Slow start

What did you like most about The Scarred Woman?

narration very good, but why keep changing the reader.

What does Saul Reichlin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Have always liked his style. But compared to the first thee books his accents are different so it probably accounts for the adverse comments of other reports.

Any additional comments?

It started on the slow side, so I started listening twice before getting into it.

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Brilliant

So good to have Saul Reichlin back. I went back to old fashioned reading when someone else took over.
Another great complicated plot as well as getting to the bottom of the Rose story. Perhaps we'll get the Assad background soon

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Returned and repurchased and I'm so glad I did

Without reading any reviews I automatically purchased the next book of the series as I really enjoyed the storyline. And then, boom: a new narrater. I was so shocked and disappointed that I straight away returned the book as I wanted to stay within the comfort of the previous narrater.
Few months down the line I was still bugged with the storyline as I did want to know what has happened. I repurchased the book and it was all fine and well. After the initial shock of change of the familiar voice it was perfectly fine a few months down the line.
So, if you have enjoyed the previous books but not so much the new narrater I would say, just give yourself a few weeks or months and carry on with the story because it is so worth it! So much unexpected and exciting turns and new info!
I'm certainly glad I didn't give up on this series because I hope we can enjoy each others company a little longer with following books in the series.

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Not his best

Stretched the bounds of credulity too far and was generally too long. Also too many last second escapes / discoveries! European drama but written in American which is annoying for any anyone English!

The author can do better than this - and usually does.

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Difficult listen

Enjoyed the story despite the narrator who would be great at reading children’s stories. It was rather like listening to one song sung to the tune of another.

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Back to Five Stars Via a Different Route!

After being fairly critical of the previous book in the series it feels like something is right with the world again that this latest Department Q book is something I'm more than happy to suggest is worth five stars. I think The Scarred Woman is an excellent development of the storyline though this evolution may not please everyone in the same way as there are differences here.

After book 6 probably the most important point is the narration which took a tumble following Steven Pacey's replacement. Although they haven't brought Pacey back they have probably done just about the next best thing. Saul Reichlin is an excellent narrator and breathes much more life into these characters than Graeme Malcolm did. He has the Audible CV of course including being the voice of Stieg Larsson's Millenium trilogy. The one thing maybe that that he doesn't have for this Department Q audience is that he isn't Steven Pacey so the style is a little more staid.

However, so are the characters. Their behaviour in the last two books has been a little less zany and the humour has been toned down though Assad still does his Mrs Malaprop impressions. Characters like Morten, the wonderful gay ex-lodger are once again allowed a small side part in the story. Just as importantly the crime mystery is a masterful weaving of five separate cases into a coherent and satisfying story.

In terms of my enjoyment it was the character stories that were most compelling. There are yet more hints of the mystery behind Assad but the clear centerpiece is Rose's story. If you have invested in these characters and enjoyed their adventures be prepared for an extremely hard-edged and emotional story line. Rose has always been an extreme character but The Scarred Woman tells her bitter story and plunges the reader deep into her psyche. It's compelling and emotional and I found the conclusion of this book genuinely touching.

So, although I suspect some will still find it frustrating because it doesn't deliver in the same way as the early Department Q books I am delighted to say I think it's as good as those books. it has plenty of the Department Q hallmarks, a fitting narrator once again and most of all between those thorny villains and churlish competing senior police officers it has a beautiful Rose. Oh yes, and camels, there has to be camels!!!

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40 people found this helpful

Absolutely terrific

Dont be put off that the wonderful narrator Stephen Pacey is no longer Carl Morck and Department Q. Saul Reichlin steps up to the role perfectly. Yes he may be a slower more enunciated narrator than Mr Pacey, but once you get used to his rhythm and balance, you find yourself once again totally absorbed in the story. Jussi-Adler-Olsen, does not disappoint and even though Carl has become slightly more sombre, Department Q a darker place, there is still the sense of humour and moments where you burst out laughing at the comments and thoughts of Carl or from the wonderful Assad.
From the very first instalment of Department Q and one of the rare series I have listened to again, I am delighted to recommend book 7 to all who enjoy the writing and style of Mr Adler-Olsen. it does start out slow and the characters in the beginning are not particularly likeable but as you get more involved in the story and the characters are rounded out you can easily believe these people actually exist.
Looking forward to book number 8.

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2 people found this helpful

What a shame

I love department q and listened to them all ! Unfortunately it's been ruined for me by changing the narrator !

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2 people found this helpful

Disappointingly turgid

Have loved this series and the characters in it but the story this time was slow paced, the tension was lacking and it all felt a bit flabby and turgid. Kept going to the end but without the pleasure I usually get from Dept Q books

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1 person found this helpful

Please stop this man !

I'm a long time ,loyal Audible afficionado from Belgium .This is the very first time that I write a negative review and it's not even about the book itself !! I'm sorry for this mr.Saul Reichlin and I never 'play the man' ...ever but from the very first page I was so irritated ,frustrated and ,yes, enraged , for having to listen to a man that completely ruins the story with his 'over-acting'. Apparently ,he thinks that putting as much emphasis as possible on whatever syllable contributes to the enjoyment of the book but it drove me up the walls . God , please bring back top notch Steve Pacey or Sean 'Rich Burton' Barrett (but he really is Jo Nesbo's guy ,isn't he !)
Where is Steve? Was he too expensive ? Did Mr.Reichlin he offer to do it for free ?
But I also learned something : from now on , I will ALWAYS check the performer before buying another book from my dear life-altering , sweet Audible !!!

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1 person found this helpful