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The Strangler Vine

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The Strangler Vine

By: M. J. Carter
Narrated by: Sam Dastor
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About this listen

Longlisted – Baileys Women’s Prize 2014

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of M. J. Carter's The Strangler Vine, read by the actor Sam Dastor.

India, 1837: William Avery, a fresh young officer in the East India Company, arrives in Calcutta expecting to be seduced by its ancient traditions. Nine months later he hasn't learnt a word of Hindoostani, is in terrible debt, and longs to return home before the cholera epidemic finishes him off.

A few months earlier, so rumour has it, the infamous and disgraced poet Xavier Mountstuart leaves Calcutta in order to track down the last of the remaining Thugs, a sinister secret fraternity notorious for strangling thousands of travellers. But after reaching the kingdom of Jubbulpore, Mountstuart mysteriously disappears.Then the Company leads Avery to Jeremiah Blake, an unruly ex-Captain who has embraced native life. Their mission? To cover 700 miles of treacherous road in three weeks and find Mountstuart. A more unlikely duo couldn't be imagined, but they must bury their differences if they wish to succeed - for all is not as it seems, and at the rotten heart of everything lies the secret of the macabre Thugs....

©2014 M. J. Carter (P)2014 Penguin Audio Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting

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All stars
Most relevant  
This book has been thoroughly enjoyable. An excellent adventure story, well written and very well narrated. The characters are both believable and likable. I would recommend

Good adventure story

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Well plotted, well written.
A genuine sense of loss when the book came to an end. Thank goodness there are more!

Utterly brilliant

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Great story that builds slowly and takes its time to get there. Worth while sticking with it The only downside for me is the narrator can occasionally get his accents in a muddle and the West Country protagonist sounds a little forced since it's in the first person. Still loved it though.

Great romp through the Raj.

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I initially downloaded this book on the strength of the narrator whom I came across in the Vish Puri series. The prologue was a bit confusing - perhaps it would have been better in the written novel to actually see the context, but once I was through the first few chapters I was hooked. The conversion of Lt Avery from naive unhappy boy to confident man was as compelling as was the historical background across which it took place. The historical afterword was as interesting as the story.
Well written and superbly narrated by Mr Dastor I really recommend this book..

Slow start, but well worth the perseverence

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I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the story but was hooked after the first chapter, from initial dislike of the main character to becoming fascinated on the outcome. Wonderfully written and spoken, a very absorbing novel story and intriguingly learnt a great deal more about the company rule in india.

Unexpectedly brilliant

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Strangler Vine to be better than the print version?

Don't know

Who was your favorite character and why?

Don't consider books in this way. I'm more interested in the way the story unfolds different characters and how their personalities influence what happens

Which character – as performed by Sam Dastor – was your favourite?

As above

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

This format for reviews is really unhelpful.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dan Snow's recent TV series the 'Birth of Empire' about the East India Company and decided to read this novel to complement it. Although a novel, several historical characters are included and I found the story both believable and fascinating. Sam Dastor brought characters to life with consistent accents and a lively rendition. If like me you have an interest in understanding how history influences what happens today, this is an intriguing glimpse into the 'foreign', in every sense, world of late 1830s India.

The East India Company's later machinations

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I love stories that encompass British Colonies! This particular story about junior officer for the East India Company, William Avery, and how he gets thrown into an adventure involving cruel thuggees in the jungles of India, wasn't bad at all. It was interesting and at times exciting. The ONLY thing that let the book down for me, was the narration. The narrator's tone fell at the end of every sentence, and that was extremely frustrating to listen to! Otherwise, a great story, which I can safely recommend.

Thuggee hunting (and escaping) in Colonial India

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Having just finished Rudyard Kipling's 'Kim's, I did not expect to listen to something equal in historical, and literary quality.
The book grasped my attention to the very end.

Excellent.

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A brilliant story that takes the listener back in time to the days of the raj. I have now downloaded all of the rest in this series.

Rip roaring yarn straight out of “Boy’s Own”

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An interesting and enlightening tale that grips from the start. The narration was a pleasure.
A worthy read.

A compelling read.

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