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A Presumption of Death

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A Presumption of Death

By: Jill Paton Walsh, Dorothy L. Sayers
Narrated by: Edward Petherbridge
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About this listen

In A Presumption of Death, Jill Paton Walsh tells how World War II changed the lives of Peter, Harriet and their growing family.

The story opens in 1940. Harriet Vane - now Lady Peter Wimsey - has taken her children to safety in the country. But the war has followed them: glamorous RAF pilots and even more glamorous land-girls scandalise the villagers; the blackout makes the nighttime lanes as sinister as the back alleys of London. Then the village's first air raid practise ends with a very real body on the ground - not a war casualty but a case of plain, old-fashioned murder. And even before the second body is found, Lord Peter Wimsey and his brilliant wife are on their way to finding the killer.

©2002 Jill Paton Walsh and the Trustees of Anthony Fleming, deceased (P)2003 Audible 20th Century Crime Thrillers Historical Historical Fiction Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Thriller & Suspense Thrillers & Suspense Traditional Detectives Village Fiction War

Critic Reviews

She brought to the detective novel originality, intelligence, energy and wit. (P.D. James)
I admire her novels . . . she has great fertility of invention, ingenuity and a wonderful eye for detail (Ruth Rendell)
She combined literary prose with powerful suspense, and it takes a rare talent to achieve that. A truly great storyteller. (Minette Walters)
All stars
Most relevant  
I am a great fan of Sayers’ books and Walsh has done her proud. A delicately nuanced tale that continues the series in a very satisfying way. I had listened to the radio plays and at first I missed the variety of voices but as the book progressed I came to enjoy the narrator’s voice more and more.

Excellent Plot Well Narrated

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Of course no one can match the inimitable Dorothy L. Sayers but Jill Paton Walsh does a creditable job of honouring her in telling stories that are true to the style and characters we have grown to love.

Excellent addition to the Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane stories.

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Such a great collaboration bring new perspectives to tease out the tapestry of the Peter Wimsey tales

Wonderful story and picture of the times

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.