Only the Dead cover art

Only the Dead

DCI Bennett, Book 1

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Only the Dead

By: Malcolm Hollingdrake
Narrated by: Nicholas Camm
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About this listen

Meet DCI Cyril Bennett, a ladies' man with a passion for efficiency. His partner, DS David Owen, is naïve and untidy but keen. Together they make a formidable pair.

When two dead infants are found at a teacher training college, Bennett and Owen are given the case. At the same time, a killer is on the loose staging attacks using sulphur mustard. Bennett and Owen must work together to bring to justice a killer with revenge on his mind.

©2016 Malcolm Hollingdrake (P)2017 W. F. Howes Ltd
Crime Thrillers Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Fiction

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Critic reviews

"Totally riveting and...thought provoking." (Sarah Nardy, Bytheletterbookreviews)
"Beautifully written, this debut novel is a masterclass in tension. This is a perfect thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat." (Betsy Reavley)

What listeners say about Only the Dead

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Most enjoyable story.

A story or rather two, I enjoyed both, the inspector with his “ Bell’s palsy “ injected some humor. All in all I found it a most entertaining read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping drama had me hooked right to the end, what a brilliant find!

Stayed awake into the early hours hooked on the brilliant plot, beautifully written, following two very different but compelling cases DC Bennett was working in. A very accomplished author with a well deserved following from and educated audience.
This audiobook was beautifully read by the magnificent Nicholas Camm. His accent and tone perfectly matched to the twists and turns of the police investigation in both Yorkshire and The Cote D’Azur.
Off to download the next one, can’t wait to become aquatinted with both Cyril Bennett and Mr Camm’s dulcet tones.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Quite brilliant - and brilliantly narrated too!

A bit slow to start for me, but as I got into the book I realised the necessity of the earlier chapters. Nicholas Camm's narration was second to none. My only criticism is that the ending was wound up too quickly - unusual really, because books can tend to drag on, this however, was the opposite and it would have benefitted from an extra chapter or two. I'm thinking it has been left open ended somewhat for maybe a follow up? Would be good Mr Hollingdrake, if you get to read this..............

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Mustard gas assaults

I enjoyed the premise, the story and the reading. Of course it relied on some complacent and greedy criminals as well as a very careful counter crim. great fun though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable listen

Parallel storylines although confusing at times came together although seemed a bit rushed at the end , doesn’t detract from being a good listen though , good narration.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Fairly average

This was my first book by this author. There are two storylines which run side by side, but not confusing and easy to follow, and both storylines come together towards the end. I loved the fact that the books were set in the Harrogate area in my native Yorkshire, so many of the locations were familiar to me.

I wasn't keen on the character of DCI Cyril Bennett though. The Bell's Palsy angle was interesting but I didn't really feel I got to know him or his sidekick, DS Owen very well.

All in all I felt the book was just average, though I will try the next in the series in the hope that I enjoy it more.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Dreary and predictable

It was such a hackneyed take and if I hadn’t been driving and needed something to listen to I think I’d have abandoned it

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Really good book.

Really enjoyed listening to this.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Story and narration easy to listen to.
Look forward to the next instalment.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

brilliant story

just a great listen, with a brilliant narrator, loved both the story and the narrator. definitely recommend

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Could barely hold my attention

I found the story boring, not helped by the fact that the narrator mumbled a lot of the time and I missed whole sections of dialogue.

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