A nicely written mystery thriller

Would you consider the audio edition of The Concordances of the Red Serpent to be better than the print version?

I hadn't read the written version first. I'll admit that I came to this book because this is one of my favourite genres- mystery thriller where the emphasis is on the adventure and mystery, rather than stumbling across it while browsing. I liked the premise, and the book didn't disappoint.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The book is narrated around two pairings - the cops, Mike and Sam - and the shell-shocked Patty with the charismatic Alex. I did like both of the relationships, so while it did (naturally) cut away to the other pair at cliffhanger moments, there was no sense of disappointment of having to trawl through this chapter to get back to the excitement happening elsewhere.

While the story is pacy and action-filled, Meikle does manage to develop the characters' relationships skilfully, with natural and humourous conversations, and he allows the reader a real connection with the protagonists. Patty comes into her own as the book progresses and she starts to recover from the shock of the beginning events, but for Alex Seton's character, please see below.

The book does have some tropes: the cop fighting alcohol as well as lawbreakers; an ancient manuscript that has left murder in its wake; murderous adversaries bent on obtaining knowledge at any cost, but again, the writing is superb (especially the dialogue) and Miekle puts enough of a twist on things to make it an enjoyable, fresh read.

Which character – as performed by Chris Barnes – was your favourite?

Chris Barnes did a great job in narrating this. The curl of his Scottish accent is pleasant to listen to, and he effortlessly propels the listener into the story. In particular, he brings out the humour of the relationship banter (which is a great strength of Miekle's writing), making it feel like natural conversation, but then can drop to a more ominous tone, suggesting the danger of what is happening to the characters and those they love.

Of all the characters, that of Alex Seton is the most intriguing, partly because of Patti's decision to trust him, made in a moment of great stress. Miekle and Barnes, in his portrayal, keep us guessing about the truth about all of the characters, a mystery which is satisfyingly sustained, and which does make for compelling listening.

Any additional comments?

I did actually stay up one night to finish listening to the last three hours, so that is definitely a great success. I would possibly mark it as a 4.5 if there were an option, as it wasn't utterly unique in its set up, but it was still a thoroughly enjoyable listen, a well-written story well told.

And the end line is the biggest twist in the book: one final twist before the curtain. Superb.

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The narrator makes the book

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Extremely disappointing. What a great first two thirds - exciting, well written and fun. Then, it all gets a bit silly.

Have you listened to any of Chris Barnes’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't yet, but I certainly will. Fantastically well read.

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