Number Seventeen
Louis Tracy
Read by Kirsten Wever
The number Seventeen refers (at first) to the London apartment of a young widow who is strangled (off-scene) at the beginning of the book. Her neighbor, novelist Frank Theydon, joins with millionaire-philanthropist James Forbes to bring the murderer to justice. In the end, we discover that there is another sinister meaning to the number seventeen.
The international theme is dominant, beginning with a discussion of the possible danger posed by advances in air technology: will such advances bring the weapons of war to the skies – as submarines bring them to the seas? (The book was written before World War I.) This theme dominates the book, whose Asian “bad guys” represent the so-called Yellow Peril (widespread fears that the growing powers of Japan, China and other Asian countries posed great threats to the west).
“The law” is here represented by Scotland Yard’s Chief Superintended Winter and his friend, enemy and side-kick, Inspector Furneaux. Winter is big, burly, friendly, straight-forward and conventional. Furneaux is (of course, representing Winter’s opposite) small, puny, uncannily intuitive, often devious and unconventional.
- Summary by Kirsten Wever (9 hr 5 min)
Chapters
Reviews
Marigold
The three stars are for the reader who is quite clear even though she is lacking in expression a little. I'm not giving the story any stars as I thought it was lame and ultra sensational without any depth. The main character was quite a jerk at the beginning of the story but he did behave better after awhile and of course got engaged to the pretty girl at the end. I listened to The Postmaster's Daughter and also The Strange Case of Mortimer Fenley by the same author and enjoyed those quite well so this book was a sad disappointment.
WN
Enjoy the mystery stories that the reader selects so far. She has an even paced reading style that is very clear, relaxing, and not too loud or too quiet. Plus I enjoy catching the occasional purring or faint meowing of a cat in the background every now and then.
ndl
Always enjoy your reading. Thank you! Very enjoyable mystery/romance. Although some may be offended by the racial and ethnic slurs of the time, I find that it makes me appreciate more fully the journey toward unity.
Great mystery, excellent reader
Linda Givler
This kept my interest throughout the reading. The characters represent the time period well and the values of the time. The story moves right along and never lost my interest.