The Murders of Richard III

A Jacqueline Kirby Mystery

By: Elizabeth Peters

Narrated by: Grace Conlin

When attractive American Jacqueline Kirby is invited to an English country mansion for a weekend costume affair, she expects only one mystery. Since the hosts and guests are all fanatic devotees of King Richard III, they hope to clear his name of the 500-year-old accusation that he killed the little princes in the Tower of London.

Jacqueline is amused at the group's eccentricities until history begins to repeat itself. A dangerous practical joker recreates famous 15th-century murder methods: beheading, poisoning, smothering, and even drowning in a butt of malmsey. As the jokes become more and more macabre, one at last proves fatal.

Jacqueline puts all her observations together for a dazzling solution that will surprise even the most attentive listener.

Download another Jacqueline Kirby Mystery.©1974 Elizabeth Peters (P)1995 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Highly entertaining." (The New York Times)

Fairly entertaining

I have listened to all the Egypt novels by Miss Peters, and wanted to enjoy more of her work, so I bought this novel. I found it somewhat complicated, but not as engaging or as humorous as the "Peabody" novels. In fact, the repetition of the arguments about the true history of Richard the Third got rather annoying. There are some interesting plot twists, and some fairly interesting characters, but overall, not nearly as entertaining as the Egyptian series.

Richard, Bla bla, bla, Richard

This book might have been enjoyable but it was just so wordy. They just kept going over the same things.

Somewhat Disappointing

Having read all the Amelia Peabody books and a number of Elizabeth Peters'/Barbara Michaels stand-alones, I went back to the Jacqueline Kirby series. I'd read two before: "The Seventh Sinner" was OK & so was "Die For Love," which I recall takes place after a big time lapse. This book disappointed me. Perhaps if you're steeped in English history you can easily keep the characters straight, but I'm not and I couldn't. I remember a lot about Henry VIII's wives and the long rule of Elizabeth I. Not much before that. I also usually hate Grace Conlin's reading but this one wasn't bad.
What I didn't like about this book -- besides my needing a scorecard (or a cheat sheet as I once wrote for "The Brothers Karamazov") -- was Jacqueline seemed an insufferable know-it-all. She's always prepared and always perfect and knows everything. (It would have given Grace Conlin a perfect opportunity to sound sneeringly supercilious as I think she often comes off, but she didn't.) Jacqueline versus Amelia is no contest. Amelia is beloved -- and imperfect, sometimes adorably so. I don't recall Jacqueline being such a stick in either of the other two books I read...
If you know all about Richard III and all the significant historical characters in his orbit, maybe you will love this book. I didn't.

Interesting

just fun story. the reader seemed rushed in beginning and did not have a 'story telling' tone. more monotone. for me the subject was not familiar. but was still able to follow the story.

Dull

The second book in a great series, Jacqueline and her oversized handbag are in England at a house party for Richard the III story is boring as hell took to long to find out who the killer
Was and why he was ever there. Hope this is a set filler to the 3rd book. 1st book in the series was very funny and induced are female sleuth , and her multi faceted personality. I really enjoy the fact that the book is written in the 70s but it still feels current because there are not references to a lot of pop culture just general facts about every day. Life is so much better.