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  • An Accidental Death

  • A DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 1
  • By: Peter Grainger
  • Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
  • Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,092 ratings)

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An Accidental Death cover art

An Accidental Death

By: Peter Grainger
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
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Summary

The story opens with the apparently accidental drowning of a sixth form student in the Norfolk countryside. As a matter of routine, or so it seems, the case passes across the desk of Detective Sergeant Smith, recently returned to work after an internal investigation into another case that has led to tensions between officers at Kings Lake police headquarters. As an ex-DCI, Smith could have retired by now, and it is clear that some of his superiors wish that he would do so. The latest trainee detective to work with him is the son of a member of his former team, and together they begin to unravel the truth about what happened to Wayne Fletcher. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that others are involved - some seem determined to prevent it, some seem to be taking too much interest. In the end, Smith operates alone, having stepped too far outside standard procedures to ask for support. He knows that his own life might be at risk but he has not calculated on the life of his young assistant also being put in danger.

©2013 Peter Grainger (P)2016 Tantor

What listeners say about An Accidental Death

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent throughout.

Police procedural, well paced murder investigation, free of gratuitous body horror but by no means 'cosy ' everyday humour well integrated throughout. I bought next in series half way through.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Simply one of the best detective stories I’ve heard for a long time

Written with empathy and a wicked dry humour, the main character is complex and very real, mirroring what life throws at us all. His sympathetic treatment of his junior colleague and of those less fortunate than himself creates a vision of a man who has been through a lot and come out the better. The storyline is a good one, with the kind of twists that are not too far fetched and the book has a very satisfying conclusion. Well worth a listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

brilliant

quirky, fun and clever. perfect combination. and in norfolk as the icing on the cake. thoroughly enjoyed. I have recommended to others already. give it a go!.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great narrator

Good storyline, the first time I’ve read this author and very impressed..and fantastic narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An accidental death

I loved this series, the characters feel real and there’s a good amount of humour. The narrator is also excellent

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Great listen I am officially hooked!! It’s nice to be left feeling like you need to learn more about the characters that you have to get book 2 straight away!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great start to a brilliant series

I have listened to all the DC Smith books many times over. The narrator was a perfect choice for these books. The stories are intelligent, rather than brash. I would recommend them to anyone.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

Peter Grainger is a new author to me, I was very pleasantly impressed by his writing style and storyline. The narrator was extremely talented. All in all a very enjoyable audiobook.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Superb

A wonderful combination of traditional, procedural crime writing with literary skills and psychological depths. Can’t wait to get to know D C Smith and Waters better.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • AB
  • 20-02-24

Excellent narration of solid tale

A refreshingly straightforward murder mystery, there seems to be a requirement for all detectives to have a dead spouse to moon over, but apart from that it cracked on nicely. I really liked the narrator's voice and will look for more from him.

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