Not up to Val Mc Dermid’s usual standard

Love Val McDermid’s writing, her use of language, intelligently constructed plots and in-depth research. Clearly a fan. I found this book light weight and was disappointed on so many levels. More ‘chick-lit’ than gritty crime writing. Sorry Ms McD but not one of your best.

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3 people found this helpful

Another great book from Val McDermid

This was a really great listen from a master of Scottish crime novels. I can never wait to find one that I haven't already listened to.

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Appalling narration!

It was difficult to follow the story because the narration was so bad. Given that there were fewer Scots than English or Welsh in the story it might have been wiser to choose someone who could make a stab at English regional accents or Welsh at the risk they might hash Central belt Scottish.

Furthermore she portrayed all the schoolgirls and staff as squeaking infants suffering from arrested development.

What a waste of a potentially good book

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Least favourite so far, narration unconvincing

Who narrates an audiobook is key to the story being portrayed convincingly and can be a personal preference too for the listener. Unfortunately the voice grated on me when English accents were used. I did not find Lindsey’s partner’s character or voice had any depth whatsoever. Shame as I’ve always enjoyed Val McDermid books

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9 people found this helpful

a good listen

after reading all the not so complimentary reviews on this book I almost returned it unread, I am so glad I didnt. although it wasn't as gritty as some of he authors other books it was an enjoyable listen

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4 people found this helpful

Excellent

Very good as always. Guessed the villain for a change! Look forward to the next one.

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Very interesting plot

Plot and characters' roles were sometimes confusing due to lack of Val's usual clarity and the narrator's loss of consistency in separate characters' voices. Lindsay's and Cordelia's voices, however, were very good.

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1 person found this helpful

Disappointing

I love listening to Val McDermid's books but was disappointed by this one. I am not sure whether it was the setting and / or lack of action. Overall hard going!

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Disappointing

I love Val McDermid but was disappointed with this book. It's great to have a series with an investigator who isn't a policeman. In this case Lindsey Gordon is a journalist. Unfortunately the book, with it's public school setting seems very old fashioned. It read like an adult version of Enid Blyton's Malory Towers books. Lindsey was quite an unlikeable character who came across as self opinionated and preachy. I recently listened to 1979 by the same author, which is also about a female journalist, and that book was much superior.

I will give the second book in the series a try though in the hope that Lindsey Gordon in a different setting is more likeable!

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Nostalgia for me !

Having read this book the first time in the nineteen eighties or nineties and loving it I thought I would listen to it as well to see how it translates to the this century . I found it to be a good plot , a bit kitsch, and it brought back memories of the politics and struggles of the Thatcher years especially for us lesbians . Val McDermid has obviously progressed from this cosy type of “ whodunnnit “into a much grittier type of thriller writer and this book needs to be listened to remembering this was I think her first book or one of her first. Even the Lindsay Gorden series became more “ heavy weight “ as the series progressed. I enjoyed this book but as the other reviews point out it’s not her best thriller or whodunnit we all know how she progressed.

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