Smallbone Deceased

By: Michael Gilbert

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Horniman, Birley and Craine is a highly respected legal firm with clients reaching to the highest in the land. When a deed box in the office is opened to reveal a corpse, the threat of scandal promises to wreak havoc on the firm's reputation - especially as the murder looks like an inside job. The partners and staff of the firm keep a watchful and suspicious eye on their colleagues, as Inspector Hazlerigg sets out to solve the mystery of who Mr Smallbone was - and why he had to die. Written with style, pace and wit, this is a masterpiece by one of the finest writers of traditional British crime novels since the Second World War.

©1939 Michael Gilbert (P)2019 Soundings

great narrator

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, in large part because of the narrator. He brought the characters in the story to life. Highly recommend.

Funny dialogue, complex detail

I loved this story specifically because it was genuinely funny. I’ll read any British crime classic, but as good as some of them are at character development or plot, they’re not always amusing. This one really nailed it with the satirical humor and characters. Story kept me guessing until the end. I’ll be listening to more Michael Gilbert. Excellent narration too.

Characters & Narration

The narrator is excellent and brings this amusing group of characters to life. So enjoyed this!

Highly entertaining, superlative narration

What makes this story so entertaining are the well developed, if a bit stereotypical, characters, their interactions, and the clearly delineated narration of David Thorpe. While the author gives the reader several red herrings, he also plants many clues which make it easy to figure out the plot rather earlier in the novel than he may have wished. Still, I enjoyed this novel very much and hope to try another by this same author soon.

A whimsical delight

The story is very British, and the reader likewise is very British. You don’t have to be a bob or a dedicated Anglophile to appreciate and enjoy the book. The reader is fairly bursting with energy and enthusiasm. The characters are delightful. The story is a well-crafted mystery. I recommend it highly