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Murder at Avedon Hill
by
Lord Avedon has a problem. Generations of Avedons have watched over Avedon Hill and controlled the only pass through the Lantis Mountains. Traditions are important to the Avedon family, but one tradition has tragically come to an end. Gretta Platt, Housemistress of Avedon Manor, has been murdered. A member of the Platt family has always served the Avedons as Housemistress
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Podiobook, 344 pages
Published
2008
by Podiobooks.com
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Start your review of Murder at Avedon Hill

I came to this as a result of Podiobooks I had been going to it for awhile before I noticed this particular story. What brought me to it because of my love of that style of story and the world in which it was set. If you like the writings of Tolkien and Eddings then you will love this. However it does not stop there with the normal sword and staff stuff but instead treats us to a intricate mystery seemingly more suited to Agatha Christie. The blend of fantasy and mystery is something I have not
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Jul 30, 2009
DivaDiane
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Mytery and Fantasy lovers
Shelves:
mystery-adventure-thriller,
fantasy
This was a great story with a depth of background that is just astounding. A mystery that keeps you on your toes and plenty of magic and magical creatures. The production values of the Podcast novel are exceptionally high, including a wonderful voice cast and fantastic music by Shira Kammen (from http://magnatune.com). You can listen to the story including chit-chat about the on-going production (which is now finished) directly from P.G. Holyfield's website or just the story itself at http://pod
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I loaded a free sample of this book onto my kindle--read the first chapter and was sucked into the story immediately.
The story begins with a murder of the house mistress, Gretta Platt, of Avedon Manor. The story is a murder mystery but the setting is the Land of Caern and involves such creatures as God's, Priests, Royalty, Sorcerers, Vampires, Moon Beasts, Orcs and other fantastical creatures. The story is both original and creative. I loved following the protagonist Arames Kragen and his studen ...more
The story begins with a murder of the house mistress, Gretta Platt, of Avedon Manor. The story is a murder mystery but the setting is the Land of Caern and involves such creatures as God's, Priests, Royalty, Sorcerers, Vampires, Moon Beasts, Orcs and other fantastical creatures. The story is both original and creative. I loved following the protagonist Arames Kragen and his studen ...more

A masterful blend of fantasy and mystery, the story centers around the strange murder of Gretta Platt, Housemistress of Avedon Manor. When Arames and his young student, Arrin, find pass at Avedon Hill barred, they agree to help Lord Avedon investigate the mystery of Gretta's death in return for gaining access to the pass. In the process, the two outsiders stumble upon a growing list of mysteries surrounding the town of Avedon Hill including vampires, moon beasts, and magic. This is a must listen
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I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I’ve always had a thing for mystery stories as a child. This story is part mystery and fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author did a wonderful job with the characters. After listening to a fair share of podcast stories, this is one of the best I’ve listened to. I enjoyed the voices and sounds of the podcast as well.

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Wow! Murder mystery in a fantasy world with moon beasts, vampires, and magics. What a story! I am now going in search of anything and all set in this world.
****FULL REVIEW****
Arames and his student, Arrin Perti, come to the city of Avedon Hill, the city all had to go through to get to the mountain pass because there is no other way around, as they were heading to a conference. Arames's cousin tells him he can't get him granted passage, there's been a murder and the city is closed. Lord Avedon wo ...more
****FULL REVIEW****
Arames and his student, Arrin Perti, come to the city of Avedon Hill, the city all had to go through to get to the mountain pass because there is no other way around, as they were heading to a conference. Arames's cousin tells him he can't get him granted passage, there's been a murder and the city is closed. Lord Avedon wo ...more

This was an absolute delight to read or listen to in the case of the podcast. Why you may ask? well I will tell you. I am a absolute nerd one of my favorite things is to play D&D(Dungeons and Dragons for those who don't know) a table top RPG and my favorite class is Monk. I said that to explain that the main character in this novel is well a Monk, so I was down from word one. In true Monk fashion our main character Arames Kragen wields the martial weapons and semi supernatural abilities, even so
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In Murder at Avedon Hill, P.G. Holyfield sets us a murder mystery against the fantasy backdrop that is the incredibly detailed Land of Caern. The setting is filled with depth and history and begs the reader to dig a little deeper to uncover the mysteries hidden in a world where the gods choose to live out mortal lives in order to shape events. Where the allies of one generation may be the enemies of the next.
But this isn't that story. This is the story of Arames Kragen, an aging monk of the Aaro ...more
But this isn't that story. This is the story of Arames Kragen, an aging monk of the Aaro ...more

This book combines elements of the best that the murder mystery and fantasy genre have to offer. PG Holyfield is a master story teller who keeps the story, not to mention the suspense going right up to the end.
The twists and turns in this book kept me guessing all the way through. The characters are are full and rich, providing more than a backdrop for the drama going on, but also bringing the story alive making you are really there in the story with them.
The story keeps a good solid pg rating ...more
The twists and turns in this book kept me guessing all the way through. The characters are are full and rich, providing more than a backdrop for the drama going on, but also bringing the story alive making you are really there in the story with them.
The story keeps a good solid pg rating ...more

This is more like 4.7 stars, but since Goodreads doesn't allow for fractions in reviews, 5 stars it is. The murder mystery part is really good. The mystery kept me almost to the very end guessing. The majority of the characters are well developed although I question the characterization of Lord Avedon. What's amazing, is the rich mythology of the world of Caern. It ties up into the murder mystery, but the amount of mythology is somewhat confusing that by the time it starts to make sense in the s
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I loved this book, it was one of the titles I had been "meaning to read" for a long time, I kept looking at it knowing I wanted to read it but other things got in the way. When I FINALLY sat down and read it I couldn't put it down. I had to know just what happened to Gretta Plat. It was engaging with side stories and tales and leads you to want to read more in the wold that Mr Hollyfield has created. It is a perfect present for anyone interested in fantasy and just the right kind of book to make
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I've listened to the podcast and absolutely loved the richness of the world P.G. created. The religious and magical systems he created had tremendous depth and really added to my visit to the land of Caern.
I cannot wait until P.G. takes us there again. I'd love to know more about Arames Kragen. The hints at his past are delicious and must be explored further.
During my period of impatience while waiting for another book in this world, I'm reading the published version. ...more
I cannot wait until P.G. takes us there again. I'd love to know more about Arames Kragen. The hints at his past are delicious and must be explored further.
During my period of impatience while waiting for another book in this world, I'm reading the published version. ...more

This book is a treat. The characters are varied and the mysteries intense. The world is vibrant even though we never see any of it because the book is set in one insular town, coming alive through the stories of Arames Kragen. The audio cast is stellar and I can listen to P.G. Holyfield's voice for hours.
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I listened to this book on podiobooks.com and totally loved it. Great traditional mystery plot outline with non-traditional characters. I liked it so much I ordered the book off of amazon. I am perfectly happy to support "new media" podcasting as a form of art.
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This a compelling 'closed room' mystery set in a richly detailed and well realized fantasy world. Highly recommended.
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This is the first podio books I've tried. A great "read" or listen. The production value was great and I enjoyed the story.
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Had some potential but the writer never achieved it. This is like the first book a writer writes for practice, but doesn't publish.
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P.G. Holyfield knocks it out of the park. A complete home run. I can't wait for more.
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Listened to the podio-book.
A wizened monk-wizard-type man wanders with his disguised royal protege, but after finding the pass through a local town closed due to a recent murder, stays to help solve it.
Great world-building. I was sad to find out there are no more books with these characters, as there were many possibilities. Vampires, moon beasts, magical powers, & competing religious orders... Otherwise, the plot was ok & it’s hard to judge the writing apart from the voice acting. Maybe simpl ...more
A wizened monk-wizard-type man wanders with his disguised royal protege, but after finding the pass through a local town closed due to a recent murder, stays to help solve it.
Great world-building. I was sad to find out there are no more books with these characters, as there were many possibilities. Vampires, moon beasts, magical powers, & competing religious orders... Otherwise, the plot was ok & it’s hard to judge the writing apart from the voice acting. Maybe simpl ...more

The podcast version of this features the author and various voices from the early world of podcasting. Some of the sound effects are a bit cheesy but overall it's a fun listening experience, if a touch hard to follow in parts. The whodunnit features elements that Agatha Christie could never include and is a bit confusing again for me. It did keep me wanting to know what happened next.
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I was pulled into Murder at Avedon Hill from word one. Holyfield’s characters are true to their own personalities and natures from start to finish. His dialogue is very real, although I do think Arames tended to say, “Just one more question,” a few too many times. But that could just be his nature, and if so, he was definitely true to that. There’s plenty to uncover in Avedon Hill, and the growth of the more prominent characters is admirable. Holyfielod manages to subtly take away layers of deta
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I loved this story.
It is fantasy but not in the 'sword-and-dragon-let's-go-on-a-quest' style.
This is more like 'Name of the Rose' set in a fantasy, rather than historical, time period.
I enjoyed the gentle measured place of the story-telling, the lively cast of characters and even the somewhat gruesome resolution.
I did think the telling of the resolution could have been a little tighter, with fewer flashes of magical light and less inner dialogue but the logic behind the resolution was solid and ...more
It is fantasy but not in the 'sword-and-dragon-let's-go-on-a-quest' style.
This is more like 'Name of the Rose' set in a fantasy, rather than historical, time period.
I enjoyed the gentle measured place of the story-telling, the lively cast of characters and even the somewhat gruesome resolution.
I did think the telling of the resolution could have been a little tighter, with fewer flashes of magical light and less inner dialogue but the logic behind the resolution was solid and ...more
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While attending the University of Virginia I majored in Religious Studies, focusing on the belief systems of the Eastern world. During that time I also had the opportunity to read the works of Joseph Campbell. My love of gaming and for mythology led to the creation of a fantasy setting I named The Land of Caern.
It is a world where the gods can choose to be born into the world as mortals, and often ...more
It is a world where the gods can choose to be born into the world as mortals, and often ...more
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