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Against the Tide: An Exciting British Crime Thriller
- Inspector Ian Drake Murder Mystery Series, Book 3
- Narrated by: Richard Elfyn
- Series: Inspector Drake, Book 3
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
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Summary
A fisherman lies dead. A beautiful girl is strangled. Can Detective Drake uncover the secrets that connect them?
Welsh Inspector Ian Drake is back on duty, but struggles as he comes to terms with his father’s death. When a fisherman is found impaled on the sand in a small island community, Drake comes up against a wall of silence.
When a young girl is killed, Drake is stumped by the motive for her death. But with lots of money at stake with the development of a nearby nuclear power station, Drake believes there are powerful forces at work.
Images recovered from a computer suggest a more sinister motive behind the deaths, and when one of the suspects commits suicide, the pressure mounts on Drake. And how far will people go to protect their way of life and language?
Can he expose the truth and catch the killer...or killers?
Against the Tide is the third book in the dynamic Inspector Drake crime series. If you like police procedurals, clever mysteries, and gripping thrillers, then you’ll love Stephen Puleston’s unnerving whodunit.
What listeners say about Against the Tide: An Exciting British Crime Thriller
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Les Brown
- 04-08-19
Road trip.
I listen to audio books in my car. So gripped am I by this story I find I am making unnecessary journeys in order to continue listening. I like Stephen’s style as he slowly unravels his stories. It makes you want to continue listening. The narrator is excellent. I particularly like his skill in producing a variety of accents, very accurate. Living on Anglesey I know the locations, this helps bring the stories to life. The stories are interesting, taut plot lines, believable characters and unexpected twists. Keep them coming. I must fill the car with petrol............
2 people found this helpful
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- Angie
- 04-08-19
Murder mystery
This “who dun it” is set on the Welsh island of Anglesey I found the main character, Drake delightful and his OCD both interesting and amusing at times. I will certainly read more novels in this series.
2 people found this helpful
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- jhanami
- 31-07-19
Great series getting ever better and beautiful narration
This is the third instalment in this series and - despite loving it from the start - my absolute favourite so far. Basically the series is just getting better and better - the characters are developing, the cases are getting trickier and Drake is getting more layered.
I have listened to Richard Elfyn’s beautiful Welsh lilt from the beginning and thus his voice is now synonymous with Ian Drake for me - I love his narration and the different voices and accents he gives the characters, adding a wonderful sense of place to the already very atmospheric writing by Stephen Puleston.
One of my favourite series on audio - I can’t wait for the next one!
2 people found this helpful
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- Teresa Harwood
- 23-07-19
Another excellent story
The third Inspector Drake book finds him with worsening OCD following the death of his father and his marriage under threat as his wife loses patience with his issues. When Ed Mostyn is found dead on the beach Inspector Ian Drake and his colleague Caren Waits are assigned the case. Ed has refused to sell a small piece of land to developers who are intending to build a Nuclear Power Plant, stopping his immediate neighbours from selling their much larger areas of land for substantial sums. Is this the motive? Another body is discovered, that of a young woman, and the town’s dark secrets start to emerge. Another excellent story with fantastic narration from Richard Elfyn.
2 people found this helpful
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- TerryHeth
- 20-07-19
Great book
As Drake goes into investigation mode he finds his own life as heady and busy.
He is investigating a murder and as the plot thickens he’s head 1st into a mix of land, business and deep drawn mayhem.
Personally he’s lost his father who was ill and his wife, has had enough. He’s got a lot on and I have to say he’s becoming one of my favourite police characters. Grumps and all.
Narrator was great too. A def plus to keeping the story going
2 people found this helpful
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- Steven
- 19-07-19
Wonderful Welsh murder mystery
This is the 4th Inspector Drake mystery I’ve read, the 3 published full length novels on audio and the short story ‘Devil’s Kitchen’. This series goes from strength to strength and I absolutely raced through Against the Tide in just over 48 hours. Ian Drake is, after 3 books, a character I feel I’m getting to know and I do think he’s a really rounded character—we really see in this book the toll his rituals take on his personal life and I enjoyed how this storyline interacted with the case under investigation. And what a case it was, a couple of grizzly murders, multiple suspects, interference from civil servants and journalists and lots of red herrings to keep me guessing.
Lastly, I really do feel that Stephen Puleston the author and Narrator Richard Elfyn are the perfect match! I could listen to Richard’s wonderful Welsh accent reading the phone book—and he really brings these stories to life. I hope more books in this series make it to audio very soon.
2 people found this helpful
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- DubaiReader
- 15-07-19
Murder in Anglesey.
I think I'm going to start this review by mentioning the audiobook narrator, Richard Elfyn, because he made such light work of all the Welsh place names and characters, which would have been so totally mispronounced if I'd been reading. Unless you are Welsh, this is definitely a book to listen to. My husband is Welsh and our daughter-in-law is Welsh speaking, which added to the setting for me.
This is the fourth Inspector Drake novel I've listened to and I'm getting quite found of the crotchety old grump. In earlier books his OCD annoyed me a bit, but I can't help respecting that he's now recognised the problem and is making a valiant attempt to control it. The author also makes less reference to his issues, which helps. He is missing his father, who was sick in the last book and has now died, and his wife is losing patience with him. So he is under a lot of personal stress when this latest case drops onto his lap.
A body is found on the beach impaled by a garden fork and Drake and Ceren, his sidekick, are called to the scene. This is only the first victim, however, and Drake must sift through a plethora of conflicting evidence to identify murderer and motive. There is a plan to build a nuclear power plant in the area and townsfolk vary in their response to this; some are set to gain financially, while others are set against it for a variety of reasons. Evidence of a pedophile ring comes to light, implicating some powerful people and Drake must step carefully.
All of this is complicated by an irritating, pushy journalist and a leak from 'inside'.
This is a series that is maturing as it progresses and I shall certainly continue to follow Inspector Drake. For me, there were rather too many characters and I got confused, with the Welsh names adding to this, but for more experienced mystery lovers this would be a great read.
2 people found this helpful
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- niamh bonner
- 13-07-19
Thoroughly enjoyed
This is the first Puleston book I've listened to. It is well written and despite not having read earlier novels in the series the characters are nuanced enough and round enough in this book to still be thoroughly enjoyable. The reader managed all the Welsh with great ease and added to the enjoyment. It is well worth a listen and gets 5 stars for keeping me entertained.
2 people found this helpful
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- SandraL
- 12-07-19
Superb
This is the third DI Drake book, and I think it’s my favourite so far. This time DI Drake has more than his share of problems. He is still grieving for the death of his father, his marriage appears to be on the rocks and his OCD is getting worse. Then on top of this there is a serial killer on the loose on Anglesey and DI Drake is the officer in charge.
Once again Stephen Puleston delivers an exciting page-turner with a cracking plot and fantastic characters. I enjoyed Drake's development in this book. When I read the first book in the series I wasn’t sure I liked him very much, but he has definitely grown on me. The plot is quite intricate and there’s quite a big cast of characters to get your head around but it’s a real page-turner. Nd of course the setting of Anglesey plays a big part in the book. This is a cracking police procedural and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
I listened to the Audible version, which once again was narrated superbly by Richard Elfyn.
2 people found this helpful
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- Sweetpea
- 12-07-19
A fast paced, enjoyable Welsh thriller
This is the third outing for Inspector Ian Drake. This time the action centres around the small, tightly knit, rural communities on the island of Anglesey.
Inspector Drake is struggling with his worsening OCD, his failing marriage and the recent death of his father. He then finds himself enmeshed in a series of murders that may or may not be related. Drake and his team have a plethora of suspects and motives and face a race against the clock before the killer strikes again.
I enjoyed this third book in the series more than the previous two, (which were both very good I might add!), because I felt the writing was tighter and the tension was ratcheted up, especially near the end. The enjoyment was enhanced by the consummate narration from Richard Elfyn, who managed “upper class English twit” as realistically as Angleseyian(?) Welsh dialect.
I look forward to reading Drake book 4 and thoroughly recommend the series.
2 people found this helpful
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- Richard
- 04-10-19
Great Welsh pronouncements
The narrator has no problems speaking the Welsh words. Love the series. Sometimes I get confused when the author switches scenes. Maybe it should be a new chapter or the narrator could pause a little longer. But love the series, reminds me of an English/Welsh “Monk”. Keep writing.
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- DabOfDarkness
- 05-10-19
Learn some Welsh & solve a mystery
Note: This is Book 3 in the series but can be read as a stand alone.
Inspector Drake returns! Book 1 was great, book 2 was good, and Book 3 takes the series back to great. The story starts with a gruesome murder – a pitchfork! Yep! But there’s very few clues, at least until another body turns up (no pitchfork tho). But that murder has a lot of questions, a lot of hints of more crime going on behind the scenes. There was a lot of delicious suspense in this novel. I really enjoyed being kept on tenterhooks for certain sections of the story.
The tale also explores the personal lives of Drake and Caryn Waites. Ian Drake’s home life isn’t so homey. He is rarely home when a murder investigation has come up. His wife, who has her own career and the two kids to manage, is tired of Ian not being physically and emotionally available. In truth, these small parts were a little boring for me. I think this is because we see almost everything thru Ian’s eyes (a few short moments are told from Caryn’s point of view) and so we never really learn about Ian’s wife as a whole person. She simply comes off as cold and uncaring of what Ian is going through.
Still, I’m here for the murder mystery and enjoy Ian’s thought processes that let him track down the killer. Toss in some politicians, local concern over an incoming nuclear power plant, and a pedophile ring, you’ve got a heck of a story! I really liked concerns over preserving Welsh customs and language too because that made it very personable. Small and large actions shape our traditions, as Ian has to face that with his kids concerning whether they should be in a Welsh or English school.
All around, it kept me entertained & I look forward to more mysteries from Stephen Puleston. 4.75/5 stars.
The Narration: Richard Elfyn continues to bring these mysteries to life. His regional accents and pronunciation of proper Welsh names is very good. Each character has a distinct voice and his female voices are believable. The pacing is spot on and there were no tech issues with the recording. 5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Stephen Puleston. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
1 person found this helpful
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- little-debbie
- 11-01-21
Great Audio book
I was lucky enough to have gotten a free audio book code from the author. I am volunteering to leave this review. Great audio book plenty of twist and turns.
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- Aighmi*
- 31-12-20
Compelling Police Procedural
This is a wonderful police procedural set in modern-day Wales. The protagonist, Inspector Drake, is a very relatable character, very well-drawn and true. He is struggling in his personal life and working tirelessly in his job. The writing is excellent, the plot compelling, and the narrator perfect. I now want to systematically read my way through all the books in this series! This author eadily holds his own against an author such as Michael Connelly. I cannot recommend it enough!
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- Q Garcia
- 20-12-20
Against the Tide
Puleston is a master at describing people, places, and things; you can actually see them, feel them, and smell them. Multiple murders, eco-warriors, dirty pictures, and dysfunctional families keep you guessing until the end. I was gifted this from the author.
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- Linda P-C
- 20-12-20
On my way to buy Book 4 now
I have read this series in order and, for me, the prequel (Devil's Kitchen) started a bit slow - but by the time I was halfway through Book 1 (Brass In Pocket) I realized that the insight we are given into Ian Drake's personality in the prequel gave me the tools I needed to understand his motivations and that of the people around him. Book 2 (Worse Than Dead) kept the momentum going and now, in Book 3 of the series Drake is just Drake - a man with some issues (but don't we all have some issues?).
The story begins with one dead body turning up and then . . . well, no spoilers here - but the web of crimes involved could be taken from the headlines of the news almost anywhere - sadly. In the Ian Drake books, the reality of occasionally taking a turn down a blind alley during an investigation is more refreshing than other books I've read where the protagonist seems to pull magical solutions out of the ether, and the politics of policing that sometimes arise is also more realistic than other novels where the investigator seems to be above the law and breaks every rule in the book to get the bad guy.
I've enjoyed the series very much so far and am looking forward to beginning the next book soon.
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- Kindle Customer DVH
- 18-12-20
Inspector Drake is awesome
Against the Tide is book 3 in the Inspector Drake series. Stephen Puleston has written an exciting thriller. The narrator is Richard Elfin and his performance was wonderful. Inspector Drake has a dead fisherman and a strangled girl with a murderer on the lose. If you enjoy British police inspectors, Drake is a great series to enjoy. All of the books are wonderful. I received a code for my honest review.
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- Ellen Oceanside
- 17-12-20
Excellent
Having listened to the other two books in this series, enjoyed hearing about Drake in this third book. He is still in therapy the cases he works on leave a toll on him.Small welsh community are they against the nuclear power plant that wants to come in and causing murder to make it happen.
He is also confronting the problems with the death of his father.
Good series and good narration
Given audio for my voluntary review
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- Clau
- 16-12-20
Another excellent book in this series
The gruesome murder of a fisherman, a young girl strangled and the construction of a new nuclear plant are at the heart of this gritty, dark story.
Inspector Drake must find what links these events while battling his own personal problems. And those are really burdening him: his father's death haunts him, his family is breaking apart and his OCD is getting worse in spite of his therapy sessions.
The plot here is, as usual, tight and involving; the writing, really good; the characters engaging and evolving in each book. It's hard to read for moments because the storyline deals with powerful people who feel that they are allowed to do whatever they want because of that power, and because we can see how much Drake is struggling with both, the case and his personal life. But there is a sliver of hope at the end that sheds some light in the obscurity :D
Richard Elfyn does a good job with the narration, although some of the kids' voices are less than nice :P
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- David C Taylor
- 30-09-20
Ian Drake takes on a series of murders!
Inspector Drake and his team take on a series of murders in a local Welsh team which has Drake at his wits end as the investigation proceeds. Along with all of Drake’s personal issues – his need for obsessive compulsions for order - and the recent loss of his father he begins having marital problems. This story is action-packed and filled with a number of twists that keep your interest until the final resolution. Of the three Ian Drake audiobooks this is without a doubt the best. Once again Richard Elfyn’s narration brings this story to life.