Only the Dead cover art

Only the Dead

DCI Bennett, Book 1

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About this listen

Meet DCI Cyril Bennett, a ladies' man with a passion for efficiency. His partner, DS David Owen, is naïve and untidy but keen. Together they make a formidable pair.

When two dead infants are found at a teacher training college, Bennett and Owen are given the case. At the same time, a killer is on the loose staging attacks using sulphur mustard. Bennett and Owen must work together to bring to justice a killer with revenge on his mind.

©2016 Malcolm Hollingdrake (P)2017 W. F. Howes Ltd Crime Thrillers Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Fiction Crime

Critic reviews

"Totally riveting and...thought provoking." (Sarah Nardy, Bytheletterbookreviews)
"Beautifully written, this debut novel is a masterclass in tension. This is a perfect thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat." (Betsy Reavley)
All stars
Most relevant
This was my first book by this author. There are two storylines which run side by side, but not confusing and easy to follow, and both storylines come together towards the end. I loved the fact that the books were set in the Harrogate area in my native Yorkshire, so many of the locations were familiar to me.

I wasn't keen on the character of DCI Cyril Bennett though. The Bell's Palsy angle was interesting but I didn't really feel I got to know him or his sidekick, DS Owen very well.

All in all I felt the book was just average, though I will try the next in the series in the hope that I enjoy it more.

Fairly average

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Stayed awake into the early hours hooked on the brilliant plot, beautifully written, following two very different but compelling cases DC Bennett was working in. A very accomplished author with a well deserved following from and educated audience.
This audiobook was beautifully read by the magnificent Nicholas Camm. His accent and tone perfectly matched to the twists and turns of the police investigation in both Yorkshire and The Cote D’Azur.
Off to download the next one, can’t wait to become aquatinted with both Cyril Bennett and Mr Camm’s dulcet tones.

Gripping drama had me hooked right to the end, what a brilliant find!

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Parallel storylines although confusing at times came together although seemed a bit rushed at the end , doesn’t detract from being a good listen though , good narration.

Enjoyable listen

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A story or rather two, I enjoyed both, the inspector with his “ Bell’s palsy “ injected some humor. All in all I found it a most entertaining read.

Most enjoyable story.

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It was such a hackneyed take and if I hadn’t been driving and needed something to listen to I think I’d have abandoned it

Dreary and predictable

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