Search the Dark cover art

Search the Dark

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Search the Dark

By: Charles Todd
Narrated by: Samuel Gillies
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About this listen

 Dorset is the latest setting for the talents of Inspector Ian Rutledge, a veteran of the First World War still haunted, literally, by his actions. Indeed, his personal ghost only serves to complicate things as his inner doubts blend into the trauma of the case. The disappearance of two children, the murder of a woman supposed to be their mother, and an unstable suspect who may or may not be guilty form the bones of Todd's latest psychological thriller, augmented by the in-depth and impressive character analysis that distinguishes his novels.©2000 Charles Todd (P)1999 Recorded Books Crime Fiction Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense

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All stars
Most relevant
Sadly I didn’t really care enough about who killed whom in this book. Without the psychological device it would have been very bog standard.

Pretty average

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Like: relevance of plot - war injuries in today’s war torn world and poor soldiers returning with PTSD.
Dislike: narration speed: only bearable if you crank it up to 1.25 of normal delivery: otherwise you end up falling asleep! It’s lacking!
I love reading entire series, normally, but if next plot still as wearing as this one I’ll have to call it a day, sadly.
Currently: more disappointed than enchanted. At times plot and descriptive narrative entices again, so it varies, overall. Main point: I’ll give it at least one more shot.
Disappointed also that ‘hero’ so firmly in victim (heroic victim) role, but love the dialogue between him and Hamish!

Kind of enjoyable

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This is one of Charles Todd’s earliest Inspector Rutledge novels but I found it disappointing compared to his later books.

The story is convoluted and confusing where nothing much happens for much of the time, leaving it with a “gossipy impression.

Reader isn’t up to the standard of Simon Prebble’s narration of the later books.

A disappointment

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This series of gentle mysteries is enjoyable but the narration ruined this one. Terrible accents bearing no relation to the Dorset way of speaking, unnecessary pauses and emphasis all combine to spoil the book. Simon Prebble is much better.

Enjoyable book ruined by narrator

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