June 24, 2013
Davina Porter delivers a delightful reading of this old school style English mystery. St. Michael’s College, a venerable Cambridge institution of higher learning, has fallen on hard times and the school’s coffers are weak. In an effort to raise some badly needed funds, the college hosts a group of wealthy alumni for a fundraising weekend. But all plans are thrown into disarray when one of the guests is found strangled and it is up to Detective Chief Inspector St. Just and loyal assistant Sergeant Fear to sift through the eccentric group of suspects and apprehend the murderer. Porter brings an obvious enjoyment of the material to her reading of Malliet’s novel, keeping the story moving forward at good clip, her absorbing reading perfectly fitting the tone of the book. She is more than adept in her characterizations—whether portraying a very British college master or a boorish American, she gives each character a distinctive voice that fits them to a tee. Most successful is her portrayal of Detective St. Just. A droll, professional copper with a heart, Porter makes him shine every time he appears. For those who like their murder stories more genteel than gritty this is a perfect listen. A Midnight Ink paperback.
November 30, 2009
At the start of Agatha-winner Malliet's witty third cozy to feature Det. Chief Insp. Arthur St. Just (after 2009's Death and the Lit Chick
), potential benefactors to St. Michael's College at the University of Cambridge gather at St. Mike's for an alumni Open Weekend. When someone strangles Alexandra “Lexy” Laurant, the glamorous socialite ex-wife of another attendee, pompous writer Sir James Bassett, St. Just investigates. The Cambridgeshire policeman soon uncovers a host of suspects, including Geraldo Valentiano, Lexy's playboy honey; Gwennap Pengelly, a TV reporter desperate for a scoop; Augie Cramb, a dot-com millionaire; and American financier Karl Dunning and his complaining wife, Constance. Crime novelist Portia De'Ath, St. Just's girlfriend, who longs for crusty Arthur to be more romantic, provides invaluable help in sussing out the killer.