Unfortunately, did not live up to expectation.

I've enjoyed most of Stuart MacBride's previous books but recently they have not been living up to his usual standard and this one was by far the worst. I found that I had tuned out of the poor (almost pantomime) narration missing large sections of the book which I felt no inclination in rewinding and catching up. Eventually I gave up and moved on to something more enjoyable and engaging!

4 people found this helpful

Sorry but I had to return this

I have been a MacBride fan since his first book but recently he seems to have gone off the boil. His last book was totally bonkers but I thought that I'd give this one a try. Very plodding storyline, no credible characters and nothing to hold your attention. I gave it 4 hours but nothing improved so, sadly, I had to return.

4 people found this helpful

Gave up and returned it!

Unfortunately, I returned it with 4 hours left! I listen to audio books every day whilst sewing orders. I listen, on average, to a book a day! (not Audible I'm not rich!) Stuart Macbride was my favourite author (Logan days). I didn't even bother with the last book after reading the reviews. This one is a letdown in so many ways. The plot is tedious. The characters are weak. I don't usually leave negative reviews as I know in my business they hurt, but I wish we could read/listen to more 'Logan days' . I've listened to all of that series many times over, and they still 'satisfy'.

4 people found this helpful

Terrible narration- gave up!

I really enjoy Stuart MacBribe as a writer. For the first time I had to give up listening to the book as the Monty Python narration silly voices killed the book. So I never got to here the story, it may be great but from this iteration I’ll never know.

3 people found this helpful

Oh deary deary me!

Have always loved Stuart's books, whether Laz and Steel, or other characters. I have them all in my audible library and enjoy giving them another little outing when I run out of listening material. I have now done something I never thought I would do - I have returned this book. Yes, Stuart's writing is often tongue in cheek, but who the heck thought it was a good idea to turn it into pantomime? I kept expecting to hear shouts of 'behind you!' when Bigtoria was speaking and I soon found the funny voice tiresome to listen to. Finally, after having rewound god knows how many times because I had mentally switched off and quite literally lost the plot, I returned the book. Sorry Stuart, I see from the reviews some enjoyed the narration, but it really wasn't for me.

2 people found this helpful

Again, not his usual standard

Although this is much better than his last book (No Less the Devil), it again falls far short of his previous many books.

The premise is interesting - although ludicrous - it falls down through having paper thin characters trying to prop up the weight of what becomes an increasingly silly plot.

The relationship between the two main characters is leaden and lacks any spark of life to make me wish for more, which is a shame since the books seems to hint at more from this pairing in the future.

Perhaps I’d have found more to like if the narration of the lead female cop was better. Although Greg McHugh was very skilled with everyone else, his ‘voice’ for this DI sounded very amateurish and quashed any life the character might have had.

I’m not a fan of the other narrator, Cathleen McCarron. I find her breathy, slow, over performed narration very irritating in general, but to be honest in this book - although she did that - it wasn’t quite as pronounced as it usually is.

However, the inclusion of this second voice in the narration at all felt very odd, and unnecessary. I listen to lots of books with two or more narrators and enjoy them, but because this second person narrated so little of the book, it just felt distracting.

Overall, not a book I’d recommend, and I really hate saying that about MacBride. So if you haven’t read anything else by him, I’d suggest you start with his earlier books.

2 people found this helpful

now for something completely different

enjoyed this book , but the male narrators voice doing the female DCI did get on my nerves a bit , glad I persevered . blood guts and some funny moments.

1 person found this helpful

The narration totally spoils the book

I've listened to a lot of Stuart MacBride's books and thought that this one would be as good. The narration however is terrible. The attempted female voice of the woman Detective Inspector (one of the main characters) is diabolical. I tried to persevere but in the end gave up. That voice ruins the book.

Brilliant

I loved this audiobook, very cleverly written and lots of humour throughout. if you like the Logan M cRae books you will love this one.

Deadly indeed

This book was a big, boring disappointment. I understand there was meant to be a very dark comic thread running through it but things just didn't gel; the reverse chronology, the fantastical convoluted and confusing plot, the unlikeable, exaggerated characters, the male narrator who was just awful where female voices were concerned and, the denouement - almost cartoonish in its unfolding. I am very afraid the usually wonderful Stuart MacBride may be planning a series featuring Edward and Big Toria, please no!

I have been a huge fan of MacBride for many years and have listed to the Logan MacRae books several times over so "The Dead of Winter" has been an enormous letdown. I cannot imagine ever listening to it again