MALICE AFORETHOUGHT

Master storyteller David Timson appears to be having lots of fun delivering this British Golden Age Mystery. His performance captures each nuance of the novel's gallows humor. Dr. Edmund Bickleigh, a philanderer whom women find appealing, states that he must murder his shrewish wife, Julia. Bickleigh meticulously plans Julia's demise in hopes of marrying his latest wealthy conquest, Madeleine Cranmere. Timson flawlessly renders Bickleigh's self-satisfied certainty that he's the smartest person in the room. Believing his plans cannot fail, Bickleigh finds he needs to get rid of a few more obstacles before he can be completely content. Timson's droll, dry delivery enhances Bickleigh's deluded rationalizations. He creates an assortment of credible characters and handles the novel's final twist with finesse. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2025]