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Written in Blood
- Midsomer Murders, Book 4
- Narrated by: John Hopkins
- Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
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Written in Blood
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Summary
Despite the fierce, and seemingly personal, objections of secretary Gerald Hadleigh, members of the Midsomer Worthy Writers' Circle press ahead and invite bestselling author Max Jennings to talk to their group. Besides, it's not as though he'll say yes. So when Jennings turns up to their meeting, they are completely over-awed by his presence.
But before the evening is over, Gerald has been brutally murdered.
Summoned to investigate, Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby discovers that Gerald's life was as much of a mystery to his neighbours as his violent death. The key to the killing must surely be their illustrious guest speaker, a face from Gerald's past. But Jennings is nowhere to be found...
Critic reviews
"Simply the best detective writer since Agatha Christie." (The Sunday Times)
"A mystery of which Agatha Christie would have been proud... A beautifully written crime novel." (The Times)
"Graham, who deserves a wider US readership, starts out as astringently amusing as Christianna Brand in her classic Green for Danger, and then gradually broadens and deepens to P.D. James territory. What more could you want?" (Kirkus)
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What listeners say about Written in Blood
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- peter regan
- 17-12-22
Wonderful, wonderful!
A fabulous book , great story, characters, plot and just perfect narration from John Hopkins.
What a good choice he was to read these books.
I found it very hard to put the book down and if and when I had to ,couldn’t wait to pick it up again.
Made me laugh out loud sometimes.
I wish they would get a move on and record more of them .
When is the next one ready ?
Please have J H narrating again.
1 person found this helpful
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- Lisa Munton
- 07-12-22
John Hopkins brings these stories to life wonderfully
I have enjoyed the written midsomer stories so much, and enjoy comparing them to the screen adaptations. John Hopkins is inspired in his narration, particularly in this story with his take on creepy Brian! And it’s hard to tell his voice and John Nettles apart in his characterisation of Tom. Like a comfy chair, just great to settle down and listen to on a cold, dark evening. Love it!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tinytim
- 01-03-23
So enjoyable and so much fun to listen to.
I loved reading these books many years ago and they transfer to audio so well. This is my 4th in the series and I have just downloaded the 5th. I know there are two more books in the series and I hope Audible can influence their being produced in audio. I am always sorry when time start running out on the novels, but I know I will be returning to them. Great narration, John Hopkins transports you into the story, well done.
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- prettythings
- 23-02-23
Amazing
Loved this story. The narrator's voices are so good.
Barnaby sounded like John nettles which I really enjoyed. Very different characters than the tv series. Can't wait for the next one.
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- Little Miss Scribble
- 12-02-23
Loved it!
A Midsomer classic! Expertly narrated and with some superb one liners.
Troy: I’ve had a thought…
Barnaby: Well, treat it gently - it’s in a strange place.
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- Kindle Customer
- 12-02-23
Lots of twists
I love the way characters are woven together. Each separate and yet forming the whole. The story has so many sub plots and twists it’s a joy to listen to. In fact I may have to listen again just to make sure I haven’t missed anything
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- Laura
- 28-01-23
Absolutely brilliant
This is a fantastic novel: a complex and interesting mystery, a varied and wholly convincing cast of characters, the most brilliant social commentary (and several laugh out loud moments) combined with deeply satisfying accounts of people's working out how to make their lives better. Witty, gripping, and frequently profound without ever being portentous.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- PeterH
- 17-01-23
Well read Mr Hopkins
Bloody well read !
John Hopkins sounds so much like John Nettles that it’s easy to imagine you’re watching the TV series.
This book is better than the previous one, but the author’s tendency to “explain it all” in a lengthy coda (sans Barnaby) makes the books less satisfying than they could’ve been.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- organic ness
- 15-01-23
Fabulous
Great, well plotted story and read fabulously well by John Nettles. Loved it from start to finish
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- Jane Austen
- 12-01-23
Love it!
I’m a fan of Midsomer Murders on tv but the books are, in some ways, quite different and much richer. The characters are much better developed and there is more detail to enjoy. The narrator does a very good job. I definitely recommend them!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- kiwi bookaholic
- 06-12-22
More please
There are only 7 ? Midsomer Murders written by Caroline. All the rest are TV stories. I admit to having seen most of them with great enjoyment but as John Nettles says nothing beats the unabridged text which is even better when narrated. I hope Bolinda turns them all into talking books. Not just the few which made it to the screen. I will certainly watch for their release.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- wisconsinclark
- 04-12-22
Truly Outstanding once again
I gave a mediocre review for book three. This story has wonderful characters and is truly entertaining. I love John Hopkins, he sounds like Neil Dungeon. Great twist, and lovely ending. I listened non stop, and looking forward to Book 5.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Athenatl
- 29-03-23
Great Narrator
I really enjoyed this narrator/performance. Story is pretty good although somewhat cliched at times.
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- Sylvia
- 11-03-23
Love the TV show but the book is soo much better!!
First of all, the narrator sounds like John Nettles (who played Tom Barnaby in the TV series), so it is like listening to him tell the story. Second of all, I read the hard copy and the audible experience is so much better. That's partly because of the narration. Thirdly, there is so much more going on in the story than the TV show can possibly include. And the writing is such a pleasure to read/hear. Caroline Graham is a really good writer. Great people and scenery descriptions. Also, the plot is easy to follow, even with its twists and turns. Really good murder mystery!!!!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Deanna
- 09-03-23
Best so far in the series
Really enjoyed. So much better than the show (and it wasn't bad). I especially enjoyed the depth of the characters which made it all more plausible compared to what was on film (which characters were badly miscast). I also love the follow up in these books that after solved you find out how the characters continue on. The narration is super good.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Susie
- 24-02-23
Wow
Caroline Graham’s writing is astounding. Her insights are very “Ruth Rendell.” The character development combined with such care and humor is breath-taking. I’m truly amazed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- ChillingInMA
- 30-01-23
Another marvelous mystery from Caroline Graham.
Wonderful in every respect. The story is complex and tightly woven, and John Hopkins performance is magnificent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- italoromano
- 24-01-23
Ms Graham redeems herself!
What a pleasant change from her previous novel which took five hours to come to the murder and Barnaby
I very much enjoyed this novel
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- THE Aunt Sharon
- 17-01-23
Always a pleasure to visit Midsomer!
Graham weaves a great and intricate tale! Twists and surprises at every turn. A cast of many personalities all fit together to impress and surprise the reader!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- ladyflash
- 25-12-22
Better than the last one
I wasn’t a huge fan of the previous one, but this is maybe either my second or third favorite Barnaby book narrated by John Hopkins so far. It picks up real fast at the end, shame to have it fly by so fast.