A MURDER, A MYSTERY, AND A MARRIAGE

In 1876 Twain began this humorous murder mystery as a literary experiment that was supposed to involve the brightest literary lights of America. The experiment never came to fruition, and the story fell into obscurity until now. A Missouri farmer’s hopes for riches lie in his daughter’s marital prospects and the legacy assigned to her by his estranged brother. Then, just as the brother is lifting his hand to strike Mary out of his will, he is murdered. Evidence points to one of her two suitors, but who really did it? And how did Jules Verne get involved? Some of the themes that arise in the author’s “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg” appear here, but without the bitterness. Garrison Keillor, who so brilliantly edited and read HUCKLEBERRY FINN a few years ago, brings his considerable story-reading skills to this amusing curiosity. Even though he has grown somewhat mannered with narrative, he still excels at dialogue. Glosses written and read by humorist Roy Blount, Jr., which open and close the production, are most welcome. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/ JAN 02]