Book blurb:
“John “Slim” Hardy, a heavy drinker and disgraced soldier turned bumbling private detective, is hired to investigate Ted Douglas, an investment banker who slips out of work every Friday to visit a desolate cove on the Lancashire coast. There, he walks to the shore, opens an old book, and begins to read aloud.
His wife thinks he’s having an affair.
Slim thinks he’s insane.
The truth is more incredible than either could imagine. ”
My thoughts:
Where do I start with this little gem, it definitely isn’t your average British based detective/ murder mystery, well it is but it really isn’t.
Ok let’s slow down and start at the beginning, I loved the idea of this , it’s something a little bit different, the characters and the settings and of course the story.
first off I loved the haunting cover, it said so much without using any words, so whoever did the artwork I take my hat off to you sir/madam.
I absolutely loved the lead character from the very start, endearing and very rarely sober, John Hardy I salute you, maybe the only man who’s demons are are drunk as he is .
At first I thought it was just going to be a quick mysterious open and shut detective story and at only 4 hours and 52 minutes in length, I was amazed at how much tension and intrigue and drama they managed to squeeze into this book.
The setting of the coast of Lancashire is well described and sounds like a place well worth a visit,
All the elements are in this for a anyone who loves a-bit of everything, murder, love , a hint of paranormal, but maybe not?.
The narrator for this fine mix is Kevin E Green, a new name on this blog but I want to hear more, cause he told the story in such an eloquent manner, from simply reading to scene setting, good job Kevin.
So if you haven’t already figured out, this has a little something for everyone and it’s short enough that if you want something quick it has that too, so go give it a listen.
You can buy it here:
A Listener's Slant 