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A Presumption of Death

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A Presumption of Death

By: Jill Paton Walsh, Dorothy L. Sayers
Narrated by: Edward Petherbridge
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About this listen

In A Presumption of Death, Jill Paton Walsh tells how World War II changed the lives of Peter, Harriet and their growing family.

The story opens in 1940. Harriet Vane - now Lady Peter Wimsey - has taken her children to safety in the country. But the war has followed them: glamorous RAF pilots and even more glamorous land-girls scandalise the villagers; the blackout makes the nighttime lanes as sinister as the back alleys of London. Then the village's first air raid practise ends with a very real body on the ground - not a war casualty but a case of plain, old-fashioned murder. And even before the second body is found, Lord Peter Wimsey and his brilliant wife are on their way to finding the killer.

©2002 Jill Paton Walsh and the Trustees of Anthony Fleming, deceased (P)2003 Audible 20th Century Crime Thrillers Historical Historical Fiction Mystery Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Village Fiction War

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Critic reviews

She brought to the detective novel originality, intelligence, energy and wit. (P.D. James)
I admire her novels . . . she has great fertility of invention, ingenuity and a wonderful eye for detail (Ruth Rendell)
She combined literary prose with powerful suspense, and it takes a rare talent to achieve that. A truly great storyteller. (Minette Walters)
All stars
Most relevant  
I have tried reading this story and I wasn't that impressed. I do like Mr Petherbridge's narration in other recordings so thought I would give it a try. I much prefer the recording to the actual book. Mr Petherbridge so carefully brings the characters to life. That and his RP BBC "Home Service" delivery which matches so perfectly with the era in which the story is set enables you to willingly suspend disbelief. As though one was listening to a very good Radio Play on Radio 4.

Completely Unexpected.

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the story is a little bit slow and straggling, but I'm mainly glad I tried it

always good to hear Petherbridge

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Largely Harriet centric story set during the early War years.Gives a very good impression of wartime village life and the social order change begining to unfold in England.

Wartime for Peter & Harriett

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A brilliant Lord Peter Wimsey mystery very entertaining, read with great feeling by Edward Petherbridge.

A Presumption of Death

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The wonderful and hugely missed Edward Petherbridge reads this ingenious tale.

WWII is underway and Harriet Vane become the lead voice.

A very real treat to be lead on such a diverting adventure of the imagination by the unparalleled and incomparable voice of Mr Petherbridge, surely the definitive portrayer of Lord Peter.

Such a treat

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Jill Paton Walsh has brought to life Dorothy L Sayers characters in an absorbing story. Edward Petherbridge is the quintessential Wimsey in my opinion.
Highly recommended

A Magnificent Job.

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Brilliant, funny, emotional and fiendishly clever. Lord Peter and Harriet Vane on top form. Bravo.

Superb wartime yarn on the home front.

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I found this book delightful, I often do not ke books written by authors after the style of those I have enjoyed for years using the same characters but this was the exception. I have purchased the next in the series and very much look forward to it

What a treasured find

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I have really enjoyed this series of books, despite reading them in the wrong order!

Finished this series

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Beautifully written in good English ! Captured the spirit of the times- altogether a real pleasure

Wonderfully evocative

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