All the Hidden Truths cover art

All the Hidden Truths

DI Birch, Book 1

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About this listen

WINNER OF THE MCILVANNEY DEBUT PRIZE

LONGLISTED FOR THE MCILVANNEY PRIZE SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AND CWA JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD) AWARDS

A wrenching, gripping, unforgettable debut crime novel for fans of Susie Steiner and Kate Atkinson.

This is a fact: Ryan Summers walked into Three Rivers College and killed thirteen women, then himself.

But no one can say why.

The question is one that cries out to be answered - by Ryan's mother, Moira; by Ishbel, the mother of Abigail, the first victim; and by DI Helen Birch, put in charge of the case on her first day at her new job. But as the tabloids and the media swarm, as the families' secrets come out, as the world searches for someone to blame...the truth seems to vanish.

A stunningly moving novel from an exciting new voice in crime, All the Hidden Truths will cause you to question your assumptions about the people you love, and reconsider how the world reacts to tragedy.

©2018 Claire Askew (P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Crime Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Movie, TV & Video Game Tie-Ins Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Highlander

Critic reviews

"(a) meticulous and compelling novel about the aftermath of a major crime and its effect on the affected families and investigating officers both." (Ian Rankin)

"Gripping, heartbreaking and horrifyingly plausible. I couldn't tear myself away from this book. Claire Askew is a stunning new voice in crime fiction." (Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said)

"Raw, powerful, compassionate and deeply moving, with page-turning tension to the end. A stunning debut." (Karen Robinson, Sunday Times Crime Club)
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This is a really gripping book. From start to finish it drags you on an emotional roller coaster. Such strong characters who you really invest in.

This is definitely a book that you can sit back and enjoy before being dragged closer to the edge of your seat.

Really went narrated too. The reader grasped the emotional magnitude of the story and made it an amazing listen.

Really quite stunning

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Well done to the narrator. Every single one of the characters evoked a strong feeling of sadness - even the perpetrator. The construction of the tale was masterly and only towards the end did I understand the beginning. How does a parent live with the repercussions of such an act? A very good and thoughtful book. Highly recommended

Brilliantly enabling empathy for all characters

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An emotional and heartbreaking but compulsive listen. Incredible to think this is a first novel.

Excellent

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a bit disappointed. I liked the narrator doing her best to bring out the characters of the story. Its just a bit too formulaic. I think i gave it enough of a listen, i made it to 4th chapter before quitting.

good narration. disappointing story

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Difficult subject matter sensitively handled makes this a book to remember. The way the story is told, through the very ordinariness of three women, makes it all seem so possible. The characters are well drawn and believable. Here is an author who can plot and pace, write sensitively and sustain interest throughout.
The narration is brilliant and the narrator has a real talent for different accents and clear diction.
Can’t recommend highly enough.

In my Top 5 this year

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