Entertaining Story<br />

Good book with engaging characters. Plenty of twists in the plot. Found some of the narration a bit banal and exaggerated for some of the characters. On the whole enjoyable. Not my favourite narrator.

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10 people found this helpful

My first Val McDermid; but it won't be my last!

This book was a bit of a surprise. I like crime fiction, but within bounds - far more interested in the characters, plot, writing and psychology than gore and violence for the sake of it. I don't know why, but always had the impression that Ms McDermid was of the 'blood and guts' school. Then I saw her on University Challenge, really liked her humour and intelligence and thought I'd give her books a try.

So glad I did. This book kept you thinking, and fascinated, from start to finish. Part way through I began to suspect the murderer, but there were so many subsequent red herrings I began to doubt my own judgement (turns out I was correct)

Tom Cotcher's narration was excellent, perfect voice and characterisation, and the area of the Kingdom of Fife down to Edinburgh and up to Dundee is one I know pretty well. All in all, I really enjoyed it, and will now be working my way through the McDermid library. Bang go this year's credits - and all because I watched University Challenge...

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6 people found this helpful

Disturbing

On the whole, very good. I enjoyed this book, although I did manage to work it out before the end. Nevertheless, it did not take away the cleverness of the plot and it is certainly worth the credit.

Narration was also good.

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2 people found this helpful

A recommended listen

As a lad from Kirkcaldy there were a few mispronunciations of place names (benochy and dunikier were a couple I noted) that wrankled but otherwise an enjoyable listen

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Fantastic book

So good the storyline had you hooked from the very beginning. I enjoyed every minute. Going to download another Val McDermid book.

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Gripping

Great gripping story as you would expect from Val McDermid. Loved that it was told mainly from the point of view of the suspects rather than the police officers. A good narrator with a lovely scottish accent but his American accents weren't great

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great read I always enjoy Val creative mind

captivating from beginning to end in this intriguing story of friendship and struggle for acceptance

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V McD fab!

Brill narrator, atmospheric, thrilling, gripping story, I've just downloaded another one to start now...can't wait!

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Enjoyable listen

This is my first Val McDermid and I enjoyed the story. It was very well narrated, if a little long but I liked the characters. As others have pointed out, there is very little of Karen Pirie in the story but I guess she is a character that the author chose to develop in future novels. I had guessed the murderer before the end but this didn’t spoil the telling of the story. I’d definitely try other Val McDermid books as this was very well written.

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Could have done without the foul language.

Sometimes I wish these books had a certificate warning on them. The language in this was vile and totally unnecessary for story.
If I hadn’t bought it I would have turned it off, but decided to endure. The story was good and the narrator excellent, but was really disappointed with the foul language.

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