The Yard

Simply a good read.

For a crime novel reader this is a good read, entertaining and not too far fetched portraying characters well and reflecting on medical conditions as a compassionate person would at the time. I was a little worried that it would dwell on Jack the Ripper and various theories about who he was but it doesn't. The book pitches it just right in the main only mentioning him where it relevant and reflecting on the mood of the general population of London following a time of Jack. So story line good, characters good and pace good too. It's all good really.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Thoroughly enjoyable

What made the experience of listening to The Yard the most enjoyable?

The narration was fantastic. The writing was very good. The story was paced well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them really. Good characterisations within this period setting

Have you listened to any of Christopher Saul’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No, but will listen again. He controls the story well. Does not vocally exaggerate his characters. Very easy to my ear.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Suspenseful period detective story at its best.

Any additional comments?

Loved the fact that the story was not littered with useless observations. It remained factual and was wrapped up well. No loose ends.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved, loved, loved this

What did you like most about The Yard?

Great story, interesting historical detail, brilliantly interwoven multiple plots.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Yard?

The discovery of the boy's body in the chimney - heartbreaking and horrific to think children were treated like this only a century ago.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Blackleg's flirtation with Hammersmith's gullible landlady

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A grisly post-Ripper thriller?

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the next book by this author. Great narration too.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Disney London

What would have made The Yard better?

Knowledge of London, would have improved this book - or even some careful plotting.

Has The Yard put you off other books in this genre?

Will never bother with another book by this author.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I did not enjoy much of this, the plot was ragged and the constant Americanisms made some parts bizarre.

What character would you cut from The Yard?

Generally, the characters are one-dimensional, unrealistic and certainly not English.

Any additional comments?

A great disappointment, London as envisaged by Disney, with many odd phrases (all the working class said 'is all' regularly) and descriptions did not ring true. All tension came well signposted and was entirely inevitable. Why did the writer not stick to somewhere in the States? Thank goodness the reader was genuine, although I skipped a lot out of irritation.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent novel but no surprises

Would you listen to The Yard again? Why?

I did enjoy the story immensely, it was not unnecessarily complicated as some authors like to only pull the various threads together at the very end of the book. Here one always knew what what one getting which was fine, however, some twist at the end of would have been appreciated.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Yard?

The Narrator is brilliant, however, I can only find one other book for him...Give this man a job someone !!!

Have you listened to any of Christopher Saul’s other performances? How does this one compare?

See above....

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Spellbinding from beginning to end.

I thought it was going to be a "Ripper" lookalike but it was (I think) better.

Incredibly dreary and slow moving

This isn't narrated by Christopher Saul, but by Nigel Carrington! I don't suppose that makes much difference to my review. I find that the biggest mystery is 'How did this turgid novel manage to get 4.2 stars'?
This is so ridiculous - The Commissioner seems to spend a lot of time putting his one good arm up, turning his face and sneezing! OK - the man has a cold - but do we need to be burdened with each sneeze? The characters are as flat as cardboard and dear God the prose is clunky and so slow I am getting to screaming pitch. I will not be able to finish this, my time is far more valuable to me than to be stuck with such rubbish. I just don't care about anything or anyone in this apology for a novel, I think this must be my number 1 'Worst novel of the year!'.

The Yard - A slow burner

Although set in 1889, for me it didn't have enough of a Victorian feel to it. Yes it had believable characters from all levels of society, intertwining plots and some humorous moments but it just lacked "something'. The novel moved along at a steady pace but I had to re read some chapters as my mind had wandered now and again because it hadn't held my full attention.

I didn't find it gory or much influenced by Jack the Ripper lore and it did included a small amount of prostitution but on the whole nothing too sensational.

The characters weren't too deep or complex and the baddies were easily spotted. Christopher Saul did do an outstanding job on bringing them to life.

I will spend another credit on the second book of the series to see if it picks up more :)

Thoroughly enjoyable and well performed

Equal parts fun and disturbing. Well researched to reflect the period. Highly recommended for crime fans.

The Yard - so so boring

The Yard - so so boring
On paper so to say this book should have all the ingredients of a great book, but sadly not
Narrator didn't help he was so boring as well.