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The Friend cover art

The Friend

By: Dorothy Koomson
Narrated by: Christina Cole,Susy Kane,Angela Griffin,Shelley Conn,Jennifer Saayeng,Sam Dillon
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Summary

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Friend by Dorothy Koomson, read by Jennifer Saayeng, Angela Griffin, Christina Cole, Shelley Conn, Susy Kane and Sam Dillon.

What secrets would you kill to keep?

After her husband's big promotion, Cece Solarin arrives in Brighton with their three children, ready to start afresh. But their new neighbourhood has a deadly secret.

Three weeks earlier, Yvonne, a very popular parent, was almost murdered in the grounds of the local school - the same school where Cece has unwittingly enrolled her children.

Already anxious about making friends when the parents seem so cliquey, Cece is now also worried about her children's safety. By chance she meets Maxie, Anaya and Hazel, three very different school mothers who make her feel welcome and reassure her about her new life.

That is until Cece discovers the police believe one of her new friends tried to kill Yvonne. Reluctant to spy on her friends but determined to discover the truth, Cece must uncover the potential murderer before they strike again....

From the best-selling author of That Girl from Nowhere and When I Was Invisible comes a thrilling new novel that will have you questioning the line between right and wrong.

©2017 Dorothy Koomson (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about The Friend

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  • Overall
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Excellent story...had me wanting more

I loved this story, kept my interest right until the end. It’s a long book to listen to, but the twists and turns of all the characters was great. Loved the difference between the ladies and how as friends they worked. Totally recommend this and all Dorothy Koomsons books.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Well Performed And Not Too Silly

If you could sum up The Friend in three words, what would they be?

Whodunnit amongst friends

Would you recommend The Friend to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, if they're looking for an easy listen. It's not thrilling or a rollercoaster ride, but it's well performed by each of the narrators and not too daft or mushy as this type of story often is. I'm probably a harsh critic and when I'd finished listening I thought that was ok and I didn't regret using my credit on it.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

The narrators were good, not over the top but they brought life to each character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Apart from the fact that it's 15 hours long it's not on the edge of your seat stuff that made me desperate to finish it, but having said that it was enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

My genre is crime and thriller but from time to time I listen to something different. The story isn't complicated and doesn't tax the brain, but it's performed well so it's worth a listen.

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4 people found this helpful

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A Fabulous read....Dorothy Koomson triumphs again

A big up to Dorothy, a brilliant black female writer, one of the finest, who doesn't get enough recognition for her fabulous work. As per usual with Dorothy Koomson, we are slowly introduced to the main characters, in depth descriptions on each of their personalities so that we really get to know them. Dorothy takes us to that intriguing world of the school gate drop off/pick up. Many of you will recognise the school gate politics and may indeed have observed the jostling and preening behaviour from the Queen Bee. Female friendships created at the school gate, the secrets and the wanting to fit in and be taken for who you are here and now, rather than be judged and assumptions made about you and your character based on past behaviours and demeanours......many will relate to that.

And then there is the jealousy, secrets and lies, past loves all unfolding and building up to the grand finale. Narrated by some familiar voices which added to the whole experience and the reader's imagination as to what the characters may look like. A lovely long book, some 4/5 hours longer than the average audiobook novel, I thoroughly enjoyed. Can't wait for your next one Dorothy due to be published in June

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2 people found this helpful

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Interesting and different.

Narration excellent, story was different, predictable in places but some parts surprising. Definitely worth a listen.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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gripping

At first the book was confusing as it's different characters for different chapters but once I got into it, it was really gripping!!!

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2 people found this helpful

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Loved it.

Gripped from start to finish. Brilliant story.
I don't understand why people put all the plot etc in reviews.
You just need to read it.
Dorothy Koomson is an amazing author.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Another great story from Dorothy!!

Great story the narration was very good with different narrators voice in different characters the story was also took unexpected turns.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Story but a Confusing Listen

I'm a huge fan of Dorothy Koomson, but this is my first time listening to one of her books - I usually read one.

Overall, a great storyline that kept me hooked until the end.

My only criticism is that with the multiple narrators and flicking between past and present, it was pretty confusing to listen to passively. That said, I enjoyed it and would recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great twists

This initially challenging treads of stories pulls you into great friends of characters who twist you in all sorts of ways highly recommended listening

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    5 out of 5 stars

the plot thickens

a clever, interweaving plot. characters are very human! engaged from the beginning to end -

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