The Clairvoyant Countess

By: Dorothy Gilman

Narrated by: Ruth Ann Phimister

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of the famous Mrs. Pollifax series comes another delightfully eccentric and sage female sleuth - the exotic Madame Karitska. Although she is a genuine countess, Marina Elena Provovnitchek Gaylord Von Domm Karitska is foremost a psychic. When one of her clients turns up dead, Madame Karitska makes the acquaintance of Detective-Lieutenant Pruden, and an uncanny partnership is born. Madame Karitska forms images with the psychic vibrations she picks up from personal objects. Her shocking visions are at odds with outward appearances and Detective Pruden finds it difficult to believe in them. But as Madame Karitska uses her amazing powers to help him solve case after dangerous case, even the skeptic becomes convinced. With The Clairvoyant Countess, Dorothy Gilman has used her own amazing powers to create a character who is both awe-inspiring and lovable. Ruth Ann Phimister’s keen sense of timing and characterization let you too believe in the wonder that is Madame Karitska.

©1975 Dorothy Gilman Butters (P)1999 Recorded Books

A glimpse into another time

Another well done book from Dorothy Gilman. It's almost a history lesson. Well constructed, engaging and frankly charming.

Not as good as the Mrs. Pollifax series

What did you like best about The Clairvoyant Countess? What did you like least?

The Clairvoyant Countess is essentially a story that contains several smaller stories or mystery cases that get solved. The Countess is aided by a police officer, Pruden. The police officer figures heavily in the stories and I would consider him the main character, not the Countess. The Characters in this book are not well developed. I started to get bored until the last hour of the book. The last case in the book was well developed and interesting. I think I enjoyed it more because the Countess and the police officer were working alongside each other, the case was a longer story and the plot itself more interesting than any of the other cases in this book. Overall, an average read. If you are a fan of Dorothy Gilman, you will want to listen to it. I do not reqret using my credit on this book but I would not listen to it again.

Would you be willing to try another book from Dorothy Gilman? Why or why not?

I am a fan of Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax series. I have also listened to other books by this author ( Tightrope Walker, Nuns in the Closet). Clairvoyant Countess was just an average audiobook.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

The narrator read the book well. It is just a matter of what type of voice one likes to listen to. Ruth Ann Phimister would not be one of my top choices to listen to.

Entertaining listen

I enjoy Dorothy Gilman’ s books they are interesting stories without graphic hot sex, no gruesome murders just a
Pleasant listen which will not
Keep me awake at night. Keep them coming. DGT HI

Remarkable and captivating

As a Mrs. Pollifax fan I was afraid this book would be a disappointment. Instead, I found it captivating and profoundly thought provoking. This Countess is both charming and courageous

intriguing, enthralling, clean enjoyment

After reading all of the Pollifax adventures, I took a break but found myself wanting more feom this wonderful author. This story did not disappoint! I found myself eased into the skeptical world of the clairvoyance in a believable manner. I loved the characters and the building climax. I felt my heart racing a bit at the ending resolution (or was that my cup of chai?). I felt a bit of giddy glee with the finish of the story. sometimes it's hard to feel totally satisfied with how a story ends but I loved this one. The narrator wasn't quite as good as the one from the Pollifax series but still did a great job of keeping me captivated.

Clairvoyant solves unsolvable crimes?

I was on tenterhooks with each case. I love the Countess and her positive outlook on life and people. The suspense was terrific! I wanted to grab the book and read faster, but this is an audiobook. The narrator was perfect. So glad this is part of my library now!
Dorothy Gilman’s skillful writing has done it again. So many twists and turns. What a delight!

Dorothy Gilman AGAIN!!

I read this book years ago and loved it and I am so sorry that the second book was never put on audible. Not just an old friend but a good friend/book. Excellent reader!

Another Dorothy Gilman Delight

I fell in love with Gilman’s fresh and vibrant writing in the Mrs Pollifax books, and I am finding many of her other books are similarly delightful. This book is not heavy on character development or plot. It’s more of a series of vignettes that intertwine just enough and feel appropriate for the spontaneous nature of a sixth sense. The brilliant narrator brings you right into the moment and makes you feel the warmth and kindness of the countess and a lovely satisfaction when she helps people. Lovely book.

Good stories, poor recording?

What made the experience of listening to The Clairvoyant Countess the most enjoyable?

Fun stories, but unless one listens for periods of time, it is difficult to realize these stories are linked.

If you’ve listened to books by Dorothy Gilman before, how does this one compare?

I prefer the continuity of Mrs. Polifax stories

Did Ruth Ann Phimister do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The reader was good. She has a rich voice and is good with accents and pacing

Any additional comments?

I believe the problem might have been technical. The recording was not smooth. I had to rewind to get segments to make sense.

Sequel please

This was enjoyable, I personally liked it better than Mrs. Pollifax though that wasn't bad either. Light entertainment well performed.