Couldn't stop listening ...

What made the experience of listening to The Taste of Wormwood the most enjoyable?

I am a newcomer to Mr McCarthy's writings, and I wish the Eisenmenger-Flemming series were numbered. I have started with his latest, and it would have been helpful to have begun at the begee! That said, I have totally enjoyed the tale, have listened and re-listened to the whole book three times, and I was still hearing new bits on the third encore. I must have learned a dozen new words, what a great command of the english language !

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have fallen in love with John Eisenmenger, and Beverley is a good runner up. I so understand their thought processes.

What does Seán Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Mr Barrett has a wonderful variety of voices and accents. His talents are huge, I listen to him narrating another series, and he is equally brilliant.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were moments, but I am not going to spoil things for the next reader !

Any additional comments?

Great reads, listenings, keep them coming Mr McCarthy, you have an avid fan !

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1 person found this helpful

caught my imagination then dropped it

a good holiday book, defiantly a page turner but as the story progressed everything fell together too easily and conveniently to keep me fully engaged. well performed reading however which helped get me to the end.

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Disappointed

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Really thought this was a weak story. The characters were not strong. Very disappointing, I usually like McCarthy books

What was most disappointing about Keith McCarthy’s story?

The story

Which character – as performed by Seán Barrett – was your favourite?

None

Did The Taste of Wormwood inspire you to do anything?

Turn it off

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Gripping

I opted for this book because of the narrator, Sean Barrett. I was not disappointed. Strong, believable characters and a plot that holds many surprises with sub plots going on in the background. I will definitely look out for the next one in the series.

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Pace & Punch

This is well-written with some witty one-liners. It kept my attention throughout. It lacked character development, I thought. I didn't have any understanding of or empathy for the investigators. I will listen to other books by this author but won't be waiting with bated breath for his next book to come out.

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Good story but all a bit easy

I enjoyed the story and it explored some interesting themes but for me it was all a bit too easy and fast. It kept my interest throughout but didn't really have me as gripped as some other titles due to the fact it all fitted together quite easily.

The reading is brilliant, as usual with Sean Barrett. Read at a good pace this reader adds a real richness to this story.

I would recommend if you want something interesting that moves at pace.

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The ninth in the series

I have listened to the series so far, and in order.
I came to it through the narrator and looking for other books where he was the reader. He really is very good.
As stated, this is the 9th book in the series and of all the books so far it is probably my least favorite. By this stage the main character the pathologist, Eisenmenger, has experienced so much injury and tragedy it is quite frankly amazing that he can still get out of bed each morning. He doesn't have a very big role in this book, probably just to give the poor fellow time to recuperate.
The police fare badly in these books. Usually described as small-minded, venal, unpleasant and bigoted. The main investigator has been a character in all of the novels so far but takes the leading role in this one. She sounds so deeply horrible that it is amazing one of her own colleagues hasn't done her in by now.
Other groups from 'the establishment' don't come out of this very well either.
There are a couple of the perpetrators who actually seem the most compelling and sympathetic characters.
On the whole, the plot idea was good, although the pieces were put together quite quickly in the end, once those pesky detectives got out the way.
Perhaps not the most uplifting read but I will listen to the next book, partly out of interest and loyalty.Certainly the earlier books in the series had more complexity and more light as well as dark.

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The Taste of Wormwood - Great series

The Taste of Wormwood - Great series
I enjoyed this series even better second time around.
Sea Barrett brill as ever

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Very dark, no humour. Quite a depressing listen.

Overall made it through and am glad it's over. I gave it a punt on a special offer.

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Dull and unengaging

I've never read anything by this author before but even Sean Barrett's excellent narration couldn't save this book for me.
The plot sounded promising. A police hunt for a murderer starts to overlap with the mysterious death of a lorry driver who had been people smuggling. Unfortunately the writer didn't ever draw me into the plot and I simply didn't care what happened. I don't think there was one likeable character, no real sense of place despite being set in Gloucestershire and the whole book was depressing and grim. The plot was slight and the author seemed to be aiming for a psychological approach instead, but I didn't feel he really got inside the head of his characters.
On this evidence I certainly won't be trying anything else by this author.

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