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A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil

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A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil

By: Christopher Brookmyre
Narrated by: Angus King
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About this listen

We could tell you about the bodies. We could tell you their names, where they were found, the states they were in. We could tell you about the suspects, too, the evidence, the investigators; join a few dots, even throw you a motive.

But what would be the point? After all, you know these people. You went to school with them. We all did. So if you really knew them then, you’ll already have all the answers....

©2006 Christopher Brookmyre (P)2015 W F Howes Ltd Crime Fiction Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Funny Witty

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Critic reviews

"This is the book I would want if I were marooned on a desert island or lost in space." ( Independent)
"Another astonishing performance, travelling deeper and more movingly into human emotions than his previous works, without sacrificing his comic zest or meticulous plotting." ( The Times)
All stars
Most relevant  
If you were at school in the 70’s and 80’s you’ll especially like the various references, especially if your school was a bit rough.

Great book

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Side splittingly funny from the get-go, although anyone under 45 (and particularly millennials) may be horrified by the treatment handed out to children of my generation - get over it - we did. I am amazed by the author's apparent ability to remember what it' was like to be five years old. Also asks the more serious question of whether the cards dealt out to you in your infancy determine your destiny into adulthood and how you are perceived by others. The best book I've come across in a long time.

They don't come any better than this

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The interplay between earlier school relationships and the uncovering of the crimes involving some of these people later might be quite clever, but I found it didn’t work at all as an audio book because there were so many characters, several of whom later adopted nicknames. I couldn’t keep track of who was whom in the crime. So I didn’t enjoy this at all apart from the clever (and nasty) school time material which was well crafted.

Good narration, but disappointing listen

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I like how the Scottish talk, all the funny words only they use, this is good story with good narration.

Good story

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What did you like most about A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil?

It is a skilled author such as Brookmyre that beautifully weaves two distinctive timelines and enable the listener to build attachments to key players in both stories. To love one character in the 1970s only to revoke those emotions 30 odd years later, and visa versa with other characters. Superb.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too many to mention. JoJo as an example, whose character stretched your emotive briefcase to bursting point

Which scene did you most enjoy?

OMG.......the Assembly were MoMo the head teacher was lecturing the students. What narration, what a voice. And a school assembly thronged with 200+ kids, the inevitable farting scene had me in bits. I was driving at the time and had to pull over in fear of crashing.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both. More of the former, but I did moist up round the eyes right at the the end,

Any additional comments?

Buy it, oh and Angus King is a legend

Beautifully crafted

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I read this in hardback years ago. Loved it. The performance of it was equally as good as the voice in my head. It brought up so many memories about school life and the friendships and enemies we make early in life. Would definitely recommend this book.

A wonderful nostalgic book.

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Brought back memories of what it was like in the playground very true to life especially f****ng fantastic reply

Very enjoyable read

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Funny, laugh out loud funny in places but very weak storyline. If you grew up in the seventies it strikes a chord at what school was like.

Not his best.

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The depiction of school in the 70s and 80s is clearly written from experience and beautifully done. It’s funny, touching and authentic, but not for the feint hearted. The underlying, present day story is almost incidental, but serves to explain a lot about how the personalities of the younger characters were formed.
One of Chris Brookmyre’s best.

Wonderful.

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This is a tale of how childhood experiences in school and outside mould children into how they act as adults and the loyalties that bind them.
It's set in 2 timelines, alternating between the adults of now and school life in the 70s.
I was on the bus and listening to the school assembly fart chapter and couldn't stop laughing. My eyes were wet with laughter. I am just glad I knew no one on that bus.

The funniest scene ever is in this book.

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