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The First Casualty
- Narrated by: Glen McCready
- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
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The First Casualty
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Summary
Flanders, June 1917: a British officer and celebrated poet, is shot dead, killed not by German fire, but while recuperating from shell shock well behind the lines. A young English soldier is arrested and, although he protests his innocence, charged with his murder.
Douglas Kingsley is a conscientious objector, previously a detective with the London police, now imprisoned for his beliefs. He is released and sent to France in order to secure a conviction. Forced to conduct his investigations amidst the hell of The Third Battle of Ypres, Kingsley soon discovers that both the evidence and the witnesses he needs are quite literally disappearing into the mud that surrounds him.Ben Elton's tenth novel is a gut-wrenching historical drama which explores some fundamental questions. What is murder? What is justice in the face of unimaginable daily slaughter? And where is the honour in saving a man from the gallows if he is only to be returned to die in a suicidal battle?
As the gap between legally-sanctioned and illegal murder becomes ever more blurred, Kingsley quickly learns that the first casualty when war comes is truth.
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What listeners say about The First Casualty
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kirsteen Carruthers
- 17-03-16
Tiz. United Arab Emirates.
A brilliant and gripping book. Beautifully read. I highly recommend it. Ben Elton is a fantastic author.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ian Jenkinson
- 25-11-22
The First Casualty
Very gripping storyline that kept me wanting to listen to it when I could.
Story was told brilliantly.
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- The listener
- 10-10-23
fantastic
fantastic story and superbly narrated. ben elton at his best. narration was also amazing
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- Anonymous User
- 30-05-18
Loved it!
Another brilliant Ben Elton! Narrated beautifully with amazing characters. A real insight into the futility of the world war.
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- robert
- 01-12-13
A great read
Gripping from start to finish. A fantastic book. The story is fast moving and really makes you think about those dark times.
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- Gemma Lees
- 25-04-19
excellent book great naration
loved this book I always enjoy Ben Elton this book was very interesting and great naration.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-09-19
Fabulous
A gripping story that has you hooked from the start. Graphic in its detail. Narrator is brilliant and makes the characters seem so real. So good I listened to it in just two sittings.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- MikeyC
- 16-12-12
Great story
Brings out the horrors of war coupled with a great story. Can't wait to listen to the Two Brothers by the same author. Also very well read
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1 person found this helpful
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- James Langley
- 22-11-21
absolutely loved it
I really enjoyed the story and narration, I listened whilst riding my bike and it made some cold weather very bearable...
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- Jacqueline Curbishley
- 27-02-15
Brilliance from Ben Elton.
Where does The First Casualty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I've listened to thousands of Audio books over the years, so this is a bit of an unfair question because I have probably forgotten more than many people have read. However, The First Casualty ranks in the top ten of the last 12 months.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Kingsley because he is so much a gentleman of his time. They don't make them like that anymore. I was rooting for him all the way.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The scene in the car after Kingsley was taken from the prison and was pretending to be asleep. It had me on the edge of my seat. I had to stop ironing and turn up the volume. Vey exciting.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Oh, definitely the scene where Kingsley climbs into his son's bedroom.
Any additional comments?
The tone of the book very cleverly evoked the time of it's setting. Top marks for research to Ben Elton. The narrator was absolutely superb too. He got those voices of the men and the masters of the First World War to perfection. It's a great polemic on the folly and fabrication that accompanies all warfare.
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2 people found this helpful