Audiobook Review: The Murders of Richard III by Elizabeth Peters

The Murders of Richard III
Author: Elizabeth Peters
Series: A Jacqueline Kirby Mystery (Book 2)
Narrator: Grace Conlin
Publication: William Morrow; Reprint edition (October 13, 2009); Blackstone Audio (February 21, 2007)
Length: 230 p.; 6 hours and 51 minutes

Description: When attractive American Jacqueline Kirby is invited to an English country mansion for a weekend costume affair, she expects only one mystery. Since the hosts and guests are all fanatic devotees of King Richard III, they hope to clear his name of the 500-year-old accusation that he killed the little princes in the Tower of London.

Jacqueline is amused at the group's eccentricities until history begins to repeat itself. A dangerous practical joker recreates famous 15th-century murder methods: beheading, poisoning, smothering, and even drowning in a butt of malmsey. As the jokes become more and more macabre, one at last proves fatal.

Jacqueline puts all her observations together for a dazzling solution that will surprise even the most attentive listener.

My Thoughts: This was an enjoyable story to listen to. It is Jacqueline Kirby's second adventure. She's a librarian and amateur sleuth. This time she's in England meeting with her old friend Thomas. He invites her to a house party who attendees are all devoted to proving the innocence of King Richard III.

The house party is filled with a variety of interesting characters - the rich eccentric host, the army man, the vicar, the alcoholic author with designs on the host, the poor relation and her two children - one a precocious and distasteful son and the other her attractive daughter, and the daughter's lawyer suitor. 

Each guest has adopted the role of one of the principals of Richard's cronies. When a series of "accidents" begin to happen that mimic the fates of those cronies, Jacqueline in on hand to determine who the perpetrator is and what his goal is.

Grace Conlin did a fine job with all the voices. I really like her interpretation of Jacqueline. 

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.