Crime writing at its finest

Everyone has been talking about David Blake's Broadland and DI Tanner, so being something of a sheep, I decided I'd have a listen. Ohmidays! Why have I arrived so late to the party? Despite having every reason to be a taciturn curmudgeon, DI Tanner is a delightful man with a wicked sense of humour. Pitching up in a new job in a very alternative crime scene from London, he dives straight in and sorts the lot of them out, lickety-split. He's like the Mary Poppins of the police force. Superbly performed by the tremendously talented Jonathan Keeble, I listened to the entire book in one sitting and when it finished, my tongue was hanging out, desperate for more. I have immediately downloaded book 2, St Benet's, but may hold off from listening straight away for fear I may spontaneously combust through the unadulterated joy of finding an author who's created a character who's part of a series that I can totally invest in. It feels like it's Christmas, my birthday and my premium bond numbers have all come up on the same day. And in case I've been too subtle, I recommend you buy your own copy of Broadland today, this minute. Don't worry, you can always thank me later.

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5 people found this helpful

Pretty good but

There are no towpaths on the Broads - they are only found on canals where horses ‘towed’ narrow boats. The editor should have spotted this.

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1 person found this helpful

Good story much enjoyed

Will read more of this series enjoyed the characters and the twists in this book a good listen

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Excellent

An excellent book which I read in a day. This enjoyable crime thriller is set in the Norfolk Broads and the location is beautifully described. DI John Tanner has moved to Norfolk from London, replacing a local well loved DI who has retired. Most of his new colleagues would have preferred a local candidate to have been given the role and DI Tanner is put to work on missing persons. When a missing person case becomes a murder investigation he is instructed to assist DI Burgess who is determined to put his new colleague in his place. This all adds to a highly charged situation the outcome of which is quite shocking. There is however a hint of romance in the air for DI Tanner which I hope will feature in the second book in the series. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read and a great new series which I look forward to continuing.

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Creepy

New to the area D I John Tanner just transferred from the Met to a police station on the Norfolk Broads, usually quiet unassuming area and he has been put on a misper case which is well beneath his rank, and he also makes friends with Jenny Evans a local girl and she does know the area very well. First, there is a murder, or is it? a Jane Richardson's body was found mutilated by a boat propeller but was there also other marks on her body so was it murder or just an unfortunate accident, so John Tanner is relegated to assisting Detective Burgess only Tanner does outrank him, so not off to a good start. What do these 2 women have in common that is the question and as the secrets unfurl it really does get creepy and a shocking end is nigh, but to find out why you need to read or listen to this book it's very compelling.

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Oh, the relief....

Of finally finding a new author who writes well, doesn't feel the necessity to use four letter words on each page, tells a great story, has you sitting on the edge of your seat with suspense, who draws likeable characters and then tops the lot by getting Jonathan Keeble to narrate! Having returned too many books recently, it was great to find one I wanted to keep and ordered the next in the series before finishing the first. A good old-fashioned read as with Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, P D James and their all too few excellent successors. I have put Books 3 and 4 on my Wish List but am a bit worried that David Blake will not be able to write their sequels fast enough to keep me going....

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Really loved this book

It’s great to find another book series, really enjoyed it, especially narrated by the brilliant Jonathan Keeble.

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Norfolk Noir

Really enjoyed this book. Fast paced and exciting. I did work it out but not until near the end. The narrator is familiar and I enjoyed his delivery. Characterisation is shaping up well too. Looking forward to the next in the series

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Love Jonathan Keebles narration.

Usual murder story,but enjoyable listen, some facts awry though a police headquarters is not called a head office, but generally good,nice short chapters.

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Easy reading/listening

A very good middle of the road crime novel with a light touch. Excellent summer reading/ listening

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