The Shadow of the Rope
E. W. Hornung
Read by Jacquerie
Rachel Minchin stands in the dock, accused of murdering the dissolute husband she was preparing to leave. The trial is sensational, and public opinion vehemently and almost universally against her. When the jury astonishes and outrages the world with a verdict of Not Guilty, Rachel quickly finds herself in need of protection. It comes in the form of a surprising offer of marriage from a mysterious stranger who has sat through every day of her trial. The marriage to this intriguing stranger, Mr. Steel, is by mutual agreement to be a platonic one, the only condition of which is that neither is ever to question the other about the past. The two travel to Steel’s remote country estate, where Rachel accidentally discovers that her second husband’s past was somehow intertwined with her first husband’s history – but how, exactly, and why he determined to marry her, Steel will not say. As her doubts about her husband increase, local busybodies threaten to unearth Rachel’s own past. And that is the least of the secrets that comes to light as this entertaining mystery unfolds. (Introduction by Christine Dufour) (8 hr 14 min)
Chapters
Reviews
Excellent story
mikezane
The summary pretty much covers the storyline. This book is unbelievable in its twists. You think it is going in one direction, and surprise! You are in a different direction all together. It was also very engrossing; I found myself wanting to keep listening at every opportunity. The reader is very good; she has a nice voice that is clear and easy to follow. Enjoy!
Excellent Mystery & reading
BRobert
A husband is murdered! Is the wife innocent or guilty? A stranger comes to her rescue, but why? What is the strangers motives? An author follows the trail of evidence, but does he come to the correct conclusions? I could hardly contain my control in not jumping to the last chapters to find out all of the answers and who murdered the husband. I am glad I waited. This is an excellent mystery and reading. Kept me on the edge of my seat the entire story! Great entertainment and so appreciative for Librivox readers!
A LibriVox Listener
Great story with enough twist and turns. not too many characters, so it was easy to follow. the reader was GREAT!
Lovely Melodrama Mystery
Angels Walk
I adore this volunteer reader, and thus fell under the spell of this little mystery, though not woven tightly enough to be chilling, it had a sweet love story beneath the macabre murder.
very excellent
aimzzz
The Shadow of the Rope has intriguing twists throughout-- good denouement followed by a non-classical ending. The reader is quite good-- she comes from the 3rd person perspective rather than taking on the roles.
An unusual tale
Ancient Aunt
What an unusual book. Lots to keep you guessing. I enjoyed it, and the Librivox volunteer reader did a very good job.
Wow! Great Story!
Barb Peterson
This one kept me going the whole time. So well-written and excellently read, with a surprise at the very end!
really good!!
nutse Nacy
Never heard of the author. Was very happy to find this book because it was worth It.