The Strangling on the Stage

By: Simon Brett

Narrated by: Simon Brett

When Jude agrees to lend her vintage chaise longue for the local Amateur Dramatic Society’s production of George Bernard Shaw’s The Devil’s Disciple, little does she realise she’ll end up in a starring role.

It’s an ambitious play, culminating in a dramatic execution scene: a scene that’s played for real when one of the leading actors is found hanging from the specially constructed stage gallows during rehearsals. A tragic accident - or something more sinister?

As Jude and her neighbour Carole know only too well, the Smalting AmDram Society is a hotbed of seething resentments, clashing egos, overreaching ambition and thwarted passion - but are any of the members emotionally-charged enough to commit murder? Carole and Jude make it their business to find out.

©2013 Simon Brett (P)2014 Isis Publishing Ltd

Dynamic Duo

What made the experience of listening to The Strangling on the Stage the most enjoyable?

It's not Batman & Robin, it's Carol & Jude on the case. Simon Brett is marvelous at accentuating Carol's foibles, Jude's, too. Their banter is so much fun on my four mile walks. Simon's narration is right on. He's one of the few authors who narrates their own story. He's great at it!

What did you like best about this story?

Puzzling out the actor's death on the gallows.

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

Well, he's just the best.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

He makes me laugh when describing Carol & Jude's relationship.

Another good book

Simon brett gives us another good book with Carole and Jude. They get involved with another murder and put their ameteur sleuth skills to work. It's a good book.

Fun series

A high quality cozy mystery series. Well written. I feel like I know the characters, they are funny and endearing.

Another Fethering hit

I love these books. I've read or listened to most of these books, and loved them all. I will probably go back and listen to them again they are so much fun. Try one !

Always dependable

Would you consider the audio edition of The Strangling on the Stage to be better than the print version?

I always enjoy listening to Simon Brett read his own books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jude - she embraces life and ignores the things that worry so many people eg getting old.

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

His stories are formulaic, but none the worse for that. The Strangling on the Stage did not disappoint.

Too Many Drinkie Things

I'm a big fan of this series, but 15 books in maybe some things are wearing a little thin . . . if I NEVER hear "drinkie things" again it will be too soon. To me this book wasn't as fresh or as much fun as most of the other ones. I love following the characters and some of them are missing in The Strangling on the Stage. To each their own. I will still listen to more, as this a favorite series of mine, just not this particular one.

Love Brett's reading

Narration and characters lovely as always; enjoy the development of Carol and Jude across the series. Plot slightly less satisfying than others in the Feathering group.

cozy mystery

okay, so it's a simple kind of non-threatening little mystery with interesting characters and it's a no stress kind of listening. I like the whole series and narrated well by the author

Another fun book!

As usual: the performance just as important as the book itself. Just s pleasure to listen to.

Does not disappoint

Simon Brett knows his audience and gives plenty of satisfaction, as usual. More fun from Jude and Carol.