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Preview
  • Dead Beat

  • PI Kate Brannigan, Book 1
  • By: Val McDermid
  • Narrated by: Chloe Massey
  • Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (1,535 ratings)

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Dead Beat

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Chloe Massey
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Summary

The stunning first novel in the Kate Brannigan series, from number one Sunday Times best seller Val McDermid.

As a favour, Kate agrees to track down a missing songwriter, Moria Pollock. It was supposed to be a nice simple case, but the search soon leads Kate into the dark underworld of Leeds, Manchester and Bradford – and finally to a shocking confrontation with a killer....

©1992 Val McDermid (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd
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Critic reviews

"This is crime writing of the very highest order." (The Times)

"No one can plot or tell a story like McDermid." (Daily Express)

What listeners say about Dead Beat

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely fantastic brilliant love it. Narrator

was absolutely brilliant. Told the story great, and I was thrown into the World she was....

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

It's alright, not great but alright.

It's alright, not great but alright. Hopefully the next one in the series is better.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I found this book incredibly dull.

There was no elaboration on the characters and so the story seemed to fall very flat. There were elements of the story that were completely unrealistic, particularly the private investigator solving the case single handed. Very little reference to the police investigation which seemed very odd. The boyfriend was introduced at the beginning, but I’m really not sure why as he was featured at all during the subsequent story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

1902 this book is a loot at near past

Amazing how far the world has come on and you look around nothing has changed

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Excellent characterisation by narrator

Well read: impressive array of north west accents and further afield so characters clearly defined. Know the area so interesting background to an intriguing story. Alternative pronunciation of ‘sub judice’!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Found Myself A New Heroine

I love the Karen Pirie books by Val and thought I'd try some of her older work.
I listened to the whole book in less than 24 hours.
Good story, plus lots of reminiscing from my 20s and my Manchester days.

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Val McDermod does it again

wonderful accect. love the story. Val has a twisted mind,which makes for thw best stories.

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Poor

I normally love Val McDermid books but this was a bitter disappointment. The narration was wooden and not helped by the mispronunciation. Where on earth did the recording company find this narrator ? . Will definitely not be listening to any more in this series.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

English Sue Grafton??

A decent, if lightweight, page-turner. Brings to mind the female PI from Sue Grafton's A-Z series but with an English makeover. Good holiday read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Classy whodunnit

Great to go back 30 years to a classy time. Loved the story and narration

Would love to listen to more of Ms Brannigan

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