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Mathew's Tale

By: Quintin Jardine
Narrated by: James Bryce
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Summary

1818, Carluke, Lanarkshire. Mathew Fleming returns home to Scotland following heroic service at the Battle of Waterloo. After seven years away, he is a ghostly presence to those he left behind. But Mathew is ambitious and soon becomes a man of influence in his country and beyond. Yet through all his success, he still hides the loss of his one true love.

When a terrible act of murder occurs, Mathew must choose between the rule of blood and the rule of law. And as a man of honour with a warrior’s instincts, he embarks on a journey of vengeance that will test every sinew of his faith in mankind....

©2014 Portador Ltd (P)2015 Soundings
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What listeners say about Mathew's Tale

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A great stand alone novel by a great Scottish Auth

Would you listen to Mathew's Tale again? Why?

Yes I would. Story kept me gripped from the beginning to end. A good mix of human emotions.

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Very enjoyable story

I like books that tell a family saga against a backdrop of historical atmosphere and this book combines the two to great effect. An added bonus is much of the action is set in 19th century Edinburgh: a city I know well and an added bonus for me. Mathew's Tale reminded me a bit of Jeffrey Archer's books in that good people are put down by haughty bad ones, who in the end get their comeuppance. It's a gripping story of struggles against injustice both social and judicial. It would be good to have a follow-up book to hear what happens to the characters with whom I felt involved during the recording.
The narrator has a lovely Scottish voice that perfectly suited the book.

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First but not my last audio book

What made the experience of listening to Mathew's Tale the most enjoyable?

James Bryce's reading

What did you like best about this story?

Great story by one of my favourit authors.

What about James Bryce’s performance did you like?

His rich Scottish voice with such variety made listening and understanding of the characters a complete pleasure.

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

The whole story was gripping and moving.

Any additional comments?

This was my first experience of an audio book, but it certainly will not be my last. This was the only Quintin Jardine book that I have not read and actually didn't think I would enjoy, which is why I hadn't bought the Kindle version. However, in need of an audio book thanks to a detached retina, I listened to the sample and loved the voice. After the first two minutes I was hooked. The book is so much better than I had expected - it would make an excellent TV series. Hopefully QJ will write a follow-up and James Bryce will again record it - I will be first on the waiting list even if my eye is by then fully recovered.

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unexpectedly gripping

absolutely brilliant! couldn't wait to find out what would happen but didn't want it finished

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A great new character .......

.....and a marvellous story line. Narrator James Bryce who does the Skinner books is excellent. Keep up the good work QJ.

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Methinks the start of a new series!

All the hallmarks of a Skinner book. Fertile men, fecund women, triumph over adversity. Success in excess. I enjoyed it.

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