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  • The Puppet Show

  • By: M. W. Craven
  • Narrated by: John Banks
  • Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,087 ratings)
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The Puppet Show cover art

The Puppet Show

By: M. W. Craven
Narrated by: John Banks
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Summary

Shortlisted for the 2019 CWA Gold Dagger Award

Shortlisted for the 2019 Best Crime Novel of the Year in the Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards

A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District's prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless. When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of.

Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.

As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he's ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive.

©2018 M. W. Craven (P)2018 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"Dark, sharp and compelling." (Peter James)

"A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted, and not for the faint hearted!" (David Mark) 

"A thrilling curtain raiser for what looks set to be a great new series" (Mick Herron)  

What listeners say about The Puppet Show

Average customer ratings
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • AB
  • 11-06-19

Wow...just superb!

I really enjoyed The Puppet Show. if you like a murder/mystery, with plenty of spine chilling moments, and plenty of edge of your seat action then this is for you.
A really intriguing, well written plot line and some great characters. Very well narrated by John Banks.
I can't recommend The Puppet Show enough!!

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17 people found this helpful

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

Stunning new series

The location of Cumbria is unusual and perfectly brought to life. Whilst Washington Poe is the hero, I found Tilly to be equally as compelling.
Good narration - kept my interest and look forward to the next in the series.

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11 people found this helpful

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

Absolute nonsense

This is extraordinarily bad. I can’t understand how it won any awards, let alone got published in the first place. Full of stereotypes and cliches, including the maverick but intuitively brilliant detective, and the neurodivergent maths genius young woman waiting to be brought out of her shell. The climax is one of the least convincing things I’ve ever encountered, and consists of a huge exposition by the baddie of various plot lines, some of which are brand new, shouted from the window of a big shed. The narration is pretty flat too. Just terrible.

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10 people found this helpful

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

Superb

I’ve ploughed my way through some great crime novels in my time - print and audio. This is a real peach. Wonderful plotting and characters, great story and (for once) a narrator you hardly know is there. Highly recommended.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

must read, great plot and twists

loved it,great narrator too can t wait to read his next book,hopefully a follow up

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Poe and Tilly

I have read many first novels and it’s not very often that I find myself searching for the next in the series when I’m still 100 pages from the end. I love this book for multiple reasons but, most of all, the relationship between Tilly and Poe (I am sorry if I’ve spelt any of their names wrong but I listened to the audio version - which was brilliantly read). The first thing I will do after leaving this review is pre-order book 2. Thank you very much MW Craven!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Jo
  • 10-05-19

Excellent

Nothing better than finding a fantastic new author to enjoy!
This was an excellent story with likeable characters and brilliantly narrated. Highly recommended and I can’t wait to hear to hear the next book, I just hope it continues to be as good!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Story...

Enthralling and brilliantly narrated. A must listen for all crime/mystery lovers. Well written and easy to follow with a little concentration.

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5 people found this helpful

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

a great listen

excellent story with many twists brilliantly narrated with depth and feeling, can't wait for the next instalment.

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5 people found this helpful

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

Mixed feelings

Yes - I did enjoy the story and the excellent narration and loved the budding working relationship with Poe and Tilly but failed to be truly engaged. For me, a good listen is a novel that holds my attention and this one didn't. So much chat and so little action had me skipping chapters but still able to follow the plot. Perhaps the fault lies with me and a lack of patience when little happens beyond retrospection and verbal diarrhea. Book 2 of this series is already in my library as I took notice of the reviews and thought it worth a punt but ......... fingers crossed! I do so hate to waste my time.

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4 people found this helpful