In the Mayors Parlour, J. S. Fletcher
In the Mayors Parlour, J. S. Fletcher
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
Club: $9.97

In the Mayor's Parlour

Author: J. S. Fletcher

Narrator: John Rayburn

Unabridged: 8 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/01/2023


Synopsis

Hathelsborough marketplace lies in the middle of the town—a long, somewhat narrow parallelogram, enclosed on its longer side by old gabled houses; shut in on its western end by the massive bulk of the great parish church of St. Hathelswide, Virgin and Martyr, and at its eastern by the ancient walls and high roofs of its medieval Moot Hall. The inner surface of this space is paved with cobble-stones, worn smooth by centuries of usage: it is only of late years that the conservative spirit of the old borough has so far accommodated itself to modern requirements as to provide foot-paths in front of the shops and houses. But there that same spirit has stopped; the utilitarian of today would sweep away, as being serious hindrances to wheeled traffic, the two picturesque fifteenth-century erections which stand in this marketplace; these, High Cross and Low Cross, one at the east end, in front of the Moot Hall, the other at the west, facing the chancel of the church, remain, to the delight of the archeologist, as instances of the fashion in which our forefathers built gathering places in the very midst of narrow thoroughfares. That’s the way it once was, as you will hear.

About J. S. Fletcher

Joseph Smith Fletcher (1863–1935) was a British journalist and author. He wrote more than 230 books on a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and nonfiction. He was one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the Victorian golden age of the short story.

About John Rayburn

John Rayburn (1927–2024) was a veteran of over sixty years in broadcasting. He served as a news/sports anchor and show host, and his TV newscast achieved the largest share of audience figures of any major-market TV newscast in the nation. John was a member of the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. He was well suited to bring fascinating stories to life concerning the people, places, and things that combine to present lively observations of our day-to-day lives.


Reviews

Goodreads review by John on April 27, 2013

Although a fairly short book, it had all the required elements that I like and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fletcher, to me anyway, can be relied on to give the reader a good character sketch of the participants. This is a story of graft and corruption set in one of Fletchers favoured Northern towns. Th......more

Goodreads review by Cindy B. on March 09, 2018

Suspenseful and interest-keeping, well narrated by Librivox. Recommended.......more

Goodreads review by Susan on December 27, 2017

The Mayor of Hathelsborough is determined to remove the town's corruption but it is not long before he is found dead, in a seemingly locked room scenario. The story dragged in a couple of places where romance seemed to take over the story but an enjoyable tale when you skip those parts.......more

Goodreads review by A.M. on October 29, 2019

Our protagonist is another journalist. [as was the author] Brent is also the cousin of the victim, and the inheritor of the dead Mayor’s estate. Even though Wallingford is a new man, only lived in Hathelsborough for twelve years, he won the Mayor role by one vote and has been pushing a reform agenda......more

Goodreads review by Mark on January 17, 2025

This mystery is excellent. The plot and story line are twisted and full of surprises. The end is especially 'surprising'. This may be the best J. S. Fletcher novel I have read to date. His novels never disappoint and are regularly excellent.......more