The Strangler Vine

By: M. J. Carter

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

India, 1837: William Avery is a young soldier with few prospects except rotting away in campaigns in India; Jeremiah Blake is a secret political agent gone native, a genius at languages and disguises, disenchanted with the whole ethos of British rule, but who cannot resist the challenge of an unresolved mystery. What starts as a wild goose chase for this unlikely pair - trying to track down a missing writer who lifts the lid on Calcutta society - becomes very much more sinister as Blake and Avery get sucked into the mysterious Thugee cult and its even more ominous suppression.

There are shades of Heart of Darkness, sly references to Conan Doyle, that bring brilliantly to life the India of the 1830s with its urban squalor, glamorous princely courts and bazaars, and the ambiguous presence of the British overlords - the officers of the East India Company - who have their own predatory ambitions beyond London's oversight.

©2015 Recorded by arrangement with G.P. Putnam's Sons, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, a Penguin Random House Company (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Critic reviews

" The Strangler Vine is a splendid novel with an enthralling story, a wonderfully drawn atmosphere, and an exotic mystery that captivated me." (Bernard Cornwell)

Fascinating historical novel

This book is engaging from the start. I was not very familiar with the policies and practices of the East India Company (I knew of its existence but not the extent of its power) and I found the historical information in this book incredibly interesting. Add to that a plot and characters that are intriguing and you have an entertaining and educational read. It's action packed and I thought the pacing was perfect.
I did not care for the end. I'm not the type that needs s happy ending, but I felt a bit short changed by the ending. I was hoping for more.
The narration is excellent.

Exotic Adventure

Enthralling story. Superb narration by Alex Wyndham. I am looking forward to the next book.

history alive

very interesting story, great narrator. gives you a feel of that time and place. I enjoyed it

liked the 2nd half

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

makes the book

Have you listened to any of Alex Wyndham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

the narrator was very impressive. he fully developed the characters. a 5 star performance

Any additional comments?

bought this book because of the ravingly great reviews. started it and thought this is NOT for me. i enjoy a book with lots of dialogue, this one has lots and lots of narration. continued to read it in spurts and starts. halfway thru, it captured me and my imagination. from that point to the end, it was a 5 star read.

Start this book on a Friday.

This book cost me my sleep for 3 days, I recommend starting it on a Friday for that reason. It is so rich in suspense, adventure, emotions, history, culture, characterization. Unforgettable characters, real and fatalistic. I’m just not ready to stop hearing of Lieutenant James Avery, nor of India and the British. Will say no more to stop giving the plot away.
One more thing. The narrator. He’s got that rare emotion-laden voice. Combine that with the British accent - magical. He combines pitches and accents, giving each character its own unforgettable voice.

Non-stop adventure!

What made the experience of listening to The Strangler Vine the most enjoyable?

Alex Wyndham is an amazing narrator! Every character has his/her own expressive voice. His sense of timing is wonderful -- every action scene comes to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Avery, of course. He's so idealistic, honest, naïve, and brave. I love how he rose to hero status before the book is over. I also like how he matured and changed as a result of his adventures.

Which scene was your favorite?

The tiger hunt.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I don't remember laughing out loud, and I certainly didn't cry. But I was greatly entertained and delighted with the characters, setting, adventures, and surprising twists in the story.

Any additional comments?

The first chapter is kind of slow, but it's important to pay attention to the details in it. Once Avery's travels begin, the action is non-stop. During first half of the book I kept wondering "why?" All was explained by the end. Very satisfying ending.

not bad

not a bad book. good historical fiction. I will read the next in the series.

The reader takes a great book and makes it better!

This is an exciting and fascinating story of the British East India Company in India. It never loses its fast pace and there are surprising plot twists. The reader is so good, including his use of different voices and accents for the different characters, that I think I would have enjoyed it less had I read it in a print version.

I heartily recommend this great adventure story.

Vey enlightening on many levels

I was captivated by the main characters in this historical novel from the very beginning and felt I knew them from the inside out, feeling their frustrations, their desires and their pain. I witnessed the growth in character and sensed the anguish, especially of William Avery as he slowly reached a greater understanding of the implications of occupying another's country. There was manipulation going on behind the scenes on the part of the British military in order to maintain power. The Machiavellian techniques used during that period of history are so similar to those used in our own times as resource wars continue, that it was uncanny. Jeremiah Blake was a fascinating character, both seasoned and wise.

But it was also the people of India who added a sense of depth as they struggled, each in his or her own way, to survive under foreign rule. There was honor and dignity in the face of ruthlessness and men who would not compromise their own ideals.

What fun!

I'm an easy mark when it comes to historical adventure novels. Jack Aubrey, Richard Sharpe, any character by Alan Furst. It's great to find a new series! I don't especially want great depth, or overly intricate plotting, just a good romp through some interesting, reasonably well researched epoch with a band of rowdy, raspy characters, good good guys and really bad bad guys and a hero that just barely makes it through every time.

M.J. Carter delivers and Alex Wyndham does a great job with the narration. Buy it and enjoy!