Abracadaver

Written by Peter Lovesey

Narrated by David Thorpe

"Fine picture of period vice, good mystery plotting, and fun." —San Francisco Chronicle


A sadistic practical joker is haunting the popular music halls of London, interfering with the actors and interrupting their acts by orchestrating humiliating disasters that take place in view of the audience. A trapeze artist misses her timing when the trapeze ropes are shortened. A comedian who invites the audience to sing along with him finds the words of his song "shamefully" altered. Mustard has been applied to a sword swallower's blade. A singer's costume has been rigged. The girl in a magician's box is trapped. Then the mischief escalates to murder. Or was murder intended all along? That indomitable detective team, Sergeant Cribb and Constable Thackeray of Scotland Yard, must track down the elusive criminal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705011485

Peter Lovesey

Peter Lovesey is a British writer of detective fiction. His work has won many awards, most notably the CWA Gold and Silver Daggers, the Cartier Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement, as well as the Macavity, Barry and Anthony Awards.

Reviews for Abracadaver

[barlow304 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Every reader of mysteries is interested in the puzzle: who done it? I happy to say that the author, Peter Lovesey, plays fair with the reader. Although I cannot say much about the plot without giving too much away, I can say that the command of period detail is excellent. In particular, Mr. Lovesey has lovingly recreated the boisterous atmosphere of 19th century British music halls, with all their sentimental and tawdry acts.But when someone begins sabotaging music hall acts, Sergeant Cribb begins to look for the connections behind the sabotage. Assisted by Constable Thackeray, who would rather do anything than attend mandatory literacy classes, Cribb immerses himself in the music halls, trying to anticipate the next "accident".For anyone looking for a mystery steeped in 19th century popular entertainment, I recommend this book.