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  • Paper Girls

  • DCI Kett Crime Thrillers, Book 1
  • By: Alex Smith
  • Narrated by: Tim Bruce
  • Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (311 ratings)

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Paper Girls cover art

Paper Girls

By: Alex Smith
Narrated by: Tim Bruce
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Summary

The one case he couldn't crack was the one that finally broke him.

Haunted by his inability to track down and save his missing wife, DCI Robert Kett leaves the Metropolitan Police behind and moves to Norwich with his three young children, hoping to heal their broken family. 

But his newfound peace doesn’t last. 

Two newspaper delivery girls have gone missing in the city, and the clues point to a serial kidnapper. Kett is dragged into the centre of one of the darkest cases of his career - a case that pits him head-to-head against a horrifying evil. And a case that might uncover the terrible truth of what happened to his wife.

Praise for the book:

"Terrifying and unputdownable, the first crime novel from million-selling author Alex Smith is officially 'a gripping debut'." (J.D. Kirk, author of DCI Logan crime thrillers)

About the author: Alex Smith wrote his first book when he was six. It wasn’t particularly good, but it did have some supernatural monsters in it. His latest book Paper Girls, the first DCI Robert Kett thriller, has monsters in it, too, although these monsters are very human, and all the more terrifying for it. 

In between these two books, he has published 12 other novels for children and teenagers under his full name Alexander Gordon Smith, including the number one best-selling Escape from Furnace series, which is loved by millions of fans worldwide and which is soon to become a motion picture. He lives in Norwich with his wife and three young daughters.

©2019 Alex Smith (P)2020 Alex Smith

What listeners say about Paper Girls

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Kept me hooked

This book was fantastic to listen to. It was fast paced, funny, poignant and I couldn’t put it down.
The narrator distinguished the characters really well.
Disappointed it’s finished now.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Superb and an original Detective story, a really great listen-
Next book please!! Also leaves you feeling on a high!

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely brilliant!

I loved this. A gripping crime thriller that also genuinely made me laugh out loud. Such a refreshing combination and the plot and character development did not suffer at all for it. Highly recommended!

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great start to a series

This is a very promising start to a new series. DCI Kett has moved to Norfolk from London with his 3 young daughters. He is talented detective specialising in missing children and also a single father. At first we don't know what has happened to his wife but as the story progresses we do find out some of the details.

The storyline is interesting and well written and held my attention throughout. There are traces of humour throughout usually involving Kett's three younf daughters who often have to accompany him to crime scenes (a bit far fetched, but hey this is fiction!)

I especially liked the characters of DCI Kett and PC Savage, though the whole team was very well written.

I look forward to the next in the series.

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5 people found this helpful

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Enjoyable!

Promising start to a new series. Interesting dynamic created by the inclusion of the main character’s children. Looking forward to the next book. Narrator is very good.

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4 people found this helpful

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boring

I'm not sure if this is crime or a childcare book. the idea that a police meeting to find 2 missing children and allowing a baby to be present is ridiculous, it was as if the author was padding out the storyline, it wasn't funny just irritating. I gave up 2 hours to the end hoping it would at least have a interesting ending, but when the detective interviewed a suspect with his 3 year old in the room eating kitkats, and she started interrupting the interview that was me done.

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3 people found this helpful

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Boring

Was unable to finish listening, dull, unbelievable and poorly delivered. I don't know if it was the narration that was so bad or the book, probably both

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2 people found this helpful

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An absolutely brilliant page turner

I can't wait for his next book in the series. Get writing please Alex Smith . The audiobook and narration was excellent and spot on for the characters.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Epic new detective series

Well crafted thriller,I listened to the whole story in a day. Can’t wait to find out what happens to DCI Kett and family in the new t book 👍

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1 person found this helpful

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  • ms
  • 07-12-21

Fast moving crime novel

Very good. Crime story. Fast moving. I listened to it in two days. Good characters. The main character was funny and human.

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  • 4Christ
  • 06-02-20

Enjoyed

Really likable Detective. Kids got on my nerves but, I still enjoyed the story. I look forward to the next installment.

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6 people found this helpful

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  • michael allen
  • 08-01-22

Get this book

240 books so far all genres, nothing is more depressing than having to find a new series after you've binged 20 volumes of your new favorite author, this one cured my depression. Brilliant, Funny , Thrilling, and excellent narration

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3 people found this helpful

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  • Lynch
  • 30-04-22

Meh....and AWFUL children!

One of my fav author's (David Gatward - Grimm Up North series) gave a nod to this author in his latest novel so I thought I would give it a shot. I like it when author's borrow characters and insert them into their own stories. I liked this first book and thought the series seemed promising but after finishing book 3 I find that I do not like DCI Kett and I can not stand his children. Can we all say au pere? Why would someone who just lost their wife try to cope with 3 horribly spoilt and obnoxious children on their own, while still going back to work? The scenes throughout these books with the kids give me a headache.

Kett too is obnoxious and spoilt and should indeed be fired from his job. He batters suspects, goes into situations half cocked, and continuously gets himself and subordinates into trouble. I can't even figure out why his subordinates support him. He is also quite stupid and keeps getting himself hurt by charging into situations by himself instead of waiting for back up. This is justified by a false sense that waiting for back up will end up getting someone killed. It's just contrived and ridiculous. I'd save your credit and give this series a pass.

Tim Bruce is great! I am not sure I would have made it through book 3 without his wonderful narration.

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  • Dorothy Darby
  • 15-03-20

Best book ever

Excellent reading suspense can’t wait for next one Cry Baby .I hope this becomes a series

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  • Carolyn D
  • 17-12-21

Paper Girls

This is a good story and well narrated. My only complaint is the introduction of screaming, unhappy kids in the life of the main character. I read for an escape from the daily grind. Being reminded of school schedules that interrupt work, constantly juggling priorities and feeling guilty about short changing work and family life just isn’t relaxing.

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  • coffeesnob45
  • 21-11-21

Intriguing from the first chapter

Loved this book from the first chapter until the last. Great performance. Storyline that leaves you hanging. I finished the book in 2 days just start 3 Little Pigs and love it as well!

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  • Customer
  • 01-07-21

Oooo I really Like It!

Great story line, the description about his girls are spot on & hilarious - I love his internal dialogue. Narrator is perfect! I could listen the him read me the whole series & I will! I couldn’t stop once I started - had to hear what happened next. Off to hear book two 🥰.

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  • Daphne
  • 19-04-20

Great story

I enjoyed this very much! Great mystery and comedy was very enjoyable. Will try to listen to as many books by this author as possible! Keep up the great work!

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  • Suzie Z
  • 20-07-23

Saved by the End…

First, taking the whining, crying baby/kids to the police station was unbelievable, overall irritating! Then by the time I got through the drawn out suspect interviews I was done, Planned not to finish the book but…I’m glad I did. Pulled everything together really well and I enjoyed it! I still say, it’s okay to MENTION a character has kids but otherwise, forget them!! Good luck!

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  • J. Olson
  • 30-05-23

Intriguing

Good story and kept me listening. Liked the characters. Excellent narration. I’d recommend this book.

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