The Tragedy of X

The Drury Lane Mysteries, Book 1

By: Ellery Queen

Narrated by: Mark Peckham

In New York City in the early 1930s, a man is poisoned on a crowded streetcar during rush hour. Everyone sees Longstreet die - but no one sees the killer. Inspector Thumm's few clues all lead up a blind alley. He finally seeks the aid of Drury Lane - retired Shakespearean actor, master of disguise, and amateur sleuth. Seated amid the splendor of the vast medieval halls of his castle on the Hudson, Drury Lane hears the story from the inspector. He knows who the murderer is right away, but he refuses to reveal his identity until he has sufficient evidence for the police to arrest him.

©1932 Ellery Queen (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Quasimodo

I’m only a few minutes in and already disappointed in Peckham. Because I don’t have the book, I can’t see how it’s spelled. Perhaps “Quasi”? But if you have an mysterious old hunchback sequestered away in an equally mysterious old castle... I think the allusion to the timeless fabled literary character is pretty clear. So the pronunciation should come naturally as an abbreviation of the full (Quasimodo): which everyone ought to know how to pronounce. No less a man who’s entire career is based on art and literature.

“Kway-zee” is undoubtedly not the pronunciation and it pains me every time I hear it. How could no one along the entire process of production have picked this up?

Clever Story

Excellent New York ambience with attractive unusual characters around a classic whodunit style story. maybe old but as good as any today

Clever story but too drawn out

Clever story but the writing felt too long or boring at times. Felt like a lot of the book was a bunch of nothing happening

m9ves slowly

decent st9ry but moved very slowly. wasn't until the very last sentence that the title came to understanding.