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  • Title: Mystery of Cloomber
  • Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
  • Narrator: Delmar H. Dolbier
  • Length: 05:22:00
  • Version: Abridged
  • Release Date: 01/01/2011
  • Publisher: LibriVox
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Suspense
  • ISBN13: SABFAB9780311
Dear fellow book lovers,

This LibriVox recording of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Mystery of Cloomber was my first foray into his non-Sherlock Holmes work, and it left me with mixed feelings. The narrator, Delmar H. Dolbier, reads the entire book ([3]). While his voice is generally pleasant, his delivery is somewhat monotonous, especially in the earlier chapters ([3]). This made it a bit challenging to stay fully engaged initially.

The story itself, narrated by John Fothergill West, centers around the unsettling paranoia of General Heatherstone, the new tenant of Cloomber Hall ([0], [3], [5]). The novel builds suspense slowly, introducing elements of Eastern mysticism and a looming, mysterious threat connected to the General’s past in India ([0], [1], [5]). I found the annual climax of the General’s fear around October 5th to be a particularly intriguing plot device ([0], [5]).

The appearance of three Buddhist priests, survivors of a shipwreck, definitely heightened the tension ([0], [5]). The novel’s exploration of psychic powers and the concept of karmic retribution, while perhaps a bit dated, added an unusual dimension to the mystery ([5]).

However, I agree with some reviewers who found the mystery aspect somewhat “weak” and the emphasis on mysticism heavy-handed ([1]). The resolution, involving a past transgression during the First Afghan War and the vengeance of Buddhist monks, felt a little far-fetched, even for a story embracing supernatural elements ([5]).

Despite these reservations, I appreciated the novel’s unique atmosphere and its departure from typical mystery tropes. The setting in Scotland and the descriptions of the desolate Cloomber Hall contributed to the overall sense of foreboding ([0]).

As a free audiobook, it’s hard to complain too much about the production quality. It’s a decent listen if you’re curious about Conan Doyle’s lesser-known works or enjoy stories with a touch of the supernatural. However, those seeking a tightly plotted, classic mystery in the vein of Sherlock Holmes might find it a bit lacking. I’d probably give it a 6/10 – interesting, but not entirely satisfying.

Warmest regards,
Marcus Rivera