Christopher Quarles: College Professor and Master Detective
Percy James Brebner
Read by Tony Posante
Christopher Quarles is a professor of philosophy and a private consulting detective. Quarles, along with his granddaughter Zena, assists Police Detective Murray Wigan in solving various crimes and mysteries in Victorian England. Whereas the police look for facts and then form a theory of a case, Quarles first forms a theory, often seemingly absurd and based on little more than intuition, then seeks facts in support of it. Of course, to the astonishment of all concerned, Quarles' theories usually prove to be quite right! Christopher Quarles: College Professor and Master Detective was written by Percy James Brebner (1864-1922) and first published in 1914, a time when motor cars and electric lights were new marvels of the industrial age. (Summary by Tony Posante) (7 hr 29 min)
Chapters
Reviews
A Poor Imitation
Elf Brown
The "stories", in this book, read more like reports or lectures. There is no character or plot development. As another reviewer mentioned, the reader is not privy to most of the salient facts that are required, to solve the cases, so cannot take part in the solving. The reader has a pleasant, clear voice, but, for some strange and inexplicable reason, chooses to use a voice and cadence, for Quarles, that is a cross between Kermit the Frog and W.C. Fields, which is beyond irritating. I would have been a lot more disappointed about it, had the book been one worth listening to. If subpar writing is ok, with you, then you may enjoy this book. Otherwise, go grab some Malcom Sage and/or The Cracksman.
Jon Mark Wilson
As a PhD and adjunct I hoped I would find more personal connection with the university professor and amateur detective. But his quirks and backstory are not so interesting as are those of Holmes, Marple, Father Brown, or Nero Wolfe. That is reason enough he did not make it into the pantheon. Also, the premise on which he functions, or at least the way the author executes the premise, is not conducive for arm-chair puzzle solving as Queen or Wimsey. Without that dimension the detective's quirks need to be interesting, like Holmes. Oh well. Indiana Jones is proof that not all academics are boring!
Second-Rate
TwinkieToes
The cases are interesting, but they're often "solved" in an unrealistic way. The solution comes without much warning, or with prior facts missing, such that the reader does not have a chance of solving it on one's own. The reader used a weird cadence for Quarles' voice, such that it was hard sometimes to understand what was being said, which was especially frustrating when the character was explaining the solution. Couple this with the author's swift and summary solutions, and it made it worse. One extra star for effort on the reader's part, because I don't want to be mean.
A different crime solver
oldman
Good mystries enjoyed them. Good job of.reading by Tony Posante hope he continues to read for Librivox,as I believe.this is his first reading. The mysteries are as summary says the professor forms a theory and then finds facts to prove it. Thanks Tony and Librivox. Worth a listen enjoy!
tellmeatale
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories and the narrator was great. I see he hasn't any other books listed which is a shame! These stories are a little far fetched but if you like detective tales of old you will enjoy these I believe.
Love it, and the reader.
loppsi01
I am a bit sad that this reader gets bad attention, I think he does quarles lovely. And as to the stories they have their own charm. 5 stars from me.
Not quite
Jacquesuse
This is a shame because the reader does alright until he puts on Quarles’ voice which sounds like Kermit the Frog and becomes so annoying that I gave up listening