Before the Poison cover art

Before the Poison

a totally gripping crime fiction novel from the master of the police procedural

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Before the Poison

By: Peter Robinson
Narrated by: Al Senter, Sandra Duncan, Simon Slater
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About this listen

 Through the years of success in Hollywood composing music for the world's most lauded films, Chris always promised his wife they would return to the Yorkshire Dales one day. Now, after his wife's death, Chris feels he must not forget his promise.

Back in the Dales, he rents an isolated house that will allow him the space to come to terms with his grief and the quiet to allow him to compose his piano sonata. But when he finds that the house was the scene of a murder in the 1950s, and that the convicted murderer was one of the last women hanged in England, he finds himself increasingly distracted by the events of sixty years before . . .

(P)2011 Hodder & Stoughton©2011 Eastvale Enterprises Inc. Crime Thrillers Mystery Police Procedural Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Fiction Crime Exciting Tear-jerking Suspense England Murder Marriage

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Critic reviews

If Robinson is to turn out one-off novels as assured as this perhaps we wouldn't mind too much if Alan Banks was to retire and take up beekeeping in Sussex.
With this stand-alone novel, Mr. Robinson - best-known for his award-winning Inspector Banks mystery series - has fashioned a gripping tale that brings to mind not only old-time Hollywood but also British "golden age" storytelling in the Agatha Christie and Daphne du Maurier tradition
With adept professionalism, Robinson brings to the reader a story that is tantalisingly unravelled like a poisoned present . . . a haunting, moving tale that will get you thinking days after the last word has been read
A gripping tale of guilt and self-sacrifice, it will haunt you to the final page - and beyond
Praise for Peter Robinson
'Peter Robinson has for too long, and unfairly, been in the shadow of Ian Rankin; perhaps PIECE OF MY HEART, the latest in the Chief Inspector Banks series, will give him the status he deserves, near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league'
'Brilliant! . . . Gut-wrenching plotting, alongside heart-wrenching portraits of the characters who populate his world, not to mention the top-notch police procedure.'
A police procedural that grips like pliers
All stars
Most relevant
I was not disappointed by this book, and found it a real 'page turner', keeping me awake when listening at night! I really enjoyed the structure of the book with the different voices turn taking. I have recommended this to friends and would to anyone else who wants something other than a straight forward 'detective' story. I did not find the voice of Chris too youthful, but refreshing that his voice was not unnecessarily 'elderly.'

Exellent and gripping

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Anyone who is a fan of well written mysteries needs to lend this an ear (or possibly two). I am a big fan of Peter Robinson's Grant series but his stand alone novels were a departure for me. However not only was I not disappointed, but I was totally gripped from start to finish. This book is very well written and I did not guess the end. This version is also very well read. If you purchase this you will not be disappointed.

A Brilliant Departure

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Where does Before the Poison rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Up amongst the best

What other book might you compare Before the Poison to, and why?

The House Sitter by Peter Lovesey. Before the Poison is a detective story with a difference.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

Grace, she kept her dignity throughout.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but didn't have time.

Any additional comments?

Really liked having 3 narrators making the flashbacks to Grace's time more enjoyable.

Totally different to DCI Banks, still excellent

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Having read all this author's "Inspector Banks" books, this stand alone story is generally excellent. It is rather "old fashioned" and at times the storyline "rambles" As an audiobook the fact that different narrators relate the story is very relaxing and bring the narrative alive!. readers/listeners who are conversant with Robinson's previous books should ignore the insp Banks format and appreciate this book.

Relaxing book.

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Peter Robinson is definitely back on form after the disappointing and quite frankly appalling Bad Boy. I have loved the rest of the Inspector Banks novels so wasn't sure what to expect from this stand alone. However, it was absolutely gripping and shows that Robinson can write a fantastic story. All the characters are convincing and you feel as if you are right there in a Yorkshire winter. The narrator does a brilliant job although I do agree with other reviewers that his youthful voice is not quite right for the 60 something year old Chris!

Back on form!

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