Master Story Telling.

A brilliantly crafted and told story. A great book read by a great narrator is a real thing of wonder. That is what the author and narrator have achieved.

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Remarkable!

I had no idea what to expect from this novel, having only listened to the Boyd series. The tale is gruesome, frightening and absolutely enthralling. Yes, there are a few implausible moments and I was frustrated with the tale of Mary and John at times but the intrigue and detail made up for it. The twist at the end is worth waiting for and the characterisation is superb. Without giving too much away I did find the ‘voice’ irritating but it was within the context of the story.
Narration was very good except for Mary’s accent which wandered from sort of Welsh,slightly Irish and occasionally Scottish!

Suspend disbelief, keep an open mind and prepare to be edge of the seat entertained !

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Really Good book

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This book takes an extremely well worn subject and treats it in a totally new way. Kept me guessing and all agog to the end. I chose it based solely on the narrator who, in most respects, is fab. There is an exception though, he does the most appalling Welsh accent. I could live with it and still enjoy the story but then I'm not Welsh! Overall the reading and the story were brilliant. Loved it!

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Jack the Ripper - alternative theory

Prologue - aboard the Titanic & a man shares his story with a fellow passenger. Cue flashback to 1880s Whitechapel, London. Not just an alternative ripper story but a jolly good listen. It starts with an East End thug and prostitutes trying to survive the harsh living conditions. A woman steals from an injured man then has second thoughts about leaving him in the street. A discovery on a job, leads to the arrival of the Candle Man to tie up loose ends. The story intertwined nicely and was thrilling without too many confusing twists. I felt it portrayed the period reasonably well but the focus was on the plot. The narrator was okay, I was too caught up in the story to bother too much about the accents. Overall a really good book.

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1 person found this helpful

Fantastic story<br />

An excellent story narrated well. Two evemts in History combined very well and certainly makes you re-think your understanding of what you believe to be true.

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Excellent,dark and well paced. A must read!

It's not often I'm blown away and scared by a novel and this book does both. Set mostly during Jack the Rippers murderous reign and seen from a purely fictitious angle - well from who Jack is anyway - the story moves along at a fair pace.

It's dark and gory as it should be as it's set in a dark and gory time and the author managed to scare me on many occasions. I usually read/listen before bed but not with this one. My imagination took me to those dark, unlit, blood soaked Victorian streets.

The narrator gives the characters a voice although, and this is nit picking, Marys voice did grate once or twice but that aside I would listen to him again. My first book by this author and I think I will buy another one to see what that's like.

If you buy this book thinking it takes place on the Titanic you will be disappointed as that is just a minimal part of the plot.

This book really is worth a credit and if you don't like it you can return it :)

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1 person found this helpful

Enjoyable enough and great narration

Brilliantly narrated - the range of voices and accents really helps bring the story to life.

The story is decent enough, although it has less to do with the Titanic and everything to do with Jack the Ripper.

It does follow one of the more well-known Ripper theories, although is built in such a way to make a good page turning piece of fiction as opposed to something close to reality. Not a bad thing really.

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1 person found this helpful

Gripping, highly recommended

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I loved this audio book. I was totally gripped from the first chapter to the last.

This is a really clever twist on the real life Jack the Ripper murders, combining fiction and conspiracy theory to produce an entrancing storyline that I could happily have devoured in one sitting, if it wasn't for that pesky having to go to work thing. Scarrow's attention to detail and the deft way in which he weaves the tale keep you totally hooked, even if you have some knowledge of the real life Jack the Ripper murders. My only slight criticism would be the narrator's Welsh accent, which wasn't as good as the various other accents he performed.

Highly recommended.

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Gripping story, quite disturbing details.

Very clever plot and superbly narrated. Interesting details of London although quite gruesome in parts

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Such a clever plot!

Alex Scarrow is a genius. I am late to the party with the older works he has had published, only discovering them after reading the DCI Boyd series.
I tried the Time riders series, not really expecting to enjoy them as they are aimed at younger readers. I was hooked! This book, The Candle Man, has all the ingredients that I loved in Time Riders. Set in a different era and giving an alternative perspective to certain events! Fascinating idea and so well written I was gripped!
The narrator was great, fab range of accents and sometimes the delivery reminded me of Anthony Hopkins.
Working my way through these older books now while I await more DCI Boyd books to be released on audible xXx

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