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The Good Father

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About this listen

 'Heart-stopping and heart-rending, this is Liam McIlvanney's best novel yet' VAL MCDERMID

WHAT COULD BE WORSE THAN YOUR CHILD DISAPPEARING?

Gordon and Sarah Rutherford are normal, happy people with successful, fulfilling lives. They have a son they adore, a house on the beach and a safe, friendly and honest community in a picture-postcard town on the Ayrshire coast.

Until one day, Bonnie the lab comes in from the beach alone. Their son, Rory, has gone - the only trace left behind is a single black Adidas slider.

Their lives don't fall apart immediately. While there's still hope (and no body) they dig deep and try to carry on. It's a process of abrasion - a wearing away of happiness and normality; a slow degradation, a gradual breakdown - until they'll never be the people they were before. This sort of tragedy impacts a whole town. Does the community still feel the same after? What are folk saying about you? Who are your friends? Who can you trust?

When the worst thing has happened and you've lost everything, you either go under or you rebuild and start again.

'Beautifully written, this is easily one of the finest crime novels I've read in a very long time' C.M. EWAN©2025 Liam McIlvanney (P)2025 Bonnier Books UK Amateur Sleuths Crime Thrillers Mystery Police Procedurals Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Happiness Heartfelt
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well written, interesting concept, but at times I got a bit bored and thought I'd turn it off. Angus as ever is a joy, so I kept going. glad I did.

an interesting take on how a crime affects lives

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Love this author and narrator. This book was truly gripping. Dark, but unputdownable. Just brilliant!

Outstanding

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Angus King is brilliant as always,but particularly in this case. His interpretation of the Good Father kept me listening through some improbable actions. It all comes together at the end. I will read more by this author,as long as Angus narrates !

Keep going to the twist at the end.

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This is the first time I’ve come across this author, Liam McIlvanney. . Very impressed. A dark, psychological thriller, very well written and with excellent narration by Angus King. Very well rounded characters and the Scottish landscape exquisitely depicted. So gripping I had to get through it in just two days. Will definitely seek out more of Liam’s books now. Can’t recommend highly enough.

Excellent story. Excellent narration.

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Really enjoyed story from start to finish never expected the ending to be what it was

Kept you gripped

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