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The Puppet Show

Winner of the CWA Gold Dagger Award 2019

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The Puppet Show

By: M. W. Craven
Narrated by: John Banks
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'Fantastic' Martina Cole

'Dark, sharp and compelling' Peter James

'A thrilling curtain raiser for what looks set to be a great new series' Mick Herron

*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARD*

*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 BEST CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR IN THE AMAZON PUBLISHING READERS' AWARDS*

A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District's prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless. When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of . . .

Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.

As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he's ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive ...

Find out why everyone loves The Puppet Show

'A page turner' Sun

'A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted, and not for the faint hearted!'
David Mark

'A gripping start to a much anticipated new series' Vaseem Khan

'Satisfyingly twisty and clever and the flashes of humour work well to offer the reader respite from the thrill of the read' Michael J. Malone

'Britain's answer to Harry Bosch' Matt Hilton

'Dark, disturbing and so very clever. Highly recommended' Anne Cater©2018 M. W. Craven Crime Thrillers Modern Detectives Mystery Police Procedural Thriller & Suspense Thriller Crime Fiction Exciting Suspense
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Critic reviews

A thrilling curtain-raiser for what looks set to be a great new series. (Mick Herron)
Satisfyingly twisty and clever and the flashes of humour work well to offer the reader respite from the thrill of the read. (Michael J. Malone)
A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted, and not for the faint-hearted! (David Mark)
Mike Craven is a forceful new voice in British crime fiction. (Caro Ramsay)
Washington Poe is a name destined to be spoken by crime fiction enthusiasts everywhere: Britain's answer to Harry Bosch. The Puppet Show is a wickedly, twisting and turning, mystery that will have readers breathlessly turning the pages until the final shocking conclusion. (Matt Hilton, author of the Joe Hunter series)
This book is twisted and dark and I loved it - not sure what that says about me (Simon Toyne)
A brilliant start to what promises to be a fantastic series; get it now or kick yourself for missing out (Graham Smith)
Dark, sharp and compelling (Peter James)
Nothing you've ever read will prepare you for the utterly unique Washington Poe (Keith Nixon)
A gripping start to a much anticipated new series (Vaseem Khan)
A page turner
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed The Puppet Show. if you like a murder/mystery, with plenty of spine chilling moments, and plenty of edge of your seat action then this is for you.
A really intriguing, well written plot line and some great characters. Very well narrated by John Banks.
I can't recommend The Puppet Show enough!!

Wow...just superb!

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Nothing better than finding a fantastic new author to enjoy!
This was an excellent story with likeable characters and brilliantly narrated. Highly recommended and I can’t wait to hear to hear the next book, I just hope it continues to be as good!

Excellent

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loved it! Excellent characters and addictive read. Sadly guessed murderer earlier on in book. Enjoyed

intriguing!

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I absolutely loved this book. The pacing is perfect and Craven is a brilliant narrator. If you like crime thrillers you’ll love this

Thrilling

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I listened to this about a year ago and had forgotten just how good it was. Lovely descriptions of the setting, a great plot and some extremely engaging characters and burgeoning relationships between the lead characters. John Bank's narration is brilliant. I'd just come down from enjoying all the Harry Grimm stories and this is a worthy replacement.

A total classic

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