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Cry Baby

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Cry Baby

By: Mark Billingham
Narrated by: Mark Billingham, Robert Glenister, David Morrissey, Full Cast
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About this listen

A full-cast, unabridged production of Cry Baby, the gripping prequel to Mark Billingham's acclaimed debut, Sleepyhead. Starring David Morrissey, Robert Glenister and a full cast of actors, with the narrator played by Mark Billingham.

Cry Baby is the shocking first case for one of British crime fiction's most iconic detectives.

It's 1996. Detective Sergeant Tom Thorne is a haunted man. Haunted by the moment he ignored his instinct about a suspect, by the horrific crime that followed and by the memories that come day and night, in sunshine and shadow.

So when seven-year-old Kieron Coyne goes missing while playing in the woods with his best friend, Thorne vows he will not make the same mistake again. Cannot.

The solitary witness. The strange neighbour. The friendly teacher. All are in Thorne's sights.

This case will be the making of him...or the breaking.

Full cast list: Mark Billingham, David Morrissey, Robert Glenister, Candida Gubbins, Nathalie Buscombe, Mandy Weston, Rachel Atkins, Rupert Farley, Homer Todiwala, Nigel Pilkington, David John, Will Kelly, Glen McCready, Bhavnisha Parmar, Henley Ingall, Luke Stoneham.

2021, Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, Long-listed

©2020 Mark Billingham (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK Crime Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Psychological Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Thriller Exciting Suspense

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Critic reviews

"Cry Baby is the perfect prequel to send us back to revel in Tom Thorne's 20 years. As if we needed reminding how good Mark Billingham is." (Val McDermid)

"Tom Thorne is one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction. Mark Billingham is a master of psychology, plotting and the contemporary scene - making the Thorne novels the complete package. Twenty years in and better than ever." (Ian Rankin)

"Billingham is always a must [listen]." (Harlan Coben)
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A well written well paced, I didnt like the narrator aspect at first but settled down. The characters are really well crafted and developed. David Morrisey was a joy to listen to. overall well worth the credit

fits in well with other books

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I thought the new format (with a live cast) worked well and added to the enjoyment of the story, which was as engrossing as usual. It was interesting to learn more about Tom's past.

I look forward to the next instalment - and finding out more about his new girlfriend!

Interesting new format

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It's a completely personal preference but I just can't enjoy a full cast production as much as a single narrator. Especially when I've got this far through a series, excellently narrated by the author; I found it jarring and distracting.
The story was great, and although I hadn't realised it was a prequel, I enjoyed meeting Hendricks for the first time and I can only hope, he wrote the whole book, just to throw in references to phone cards!
On to the next one, fingers crossed we're back to Mark Billingham.

Great story but I find full cast distracting.

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I really enjoyed this book. Not too heavy good story a bit predictable but that’s what I was looking for.
Loved the clear talking voice

Read well

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Really enjoyed this book and the way it was presented with a full cast. Brilliant!

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