Rules of Murder

Drew Farthering, Book 1

By: Julianna Deering

Narrated by: Simon Vance

From the tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his cheviot trousers, he's the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered.

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he’s learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be - not the butler nor blackmailer, the chauffeur nor embezzler. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer - and trying harder to impress Madeline - Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.

©2013 DeAnna Julie Dodson (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A very good mystery

A lot of twist and turns. I think this is going to be a fabulous series. The narrator was excellent. Unfortunately for me, i am not comfortable with the religious turn the book took.

Good murder mystery

This was a mystery with twists and turns that kept me guessing. It is the first time I have read a mystery with a Christian theme that did not seem contrived. Good job!

Loved this twisty-turny cozy

I'd read a book in this series years ago and remembered I enjoyed it, so when I saw a deal for the series starter on Audible, I snagged it. I loved the narration (can't beat those oh-so-British accents and use of daaaaahling), and I loved the twisty-turny plot on this whodunit (whodunits? LOTS of murders.)

It was fun to go back to the beginning when Drew and Madeleine met each other. Sparks fly of course, and I loved that Madeleine defined herself from the get-go as a strong, intelligent, capable gal. Historically, I don't imagine a young woman would have been permitted that level of independence and freedom, but that didn't really bother me. The only thing that really felt out of place was when Madeleine voiced her religious beliefs. Without any indicators that her faith was a critical part of her character, the first few times she voiced scripture didn't feel organic to the story. Drew's faith journey, however, worked very well, and I think the author smooths this out in the next installments of the series.

Simon Vance's narration is excellent and reminded me at times of Cary Elwes's Dread Pirate Roberts in The Princess Bride and also of Robbie Coltrane's Hagrid in Harry Potter. MORE FUN! His performance paired with the author's terrific descriptions of people and scenes made it easy to feel part of the story.

I'll definitely continue reading the series with my ears.

fun mystery

“Rules of Murder” is the first book in a mystery series. The author Julianna Deering set the story in 1930s England. The book is a bit different in that we have a female author with a male main character. The book is written in the classic mystery style set by Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Arthur Conan Doyle. The author writes in a simple style and uses an active voice rather than passive. None of the prose is out of place or awkward, Deering keeps constant to the 1930 style of speech. Drew Farthering is the hero character, he is the wealthy heir to the Farlinford Processing Company his companion is Nick Dennison and Madeline Parker the American niece of Drew’s step father is the romantic item. They are all avid mystery fan readers and discuss Ronald Arbuthnot Knox, a Catholic Priest who came up with the 10 commandments for a detective novelist. In solving the murders at the Farthering home they mark off all the rules the current situation brakes. The story is written in a light style with humor, suspense and a glimpse of life in a wealthy English home of the 1930s. The book makes a delightful read and brake from more serious reading. The audio master Simon Vance narrated the book.

Absolutely Enjoyable

This was a great mystery, a cute love story, and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I like mysteries where I don't know "who dunnit" until the end and this kept my interest from the beginning. Although this story is set in the 19 thirties, it does not have much historical involvement. The performance by the narrator was exceptional. His accents helped me see the characters. I look forward to more!

Ok story, Great narration

This is a really good book and the narration was great. I only gave the story 3 stars because I figured out whodunit half way through.

Weak dialogue mars Christian cozy

The dialogue, especially between hero and heroine, is simultaneously insipid, flip, and unconvincing. Contrived plot speeds up at the end. 5 or 6 murders but I can't care about any of the characters.

Good story

I really liked the narrator and was intrigued by the murders. Well done. I will read the next in the series

Good British Cozy Except for the Religion

I agree with the first reviewer that Rules for Murder has all the marks of a classic British cozy, with the requisite country setting and dashing amatuer detective. I was put off, however, but the overt religious subplot. Not only because it doesn't belong in the genre, but because it felt like it was added after the story was written, possibly to appeal to the publisher, Bethany House. Turns out, however, the author (DeAnna Julie Dodson) has interjected her own religious philosophy onto a couple of the characters. It totally doesn't fit the story, and it turned me off to the series. Because of this, I have given the story only three stars. The publisher's summary should mention the name of the book publisher.

Simon Vance is one of my favorites and he is superb.

a mixed bag

The mystery is satisfying but also rather prolonged and boring. The book allows you to think you know what's going on to the almost end where it throws a bunch of unexpected reveals. Allowing the reader to think they know the plot contributes to it being not very interesting. Who can get excited about a plot that they think they have already solved?

if you're offended by characters who have to talk about their religious views then you can skip it, but really there is not that much proselytizing. Isn't it okay for some characters to have religious views? As long as the whole text isn't selling the same religion.

As for Simon Vance, the narrator, I don't think he's well suited to the material. There are humorous passages but everything comes across as the same tone so instead of being comic relief they're just distractions.