Audiobook Sample
Listen to the sample to experience the story.
Please wait while we verify your browser...
- Title: Daffodil Mystery
- Author: Edgar Wallace
- Narrator: Various Readers
- Length: 07:01:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2011
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Suspense
- ISBN13: SABLIBX978420
There’s something magical about discovering a vintage mystery while in motion – whether it’s the rhythmic clatter of train tracks beneath you or the hum of tires on asphalt. I first encountered “The Daffodil Mystery” during one such journey, listening through earbuds as my overnight bus climbed through the misty Andes. The experience reminded me of those evenings in Oaxaca where stories unfolded like intricate tapestries – and Edgar Wallace’s 1920 crime novel proved just as transportive.
The story opens with that classic Wallace flair – a crime so audacious it borders on theatrical. What follows is a deliciously convoluted plot involving stolen jewels, mistaken identities, and of course, those signature yellow flowers that give the novel its name. As someone who’s spent years documenting hidden histories in my travels, I particularly appreciated Wallace’s attention to period detail – the way he captures post-WWI London’s social anxieties through smoky parlors and tense police stations.
This LibriVox production features multiple narrators, which creates an interesting dynamic. At first, I missed the consistency of a single voice (my mind drifting back to that Chilean desert where García Márquez’s narrator carried me seamlessly through decades). But gradually, the shifting voices grew on me – each bringing distinct character to different chapters like storytellers passing the tale around a fire. The amateur recording quality actually enhances the period charm; you can almost picture these voices emerging from a 1920s radio play.
Wallace’s detective here isn’t his famous J.G. Reeder, but rather an equally compelling protagonist whose deductive prowess unfolds through keen observation – a skill any travel writer must cultivate. Listening to his investigative process reminded me of learning to read a foreign marketplace: noticing which vendors avoid eye contact, which items are displayed too prominently. The novel’s central theme of deception resonates deeply in our age of curated social media personas; Wallace understood how easily surfaces can lie.
Some contemporary listeners might find the pacing uneven by modern standards – Wallace luxuriates in red herrings that today’s thriller writers might trim. Yet these detours contain delightful period details: the precise way a gentleman adjusts his cuffs, the specific make of a villain’s automobile. For audiobook listeners craving immersion, these textures are pure gold.
The multiple narrators handle dialogue particularly well, differentiating characters through subtle vocal shifts rather than exaggerated accents. One reader’s interpretation of the mysterious femme fatale lingers in my memory – her measured cadence perfectly capturing the character’s dangerous allure. It’s a performance that would make that Oaxacan grandmother nod in approval.
While not as psychologically complex as later crime fiction, “The Daffodil Mystery” offers something equally valuable: a perfectly constructed puzzle that plays fair with its audience. Like following a local guide through unfamiliar streets, Wallace leads you down every relevant alley before revealing how they connect. The solution, when it comes, satisfies both intellectually and emotionally – a balance many modern mysteries struggle to achieve.
For travelers who enjoy audiobooks, this free LibriVox edition makes ideal companionship. Its episodic structure suits fragmented listening – perfect for airport layovers or long bus rides. And unlike contemporary thrillers demanding constant attention, Wallace’s prose forgives the occasional distraction when your journey requires it.
Having documented crime stories from Mexico City’s archives to Bangkok’s back alleys, I recognize Wallace’s enduring legacy. His work forms a bridge between Victorian sensation novels and hardboiled detective fiction – and hearing it aloud makes that literary heritage feel vibrantly alive. The occasional audio imperfections become part of the charm, like finding marginalia in a secondhand book.
If your travels (literal or literary) lean toward classic mysteries, this audiobook deserves a place in your queue. Just be warned: those daffodils will haunt you long after the final chapter. I found myself studying every yellow bloom during my Andes trek, half-expecting them to conceal clues.
Wishing you thrilling tales and safe journeys, wherever stories may lead you.
Marcus Rivera
