The Cryptic Lines
Author: Richard Storry
Narrator: Jake Urry
Publisher: Richard Alan Storry
Length: 4 hours and 13 minutes (unabridged)
Length: 4 hours and 13 minutes (unabridged)
Audio Release Date: March 16, 2016
Genre: Mystery
Set
in a sprawling gothic mansion in a remote coastal location, somewhere in the
British Isles, the elderly recluse Lord Alfred Willoughby is deciding what is
to become of his vast fortune after his death. Whilst his head is telling him
to leave nothing at all to his wastrel son, Matthew, his heart is speaking
differently. After much deliberation, in a last-ditch attempt to try and show
to his son the importance of applying himself to a task and staying with it to
the end, he devises a series of enigmatic puzzles cunningly concealed within
the lines of a poem – the cryptic lines. If he completes the task successfully and
solves the puzzles he will inherit the entire estate; but if he fails he will
receive nothing. However, from Lord Alfred’s Will it emerges that Matthew is
not the only interested party. The mysterious old house holds many secrets, and
nothing is as it first appears…
The story,
set in a sprawling Gothic mansion owned by the elderly and recluse Lord Alfred
Willoughby, begins as he calls on his lawyer, to make a final revision of his
will. Lord Willoughby is torn on what to
leave is only living son, Matthew, because he has proven to making poor
financial choices and is always coming to his father for money. Lord Willoughby decides though to make
Matthew work for his inheritance by creating a challenge that will hopefully prove
he has ‘grown-up’ and ready for the responsibility that comes with enormous
wealth. If Matthew can’t complete the
challenge in the allotted time, he receives nothing. Matthew, who is a greedy and lazy son, will
stop at nothing to ‘win’ the fortune he feels he is entitled to.
With
cryptic clues, hidden secrets and an old mansion, this story is filled with so
many twists and turns, I could not help but keep listening nonstop until the
very end. Richard Storry has a definite talent
of drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked and guessing the outcome. I, for one, was shocked at the ending,
because I didn’t see it coming – at all.
This
was my first audio book narrated by Jake Urry, and I will have to say that he
did an excellent job at portraying each of the characters in a way that created
the perfect atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.
His voice MADE me want to listen - to hang on to each and every word. Each
character had a distinct voice and personality that made this story come alive.
Overall,
this was an intriguing book with interesting characters, a mystery that really
held my attention and an ending that I did not predict nor expect. If you love a good story with old Gothic mansions, secret passageways and rooms, mystery and cryptic messages, then I
would highly recommend you pick up Cryptic
Lines. It’s a short read/listen and will
not leave you disappointed in the least.
4
stars
I
received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with
Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jake Urry. The gifting
of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Richard Storry
Richard is the author of four
published novels, with his fifth “A Looming of Vultures” due for publication in
2017. Prior to writing his first novel, “The Cryptic Lines” he was very busy in
the theatrical world: He composed the incidental music to Chekhov’s Three
Sisters, seen in London’s West End, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Eric
Sykes, and subsequently broadcast on BBC4 television. His musical adaptation of
“The Brothers Lionheart” premiered at London’s Pleasance Theatre, followed by a
successful run at the Edinburgh Festival where it was voted Best Childrens’
Play. “The Cryptic Lines” has now been adapted for both the stage and screen.
Jake Urry
Jake Urry is a British actor
and audiobook narrator, and also co-founder of Just Some Theatre. Since graduating from an
Acting degree course in 2012 he’s toured with Just Some Theatre as an actor and
producer, worked on a number of commercial voice over projects and most
recently started producing Audiobooks. Jake has produced over 10 titles since
March 2016 and has rapidly found himself at home narrating Thriller, Horror,
Mystery and Suspense titles. His audiobook work includes dark psychological
thrillers White is the Coldest Colourand Portraits of the
Dead by John Nicholl, occult mystery seriesThe Ulrich Files by
Ambrose Ibsen, and gritty Sci-Fi novelShadows of Tomorrow by
Jessica Meats.
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