The Cornish Coast Murder

By: John Bude

Narrated by: Ben Allen

The reverend Dodd, vicar of the quiet Cornish village of Boscawen, spends his evenings reading detective stories by the fireside - but heaven forbid that the shadow of any real crime should ever fall across his seaside parish. But the vicar's peace is shattered one stormy night when Julius Tregarthan, an ill-tempered magistrate, is found at his house in Boscawen with a bullet through his head.

The local police inspector is baffled by the lack of clues. Suspicion seems to fall on Tregarthan's niece, Ruth - but surely that young woman lacks the motive to shoot her uncle dead in cold blood. Luckily for Inspector Bigswell, the reverend Dodd is on hand.

©2014 Martin Edwards (P)2016 Soundings

Disappointing

it is not fair to the reader when the murderer is an underdeveloped character. With a backstory introduced in the last 3 chapters, the reader has no chance of solving the mystery.

Not the first Meredith book

This book and The Lake District Murder, the actual first William Meredith novel, were written in 1935, which might explain the error. I see no way to report this error to Audible, though.
I did very much enjoy the book, though, although the red herrings are quite thick, and we are not given enough information to solve it ourselves.
It is good writing otherwise, which makes up for it. And well read, as well.

Fine (not great) British "Cosy"

This is a fine--not great--British cosy. Post WWII, small town, nosy vicar. I guess most of the clues you need to solve the mystery are here but not all of them and definitely not enough to know a motive before it is revealed. As such, it misses the head slapping "why didn't I see it?!" of the best of the golden age of British detective fiction.

Also to note, this book is listed by Audible as the #1 in the Superintendent William Meredith series. No such character makes an appearance here. I think he may not debut until the next book.

Awesome

this was a really great story enjoyed it from start to finish plot was great

First Bude I’ve listened to....

I read this book earlier and liked many of the characters. I felt the full range of emotions as the story progressed..
Encountering a policeman who had brains and yet was not so egotistical he wouldn’t listen to anyone else was refreshing.
I look forward to more books by Bude.