Audible Book Review: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Arthur Conan Doyle

This makes a delightful mystery listen for Christmas or anytime.

The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

    UNABRIDGED

    by Arthur Conan Doyle

    Narrated by Alan Cumming 

    LENGTH    46 mins
    RELEASE DATE    12-06-12
    PUBLISHER  Audible, Inc.

Genre: Mystery, Classic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Two-time Emmy Award nominee (The Good Wife) and Audie
Award winner for best narrator Alan Cumming here narrates Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first-rate Yuletide whodunit "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle". Cumming adds his personal flair to the mystery classic and turns in an outstanding performance of the great detective Sherlock Holmes and his pal, Watson.
Public Domain (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Holmes contemplates an abandoned hat brought to him by a local commissioner together with a fat Christmas Goose. Although Watson sees only a battered hat, Holmes deduces detailed inferences from the initials and condition of the hat. Then the commissioner bursts through the door with a blue stone found in the gullet of the goose. Holmes recognizes the gem as the famous Blue Carbuncle that was stolen a few weeks before. Now he sets out to unravel the mystery of the theft and its discovery in the goose.

Anyone who has read the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes knows the wonderful deductive reasoning that is combined with the rather snippy, snarky and subtly humorous repartee between Holmes and Watson as Holmes unwinds the mystery. The commonplace to Watson and the normal reader/listener is so much more to Holmes – because to him it is “elementary” of course! This is a quick, fun listen perfect to delight mystery lovers.

Audio Notes: The narration is perfectly fitting for a Holmes adventure -- full of dry wit and enthusiasm for the mystery! I would be glad to listen to more narration by Mr. Cumming.

I received this audio in December 2012 as a free gift with my Audible Subscription.