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Pignon Scorbion & the Barbershop Detectives
- The Pignon Scorbion Series, Book 1
- Narrated by: Christopher Toyne
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
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Pignon Scorbion & the Barbershop Detectives
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Summary
For fans of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, author Rick Bleiweiss’ quirky new detective and ensemble cast of characters set against the backdrop of small-town England in the 1910s will feel both comfortingly familiar and thrillingly new.
The year is 1910, and in the small and seemingly sleepy English municipality of Haxford, there’s a new chief police inspector. At first, the dapper and unflappable Pignon Scorbion strikes something of an odd figure among the locals, who don’t see a need for such an exacting investigator. But it isn’t long before Haxford finds itself very much in need of a detective.
Luckily, Scorbion and the local barber are old acquaintances, and the barbershop employs a cast of memorable characters who - together with an aspiring young ace reporter for the local Morning News - are nothing less than enthralled by the enigmatic new chief police inspector.
Investigating a trio of crimes whose origins span three continents and half a century, Pignon Scorbion and his “tonsorial sleuths” interview a parade of interested parties, but with every apparent clue, new surprises come to light. And just as it seems nothing can derail Scorbion’s cool head and almost unerring nose for deduction, in walks Thelma Smith - dazzling, whip-smart, and newly single.
Has Pignon Scorbion finally met his match?
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What listeners say about Pignon Scorbion & the Barbershop Detectives
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Miss A.
- 14-06-22
Hard work
The narrators voice for the main character was ridiculous, painfully slow with an almost sighing internation. couldn't change speed on it as other characters would incoherent.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Angela
- 16-05-23
Defending narration!
I do t usually do reviews but felt I had to defend the narration, it’s certainly an unusual narration style but I loved it! I found his voice very relaxing and the storyline isn’t bad.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Tooterflooter
- 26-12-23
Unlistenable
I should have read the reviews first. Not sure if the narrators choice of voice was his or s directors but I found it irritating, making it impossible to relax into the storyline.
Really not convinced by the plot either. I'm afraid I had to give up.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- PD
- 22-06-22
Narrator’s vocal gymnastics are interesting…
The stories inside the main storyline are quite good and the characters in the book are essential to the plot… but the vocalisations are really quite off putting… so many characters and so many different dialects! Not all women speak in a slow clipped manner for example, and the narrator’s impression is just so funny… Anyway, please judge for yourself.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- rvg
- 07-10-22
dreadful narration
Can't stand the gasping style and the story isn't gripping enough to make me persevere. Gave up half way through. I did try!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Bozz
- 11-05-23
Unbelievable narration
I think this is without doubt the worst narration I have ever listened to. A number of characters talk in a strange staccato way that is very annoying. The accents are comical and I have to say it was that which made me listen to the end as I wanted to find out what the narrator would come up with next. The storyline is a novel idea but I don't know how many books I would want to listen to when 90% of it is set in the barbers. The writer is American and this series of books is award winning but as often is the case we have American terms in the writing such as "walking 3 or 4 blocks”. This seems to show a lack research which if you are going to set your series in a foreign country where the books are going to be read then I think that is even more important. The second in the series is by a different narrator so I may give it a try
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Jankit
- 17-10-23
Awful narration
I couldn’t finish this book! Awful narration and weird pauses mid sentences. The main character is overly in awe of everything done by any of the other characters
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 17-08-23
had to plough through against the narrator
narrator ruined this I'm afraid wouldn't even give 1 star for him but wouldn't allow no stars
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Bubblyhubbly
- 11-11-23
Narration
The reader’s voice was just awful and that is such a shame. Clipped and uneven tone and diction was appalling. I wish we could have a decent English narrator who can speak at an easy speed. I could not continue listening and had wanted to so much.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Mixdell
- 27-11-22
A very light and cosy mystery
There is no mystery in any of the crimes in this novel, because it is quite obvious from the outset of each who has done what and why. Pignon Scorbion cannot hold a light to Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, Shardlake or any other well drawn and clever solver of mysteries but he is a pleasant character.
If you want something light and unchallenging to lift your mood then this is for you. If you like to be kept guessing then this is not for you.
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2 people found this helpful