Outstanding Novel Masterfully Narrated

I love everything about this book. Adrian McKinty is a masterful storyteller with one of the most complex detectives in crime fiction. His plots keep you listening long into the night and the suspense is always well done. My favorite novels incorporate factual references to real events and people. I can always count on McKinty to bring to life what was happening in Northern Ireland during the 1980's (something of which most of us only have a cursory knowledge), but also literary and musical references that send me off down interesting rabbit holes after the book is done. The novel is at times poignant and humorous. McKinty has a deft hand with prose.

Kudos to Gerard Doyle who brings all of this to life.

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Two worlds, 1 detective and a choice

Powerful fiction told in such a compelling way that the reader looses themeselves in the drama.

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Loved it

I loved the down to earth writing, the subtle humour and sometimes not so subtle, the literary references, a straightforward plot that had no supernatural type twists. I’ll performance with depth. Yes, all good.

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Once again a great listen

Sad to reach the end of these books the story line was great and exciting, was read great kept me wanting for more binged all 7 , looking forward to listening to all his books you won’t be disappointed

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A winner!

Adrian McKinty has to be one of the greatest thriller/mystery writers of today. His prose is witty, beautiful at times and sharply observant. His characters are deftly painted without labouring over the details with the result that one is drawn into the story, despite the fact that that we are talking about a past era and a time in modern history that is alien to most of us. His description of 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland and what it was like to live through 'The Struggles' is so vivid, I feel like I was there. Adrian MxKinty has created a series around a flawed detective with a strong sense of integrity. The series could be depressing, given the subject matter, but in the hands of this masterful writer, becomes vivid, lyrical and uplifting, even funny at times. All this and more with the perfect narration of Gerard Doyle!

My only complaint is that I have no idea what to listen to now as Adrian McKinty is a hard act to follow!!!

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2 people found this helpful

A great offering

It’s very well written, with interesting characters plus McKinty opens the curtain a bit on life in Ireland. Gerard Doyle, as always, is an excellent narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

Edge of your seat story of Sean Duffy and friends

Lots of twists and turns in the plot, interesting characters told with great skill and humour!

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I loved this book.

I’d never listened to any of this author’s books before but am going go looking for more from both him and the narrator, as soon as I finish this review. The narrator’s voice was amazing, and perfect for the content.

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1 person found this helpful

Tongue Planted Firmly In Cheek

This book is near-parody.
Adrian McKinty has so much fun with sarcastic repartee and cartoonish behind-the-scenes antics in the Carrick-Fergus Constabulary that this book approaches 'Fletch' territory (at least until the shootouts at the climax). The overarching serious/not serious tone in a series known for tackling terrorism and international gun-running is refreshing.
I contemplated the mystery (the murder of a drug dealer with a crossbow) while laughing out loud several times (you will garner some looks if you listen to this Irish Mystery-Thriller in public with earbuds). The setting - Northern Ireland in the middle of "The Troubles" - is still gripping.. and the enigmatic hard-drinking, pot-smoking, oddly deferential Royal Ulster Constabulary Detective-Inspector 'Sean Duffy' character remains fascinating.. but - despite a number of deadly serious violent scenes - this installment in the series is strikingly not taking itself too seriously.

Gerard Doyle contributes to the relatively lighthearted impression I got from the book with straight-up brilliant narration. His deadpan delivery (with a light natural Irish Brogue) captures the pitch of the text in this story *perfectly*.

As long as you don't expect sobering gravitas, 'Police At The Station And They Don't Look Friendly' merits 8.5 stars out of 10. As a 'Plus' selection, it's a no-brainer: download this entertaining distraction NOW. Even if they asked for a Credit, it would likely be worth it.

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