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Preview
  • Written in Bones

  • Inspector McLean, Book 7
  • By: James Oswald
  • Narrated by: Ian Hanmore
  • Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (944 ratings)

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Written in Bones

By: James Oswald
Narrated by: Ian Hanmore
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Summary

A body is found in a tree in the Meadows, Edinburgh's beautiful public park. The forensics suggest that the corpse has fallen from a height - but was it an accident or a shocking message?

The dead man had led quite a life - a disgraced ex-cop turned criminal kingpin and, most recently, the head of a celebrated charity.

As McLean investigates, his search takes him from the city's underworld - crossing paths with some of the most dangerous and the most vulnerable people in society - before taking him to the heart of a shadowy conspiracy stretching back years....

©2017 James Oswald (P)2017 Penguin Audio
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What listeners say about Written in Bones

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good book, but not as good as previous ones

What made the experience of listening to Written in Bones the most enjoyable?

The narration is as good as usual, but the story relies a bit too much on previous books, I won't say things are getting a bit stale....yet.... but come on James you can and have done better work.

Would you be willing to try another book from James Oswald? Why or why not?

Absolutely - however it would need to be as good as previous work by the author - or it would be getting returned.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

any thing to do with Mrs MacCutchens cat

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really

Any additional comments?

Overall the book was ok, all the well known characters were there, the narrator seemed like an old friend,..... However so did the story line

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another absorbing novel

Well that’s three on the bounce. Do I dare go for number four? Never have been 100% sure about the supernatural element, but they are still darn good books. I do sometimes wonder how Andy McLean can exist on quite such a small amount of food though!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

never disappoints me

I love these books !
and I love this narrator . just downloaded his next one and I know I won't be disappointed!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I loved the book and the characters plus no matter how good the book is unless the narrator pleases me I can’t listen!
This narrator was perfect!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

fab

Really good love this series gritty and a wee bit out there love it.Enjoy if you pick it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I always look forward to the next book in this series and this one did not disappoint. There is something very special and difficult to define about this series. The main characters are likeable and as in all the books the plot in this one was complicated and many strands weave together to create the story. I loved this book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not the author's best work

Any additional comments?

You know how it is when an author has an annoying habit, and it starts to spoil your enjoyment of their books? Well somebody please tell James Oswald to stop having McLean's junior officers constantly tripping over their dialogue, whenever speaking to McLean about a colleague: "Yes sir, John's.....er.....Constable Smith is questioning them now". Once in a while yes, but not every bloody time!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Still excellent Second time around

Enjoyed it all over again, narration first class.
Only disappointment was no mention of what happened to McBride

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

There was a smell, the filling of smell.

This is much more a procedural than any of inspector McLean have been, the supernatural is more of a malevolence that sometimes takes form but is very based on reality and human weakness not so much on evil powers or supernatural forces. That is the only weakness I see in this series the avoidance of commitment to a supernatural or a reality based story line, but then again that is in large part the charm of this series.
The plot was well developed and the characters were as always interesting and well drawn.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it as Usual

Excellent storyline, good meeting up with familiar characters. Beautifully narrated and can't wait for the next one.

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3 people found this helpful