De Gramont (
The Last September) achieves an Agatha Christie–style mystery while masterfully weaving the story of the maven of who-dun-its together with that of Nan O’Dea, a girl from London’s East End to explain the 11 days Christie disappeared from the world. Narrator Lucy Scott shifts through many accents, fairly seamlessly, delivering the main accent of cultured, clipped upper-crust English in a manner that sometimes lulls and sometimes chastises. Listeners will enjoy feeling as if they are at Styles with Christie until suddenly the backstory comes in and they find themselves in County Cork. There is danger afoot here, and long simmering secrets.
VERDICT Scott’s narration transports listeners back to Christie’s Britain, peopled with veterans of the Great War (some with injuries and PTSD), Sinn Fein, Magdalene laundries, mothers, children, lovers, enemies, and friends. A perfect liminal novel for a liminal time.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!