Dark Clouds Over Nuala

Inspector de Silva Mystery Series, Book 2

By: Harriet Steel

Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies

Inspector de Silva's back with a new case to solve when the arrival in the hill town of Nuala of the heir to an English earldom leads to a mysterious death. Throw in a mega-rich Romanian count, his glamorous countess and an enigmatic British army officer and the scene is set for another colourful and entertaining mystery.

©2016 Harriet Steel (P)2018 Tantor

Thoroughly enjoyable

Absolutely delightful mystery very much akin to an Agatha Christie novel which includes wonderful scenic descriptions that are far better than many overly violent and vulgar stories set in current times.

Good Mystery

I like the characters in this book. The story progresses at a good clip. Both the author and the narrator have done an excellent job. The side stories involving the Sargent are cute. The dialogue is humorous. A very enjoyable listen.

Short, simple and entertaining

If you simply want a distraction from a busy life, a light listen told in a marvelous voice, with interesting characters and side stories, not to mention a happy domestic setting, you could not go wrong here. Nothing too gruesome either.

Very good 2nd outing in Nuala

This follow-up is even better than the first in the Nuala series. So far I can recommend this series. They are sweet, old fashioned, relatively short and simple mysteries in a colonial Ceylon period setting. Good character details. Top quality narration.

Interesting

Thes mysteries have an old fashioned, Agatha Christie feel. I love the mystery and the reader

Great listen

I enjoyed this so much more than the first novel in the series. The story moves along at a sprightly pace and the characters feel more rounded. I especially enjoyed the twist at the end and felt it added a great deal of substance to the overall experience.

Wonderful book!

Full of the sights and sounds of 1930s Ceylon, this book is not just a murder mystery but, in a way, an adult fantasy. I say this because the loving relationship of Inspector de Silva and his wife is not realistic. But I love to make believe that a relationship like that could exist!

This story has atmosphere, suspense, action, and, most importantly, a happy ending. Even though many of the characters are almost more caricatures than real people, I still enjoy hearing about them via Davies masterful narration, complete with a myriad of accents.

The story brings in some historical realities such as the looming possibility that “the war to end all wars” (WWI) may not end up being the last war, and the colonialism by Great Britain may not last, if the Ceylon people have anything to say about it. But these aspects are not dwelt upon in such a way as to make the story depressing. As I said, it’s a bit like a happy fairy tale for adults.

I really enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book!

Delightful Mystery in Ceylon

This second novel starring Inspector Da Silva and his wife Jane is better than the first - more character development, more action, and more happiness. Love the details surrounding teatime, local cuisine, gardens, the customs and habits of this period in British Ceylon. Beautifully narrated too!