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  • Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

  • Dirk Gently, Book 1
  • By: Douglas Adams
  • Narrated by: Stephen Mangan
  • Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (448 ratings)
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Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency cover art

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

By: Douglas Adams
Narrated by: Stephen Mangan
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Summary

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, is a much loved cult classic, that has spawned radio dramas, television, theatre and comic book adaptations across the globe. This new audio edition is hilariously narrated by Stephen Mangan – star of Green Wing, Episodes, and the original Dirk Gently series on the BBC.

What do a dead cat, a computer whiz kid, an Electric Monk who believes the world is pink, quantum mechanics, a Chronologist over two hundred years old, Samuel Taylor Coleridge (poet), and pizza have in common?

Apparently not much; until Dirk Gently, self styled private investigator, sets out to prove the fundamental interconnectedness of all things by solving a mysterious murder, assisting a mysterious professor, unravelling a mysterious mystery, and eating a lot of pizza – not to mention saving the entire human race from extinction along the way (at no extra charge).

To find out more, listen to this book (better still, buy it then listen to it) – or contact Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.

'A thumping good detective-ghost-horror-who dunnit-time travel-romantic-musical-comedy-epic' - Douglas Adams.

Continue this surreal series with The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul and the unfinished The Salmon of Doubt.

©2009 Douglas Adams (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd

Critic reviews

An astonishing comic writer (Neil Gaiman)
Rich and endlessly entertaining (Stephen Mangan)
Few recent writers have had such an infectious prose style as Adams. With his fondness for paradox, his galactic perspective on things and his wonderful way with meaningful nonsense his are the books which have launched a trillion quips (Robert McFarlane)

What listeners say about Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A kooky offbeat sci-fi romp! Unusual but enjoyable.

I enjoyed this story, it’s got Douglas Adams humour in it, Is expertly narrated, and is staffed with enjoyable characters.

However, I felt like it was setting up for something bigger and grander than it’s actual ending, and felt some of the structural leaps the narrative took were clumsy, leaving a few loose ends but it was enjoyable none the less.

Perhaps more will be revealed in the sequel? I will now try it to find out!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Confusing

If you don’t mind being confused it’s a good book. I like Hitchhikers guide more though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book is amazing

Loved this book 💜 i listened to it within a few days and didn't want to stop.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great book, shame about the harsh voice

I love this book. I always have. So what a joy to get the listen to it as I drive. Unfortunately, I find the reader's voice sharp and assonant, almost grating to listen to. So I enjoyed the story despite the reading of it. I find this is often the problem with audio books. Great story, but the choice of reader doesn't suit. I'm sure he's a wonderful actor, but I would have preferred a softer voice. Still. Glad I listened.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story!!!

extremely funny and deep!
the narrator does great voices as well.
I found the story slightly hard to follow, as most of the important information is given in subtext and hints.
I'm not quite sure how the main characters resolved the conflict, so I'm going to look it up.
but apart from that, the writing is brilliant!
the way the story is written makes me feel like these events could happen, or have happened.
it's a great mixture of real life within fantasy and sci-fi, and the comedy moments are woven in seamlessly with the emotional moments.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A stunning imagination

It is a long time since I read the book, so I began this audio version with some anticipation.

I don't think it was quite as enjoyable as I remember the book being, but it is still worthy of more than four stars.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • H
  • 27-03-23

i'd rather just

i'd rather just leave a review without having to write anything, thank you very much

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Under rated classic

Great book, superb narration apparently I need 15 words minimum so just buy it …….please.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Douglas Adams and his Sharda remnant

ok, I genuinely thought it started with the electric monk!! what a surprise.
I haven't listened to this for about 20 years and I think I enjoyed it more this time around.
the way all of the seemingly disconnected threads come together and Douglas' righting style and humour are always welcome and have a fond place in my heart.
plus finding a horse in a bathroom is always interesting thing

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beyond description - brilliant

The best I've listened to on Audible. A highly engaging, amusing, fanciful story, read brilliantly by Stephen Mangan. Great accents, perfect intonation and timing for the dry wit. I can't recommend it enough, if you're looking for something utterly diverting and linguistically marvellous

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