last chapter-totally modern and exciting depiction! well done.

An enjoyable mystery

(4 stars)

Larisa Moore

Unlike the dense Jervis, I figured out the solution to the mystery about halfway through the book, but enjoyed the exposition all the same. My only complaint is that the audio quality of the reading varied by reader, some chapters sounded a bit muffled.