The suspense set in 1950s

This was a very new and original story line which I found very enjoyable. It was written in a part of the country I remember as a child which added to my interest. The suspense continued to the end. However the narrator did not qualify for 5 stars because of his poor pronunciation of Welsh words! For such a good narrator that was a shame as it caused a lot of annoyance! I hope there is a follow up story.

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Excellent

Great story, brilliantly narrated . A little long on technical details occasionally but that doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment?

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1 person found this helpful

Pretty good but laboured in places

This is set in a 1950s small town and is very refreshing. The details of everyday life rang true and the actual pathology and forensics were clearly done without being burdensome. It was a good mixture of scientific procedure and police investigation and I thought that was all well done.

Where it lost me was in the rather clumsily inserted passages about the potential love lives of the characters. The pathologist is sharing a house with his business partner and it is platonic but the author puts in passages where they each wonder about the other in a rather half-hearted way before getting back to the plot. The partners have two young attractive female employees so the author tried to build some romantic tension between them all which was unconvincing and, I felt, unnecessary. It always improved when they were all concentrating on their work.

I have listened to just one Crowner John novel by the same author and this is much better done in that the main characters have expertise and are quite likeable.

Jonathan Keeble as ever reads it very well.

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4 people found this helpful

good story.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this story describing what forensic tools were available in the 1950's and the lifestyle of that period of time.
as Bernard knight was a pathologist at that period of time he should know what he is writing about making it authentic. it is explained that the characters are all fictional but the area in which the stories are set factual.
Jonathon keeble did a good job of performing the book.
looking forward to the next book.

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3 people found this helpful

Rather slow to start and a bit long winded afterwards

Brilliant narrator as always, a master of his art but bring back the Crowner series please

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loved it can't wait for the next onee loved the period iof time its set

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2 people found this helpful

Good story

Really enjoyed this about CSO before high tech or DNA - love the characters and the unfolding home unit.

I would recommend even though many may find it a little slow perhaps.

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2 people found this helpful

Clumsy writing

Story quite interesting though slow. I usually like Keeble as a narrator but I felt he was accentuating every other word to make it interesting which just makes it tiring.
The author was intent on including as many quirks of the times as he could which I thought was very clumsy.
After the first half I was keen for it to be finished.

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1 person found this helpful

Good story and easy listening

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it has a good story line and interesting characters; it sets the scene well for policing and forensic science in the 1950s and plays on the current enjoyment of all things nostalgic!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Probably Richard, the main character; he has an unusual background and seems like someone you would like to know

What does Jonathan Keeble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I enjoy his variety of voices (there is only one that doesn't quite fit). He is easy to listen to and I like a good story while I'm working.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No not really, it isn't that kind of book but I was very glad when they finally found the evidence to convict the murderer!

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2 people found this helpful

Second review- erratum

Previously referred to the wrong medieval series by the Author. Bernard Knight of course is the Author of the Crowner John series. The Catchpole and Bradecote series by Sarah Hawkesworth makes a great follow-up series. Set a few years earlier and in Worcestershire (hence my ready confusion), it is worth a listen for fans of the Crowner. Meanwhile, back in Garth House in the 1950s, we look forward to seeing how the series develops…

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