Listen free for 30 days

  • A Private Investigation: A DC Smith Investigation

  • DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 8
  • Written by: Peter Grainger
  • Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
  • Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (118 ratings)

1 credit a month, good for any title to download and keep.
The Plus Catalogue—listen all you want to thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks.
$14.95 a month plus applicable taxes after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
A Private Investigation: A DC Smith Investigation cover art

A Private Investigation: A DC Smith Investigation

Written by: Peter Grainger
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.30

Buy Now for $26.30

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

When 14-year-old Zoe Johnson doesn't come home on a Monday night in early December, the alarm bells in Kings Lake Central police station do not ring straight away - after all, she's from the Dockmills, one of the toughest estates in the town. 

But for Detective Sergeant DC Smith, due to retire in just three weeks' time, there are some strange echoes of the case that has haunted him for the past 13 years. Maybe it's simply his over-developed sense of irony, or maybe, in his final days as a police officer, Smith must look once more into the eyes of a serial killer.

©2018 Peter Grainger (P)2018 Tantor

What listeners say about A Private Investigation: A DC Smith Investigation

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    103
  • 4 Stars
    12
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    95
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    90
  • 4 Stars
    16
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sorry this is the last book

I have loved this series so much. Narration was perfect the characters and character development was wonderful and the cases were interesting and kept me hooked. I’d be more upset with the degree of unknown at the conclusion if I hadn’t started this whole adventure with the next book (in the follow up series). 😉. Great author I’m so glad I found Peter Grainger!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

DCSmith struggles with his inner voice

The ending did not suit dcsmith's experience & logic, but everyone makes mistakes. A good message for anyone facing retirement. Extremely entertaining series. i loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

Excellent again.

The plot, character development and narration were all superb. Peter Grainger is my got to for British police procedurals. He is in a class of his own.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Riveting series

I’ve been binge listening to this series. The stories are interesting, we’ll written and we’ll performed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Another Peter Granger wonder

Brilliant story left me speechless and frantically searching the library for the next one. A very wry sense of humour always good in a mystery. Listening to the next one now!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Did not finish - too slow

Maybe because I’m not familiar with this author and the way they write their novels but unlike reviewers that seem to have all read all eight novels I’m struggling to finish this book I have five hours left and it seems very boring to me. I almost feel like I need to have read the previous novels in the series to grasp the writing style and how the books progressed and DC smith’s character.

As it seems from this book, There seems to be a tug-of-war between the new lead and the retiree detective Smith and for whatever reason so much of the chapter is focussed on that relationship and how the team gels and how Smith would handle the investigation versus how the new guy is handling the investigation and a minute part is dedicated to the actual crime.

If you like murder mysteries and your focus is more on the interactions between the police officers and what happens at the station and their thought process as to how they figure out who does what when a crime happens then this book seems more geared towards you; if you like more focussed on the crime and solving the crime and eliminating people so that you can figure out who actually did the crime this is not a book for you. It is not fast paced in the least it literally is like watching a detective show where the crime happens but most of the time the focus is on the Precinct rather than you know the murderer is committing crimes and you’re trying to find the murderer before they commit another one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Really well written

Suspense in bushels. Very credible characters and situations.
And beautifully narrated.
Unequivocally recommended by this reader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Very well written and narrated.

A good story witha a good twist at the end. If you have read the rest of the series in order you cannot fail to be moved by it. Sentimental in places but never mawkish. Grainger obviously knows this world from the inside,, if he goes a little overboard on the procedurals in places , for me it added to the charm.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Tears

I know Smith survived but it still brought a tear to my eye.
I will read the Truth.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Intelligent, Insightful, Suspenseful, Addicting

I have now listened to 8 of the DC Smith Series. I started because they were included books, and I hit the jackpot. I'd never read anything by Peter Grainger and I was catching up, listening until I was finished with Book 8. I just purchased Book 9 before writing this. I've recently listened to a superb selection of books, and this Series is at the top of the list. The writing is unusual to me. It's like shadowing a person on the inside and the outside. I suspect few writers can emulate this style. My words are not adequate to describe the great enjoyment I had listening to these stories with it's insights from various points of view and the ironies that appear daily in any situation when you are aware. How important self-knowlege is, So, don't read my very boring review of such a brilliant, unboring, addictive set of stories that is somehow beyond me to adequately describe. I loved, loved, loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Wayne
  • Wayne
  • 2018-11-16

Sad ending to a wonderful series?

British cop DC Smith is likely the best developed character of any series I have ever read/listened to. DC Smith is so thoroughly human in the very best ways possible. This is a very special and wonderful series. It appears that Book 8 will likely be the last. To author Peter Grainger I say thank you for one of the most exceptional series available today. I have enjoyed each and every novel. Gildart Jackson's narrations have been almost as good as the novels.

For those who are not familiar with this series: I have written reviews of all eight novels. Every one is exceptional. If you like modern detective thrillers, there are none better than the DC Smith series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

61 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Maine Knitter
  • Maine Knitter
  • 2018-11-24

Wow!

3:30 in the morning and I just finished this. Wow! It was fabulous.

I urge readers to avoid all reviews until it’s finished. You don’t want even a hint of a spoiler. Also, this should not be the first DC Smith book anyone reads. Take them in order.

Smith is counting down the days until his retirement. The team is investigating a missing girl. It has similarities to one of Smith’s previous cases. It will be one heck of a finale to Smith’s police career.

The last hour of the book was unputdownable, if that’s a word. I’m glad I was listening to the audiobook because Gildart Jackson’s pace was perfect. It instilled suspense and kept me from reading too fast to get to the end. The narration is worthy of 5 stars on its own.

As usual, Grainger’s writing was brilliant. Smith’s dry humor is one of my favorite parts of this series.

The ending ... I’m still emotional. That’s all I’ll say.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Amazon Customer
  • Amazon Customer
  • 2018-11-23

The only possible story

More introspection on the part of DC Smith as retirement approaches. Loose ends to tidy up. A relationship to be explored. Perhaps a trip to Ireland. Endings and beginnings. As always, Peter Grainger brings Smith into your world, or let's you enter his.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Margaret
  • Margaret
  • 2018-11-22

Please don't let it be the end!

Brilliant series. Hope this isn't the end. As usual, Gildart Jackson was brilliant. Maybe the only time I've cried at the end of a book. Grainger is a beautiful writer.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Quilting Cate
  • Quilting Cate
  • 2018-11-22

Incredibly good, must read

DC Smith, so complex but so straightforward. There are no surprises in character, DC Smith is true throughout. Peter Grainger has developed this character so thoroughly he seems like someone I know, or want to know, wish I knew. Irony, satire, humor, loyal - there are so many great adjectives to describe him. Read it. You really must read it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for wisconsinclark
  • wisconsinclark
  • 2018-11-18

Can't stop crying, brilliant writing

This has to be one of the best current mystery series available today. Beautiful character studies, clever plotting, and no sex or swearing. I don't know if there will be another DC Smith book, but hope springs eternal. If Peter Grainger begins a new series I will be first in line!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Mark
  • Mark
  • 2018-11-28

Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackson and the venerable

Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackson and the venerable DC Smith are a first class combination. With a laconic style, not unlike DC Smith himself, Peter Grainger consistently produces enthralling tales that keep the reader interested to the last page. While there are a select few who may be the equal of Grainger and Jackson there are no better! Has DC Smith gone to meet his maker?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Barbara L.  Goss
  • Barbara L. Goss
  • 2018-11-27

Oh Dear, Having Withdrawal Pain

I have soooo enjoyed this series. Smith is such an engaging character with his sharp wit, wry humor, and astute sense of observation and assessment. It makes sense that he surrounds himself with equally bright, clever, and hardworking professionals. This brings his story full circle; the narrator takes us to the very brink and we gladly go along. But oh that ending... 8f you're a fan, this one is not to be missed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Tim
  • Tim
  • 2018-11-19

Geeeez People

You DO know. that DC is not dead... right?

Lotsa options for one our favorite writers!

He’ll be back!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for DiK
  • DiK
  • 2018-12-04

A Really Good Listen

I enjoyed the story, and the narrator was suburb. I will definitely listen to more of his works.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful