I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the academic setting. It was nostalgic from my years in college, and was the perfect setting for a cozy mystery. I also loved the limericks scattered throughout, and the more vintage-style writing.

My negative feelings regard two main areas. First, it was hard to keep track of all of the characters. Maybe this was because I listened to it on audiobook rather than reading a physical copy, but I frequently had to use contextual clues to match names to characters.

The second thing I didn't love was that (spoiler alert) the whole mystery (and ultimately the murder) hinged on male virginity, and the insecurity/irrationality (?) that it brings. This didn't really fit the cozy mystery vibe, and lent itself to a lot of sexual undertones throughout the book, which also didn't fit the vibe.

Overall, if you are looking for a vintage cozy mystery, I would suggest keeping with Agatha Christie.

This was a delight! It is rare in 2024 to come across a mystery from the 1940's that I've never heard of, but this one had escaped my radar until now. The odd origin story of the author being an academic writing under a pseudonym is likely what has kept it from being adapted into a movie, play, etc. - but that somehow just adds to the charm. The introduction adds little, unfortunately, but is blessedly brief, so skip it and get right into the story.

The story holds up remarkably well for being 80+ years old - to a modern reader it will fall somewhere between the classic whodunit and a cozy. And the setting of a university library with the head cataloguer as the sleuth will appeal to all who love books. It never feels like a generic story plopped into a library setting - books are central in a believable way to all of the story's threads.

There is some period-typical sexism - but it is challenged by multiple characters. And American perception of gender roles plays an unexpected role in the resolution in a way that is surprisingly (and disappointingly) timely.

This is the perfect story for curling up by the fire with a cup of tea and passing an entertaining afternoon.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

"The Widening Stain" is an interesting mystery. The story follows the entire investigative thought process, which I thought was fun. The mystery is pretty basic, and there are some problematic moments. All in all, it's a good classic mystery.

This book was an interesting read, partially because of the moment in time it captured. Originally released in 1942, this mystery shows how society has changed while still staying the same. The murder when all is revealed reminded me of news headlines that we see now and demonstrates how we feel society has evolved while so much of it hasn't changed.

This was a great little read that keeps you guessing, the language is a bit old-fashioned because of the time it was written if that's a deal breaker for you.

As someone who has a nostalgic fondness for mysteries from this era, I found this audiobook highly amusing. The faculty members were suitably snotty, the mystery was just odd enough, and the limericks were groan-worthy. The narrator seemed to be a fan too, because the voices were fun and a little over-the-top. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook

This was my first time with a Golden Age mystery and I found it an interesting listen. It moved quickly and I could see the satirical elements the author put in for his contemporaries. However, it was difficult to follow the humor at times and the characters were hard to keep separate in the beginning part of the book. I did get into the story eventually but I wouldn't necessarily recommend The Widening Stain as a beach read. This audiobook edition was well performed and enjoyable if you happen to be looking for a satirical mystery set amongst the academic elite.

This audiobook was provided to me by Highbridge Audio for review purposes.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version.
I love a good murder mystery but I don't know I just couldn't get into this book. It was very very slow and non of the characters were memorable.

A fun little cozy mystery with some interesting cultural commentary at the end. Gilda is no Miss Marple but she’s fun enough in her fussy way. The audiobook narrator reminded me of Jeffrey Wright which was very soothing, although I’ll say that in audio form it becomes a bit difficult to keep track of all the characters (seeing as 90% of them are men in academia.)

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audio book.

I really wanted to like this novel--"a comic mystery set in the library of a university" is just up my alley--but whether it was the audio narration or just the convolutedness of the opening chapters, I couldn't hang with this one.

The Widening Stain by W. Bolingbroke Johnson and narrated by Todd Menesses is a golden age mystery written originallly in 1942 and I was hooked in by the author bio read in the first chapter. Utterly intrigued, I was set and ready for a fantastic listen and I certainly was not disappointed.

If you enjoy the golden age of Hollywood, (pre WWII) and the mystery movies, you will utterly adore this audiobook. Read in an authentic style by Todd Menesses, we are transportedd to another time, to a seemingly peaceful library which is rocked by the accidental death of a women falling from the top of the stacks, then the discovery of a man seemingly strangled and surrounded by literary erotica and then, worse than these, a valuable manuscript goes missing

At times funny and others suspenseful, there is no shortage of intrigue and I absolutely devoured it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Highbridge Audio, the author W. Bolingbroke Johnson and narrator by Todd Menesses
for this intriguing ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I have read this book as a paper book and I am thrilled to see it on audio. So fun, so wry, so mysterious. I am a huge fan. I absolutely loved the narrator’s work. More Otto Penzler audiobooks!!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook!

The introduction describes this mystery as smart and witty, and I definitely agree. Two murders take place in a college library, and it's difficult to tell who to suspect. Was it the caretaker, the head librarian, a professor, a student? Are these two crimes even related?

I enjoyed the narration of this audiobook, and the dialogue was funny and clever. And I can't help but love a mystery set in a library!

Title: The Widening Stain
Author: W. Bolingbroke Johnson
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrator: Todd Menesses
Publisher: High Bridge Audio
Pub Date: April 23, 2024 Originally published January 1, 1942
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 148
The story is about a body found in the college’s library.
The narrator made this story entertaining. He was great in performing some characters and others not so much which actually added to the humor.

This story was a hit in 1942 It is set in the library that resembles Cornell University’s Library.
The author hid his identity and used the pseudonym W. Bolingbroke Johnson and later revealed he was Morris Bishop, professor of French literature and provost at Cornell.

Although “The Corpse in the Library” had been suggested for this mystery ~ “The Widening Strain” was selected in 1942 ands kept for this 2024 release!

Want to thank NetGalley and High Bridge Audio for granting me this audio Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 2, 2024.