Death and the Joyful Woman

When a millionaire is murdered in the English Midlands, Inspector George Felse of the local constabulary makes an arrest that disturbs his teenage son Dominic profoundly: the accused is Kitty Norris, Dominic's first love, and Dominic cannot accept the evidence that points to her guilt. His determination to clear her name leads him into an investigation that cuts directly across his father's, putting them on opposite sides of a case that could destroy both their relationship and their careers. Ellis Peters's second Felse Investigation won the 1963 Edgar Award for Best Novel.

Simon Prebble narrates with the precise, intelligent delivery that British classic crime demands, giving the Midlands setting its proper texture and the moral complexity of the father-son conflict its weight. His performance captures both the adolescent certainty of Dominic's conviction and the professional objectivity Felse must maintain even as his son works against him. At just over seven hours, Death and the Joyful Woman is a tightly crafted award-winner that translates beautifully to audio.