The Daffodil Mystery


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.3 stars; 153 reviews)

Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace (April 1, 1875–February 10, 1932) was a prolific British crime writer, journalist and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and countless articles in newspapers and journals. Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author.
In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.

He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime. (Summary from Wikipedia) (6 hr 56 min)

Chapters

AN OFFER REJECTED 12:23 Read by J. M. Smallheer
THE HUNTER DECLINES HIS QUARRY 13:18 Read by Esther
THE MAN WHO LOVED LYNE 9:42 Read by Sibella Denton
MURDER 13:46 Read by Gesine
FOUND IN LYNE'S POCKET 10:08 Read by Esther
THE MOTHER OF ODETTE RIDER 12:57 Read by Sibella Denton
THE WOMAN IN THE CASE 13:56 Read by Lucy Burgoyne (1950 - 2014)
THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY 11:09 Read by Lucy Burgoyne (1950 - 2014)
WHERE THE FLOWERS CAME FROM 12:39 Read by Nathalie J.
THE WOMAN AT ASHFORD 7:48 Read by Nathalie J.
"THORNTON LYNE IS DEAD" 8:44 Read by Nathalie J.
THE HOSPITAL BOOK 12:06 Read by Nathalie J.
TWO SHOTS IN THE NIGHT 11:05 Read by Nathalie J.
THE SEARCH OF MILBURGH'S COTTAGE 14:59 Read by Annika Feilbach
THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL 4:59 Read by Katie Gibboney
THE HEIR 10:07 Read by Katie Gibboney
THE MISSING REVOLVER 15:16 Read by Melissa
THE FINGER PRINTS 11:33 Read by Melissa
LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH 14:05 Read by Julie Bynum
MR. MILBURGH SEES IT THROUGH 9:29 Read by Katie Gibboney
COVERING THE TRAIL 6:17 Read by Katie Gibboney
THE HEAVY WALLET 9:29 Read by Sibella Denton
THE NIGHT VISITOR 7:45 Read by Belinda Brown
THE CONFESSION OF ODETTE RIDER 9:10 Read by Belinda Brown
MILBURGH'S LAST BLUFF 9:10 Read by Belinda Brown
IN MRS. RIDER'S ROOM 10:15 Read by Lucy Burgoyne (1950 - 2014)
THE LAUGH IN THE NIGHT 11:05 Read by Lucy Burgoyne (1950 - 2014)
THE THUMB-PRINT 8:01 Read by Mary Anderson
THE THEORY OF LING CHU 13:01 Read by Sibella Denton
WHO KILLED MRS. RIDER 9:03 Read by Mary Anderson
SAM STAY TURNS UP 9:22 Read by Katie Gibboney
THE DIARY OF THORNTON LYNE 15:10 Read by Katie Gibboney
LING CHU—TORTURER 12:55 Read by Julie Bynum
THE ARREST 7:41 Read by Sibella Denton
MILBURGH'S STORY 17:07 Read by Julie Bynum
AT HIGHGATE CEMETERY 7:44 Read by Mary Anderson
LING CHU RETURNS 10:00 Read by Melissa
CHAPTER THE LAST. THE STATEMENT OF SAM STAY 13:04 Read by Melissa

Reviews

Exceptional story!


(5 stars)

Edgar Wallace has a singular talent with writing a good mystery novel that keeps you wondering who the bad guy is while interjecting a nice romance in the middle of it. This is done without getting too sloppy or unbelievable. The addition of the Oriental assistant in this story adds to the mystique of the detective, who is called in to help solve the murder of a person who had only a day before tried to hire him. The twist? The victim had tried to hire the detective to FRAME someone! The story starts quickly, moves at a quick pace, and keeps you listening up until the end. The readers of the book also did a fabulous job.

Thanks to all the readers!


(5 stars)

Enjoyed the story. It strikes me as odd that some of the readers get so much stick. As they are volunteers I would like to say thank you.


(4 stars)

My wife and I like listen as we drive on lengthy trips. This one certainly kept our interest. Most of the readers were fine (only one was seriously lacking in expressiveness). Generally the plot was intriguing and outcomes were hard to predict. Of course some outcome had to be made for a century-old socio-economic situation, but this was i not problematic. Wallace will be travelling with us again in the future. m

Mystery / Quaint Romance


(4 stars)

This would have earned 5 stars but for the disparate narration. These LibriVox volunteers are terrific, and I've the utmost respect, admiration and sincere gratitude for their efforts. I, however, lost the thread with each new volunteer, and therefore found it difficult to follow the story. So, I just listened to some chapters again.

Loved this mystery/romance


(5 stars)

Detective Jack Tarling has returned to London from Shanghai, where he earned his reputation as Lieh Jen, the Hunter of Men. He's called in by Thornton Lyne to investigate a substantial theft only to see the job turn into one of petty vengeance against Odette Rider, a pretty young clerk in Lyne's store who has rejected his advances. Tarling rejects the job but later pays a call on Odette to warn her of Lyne's attempts to frame her for theft. Imagine his surprise when he is called in by Scotland Yard to consult on the murder of Thornton Lyne in Odette Rider's flat, only to find that Miss Rider has disappeared without a trace. The story has plenty of twists and turns, keeps you guessing, but doesn't stretch belief. And under it all you see Jack Tarling's growing attachment to Odette, and his struggle to piece together the mystery that surrounds her and Lyne's death. It's a great mixture of mystery and romance - one of those books that keeps you up far into the night to find out what happens next.

My God !


(4 stars)

You don't like some readers ? then lets hear you read a chapter or two with your undoubtedly utterly superb voice. You know all these readers volunteer their time, do not get paid, and you miscreants lambast them like you got ripped off. If you don't like the readers than YOU amateur, stupid, insensitive critics, buy the audio book ! I and so many of us who are disabled and thus poor, or who are screwed by this neoliberal economic system who have to work three crap jobs just to keep a roof over our heads, and have no money left for education, recreation or entertainment other than the boob tube are grateful for this free edifying, educating and entertaining service. I am an agnostic but I can't but help say god bless Librivox and Internet archive, its volunteers, staff and its monetary donors and underwriters.

LIFE IN THE 1920s A MYSTERY


(4 stars)

This contains vivid descriptions of 1920s life, its economy, communications and technology which is interesting. If you can gt past the stereotyping or racism inherent in the reference to the Chinese assistant and see it as a depiction of how prejudices were at the time (and referenced albeit briefly, both ways) mingled as well with respect for the assistant's abilities, it has intrigue, romance, plot twists. A novel of its time as well as structured excellently in a timeless way.

convoluted


(3 stars)

The excellence of the readers cannot disguise the fact that this story is over long. The numerous false trails become irritating and it felt like an endurance test to reach the end. One of Mr Wallace's pot boilers and more of a historical curiosity than an enjoyable experience