This Rough Magic cover art

This Rough Magic

The classic, unputdownable adventure and suspense novel from the Queen of the Romantic Mystery

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This Rough Magic

By: Mary Stewart
Narrated by: Helen Johns
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The pioneer of romantic suspense, Mary Stewart leads her readers on a thrilling journey to a Mediterranean island paradise in this tale of mystery, murder and intrigue, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Barbara Pym.

Lucy Waring, a young, out-of-work actress from London, leaps at the chance to visit her sister for a summer on the island paradise of Corfu, and what's more, a famous but reclusive actor is staying in a villa nearby. But Lucy's hopes for rest and romance are shattered when a body washes up on the beach and she finds herself swept up in a chilling chain of events.

I shuddered, and drank my coffee, leaning back in my chair to gaze out across pine tops furry with gold towards the sparkling sea, and surrendering myself to the dreamlike feeling that marks the start of a holiday . . .

(P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd©1964 Mary Stewart Crime Thrillers Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Romantic Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense Thriller Fiction Crime Exciting Celebrity Ancient Greece Ancient History
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Beautifully narrated - pitch perfect. I have read this story several times and loved it, but this audio version brings it wonderfully to life. A delightful experience

Superb

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Interesting that in spite of the occasional reminder of the age of this story, it still packs the same compelling punch. Helen Johns captures the period quality without it seeming hackneyed or compromising the quality of the storyline.

An old favourite standing the test of time

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A wonderful story telling of redemption and renewal of a widower once seeking solace in a bottle who finds the courage to stay true to his art. The two love stories are sympathetically told and the Island comes alive on the pages. Mary Stewart is a wonderful story-teller I wish more of her books were available to listen to.

Prospero's Isle

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I enjoyed this book. The Corfu atmosphere is captured very well. As usual, the books have an old fashioned period appeal, with manners and class recalling black and white films, but the heroine takes a very active part in the adventure. This book had more peril than My Brother Michael.
The references to The Tempest added to the enjoyment.
The narrator was fine, but I listened on 1.20x speed to keep the pace more clipped.

excellent fun

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A favourite book that is done total justice in this beautifully read version. Characters are well delivered, with perfectly judged subtlety, and challenging accents are handled superbly with no jarring as can so often happen in other narrations. My third listen, and one I will go back to.

Classic Mary Stewart, well read.

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