So much gore

The story was well told. I enjoyed the narrator better than the narrative which, for me had too much explicit detail, both of brutal happenings and sexual scenes - is Andy Gilchrist the "James Bond" of the Fife Constabulary?. However, if I gloss over those things, or if you like them, this was a good story, though I am not sure it lives up to the rave reviews I have seen to date. I will listen to the next one in the series as I feel that, all things considered, it could get better and I like Scottish detectives and Scotland.

23 people found this helpful

Great story, well read

Would you consider the audio edition of Hand for a Hand to be better than the print version?

I discovered T.F Muir through Audible and have only listened to the audiobook versions of his novels.

What other book might you compare Hand for a Hand to, and why?

I enjoyed the first one, An Eye for an Eye, and was not disappointed by the sequel. DI Gilchrist is deepening as a character and the relationship with his children and ex-wife is explored in more depth in this novel.

What about David Monteath’s performance did you like?

David Monteath gave an excellent performance, reading with great interpretation and believable accents.

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

It's just as well that audiobooks are portable as I found myself listening at all available opportunities - while in the car, walking the dog, cooking etc.

Any additional comments?

I don't think you need to have read/listened to the first one before getting this one as the stories are entirely separate and this doesn't refer in any way to the first book. I'll certainly be getting the next one.

20 people found this helpful

Growing in Character!

In DI Gilchrist T F Muir has developed a likeable character with a highly believable mix of humanity's strengths, weaknesses and foibles. This follow up to the first book further develops that character which is something I find important, I like to feel invested in the characters before I can enjoy a story.

Of course the story is important to, it's gruesome, has multiple twists and turns and builds into a genuinely adrenaline filled climax. All supported by the excellent narration of David Monteith including both the gruesome detail and the lighter moments.

Well recommended but not for the really faint hearted!

14 people found this helpful

Another Gripping Story

Narrated so well, very compelling story with every human emotion taking your breath away. Brilliant

3 people found this helpful

Decent story but some odd bits

Enjoyed the overall story but I felt that sometimes the author went into intermate detail that wasn't necessary for this type of story.. Being a crime book it perhaps was not needed to go into sex scene details in my opinion.

3 people found this helpful

Finally had to give up on this wretched book.

Unbelievable storyline, unbelievable characters. No tension, inevitable conclusion. This is puerile rubbish. The graphic sex between two main characters and the way they bully and threaten their way through any suspects, is laughable. This is not a book I wish to have in my library.

3 people found this helpful

Enjoyable but grim

I enjoyed this book but I found it a bit stressful in places and if the books get much more grim I may have to give up. The narration was excellent and the main character is likeable, believable which made the difficult aspects of the plot tolerable.

3 people found this helpful

Bit disappointed

I really liked the first of this series and used a credit to buy this which is rare for me for stories rather than learning.

The story here was just too predictable once the first victim was identified. Glasgow gangland crooks also a bit yawn! Too much reference to, and reliance on infamous "sixth sense".

Narration is good although the guy really relishes pronouncing "murder" in the famous Taggart style. But hey thats ok if you aren't in a public place with headphones or can resist repeating. And the landlord seemed to gain an Irish accent not apparent in the first book.

Grouch...overuse of the word pubis in the sex scenes. Slightly weird and annoying and find I'm still thinking about it days later and started listening out for it!

Two books in and I have realised that reference to past cases isn't a story I missed, just a bit lazy annoying literary device.

Overall feels like a bit of a rushed follow up following a pretty quick plot plan. All that said, I won't discount trying one more on the strength of the first book.

7 people found this helpful

Another Gem of a Crime Thriller Series

This is a gritty and well read series of thrillers set in St Andrews in the Kingdom of Fife. I managed The Russacks Hotel up there for just over a year and these thrillers bring back a number of memories. The stories are well written and have you on the edge of your seat at times. Twists and turns galore, you cannot help but get embroiled in the main character DCI Gilchrist and his oddball team and I am so glad I gave the series a try. I have now listened to the first 2 books and have just downloaded the 3rd. I am hooked !

6 people found this helpful

Enjoyable listen if a bit grisly

My first Muir book, loved narration, good book bit overlong but will definitely download another.

2 people found this helpful