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  • Dead Beat

  • PI Kate Brannigan, Book 1
  • By: Val McDermid
  • Narrated by: Chloe Massey
  • Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (1,307 ratings)

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Dead Beat cover art

Dead Beat

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Chloe Massey
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Summary

The stunning first novel in the Kate Brannigan series, from number one Sunday Times best seller Val McDermid.

As a favour, Kate agrees to track down a missing songwriter, Moria Pollock. It was supposed to be a nice simple case, but the search soon leads Kate into the dark underworld of Leeds, Manchester and Bradford – and finally to a shocking confrontation with a killer....

©1992 Val McDermid (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"This is crime writing of the very highest order." (The Times)

"No one can plot or tell a story like McDermid." (Daily Express)

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What listeners say about Dead Beat

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely fantastic brilliant love it. Narrator

was absolutely brilliant. Told the story great, and I was thrown into the World she was....

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

It's alright, not great but alright.

It's alright, not great but alright. Hopefully the next one in the series is better.

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

Found Myself A New Heroine

I love the Karen Pirie books by Val and thought I'd try some of her older work.
I listened to the whole book in less than 24 hours.
Good story, plus lots of reminiscing from my 20s and my Manchester days.

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24 people found this helpful

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

Val McDermod does it again

wonderful accect. love the story. Val has a twisted mind,which makes for thw best stories.

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22 people found this helpful

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

Poor

I normally love Val McDermid books but this was a bitter disappointment. The narration was wooden and not helped by the mispronunciation. Where on earth did the recording company find this narrator ? . Will definitely not be listening to any more in this series.

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1 person found this helpful

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

English Sue Grafton??

A decent, if lightweight, page-turner. Brings to mind the female PI from Sue Grafton's A-Z series but with an English makeover. Good holiday read.

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

Classy whodunnit

Great to go back 30 years to a classy time. Loved the story and narration

Would love to listen to more of Ms Brannigan

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

Dull

It was so unmemorable I forgot I’d already listened to it. After 30 mins, I had vague memory of it. Skipped through to the end. Not the best McDermid. Too much irrelevant detail eg. colour of shirt she was wearing, matching the leggings, and finished off with a belt. Waffle.

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

Took a while to get going

The story line was a bit predictable and Agatha Christieesque. Didn’t think it had tension of McDermid’s Shetland stories but got there in the end.
I don’t think narration helped as did find the early chapters in particular very monotone. Like the story she got into her stride once you started getting into the book

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

an average listen

I've read better books by Val McDiarmid but this the first time I've listened to one if her books . it was a good story but I got fed up hearing ...'he said defensively ''I said angrily '. 'she said suspiciously ' etc etc... deary me. It was so unnecessary.... I said irritably!!!!!

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1 person found this helpful