The Tale of the Tenpenny Tontine

Tim Bruce’s narration is the secret weapon of this audiobook. He nails the tone of Anty Boisjoly—a man who sounds like he’d prefer to be sipping sherry while dismissing the entire affair as a gauche misunderstanding—without veering into camp. His performance of the secondary characters is equally sharp, especially the clipped indignation of a wronged clubmate and the oily smugness of a suspect who knows more than they let on. The production quality is crisp, with no audible distractions, which is crucial given the novel’s reliance on rapid-fire dialogue and intricate wordplay. Storywise, Fitzsimmons delivers a mystery that’s as clever as it is convoluted. The locked-room duel premise is a delightful nod to classic puzzles, but the real star is Boisjoly’s deductive process, which feels both methodical and wildly inventive. My only quibble? The supporting cast can occasionally blur together, making it hard to keep track of who’s allied with whom in the tontine’s web. The ending, while satisfying, also leans heavily on a trope that might feel familiar to seasoned mystery fans. Still, the sheer audacity of the plot and the sheer *fun* of listening to Boisjoly dismantle it with a smirk make this a standout. If you love your mysteries with a side of wit and a dash of absurdity, this is your next obsession.