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Sixteen Horses cover art

Sixteen Horses

By: Greg Buchanan
Narrated by: Louise Brealey
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Summary

Featured on BBC 2's Between the Covers.

Near the dying English seaside town of Ilmarsh, local police Detective Alec Nichols discovers 16 horses’ heads on a farm, each buried with a single eye facing the low winter sun. After forensic veterinarian Cooper Allen travels to the scene, the investigators soon uncover evidence of a chain of crimes in the community - disappearances, arson and mutilations - all culminating in the reveal of something deadly lurking in the ground itself.

In the dark days that follow, the town slips into panic and paranoia. Everything is not as it seems. Anyone could be a suspect. And as Cooper finds herself unable to leave town, Alec is stalked by an unseen threat. The two investigators race to uncover the truth behind these frightening and insidious mysteries - no matter the cost.

©2021 Buchanan Productions Ltd (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International

Critic reviews

"Unlike anything else you'll read this year, Sixteen Horses is a deeply disconcerting ride. Irresistible." (Val McDermid, author of Still Life)

"Totally gripping from start to finish." (Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient)

"Original, beautifully written, terrifying and haunting." (Sophie Hannah, author of Haven't They Grown)

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What listeners say about Sixteen Horses

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

Didn’t enjoy this

I don’t know whether it was the story or the narrator but I found it really difficult to concentrate on the story. Most of the time I was just confused and didn’t know what was going on.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Oh dear

What may have been an excellent book has yet again been ruined by an awful narration . It gets to the point whereupon that voice grates in your ears and you really don't care how the story ends . Shame that an inventive storyline has been ruined by a fifth rate actress or whatever .

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

Strange and drawn out

I did like this book but it was very drawn out and at times a bit strange, that being said the ending makes up for the slower parts and boring bits. I would have given the story more stars if wasn’t for the pointless chapters that didn’t really add to the story or tension. I switched between the actual book and the audio version, the writing structure is fabulous in the book and it carries will into the audio version and narrator is well suited to the darker slow burning tone of the book.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Not a clue

None the wiser who did what to whom and why. Weird, depressing. Struggled to finish it.

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Not the best I've listened to

struggled with this narrated in one tone needed more energy was looking forward to it disappointed in it in the end but what wasn't t for me may be for others that's the beauty of reading/listening so onto the next one

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

Bleak and beautiful

A richly-textured rendition of broken people and places, which really draws you into its dark melancholy. It feels like a real depiction of mental health and some of life's struggles. The fractured relationship moments between Alec and his wife come to mind immediately as poignant and sad, and beautifully observed.

I like the filmic scenes, which are sometimes short, sometimes longer, but which always make you feel like you're in the hands of a writer who knows how to plot for maximum thematic impact. I feel no detail is wasted to reinforce the themes.

I enjoyed the actress' performance, which brings its own layer of low-key melancholy, and I liked that their accent seemed to fit the area in which the story is set.

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1 person found this helpful

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Memorable

Well written and the narrator was very good. Very hard going at times and sometimes disturbing, but a book I will always remember not sure if that is a good thing or not.
It would make a very good film.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Unsettlingly violent

I had read the synopsis, but the content was horrendously violent. The narrator I not had had bad reviews, but actually when we think of what she was having to read, I think she did well. Sadly too much for me.

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

Too hard to follow

It lost me completely, had no idea what was going on or who was who

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Waste of time

Could not be bothered to finish this which is unheard of for me! Such a disappointing book

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