Predictable plot

I like Mark billingham's writing and his narration. Sadly, as soon as I realised it was a return to the Stuart Nicklin character and that he was being taken put of prison, the broad brush of what would happen was obvious which is a shame. So not bad but not as enjoyable as plots where you really don't know what will happen.

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A good read but not his best.

Our gritty hero is here again but alas the story doesn't do him justice.

I think the detail could have been stronger and I thought the whole thing remained fairly flat and too matter of fact.

Mark Billingham is not the best reader of his works. His delivery could do with more animation to put some excitement into what was a fairly dull story.

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1 person found this helpful

8 hours wasted

Firstly, I'm a big fan of the Tom Thorne series, which is why I persevered with listening to The Bones Beneath, but it's Billingham's poorest story to date. Took nearly 4 hours of listening for them just to get on a boat! Only in the last hour did the very predictable happen, and it wasn't a shock or contained little surprises. It's clearly written for a set-up for another story later in the series, but it was a tedious listen and if I wasn't so intent on listening to the books in order, I'd have happily skipped this story. If you are pondering, then all you need to know is written in 50 words or less on Amazon reviews.

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A great story line that keeps one guessing!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Bones Beneath to be better than the print version?

It must be as it holds ones attention and the Narrator is great!

What other book might you compare The Bones Beneath to, and why?

Dead Simple by Peter James

Have you listened to any of Mark Billingham’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Read most of them. This is different but a great story

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Come to a new holiday island! if you dare

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1 person found this helpful

Another masterful tale

Excellent storyline, well narrated by the author. I like the way that the characters and their interlocking lives are developed in each successive volume. A gripping story that I found hard to put down. Makes me want to listen to the next book asap.

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How it was meant to be read!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Bones Beneath to be better than the print version?

No, not better than the print version but equally as good! I am a recent convert to Audio Books and the previous ones I have "read" have been read by people who aren't the author and this put a different infection onto the characters. Where this one is read by Mark Billingham himself, then you know it's exactly how he intended it to be read.

What other book might you compare The Bones Beneath to, and why?

This is the next book in the series about Tom Thorne and is of course similar to them. There's the twists and turns that you would hope for from Mark Billingham and the wonderful descriptive scenes he sets

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Has to be the climax really, I don't want to be giving spoilers but definitely the exciting ending was my favourite.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes given the time!

Any additional comments?

I was thoroughly impressed that this was read by the Author, I felt I was getting exactly what he intended the reader to get. I shall be looking out for more novels read by their Author in future.

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A thought evoking setting

A thoroughly gripping read! I’m familiar with Wales and it’s coastline which added to the setting for me.

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Amazing writing from an island not far from where I grew up in north Wales A must listen

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Slow and ponderous

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This wasn't up to his usual high standard. I have really enjoyed all of this authors previous work.
The author usually keeps the tension high and the action coming. The very end was the only time this book got going for me.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable and ensures a further book with the same characters.

What aspect of Mark Billingham’s performance might you have changed?

Don't ever narrate your own books!

Do you think The Bones Beneath needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It will get one without doubt due to the ending.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed. Previous work has been exceptional.

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3 people found this helpful

Great Book Superbly Narrated by Mark Billingham

If you could sum up The Bones Beneath in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining, well written, rounded characters and superbly read by Mark Billingham himself.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Thorne is always my favourite character but Stuart Nicklin, the main bad man is great.

What about Mark Billingham’s performance did you like?

Mark reads well and reads the story with the same passion it is written.

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