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The Mystery of Swordfish Reef

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The Mystery of Swordfish Reef

By: Arthur W. Upfield
Narrated by: Peter Hosking
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About this listen

 An intriguing case for Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte begins on a calm October day in an Australian seaside town. Three men set out to sea for a day's fishing... and do not return. Despite intensive searches, no trace of the men or their boat is found until, weeks later, a passing trawler hauls in a gruesome catch - the head of one of the missing fishermen. It is quite clear that its owner was murdered with a pistol bullet. But by whom, and why, is for Bony to find out.©1939 Bonaparte Holdings Ltd. (P)2000 Bolinda Publishing Mystery Police Procedurals Suspense Thriller & Suspense

Editor reviews

Far from his usual stomping grounds in the bush of the Australian outback, Arthur Upfield’s The Mystery of Swordfish Reef finds the willfully unorthodox Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte in an unfamiliar environment: the vast ocean off the southeastern coast of Australia, where a fisherman’s severed head, riddled with bullet holes, washes ashore after he and his crew’s fishing vessel goes missing. Frustrated with a lack of physical evidence, Bony, whose wry attitude and unassailable confidence is superbly portrayed by talented narrator Peter Hosking, immerses himself in the world of sword-fishing to get to the bottom of this seemingly impenetrable mystery.
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I found inspector Boneparte by accident when looking for the little Corsican. I have 28 titles and occasionally binge on them 10 at a time. Having a less than perfect memory, I can always enjoy them all over again with the help of Peter Hosking’s excellent rendition.

3rd time around….or is it the 4th

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great mystery as always. Always enjoy Napoleon Bonaparte mysteries with the back drop set against beautiful Australia

Bony Brilliance

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Bony faces a totally different environment whilst revealing even more of his complex nature and mixed race. I’ve read them all and this is one of the best. Peter Hosking is - as always - perfect as narrator

One of Bony’s best

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If you could sum up The Mystery of Swordfish Reef in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, logical, satisfactory

What did you like best about this story?

Bony using the talents of the local fishermen to read the sea as easily as he reads the bush.

What about Peter Hosking’s performance did you like?

I wasn't sure at first about his delivery, but he really grew on me. He has a different tone for each character and makes an excellent job of pacing the narration, too.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Engaging characters who bring the story alive.

Great story told with vigour

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