Outstanding

outstanding! A absolute must read if you are in 2 minds about selecting this title

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2 people found this helpful

Plenty of twists and turns

Overall this is a good yarn and is very well read.
But it is somewhat convoluted and stretches credulity at times.
There’s enough action to keep you listening although I confess that when it got to the last couple of hours I’d somewhat lost interest in any of the protagonists.
The sex scene at the beach made me cringe and was so out of keeping with the rest of the book you wonder if that bit had been ghosted!
But If you want a good long yarn then this is worth a go.

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1 person found this helpful

Original compelling a thoroughly good listen

The original script was refreshing an uplifting book of good against evil and the human frailties of life

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Truly engrossing!!

I loved the historical aspect, the characters and the evil man from the past, intent on destroying a family. It’s very different from the kind of books I usually read and it was the historical factor that appealed to me. It’s a wonderful engrossing story spanning a hundred years of politics, family, life, death and murder. The narrator was perfect for the story.

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Quality of story & presentation top notch!

Excellent story with vast scope covering huge and significant 20th century events. Better than tv!

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Elegantly written!

Loved it. Goddard is such a wonderful writer,looking forward to reading more of his books.

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Great story!

Really enjoyed listening to this book a great story. The narration was perfect. Loved the passage of time and evolving characters!

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An erudite mystery

Plot wise, this is a 5 star mystery...not a thriller per se, more of a gradual burner, which builds in sophistication, complexity and urgency. Goddard always plays fair - the characters stay in character, and the inevitable coincidences are believable. The ending is very satisfying and well brought together.
The main characters of Edwin Stafford and his love Elizabeth are beautifully drawn. As an aside, I was able to answer last week's University Challenge's question on who was Prime Minister after Campbell-Bannerman (Asquith)....this came as a bit of a shock to my co-viewers who have me down as a history dunce (and not without reason).

The reason for the 4* rather than a 5* review is because some of the supporting characters are simplistically either good or evil, and are not developed in any level of sophistication, sympathy or understanding - there are too many
'blazing eyes' from various personalities either in passion or in anger. Apart from these lapses, it's a good read.

By the way, it is beautifully narrated by Paul Shelley.

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20 people found this helpful

Excellent!

A good plot and unusual story with likeable characters and enough pace to keep you listening. The narrator was excellent, a fine tone & good enunciation.

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1 person found this helpful

Great story, not so great narration.

I enjoyed the plot but on occasion found hard to understand who was saying what as the narrator did not make it clear who he was reading.

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