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The Daughter of Time

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The Daughter of Time

By: Josephine Tey
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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About this listen

'Truth is the Daughter of Time' is an old proverb. And The Daughter of Time is Josephine Tey's search for the truth about the murder of the Princes in the Tower. Was the hunchback, Richard III, the monster that Shakespeare and the history books have made him out to be? With real brilliance she conducts her search in the form of a crime novel, and her investigator is none other than her famous detective, Inspector Alan Grant, who starts to examine the centuries-old scandal.

©1951 The National Trust (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Christian Fiction Classics Crime Crime Thrillers Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Mystery Thriller & Suspense Thriller Suspense
All stars
Most relevant
Beautifully read. A meticulously researched book which made me thankful for the internet! I could easily find pictures of the accused (Richard III) and historical accounts of the alleged murder (the princes in the Tower of London) on my phone whereas in 1950 the detective in his hospital bed and his gorgeous American sidekick had to rely on the British Museum, old school book histories, and public libraries. Great fun to listen to them piecing together the evidence.

Fascinating historical mystery

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It is the rare writer that can maintain the reader’s interest when the setting of the entire novel is a single hospital room, and when the subject matter is a research into, and an analysis of, historical data. But that is exactly what Josephine Tey has done. And the competent and clear reading of the text adds a further attractive dimension to it: it is Derek Jacobi doing what he does so very well. Having read the book decades ago, what a pleasure it has been to be able to listen to it now.

History without Tears

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I love the fiction yet partly non fiction style of this book. Poor Richard - makes me feel like championing him and take a small interest in English monarch history. Not so fussed on Derek Jacobi's American accent, that's about all.

Love this book

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As a fan of Richard III, I was intrigued by this take on an old tale. Derek Jacobi is an awesome narrator and I would probably have chosen this book for him alone but The Daughter of Time was recommended by another reader and I wasn't disappointed. However, I still think Margaret Beaufort was The likeliest candidate for the murders of the princes in the tower. It's nice that some are willing to look past the history books and Tudor propaganda.

Richard III revisited

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I read this years ago but had forgotten how it went. Was drawn back to it after seeing the movie 'The Lost King'. I wasn't disappointed - it's so cleverly conceived, and exposes a whole lot of lies. Leaves you questioning historians, and being more careful about believing what you're told. I highly recommend. You will not be bored.

Terrific - even though second time around

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Would you try another book written by Josephine Tey or narrated by Derek Jacobi?

I enjoyed the narration by Derek, but the story had way too many facts rather than fiction, i think i was expecting time travel to be involved and it wasn't that type of story at all.

What will your next listen be?

Finding Fraser

Which scene did you most enjoy?

All much of a muchness, main character, policeman, lying in bed with an injury, delving into the history of Richard the third through history books and with the help of a younger man who is doing research for him.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Daughter of Time?

I kept on with it as some of it was interesting as far as history goes but found it overall boring. I prefer to read a good fictional story that includes real history throughout, this was just one step above a history book, yawn.

Any additional comments?

Would probably be an interesting read for history students on Richard third and that time, a bit better than reading an actual history book!

A disappointment, not what I expected

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