Play Audiobook Sample
A Spark of Death: The First Professor Bradshaw Mystery Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.08) - 126 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
When University of Washington Professor Benjamin Bradshaw discovers the dead body of a despised colleague inside the Faraday cage of the electric machine, his carefully controlled world shatters.
The facts don’t add up. The police shout murder—and Bradshaw is the lone suspect. To protect his young son and clear his name, he must find the killer.
Seattle in 1901 is a bustling blend of frontier attitude and cosmopolitan swagger. The Snoqualmie Falls Power Plant lights the city, but to most Seattleites, electricity is newfangled and dangerous. The public wants a culprit—they want Bradshaw behind bars.
The killer wants Bradshaw dead.
His life and liberty threatened, Bradshaw discovers the thrill of investigation as he’s thrust deeper into the hunt. But questions abound. How had the electric machine’s Tesla coil delivered a fatal shock? Was the murder personal, or was it connected to President McKinley’s planned visit? Were students involved, or were they in danger? And why had Bradshaw’s best friend, Henry, fled to Alaska on the day of the murder?
Danger and death lurk everywhere—disguised as accidents. Then Henry’s niece, Missouri, appears on Bradshaw’s porch in need of a home. Her unorthodox views and femininity confuse and intrigue him, and he feels a spark of love while yet struggling to protect his own haunting secret. Has Bradshaw begun to feel alive again only to lose all he holds dear? Before it’s too late, he must discover the circuit path that led to a spark of death.
Download and start listening now!
"A fun, quick read. I figured out the mystery about mid way but kept reading as the setting is interesting and the characters are engaging. I especially enjoyed Professor Bradshaw's efforts to explain complex technology in lay terms--made me want to google "electricity" and "1901"."
— Sherrill (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“A Spark of Death crackles with mystery, romance, and expert, evocative explanation of electricity at the dawn of the twentieth century in vibrant frontier Seattle. Bernadette Pajer’s splendid debut promises dogged professor Benjamin Bradshaw will be solving crimes in many books to come.”
— William Dietrich, New York Times bestselling author -
“In A Spark of Death, Bernadette Pajer backs up great storytelling with thorough research to deliver a gripping tale of intrigue, wonder, and mystery. A shockingly good read!”
— John Jenkins, president, the American Museum of Radio and Electricity -
“Set in 1901 Seattle, Pajer’s deft, highly entertaining debut introduces calm, relentlessly logical Benjamin Bradshaw, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Washington…Bradshaw’s intuitive powers go into high gear when an attempt is made on his own life, now sweeter since he has fallen in love. Readers will look forward to seeing more of this quaintly charming and idiosyncratic sleuth.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Professor Bradshaw, our intrepid protagonist, becomes the amateur detective in this promising new series.”
— Library Journal -
“With plenty of historical details and an eclectic cast of characters, plus a well-constructed plot and terrific pacing, this engaging first novel should be recommended to all fans of historical mysteries.”
— Booklist -
“Pajer’s series kickoff presents a good mystery, a clever detective, and a fascinating look at the early days of electrical power.”
— Kirkus Reviews
A Spark of Death Listener Reviews
-
" An appealing, cozy mystery. Pajer gives the hero depth of life with the love of his son, Justin, and the compelling conciousness of electrical engineering in the early 1900s. "
— Karen, 2/12/2014 -
" I met the author when she was in Portland this summer. This had some person interest for me because the setting is familiar to me - University of Washington - and because of my connections to engineering as a field. So, I enjoyed it. "
— Joan, 2/5/2014 -
" Professor Bradshaw is concerned with two things: teaching his engineering classes, and hiding the truth about his wife's death from his young son. When the brilliant but obnoxious professor Oglethorpe is killed, Bradshaw becomes the main suspect, and he's forced to use his brain, and his very rusty instincts about people, to get himself out of a mess. Could Oglethorpe's death have anything to do with a visit by President McKinley to the University? And is anyone else in danger? "
— Susan, 1/25/2014 -
" Not profound, but very well written and cute, fun history, appealing characters. "
— Heidi, 1/20/2014 -
" Professor Bradshaw is a welcome addition to the ranks of amateur sleuths. On to book two! "
— Marie, 1/18/2014 -
" A great read! I enjoyed the mystery without the bad language, racy scenes and other all too usual things in most books today. Thank you, Bernadette, for writing this book. I look forward to following Professor Bradshaw in his future adventures. "
— Cindy, 1/1/2014 -
" Exellent read. Surprisingly well done for a first book. Intriguing character, and a very, very good job of maintaining the correct historical framework. I will look forward to the next book. "
— Bob, 12/12/2013 -
" It took me about half way through the book to get into it, it did stump me on the who did it part, but there were some unforgettable parts, and I look forward to see what Professor Bradshaw will be up to next. "
— Bonnie, 12/9/2013 -
" clean. somewhat interesting "
— T, 12/5/2013 -
" It was a very nice debut novel with an interesting setting. The story surrounded a university engineering professor from Seattle. It will be interesting to see where Pajer takes her characters. "
— Mary, 7/29/2013 -
" The author didn't find her groove until chapter 21. I might read her later books, after she develops as a writer, but this was too choppy and adjective filled for my tastes. "
— Heather, 7/25/2013 -
" Started pretty slowly, but then got better. "
— J, 10/20/2012 -
" Death by using a new technology set when it was new -hard to figure the who in the who done it. got a littke over the top in explanations but otherwise good characaters. "
— Karen, 8/12/2012 -
" I have not been a big mystery reader so I relished the historical descriptions in the book. But that wouldn't be enough if I didn't love Bernadette's language. Very enjoyable. "
— Torie, 6/13/2012 -
" A uniquely fun Seattle history mystery! Love the scientific detail. I am looking forward to the rest of this series. "
— Jenniefamilee, 8/22/2011
About Bernadette Pajer
Bernadette Pajer is a Seattle native and graduate of the University of Washington, Bothell. She lives in Monroe, Washington, with her husband and son.
About Malcolm Hillgartner
Malcolm Hillgartner is an accomplished actor, writer, and musician. Named an AudioFile Best Voice of 2013 and the recipient of several Earphones Awards, he has narrated over 250 audiobooks.