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  • The Puppet Show

  • By: M. W. Craven
  • Narrated by: John Banks
  • Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,134 ratings)

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The Puppet Show

By: M. W. Craven
Narrated by: John Banks
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Summary

Shortlisted for the 2019 CWA Gold Dagger Award

Shortlisted for the 2019 Best Crime Novel of the Year in the Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards

A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District's prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless. When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of.

Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.

As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he's ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive.

©2018 M. W. Craven (P)2018 Hachette Audio UK
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Critic reviews

"Dark, sharp and compelling." (Peter James)

"A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted, and not for the faint hearted!" (David Mark)

"A thrilling curtain raiser for what looks set to be a great new series" (Mick Herron)

What listeners say about The Puppet Show

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Excellent

Nothing better than finding a fantastic new author to enjoy!
This was an excellent story with likeable characters and brilliantly narrated. Highly recommended and I can’t wait to hear to hear the next book, I just hope it continues to be as good!

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5 people found this helpful

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What a find!

Brilliantly written, superbly narrated, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the characters had an impact on me, I loved the friendship between Tilly and Washington, laughing out loud on more than one occasion because Tilly's innocence was so sweet.

The story was excellent, and kept me guessing. I feel sad having to wait for the next book in the series!

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3 people found this helpful

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A total classic

I listened to this about a year ago and had forgotten just how good it was. Lovely descriptions of the setting, a great plot and some extremely engaging characters and burgeoning relationships between the lead characters. John Bank's narration is brilliant. I'd just come down from enjoying all the Harry Grimm stories and this is a worthy replacement.

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1 person found this helpful

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Brilliant 👏

Great story line. Find the characters to be really well developed. the Poe & Tilly combo is entertaining.

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1 person found this helpful

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Superb

I loved this book and the narrator so I have just bought the complete series to read/listen too.

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1 person found this helpful

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Rather brilliant

Not often I listen to an audiobook in one sitting, but this one I did, until gone 5am.

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

A well woven mystery

I really liked this book, the narrator does a brilliant job with different accents, as well as voices. The characters are compelling and the story well woven. My only complaint and reason I knock the book by one star is the ending is a little over explained when it comes to the "whodunit" part of the novel. Other than that brilliant and well worth a listen!

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Definately Different

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A different spin on the usual police procedural crime thriller. Great story, great narration. Lots of twists along the way. I was totally engaged and entertained. Well worth a credit. I will be reading/listening to more from M W Craven.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing!! Could not put it down!

I stumbled across this book and was intrigued to see what it had to offer!! OMG!! I could not put it down!! This is one of the best books I have read! I'm not giving ANYTHING away as it would spoil the read...... just get it today!

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

Addictive.

I stumbled across the 2nd book in this series and when I searched for this book, book 1, I realised I already had it in my library.

When people ask me what I did for Christmas. I said this series. Each day had me finnish 1 and then move onto the next and my addiction was fulfilled.

A competing series with characters that feel like real life people to me after spending so much time with them. I completed the whole series in a week and enjoyed each book.

The puppet show is definitely the best of the series and sets the tone and the pace for each book to come.

Be patient and stick with them, they can be a slow burn, but momentum builds and by the end you will be left wanting more.

If I could give an extra big star for narration, I would. Excellent, so good infact I went searching for more by the reader. Im bereft without his voice.

All in all. A really good series to hunker down with during lockdown xx

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