• Dinner Most Deadly

  • Another John Pickett Mystery
  • By: Sheri Cobb South
  • Narrated by: Joel Froomkin
  • Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (377 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Dinner Most Deadly  By  cover art

Dinner Most Deadly

By: Sheri Cobb South
Narrated by: Joel Froomkin
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

When Julia, Lady Fieldhurst, returns from Scotland restless and out of sorts, her friend Emily Dunnington plans a select dinner party with half a dozen male guests from whom Julia may choose a lover.

But Emily's dinner ends in disaster when one of her guests, Sir Reginald Montague, is shot dead.

When Bow Street Runner John Pickett is summoned to Emily's house, he is faced with the awkward task of informing Lady Fieldhurst that their recent masquerade as a married couple (Family Plot) has resulted in their being legally wed.

Beset by distractions - including the humiliating annulment procedure and the flattering attentions of Lady Dunnington's pretty young housemaid - Pickett must find the killer of a man whom everyone has reason to want dead.

©2015 Sheri Cobb South (P)2017 Sheri Cobb South

What listeners say about Dinner Most Deadly

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    277
  • 4 Stars
    73
  • 3 Stars
    21
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    279
  • 4 Stars
    47
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    241
  • 4 Stars
    73
  • 3 Stars
    17
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great story supported by excellent narration

This was my first John Picket mystery and I am just sorry I had not discovered them sooner. The book was entertaining and fun to listen to as it contains many of the things I like to read about. There’s a mystery to solve, a romance to sigh over and it takes place during Regency England, a time period that I find fascinating, especially from a social history perspective.

Though the romance between John Pickett and Julia, Lady Fieldhurst develops across the series, you can pick a book midstream – like I did – and not be lost. Each mystery begins and is solved during the one book and the romance arc develops nicely. You understand what has gone on before but there are no detailed spoilers.

The writing is wonderful. There is no purple prose here. It’s crisp, expressive and articulate. The openness of some of the characters may not be in keeping with the times but it works well in telling this story to a 21st century audience who may not understand the nuances of Regency times; It was definitely a time where you could say much without using words at all.

Joel Froomkin’s narration is excellent. His portrayal of each character is very well done. The character of John Pickett is the star. His romantic feelings for Julia, his resignation at not being ‘the right sort’ for her, his desire to honour the man who helped him rise to his current position in society all come through in the narration.

The identity of the murderer is kept until the end. I did not guess who it was, but then I rarely do. I could find no fault in the steps and logic taken to determine who committed the murder. In fact, it’s a nice change of pace to read about solutions that don’t rely on technology to help solve a crime.

Finally, a special mention goes to the character of Emily Dunnington. She is an excellent representation of what was expected of and what was condoned for a woman of her standing but underneath this, she was still a person with thoughts and feelings who was trapped by her circumstances. I loved hearing about her life and listening to her advice to Julia.

Most highly recommended.

*****
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Delicious Dinner Mystery

Dinner Most Deadly was a really great read. While I loved all of it, I adored the mystery part. Dinner party tension has always been one of my favourite murder mystery themes. In this story, Lady Julia Fieldhurst’s friend Lady Emily Dunington throws a dinner party to introduce Julia to a choice of potential new lovers. After the dinner, one ends up dead - time to call Bow Street! I loved following all the clues. Sheri is a giving author who provides all the info to the reader as John discovers it. The reader is able to follow all the steps with John, or even may manage to get to the truth before him. The backstories that are delved into regarding the suspects were all very interesting, and made me wish there were more chapters about each of them. Sheri introduces some great new characters that I hope she will keep around or maybe just bring back from time to time. This is definitely one of Sheri’s strength. She writes fascinating and fabulous characters that you want to be included in more of the series. Have to admit as much as he’s unpleasant, I enjoy reading the passages about Lord Rupert Laytham. He’s such good value and entertaining in his role, however I’m very glad he’s not the MC;) I was also delighted that Sheri chose to bring back another character from the last book, which was wonderful, am hoping we get to see more from that character popping up from time to time too.
.
Other random mentions regarding the story... I loved the matchmaking scene, it was a highlight. I also appreciated the reference to the three Bs - birth, breeding and brass and their reality. Class differences are really highlighted/magnified in this story, and rightly so. John and Julia are headed into territory where this is going to impact them dramatically, so it was imperative that the story involve all aspects of their situation. It was carefully detailed throughout the story and historically correct.

Lastly, I have been constantly impressed throughout this series with how Sheri has created a MC/hero/detective who is truly a kind, sincere good man. It is very refreshing to have a leading male who is decent, and not brooding, domineering and forceful. As a reader that means that I can enjoy John’s character and his journey completely without being conflicted by that kind of boorish behavior. There was a scene that was very slightly rough, however I seriously LOVED that Sheri did not in any way portray the anger as romantic. Intense emotion yes, but not sexy. Very well written!!

Favourite moments/quotes:
‘He was able to clear me of any involvement in Fredrick’s death, because I was innocent!’
Pickett wondered wistfully if there was any way to prove a conspiracy of five and thus hang the lot of them.
‘No one threatened to stab him with the butter knife.’
‘Particularly if he himself were unaware of the problem until quite recently, say within the last hour or two.’
‘I can assure you Mr Pickett will be well familiar with masculine bluster, after all I have met his magistrate.’
‘Mr. Pickett is leaving now, please throw...show him out.’
There could be no other reason why, in a city of a million souls, the absence of one should be so keenly felt.
This attempt at the epistolary arts joined its predecessor in the flames.
‘I doubt there is a married couple in existence who has not considered annulmnet at some point, or divorce or murder.’
‘If youth but knew. If age but could.’ (Henri Estienne)
‘Balderdash, if she were capable of such a thing I should have been dead years ago.’
‘Ah, but you know that I am not much of a lady, and I believe you have a greater claim to the title of gentleman than many who are born to it.’
Life is too short and love is too precious to waste time on things that don’t matter, not really, not when one’s future happiness is at stake.’
‘Do you know, I don’t think I shall tell you. It seems to me that a great part of your charm springs from the fact that you are utterly unaware of your own appeal. I should hate to spoil it.’

Narration: Joel Froomkin is one of those narrators who immediately makes you forget that it is just one person voicing all the different characters. His choice of accents and tones for the many characters are distinct and fantastic. Joel completely immerses the reader in the story, so it’s like taking a mini holiday. I’m loving this series and very happy that it has such an excellent narrator!

For those who like to know... an excellent clean read with no sex, profanity or graphic violence.

I received Dinner Most Deadly: Another John Pickett Mystery free in exchange for an unbiased review.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved. Every. Minute.

I read books one and two, missed book three, and now with book four, I got to enjoy John Pickett again. What a great character!!

The mystery is the same level of I-did-not-see-that-coming. The relationship between John and his Lady Fieldhurst is pretty special. It got a bit more special with this listen and I Iove that there is more to come.

The narration is beyond exceptional. If you've never listened to Fromkin, do yourself a favor and experience this guy.

I don't know how many books are in this series but I'm ready for them all.





Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Fabulous!

This book is part of a series and yet a standalone listen. I love how the author wrote a murder mystery which I did not figure out who the killer was until the very end. Sheri Cobb South is exceptionally talented and has a wonderful way of having multiple things happening in the story which fit perfectly together, yet can also be standalone items. The selection of having Joel Froomkin narrate these books is brilliant. He has so many distinguishable voices for various characters and adds so much emotion and authenticity to the books. I do not like to give away spoilers in my reviews, but I am eager to hear the next adventure of John Pickett and Lady Fieldhurst. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Excellent for what it is

I love a good mystery.
Particularly a dinner party whodunnit.
This one happens to be the stuffiest and at times, inappropriate whoduunit.
I must admit that at times I tuned out while doing laundry during the playing of the tale.
The narrator was perfect for such a story, fitting the bill perfectly.
I guess I'm still trying to figure out what subgenre works for me within the mystery.
If you're looking for something to lull you to sleep at the end of a long day, this book is for you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow

Wow! This is book 4 in the John Pickett Mysteries. I read book 3 but have not yet read 1&2. The way Sheri writes is so entertaining and clever. I am also truly taken with the narrator Joel Froomkin. Joel's voice really makes the characters come alive for me. I was gifted this audio book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Sweet and Emotional

I am greatly enjoying the John Pickett Mysteries.
The interactions between John Pickett and Julia, Lady Fieldhurst, are sweet and a little heartbreaking. Following John while he unravels the mystery is intriguing and amusing as he often tends to bumble his way through the members of the high society. John's cluelessness to his appeal to the young ladies is also quite humorous as he really has no idea what is going on or what to do about it.
It will be interesting to see where the series takes John and Julia next and what they end up doing about their marital predicament.
Joel Leslie Froomkin's performance is, as always, excellent.
I received a copy of this audiobook at my request and am providing this honest unbiased review.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sheri Cobb South NEVER disappoints

I must admit, I am a huge fan of both Sheri Cobb South and Joel Froomkin. Cobb South's writing is brilliant. She creates such rich characters. I thoroughly enjoy the humor, romance and mystery. My deepest wish is that she be hired to write for BBC.

The listener finds Lady Fieldhurst again in the middle of a murder mystery. This time while she, with the help of her friend Lady Dunnington, attempts to select a lover. Unbeknownst to Julia, she is already married! And who is to head the investigation? Yup, our handsome, dashing Mr. John Pickett. (swoon)

You will not be disappointed. I have listened to the entire series so far and on my second round of listening! I simply cannot get enough of this cast, from Mr. Calhoun, John Pickett and the Bow Street crew to the uppity relatives and acquaintances of Lady Fieldhurst.

Joel Froomkin brings all the characters back whom I've grown very fond of. It's like a family reunion to my ears. His performance of Ms. Cobb South's John Pickett series makes it hard for me to separate the brilliance of the author from the brilliance of the performer. Bravo! They make a fantastic team.

Another winner!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Confirmed John Pickett fan!

John Pickett is a Bow Street Runner living in London. He's an unlikely hero (a former pickpocket and son of a convicted criminal). Throughout the series, John's interacts with his love interest is Julia, Lady Fieldhurst, in a sweet romance.

In this story, Lady Julia's friend, Emily Dunnington, invites her to a dinner party with several eligible bachelors. Only, the evening ends with murder. John Pickett must pieces together the clues through interviews and clever observations.

Cobb's books have a winning mix of likable characters, warm humor, mystery and intrigue, and clean romance. I love this series!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review via Audiobook Boom.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

good who done it read so effectively

didn't want to stop listening and was surprised at the end, most enjoyable for a vacation pleasure activity

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful