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Playing Nice

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Playing Nice

By: JP Delaney
Narrated by: Ben Elliot, Amelia Cormack, Peter Forbes
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About this listen

*Soon to be a major ITV and StudioCanal TV show starring James Norton and Niamh Algar*

Pete Riley answers the door one morning to a parent's worst nightmare. On his doorstep is Miles Lambert, who breaks the devastating news that Pete's two-year-old, Theo, isn't Pete's real son - their babies got mixed up at birth.

The two families agree that, rather than swap the boys back, they'll try to find a more flexible way to share their children's lives. But a plan to sue the hospital triggers an investigation that unearths disturbing questions about just what happened the day the babies were switched.

And when Theo is thrown out of nursery for hitting other children, the Rileys have to ask themselves: how far do they want this arrangement to go? What secrets lie hidden behind the Lamberts' smart front door? How much can they trust the real parents of their child - or even each other?


©2020 Shippen Productions Ltd (P)2020 Penguin Random House Audio Amateur Sleuths Crime Thrillers Family Life Genre Fiction Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting Scary Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant
I am a 50% JP Delaney Fan ... LOVED "The Girl Before" could not get into "Believe me" ADORED "The Perfect Wife" and it is still sharp in my mind like I read it yesterday but I could not get into "Playing Nice". I am so hoping this hit and miss format is continuing for me and I will go wild about the next JP Delaney as it is almost like there are two authors at work here taking it in turns to right the books! "The Girl Before" was fabulous ... and "The Perfect Wife" was even better ... and now this.

Don't get me wrong, the switched baby scenario is huge food for thought for anyone - but not being a parent I think it just did not resonate as much with me and although I did get the many complex emotions this would create, it did not hold my attention, so I gave up and just skipped ahead and yes as usual JP Delaney served up twist after stunning twist.

Perhaps because I basically got bored and gave up and skipped ahead, I missed out nuances but to me it seemed a little broadly painted - a pantomime baddy - a saintly goody - a terrible situation to be resolved and then it all escalated.

From another author this would be a brilliant book and for those who enjoy kitchen sink dramas, emotions being tugged by toddlers and kind of soap series melodrama it would be a treat. But I just expected far more from JP Delaney and had hoped this would be another "Girl Before/Perfect Wife" though it was less far fetched than "Believe Me".

Also I find reading about mental health issues unsavoury as I am just looking for a thriller to capture my imagination and take me on a thrilling ride of suspense and mystery and bringing in the potential red herring of are they/aren't they insane just muddies the waters for me.

So to sum up, very well written book, good narration but just themes not really up my street and not the smash hit follow up to "The Girl Before/The Perfect Wife" I had so joyfully anticipated. Maybe the next book will blow my socks off - I hope so!

Perhaps more riveting if you are a parent

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Such a great premise for a story. I couldn't stop listening. My second JP Delaney book. Can't wait for the third!

Totally compelling

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Started off slowly but as the story unraveled, I couldn’t stop listening. The storyline became more complicated as the book went on and I was interested all the way through to the end.

Excellent

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Really good book. Gradually draws you in and keeps the interest going all the way through with all the twists and turns

Another great book from J P Delaney

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Playing Nice is a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The narration is really good. The characters are diverse and interesting. The twists and turns keep you guessing right to the end.

A great listen!

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