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Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse

The first mystery in an unputdownable new cosy crime series

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Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse

By: Simon Brett
Narrated by: Simon Brett
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About this listen

 'A new Simon Brett novel is an event for mystery fans!' P.D. James

'Simon Brett writes stunning detective stories. I would recommend them to anyone' Jilly Cooper

Introducing a new, but not-so-amateur, sleuth from another peaceful English village with an alarmingly high death rate! The first mystery in a new cosy series from one of the world's favourite crime writers - perfect for fans of Richard Osmand, Janice Hallett, Robert Thorogood and M. C. Beaton.
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Meet Major Bricket, an infrequent resident of Highfield House in Stunston Peveril, Suffolk. In the past the Major's work assignments, frequently in foreign countries, have prevented him from spending much time there and as a result, there is an air of mystery around him while everyone in the village speculates on the nature of his occupation.

But now the Major has retired and has come home for good in his open-topped little red sports car... and what a homecoming it is, for lying spreadeagled on his lawn in the summer sunshine is the corpse of a clown.

The circus is in Stunston Peveril for the annual village fair, yet none of their quota of clowns is missing - or at least, nobody is saying. Could the body be that of an unfortunate early guest at the village's highlight of the social calendar, the Fincham Abbey Costume Ball?
Fortunately Major Bricket's past clandestine career means that he is now very well placed to solve the mystery of the dead clown on his camomile lawn . . .©2025 Simon Brett Amateur Sleuths Cosy Crime Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery Village Fiction Detective

Critic reviews

Praise for Simon Brett:
Murder most enjoyable
A new Simon Brett novel is an event for mystery fans!
Simon Brett writes stunning detective stories. I would recommend them to anyone
Few crime writers are so enchantingly gifted
Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cozies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige
A delightful, thoroughly English whodunnit
The wittiest around
All stars
Most relevant
I found this story hard to get through due to the issue with the narrator. I know it’s read by the author and I love Simon Brett’s work but it was honestly quite hard to listen to.

I’m not sure if he had a cold or whether these things are normally edited out but throughout the entire book there’s constant loud nose breathing or sniffing which pulled you out of the story over and over again!

Constant loud sniffing by the narrator ruins an otherwise fun romp

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Narrator aside the story was much too ponderous for me. I spend annually approximately 2.5 k with audible I wasn't particularly happy with this investment

Feebleness

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I love everything Simon Brett writes - witty, cleve with great plots and capable characters - even Charles Paris! This new series starter is a delight and as ever brilliantly narrated by the author . More please !

Brilliant as ever

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I have all the Feathering and Charles Paris books (but no Twinks, don't get them). I thought this would be something new. which it is. But it is slow. The story obvious and I never engaged in any of the characters. But well read as ever by himself. Sorry. Can't recommend it

Not His Best

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Simon Brett is fabulous at narrating his own stories and obviously his characterisations are spot on. I wanted so much to enjoy this but I’m not excited to know more. There are shades of the zany characters, as in the wonderfully funny Mrs Parteger stories, but without their wit and warmth. I note previous reviews being put off by “sniffs”!!! I think Simon uses them to great effect showing disdain in situations or for snooty character descriptions. Anyway, as I said, it’s just ok, not his best or even close to it.

OK just OK

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