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Trick of the Dark
- Narrated by: Juanita McMahon, Gerri Halligar
- Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
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Same book as Dry Bones
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Summary
When Charlie Flint is sent a mysterious package of cuttings about a brutal murder, it instantly grabs her attention. The murder occurred in the grounds of her old Oxford college - a groom battered to death just hours after his wedding. As his bride and wedding guests sipped champagne, his alleged killers were slipping his bloodstained body into the river.
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Critic reviews
"Wonderfully compelling stuff." (Daily Mail)
"A workout for the grey cells, perfectly executed." (Daily Telegraph)
"This standalone from the Scottish force of nature is a brutally clever story." (Daily Mirror)
More from the same
What listeners say about Trick of the Dark
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- John
- 16-04-11
Just So Disappointing
McDermid is one of my favourite crime writers who usually constructs a powerful and absorbing plot combined with credible characters. Sadly in this book she fails on the first and possibly on both counts.
This is largely a lesbian love story with what might turn out to be a good crime story hiding somewhere in the background.
I gave up after about three hours and that's the first time I've done that for years and the first time with one of her books ever.
As I said, a great disappointment.
45 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Peter
- 09-03-11
Felt let down
Generally speaking I am a fan of Val McDermid and generally she appears to be believable on background. However, on this occasion she appears not to have given as much commitment to this as she normally does. The central character appears to be some sort of cross between a psychologist and psychiatrist which in my experience very rarely happens, I have never experienced it myself and I have 30 years experience in psychiatry. The story seems to revolve around her competence to practise and awaiting the verdict from the GMC which probably wouldn't happen because it would not come under the remit of the GMC, even if she was a psychiatrist which she wouldn't be unless she had first been trained as a medical doctor. She is a good storyteller but I did feel there is a responsibility to get the background something like believable. Sorry Val not your best.
32 people found this helpful
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Performance
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- Bookworm
- 06-03-17
Ignore all the homophobic reviews- fab book
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes- I have listened to all the other Val McDermid audiobooks but nearly didn't listen to this due to the reviews- but I'm really glad I did. They are all massive homophobes. I really enjoyed this; just as good as her other books
Who was your favorite character and why?
Maria because she's a dentist
What about Juanita McMahon and Gerri Halligar ’s performance did you like?
Both great narrators
15 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Tei
- 21-04-11
Very Disappointing
I was very disappointed by the novel and the choice of narrative voices. It's been some time since I read a McDermid and this felt like it could have been a first attempt at novel writing rather than that of an experienced writer. It was v simplistic and to be honest rather poorly edited. Given both the narrative voices were supposed to be of youngish women, I can't understand why the producer chose voices that sounded as if they belonged to over 50 women. All in all not good.
31 people found this helpful
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- Jantet Penhaligon
- 09-07-19
Read it and make your own mind up
Enough of your homophobic crap. This is a good work of fiction. The fact that the main characters are lesbian isn’t important. The writing and plot construction is first class. Get a grip!
14 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Lynn
- 11-07-11
Very Disappointing
Having loved the Tony Hill series this was such a disappointment. The characters are irritating, the plot weak and the narration awful. This feels like a book written to sell on the back of the author's previous success.
11 people found this helpful
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- Vicuña
- 22-01-17
Intense and creepy
Excellent narration adds to the pleasure of this audible version. Complex and twisted plotting packed with surprises. Well paced and really enjoyed it.
10 people found this helpful
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Overall
- David
- 19-02-11
Will be back to this one
Beautifully crafted characters, and wonderfully read, I'll be listening to this again in short order as I enjoyed it so much. The twists and turns of the plot and the sympathetic portrayals of complex people (aren't we all) create a gripping story. Val is a new discovery for me. I'll be reading more.
26 people found this helpful
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- Chris Bird
- 19-06-20
Interesting story
I was a bit put off by other comments. This was unjustified the story is classic Val McDemid. The undercurrent of prejudice against lesbians, works well in the story. A very good listen.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Geraldine
- 28-02-11
poorly researched
An exciting plot but based on false premises about forensic psychiatry.'A beach book' it will sell well but the links to reality are tenuous.
12 people found this helpful
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- Norma Miles
- 25-07-21
"Twists and turns and suspense."
"Twists and turns and suspense."
Corinna, an Oxford lecturer looking out for her daughter whose husband was murdered on their wedding day. She is now in a relationship with the woman Corinna is convinced killed her son-in-law, someone she is convinced has also killed before. So she asks one of her previous students, now a somewhat infamous psychiatrist, to find the proof needed to convict her - despite two others already having been convicted. Meanwhile, the woman Corinna suspects already has had a biographical book published and very received and is currently writing a sequel and this book in construction makes up a substantial part of Trick of the Dark.I
Yes, it's a book of twists and more twists, murders and red herrings, with a core group of investigators and suspects. Cleverly constructed, well written with some decent characterization but all are a bit cardboard cut-out for reality: not people to believe in despite their super glossy presentations. And, yes, it isn't overly difficult to guess at the perpetrators.
Narration by Terri Halliger and Juanita McMahan was good, though more variation in tone would have been appreciated.
Not really a book to read if any semblance with reality is a necessity, but probably enjoyable for those who like Agaths Christie who-dun-its? Guess it could be a good holiday read.