Firstly I will suggest that if you come to this book without having read the rest of the series, stop and do so you will get so much more out of it. ThFirstly I will suggest that if you come to this book without having read the rest of the series, stop and do so you will get so much more out of it. This book is what I expected in some ways and so much more in others. The plot, the investigations, the unexpected twists are all there. The character development is superb, the old gang and the new-comers all have their parts to play. However the poignancy and depth of the emotional impact are really surprising. I was in tears in parts, and swallowing a lump in my throat at another revelation, not because of their unexpectedness but almost the opposite. We can see where this is coming from and to some extent where it is going but the author captures the feelings and somehow translates them so the reader experiences them so very well. This doesn't mean there aren't some very humorous moments and it is the weaving of the everyday and banal with the ridiculous and absurd that works wo well. Fiona Shaw does an excellent job of narration. Overall 4.5 stars Narration 5 stars Story 4.5 stars. ...more
This was fun and frolics, murder, misadventure and humour, occasional laugh out loud moments, and the occasional quite poignant/teary moments. The gangThis was fun and frolics, murder, misadventure and humour, occasional laugh out loud moments, and the occasional quite poignant/teary moments. The gang is here of course and a few of the others we have met (isn't Connie great!) and there are quite a few new characters all of whom play their part. Lots of red herrings and mis-directions and to top it all off a very good narrator (when sped up). I don't think it is very "real-life", despite the characters having an internal integrity and robustness in their depth and experience, but life has more than enough reality, so it's nice to be able to go into a parallel world occasionally. I think this series is getting better. Overall 4.5 stars Narration 5 stars Story 4.5 stars
This is the second in the series and it probably works best if you read the Thursday Murder Club first. In general this is a fun if somewhat unlikely This is the second in the series and it probably works best if you read the Thursday Murder Club first. In general this is a fun if somewhat unlikely story, involving our friends from the aforementioned club, diamonds, a few spooks (of the espionage variety), a mafia man and other criminals, the local police again, and a few others. If you go into this suspending all belief and allowing the incredible, it holds together pretty well. There are murders, there are some insights into Elizabeth's past and there are moments of vulnerability for more than one of the cast, there is revenge and love blossoms. The narration was very good and helped to keep me engaged when the story stretched too far. Overall 3.5 stars narration 4.5 stars Story 2.5 stars...more
Not the best in the series Jodi has me laughing out loud one minute and gasping with horror the next. She is a master manipulator of emotions no questiNot the best in the series Jodi has me laughing out loud one minute and gasping with horror the next. She is a master manipulator of emotions no question. The plot however needs a bit more work. She has ideas but to hang the whole book on the train made the whole thing feel like an extended short story- to it's detriment. For me the splitting up of team weird (again) lessened the story and the cliff-hanger ending feels like cheating; especially as there is 2 years to the next TP story. I was also a little disappointed by the lack of progress in the lives of the characters. The lack of momentum and character/relationship development makes me wonder if the ideas for this particular series are running out and the author is focused on newer projects. Zara Ramm is an excellent narrator and totally brings the book to life. Don't get me wrong this was worth a credit and an enjoyable listen but it's against the superb previous books in the series and doesn't live up to them. Overall- 3.5 stars narration - 5 stars story - 3.5 stars...more
If you are reading this review I will assume you have read the book blurb first so won't need to see it rehashed here. This is a cosy mystery albeit wiIf you are reading this review I will assume you have read the book blurb first so won't need to see it rehashed here. This is a cosy mystery albeit with a fair few deaths, some relating to drugs, money, and criminals, some relating to vengeance and justice, and some to sadness, loneliness and social pressure. The Thursday Murder Club is a group of interested and interesting older adults who started off investigating cold cases but switch when a murder happens right on their doorstep so to speak. The characterisation is excellent, sometimes a bit out there but never entirely unbelievable, and not just the main group but the peripheral people seem very rounded, normal and recognisable but not clichéd. This is a very easy book to read, it flows well, switches between live action and diary easily and is funny and light, with moments of sadness and is cleverly thought provoking about the nature of aging, death, and life, without being maudlin or preachy. I really enjoyed it and am pleased there is going to be a follow up book. June 2024 I have just listened to this on Audio and have now adjusted my review slightly. I found the narrator was really good at bringing the characters alive and loved the audio version. This time however I did find one or two things that annoyed me more than on my first read. The main one being the ending being so abrupt and the lack of clues for the reader. Overall 4.5 Narration 5 Story 4...more
I was a bit disappointed, to be honest. This book is a time travel mildly humorous farce. The problem is I'm not really a fan of this type of breathleI was a bit disappointed, to be honest. This book is a time travel mildly humorous farce. The problem is I'm not really a fan of this type of breathless lurching from one comic scene to another. I didn't really care about what happened to any of the characters - none were particularly appealing. I really liked Doomsday by the same author, which was grim and gritty but with some lighter moments. This was light and frothy and definitely had some enjoyable moments, but overall, It didn't engage me as much. I also felt the end was not that well written. Overall 3 stars Narration 4.5 stars Story 2.5 stars...more
This Series is still going strong So this is Book 14 (full-length novels) and its absolutely up there as one of the best. The St Mary's gang are there,This Series is still going strong So this is Book 14 (full-length novels) and its absolutely up there as one of the best. The St Mary's gang are there, not as much in this as in other books, with the focus on Max and Markham but still there and still offering back up to Pros and Cons. There is a fair bit of time travel but little investigating history in contemporary time, but Max is still hopping backwards and forwards, still fighting Insight and working with Smallhope and Pennyroyal, and still experiencing Time Lag problems. There are many old characters popping up but new ones too. There are friends, foes and betrayals. The story twists and turns and there are plenty of unexpected events and situations. The narration as always is excellent and brings life and depth to the characters. Highly Recommended but start at the beginning of the series to get the most out of each book. Overall 5 out of 5 stars Performance 5 out of 5 stars Story 5 out of 5 stars...more
I really enjoyed this episode-despite reading it out of sequence and after book 8. The story focuses on the on-going Faceless Man no2. whose name we lI really enjoyed this episode-despite reading it out of sequence and after book 8. The story focuses on the on-going Faceless Man no2. whose name we learnt in book 6 I think but I won't say here to avoid spoilers. This was a fast-paced and action packed book, with Peter and Nightingale, Seawoll and his officers all pulling together to resolve the Lesley situation and trying to balance the demands of policing including a visiting first lady, River Gods and Goddesses, talking foxes, and the ubiquitous Mr Punch. There are a couple of new characters that look like they will be returning in later books and the unexpected curve ball every so often. The Narration by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is as always excellent Overall 5 stars, Narration 5 stars Story 5 stars....more
Overall 4 out of 5 stars Performance 4 out of 5 stars Story 4 out of 5 stars Profile Image for Book Monitor
The German investigator. I rather enjoyed this Overall 4 out of 5 stars Performance 4 out of 5 stars Story 4 out of 5 stars Profile Image for Book Monitor
The German investigator. I rather enjoyed this short book set in Germany and following the exploits of Tobias Winter. The usual magical happenings occur that we find in other books in the rivers of London series and it was interesting to see a different way of handling things. The narration was really good too. There is a bit of re-hashing in the early chapters about how magic works sort of thing which was a little drawn out for the length of the novella but overall it is a definite 4 star read/listen....more
This second book in the series is a good read but it really needs you to have read the first one. The story picks up where it left off in respect of DThis second book in the series is a good read but it really needs you to have read the first one. The story picks up where it left off in respect of DCI Nightingale and Lesley trying to recover from the events of book one and Peter is left more or less in charge at the Division. It seems that a jazz musician has died somewhat mysteriously but as the investigation proceeds it soon becomes clear this is one of many and this is definitely a case for the Folly. This is full of action, adventure (misadventure?) and naughtiness. There is also a lot of characters, some shady, some supernatural, some good honest old-fashioned humans and police officers of course! The narration is top notch and this was a great book to listen to. Overall 5 stars Performance 5 stars Story 5 stars...more
The series gets better I really enjoyed this latest Time Police book. It is packed full of events, revelations, twists and even when there are obviousThe series gets better I really enjoyed this latest Time Police book. It is packed full of events, revelations, twists and even when there are obvious signposts the story veers to unexpected places. I will definitely have to listen again to make sure I remember it all. There are the old characters- Team Weird of course, Team 235 (lead by Grint of course) Hay etc., a brief interlude or two with Max and the St Mary's crew and we see more of the families of Jane and Luke. I also rather liked Lola and would love to see more of her in future books! The story is as usual peppered with references to other works, full of humour and at times heart wrenching. Zara Ramm really brings the story and characters to life. Another great performance. Overall 5 out of 5 starsPerformance 5 out of 5 starsStory 5 out of 5 stars Reviewed: 14-10-22...more
This book is jam packed with action and adventure, mishaps and mayhem. Travel to the past, and the future, Max in serious trouble, Dr Bairstow going tThis book is jam packed with action and adventure, mishaps and mayhem. Travel to the past, and the future, Max in serious trouble, Dr Bairstow going to the Tower of London and so much more. Yes sometimes the story is stretched and sometimes the threads get a bit lost but this is still one of my favourite series and this is such a good listen. Zara Ramm is a really good narrator and the whole package is entertaining and enjoyable....more
It is great to get Leon's point of view about his earlier life, his lows and lowers and how St Mary's found him, and he found Max. Not for newbies - reIt is great to get Leon's point of view about his earlier life, his lows and lowers and how St Mary's found him, and he found Max. Not for newbies - read the whole series it's great. Zara Ramms narration was excellent as usual. I enjoyed the other two very short shorts as well. Anything with Markham is always good....more
Max has had a bit of a think and a brilliant idea. Markham takes it on. The goal is twofold- record the first steam pump in action and do a bit of matMax has had a bit of a think and a brilliant idea. Markham takes it on. The goal is twofold- record the first steam pump in action and do a bit of matchmaking. In the execution of this assignment there is a moat, an almost drowning, a romantic interlude and so on and so on. Zara as usual is in top form. A very enjoyable and funny short tale....more
So somehow St Mary's find Mars to record the first Mars landing! they somewhat inadvertently nearly scupper the mission, but of course they sort it ouSo somehow St Mary's find Mars to record the first Mars landing! they somewhat inadvertently nearly scupper the mission, but of course they sort it out eventually. Funny, fast-paced and easy to listen to. As usual Zara Ramm does a marvellous job. Can't fault this one. Enjoyed it immensely....more
Another action packed adventure featuring Max, The time police, the St Mary's Crew, Ronan, Matthew, a couple of charming but nasty criminals and of coAnother action packed adventure featuring Max, The time police, the St Mary's Crew, Ronan, Matthew, a couple of charming but nasty criminals and of course T-Rex (the dinosaur not the band), and there is also some stormy weather. Enjoyable jaunts to Tudor England- but not as you know it; Ancient Kush (Not sure of the spelling as I listened to the audiobook); the future and the cretaceous period. Zara has done a smashing job with the narration. The story is fun, fast and furious, but for me not the absolute creme de la creme...more
Max has an idea. The plan is to trap Ronan but of course this is St Mary's and things rarely go as planned. This book has a large section that focusesMax has an idea. The plan is to trap Ronan but of course this is St Mary's and things rarely go as planned. This book has a large section that focuses solely on what is happening in Max's life and for me this lost some of the energy, and appeal, of having the St Mary's Team more involved. Don't get me wrong- this is still a very good book, with excellent writing, some humorous scenes, some heart-rending ones and a fair bit of mad dashing about. There are however one or two areas that don't quite hang together too well, and where even within the usual wide parameters of St Mary's don't seem that credible. I still love this series though and will continue to listen to the rest of the books and the Time Police too. Zara Ramm's narration is really good although there were a couple of inaccuracies which I registered as I listened but didn't note where. They don't really spoil things because it is obvious what was supposed to have been said but the audio may need a little tweaking....more
This is not a book to start with, if you haven't read the series start at the beginning. I loved it. I loved the historical aspects, Tudor England and This is not a book to start with, if you haven't read the series start at the beginning. I loved it. I loved the historical aspects, Tudor England and ancient Babylon. I laughed, and cried with the various incidents and goings on in this book and I have a full blown love/hate relationship with Max. Zara Ramm is superb as the narrator, bring male and female characters to life- even remembering which accent Markham is using when. Clearly things are set for the next book in the series and a dark cloud is hovering over St Mary's and the future. I can't wait....more
Dum Dum Dum! A locked room mystery set in Victorian era told with humour and involving the usual Christmas disaster magnets. A very enjoyable short stoDum Dum Dum! A locked room mystery set in Victorian era told with humour and involving the usual Christmas disaster magnets. A very enjoyable short story with the usual mishaps, puns and danger all thrown in the mix. Great fun. Well read as usual by Zara Ramm...more
Funny, Frivolous, Fast, and Fun A well-written, genuinely amusing, tale with interesting characters, all of whom are weird in their own way and weird cFunny, Frivolous, Fast, and Fun A well-written, genuinely amusing, tale with interesting characters, all of whom are weird in their own way and weird characters some of whom are interesting in their own way. I suspect Stranger Times will go from strength to disaster and back again, several more times. Narration was really good and brought the story to life. Overall 4.5 stars Performance 5 stars Story 4.5 stars....more
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