Grey Mask

Miss Silver, Book 1

By: Patricia Wentworth

Narrated by: Diana Bishop

The first of the classic mysteries featuring governess-turned-detective Miss Silver, who investigates a deadly conspiratorial ring.

Charles Moray has come home to England to collect his inheritance. After four years wandering the jungles of India and South America, the hardy young man returns to the manor of his birth, where generations of Morays have lived and died. Strangely, he finds the house unlocked, and sees a light on in one of its abandoned rooms. Eavesdropping, he learns of a conspiracy to commit a fearsome crime.

Never one for the heroic, Charles’ first instinct is to let the police settle it. But then he hears her voice. Margaret, his long-lost love, is part of the gang. To unravel their diabolical plot, he contacts Miss Silver, a onetime governess who applies her reason to solve crimes and face the dangers of London’s underworld.

©1929 Patricia Wentworth (P)2007 Isis Publishing Ltd.

A Riveting Mystery

I like this story and it's twists and turns. Unfortunately, I had to restart it 3 times before I could follow the beginning.

Good narration, awful story! Not even a poor man’s Christie :(

I’m shocked that the public- never mind the publisher!- opted for a sequel after this! For my fellow Christie superfans, you will be disappointed in this book BUT her later ones are better! Maybe Wentworth was just finding her style as a writer? I really hope that’s it! I found Margo(Margaux?)/Grita to be absolutely- or, to use her favorite word,- “frightfully” mind numbing! I was so aggravated with her character that I literally could not follow the storyline! I can’t tell you how many times I had to back up bc I zoned out or fell asleep-DURING A “THRILLER”!!! 🤦‍♀️It was really as if my brain was running away from this book! 🤦‍♀️🙉🤦‍♀️ I didn’t finish it on audible because I don’t really believe in reading books that are actually repulsive- BUT- I DID check to make sure that I was correct about the solution 😉 (which I had guessed as soon as the character was introduced bc Wentworth is SUPER obvious with her clues in this book!) No spoilers but, for the record, the first chapter (and every subsequent appearance) in which the alter ego of “Grey Mask” appears, is, in my opinion, full of giveaways! Bottom line: don’t read if you value your time!🙉 However, if you are like me and you have a NEED to read a series all the way through, in order, go for it. You’ve been warned...😉

Complex storyline

Second time listening thru the series. Ms Silver is definitely old school. Plot is throughly drawn out and parts are skillfully woven together to bring the story to its conclusion.

Great Book

I loved that Charles tried to save everybody without giving up his true love. However I wish Ms. Silver played a more prominent role in the book. It was great to go back in time when women were dainty and men are gentlemen.

Old times

First, the narrator was quite good. Realizing the era in which this was written, it really has to be taken with a rather large grain of salt. Even given that the author was a woman, the women in the story are hard to take: the term ‘airhead’ comes to mind. Also, I expected Miss Silver to be more....present. Aside from that, the general storyline was pretty good. I won’t, however, be listening to any more Miss Silver. Back to Christie for me!

More Thriller than Mystery (Which is a Good Thing)

Rather than go for new mysteries set in the 20's and 30's, I go for those that were actually written in the 20's and 30's. Their authors don't need to strain at atmosphere. Language and attitudes are true to the times -- without a modern author's obligatory insertion of up-to-date post-modern (and anachronistic) opinions into the mouths and minds of their heroes and heroines.

So, here we have the popular mystery-cum-thriller tropes of a century ago unapologetically present: criminal masterminds, thuggish gang members, an outlandish conspiracy and a beautiful heroine, all transformed from cardboard cutouts to three-dimensional reality by Patricia Wentworth's knack for creating memorable characters and situations. And Diana Bishop's performance is simply top notch.

Gray Mask

great plot and very well told! love all Patricia Wentworths books....she never disappoints her readers!

Where was Miss Silver!

I did enjoy the book and the story. Very early 20th century and gosh golly I like that frightfully jolly era. I expected miss silver to be the main character but she wasn’t and I’m ok with it. I’ll definitely listen to the next one in the series.

Great read

For the era of this book it was great. I felt like I was watching an old black and white movie.

Outstanding Miss Silver

I have read or listen to every one of the Miss silver books. I thoroughly enjoyed them and I hope you will too.