Although mysteries are not my usual genre to read and listen to, this one was fun, engaging, and quite touching.
The mystery itself is interesting, and the setting is absolutely to die for. Set in a small village in post-WWII England, the search for murderers amidst the idyll captures the reader’s attention and throws in all the typical red herrings and secret connections one expects to find in a small town murder mystery. The picturesque descriptions of the village, its meandering paths and roads, and the busy-ness of its inhabitants plop the reader into the story with immediacy and aplomb.
The real stars here are the characters, their quirkiness and charm richly drawn and cleverly intertwined within the ever-evolving storyline. The variety of personalities and their entertaining exchanges bring fun and authenticity to the pages and intensify the desire to know “whodunnit?”
Where the author truly shines, however, is in her development of her main characters. James is the village doctor who struggles with PTSD, and Leo is a world-weary spy. Their relationship blossoms in beautiful balance with the unfolding of the story, and their inner demons are exposed and elaborated upon without the narrative becoming maudlin or bogged down. Their attraction and emotional connection are sweet and genuine, and listening to their interactions is pure heaven.
Narrator Joel Leslie is a consummate performer, bringing lively exuberance and heartfelt passion to the vast array of characters in this story. His skill at a variety of voices and accents is clearly exhibited here, and listeners are treated to his undeniable finesse in bringing a range of emotions and personalities to life.
Overall, Hither, Page is an enjoyable journey into the genre of small town mystery with a delightful m/m historical romance developed along the way. It is at once comical, passionate, and intriguing, and I recommend it with 4 stars!
I was provided with a copy of the audio version of this book by its narrator in exchange for an honest review.