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Death of a Bookseller cover art

Death of a Bookseller

By: Alice Slater
Narrated by: Emma Noakes, Victoria Blunt
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Summary

WOULD YOU KILL FOR A GOOD STORY?
THE MOST ANTICIPATED DEBUT THRILLER OF 2023, WHICH WILL MAKE YOUR SKIN CRAWL AND YOUR HEART POUND.
'A confident, sassy, pitch-black debut' CAROLINE KEPNES
'Your new obsession' ERIN KELLY
'Savage, witty and all-consuming' ABIGAIL DEAN
'A dark masterpiece. It will work its way under your skin like a splinter' CATRIONA WARD

*****
Roach - bookseller, loner and true crime fanatic- is not interested in making friends. She has all the company she needs in her serial killer books, murder podcasts and her pet snail, Bleep.

That is, until Laura joins the bookshop.

With her cute literary tote bags and sunny smile, she's everyone's favourite bookseller. But beneath the shiny veneer, Roach senses a darkness within Laura, the same darkness Roach possesses.

And as curiosity blooms into morbid obsession, Roach becomes determined to be a part of Laura's story - whether Laura wants her in it or not.
*****

'A spectacularly creepy debut ... a tense and disturbing read' GUARDIAN
'Tense, addictive and sticky underfoot' JULIA ARMFIELD
'A sharp and creepy debut thriller' DAILY MAIL
'Utterly unforgettable' CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD
'Delightfully dark' COSMOPOLITAN, Best New Books

'Engrossing, atmospheric and deliciously dark' WILL DEAN
'Uncomfortable, claustrophobic, and you won't take your eyes off the pages' BELFAST TELEGRAPH

'Impossible to put down' ELIZA CLARK
'A sinister and tense debut that will chill you to the core' PLATINUM MAGAZINE
'Relentlessly creepy and deeply compulsive' HEATHER DARWENT
©2023 Alice Slater (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

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What listeners say about Death of a Bookseller

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Fantastic

The best audio book I’ve read! Absolutely gripping from start to finish and a brilliant performance. The narration is perfect!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Dark and moreish, a great debut novel.

An intriguing and fascinating story, dark but highly enjoyable, with great narration. Would recommend! 

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

excellent read, enjoyed the two protagonists

excellent read, enjoyed the two protagonists
nothing much happens, more like two girls growing up

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

A gripping story with great narrators

I am a sucker for stories with two narrators and this book didn't disappoint. A great debut novel and I can't wait to see what Alice comes up with for her next novel.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Easy read

I enjoyed this audiobook and found myself quickly invested in the storyline.
It was a simple concept and didn’t delve into much character development, but I appreciated its simplicity and the bilateral structure of the storytelling through the flitting chapters between the two main character’s perspectives.

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

Disturbing and dark

Not at all what I expected from the ‘golden age’ title and cosy crime cover. Instead, it’s a dark, slow tale of the unravelling of two minds. One into alcoholism and loneliness, one into obsession and fantasy. All the way through this is a five-star read (and stellar narration) but it loses a star for me for a weak ending. After hours of suspenseful foreplay, I was left feeling a little frustrated. 😆

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7 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Don’t be put off by the mixed reviews, this is excellent

The kitsch title has probably misled a lot of readers. This is no cosy crime story or run of the mill procedural. This is a full blooded literary thriller with an almost visceral feel to the writing. I loved and hated both lead characters in equal measure. Which is no mean feat. The writer also pulls off a very satisfying ending. Can’t wait to read her next book.

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Gripping!

Couldn’t stop listening until it was over!!! Will be reading it again as I already miss it

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1 person found this helpful

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

A Debut That Shows Great Promise

Overall: 3.75 stars; Narration: 5 stars; Story 3.75 stars

This was an impulse purchase after listening to the audio sampler, which had me instantly hooked. There is much to admire here: great writing, a fantastic dual narration, and some very astute observations on the true crime genre; that really leaves you with things to think about.

However, I felt that there was a difficulty in sustaining its pace throughout the 11hrs 58mins duration. There were several points where I felt a lack of propulsion in the plot (despite the fantastic narration);a stalemate, that left me frustrated and/or bored on the verge of walking away. The confrontation and resolution when it unfolded was so quick, but was almost worth the wait


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

Excellent character-driven narrative

The dual perspectives of Roach and Laura are brilliantly played out; from Roach's grubby and grotty similes, to Laura's righteously indignant reactions. They both evolve artfully through the story, at times relatable and abhorrent.
The narration is perfect for each of the two leads.
Overall an excellent book.

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