Dark Crimes

DCI Sophie Allen, Book 1

By: Michael Hambling

Narrated by: Cat Gould

A young woman's body is discovered on a deserted footpath.

It seems like a simple crime for DCI Sophie Allen and her team to solve. But not when the victim's mother is found strangled the next morning. The case grows more complex as DCI Sophie Allen discovers that the victims had secret histories involving violence and intimidation. There's an obvious suspect, but Detective Allen isn't convinced. Could someone else be lurking in the shadows, someone savagely violent, looking for warped revenge?

Dark Crimes is the first in a series of detective thrillers featuring DCI Sophie Allen, head of the newly formed Violent Crime Unit in Dorset. She is pushed to the limit in her first major case as the team's head.

©2016 Michael Hambling (P)2016 Tantor

Love the strong female lead. And the excellent na

Normally I listen to my audiobooks while driving. This one captivated me enough that I even had it on at home.I already have book two downloaded & ready to go.

I should have read the reviews for the second book

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The story was good and the plot kept me interested but the narration was awful. I should have read the reviews for the second book since the narrator was judged to do a poor job

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sophie

Would you be willing to try another one of Cat Gould’s performances?

I tried another book that she narrated and I couldn't listen to it. I guess I thought it would get better but I found that my ability to put up with the narration but after ten minutes I gave up and returned the book..

Do you think Dark Crimes needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Probably with a different narrator

Any additional comments?

No

Decent Story

I had a problem with the narrator. This is me, a personal preference. Maybe others like it.
The author went to great lengths to inform the reader what a psychopath is; later, the characters discussed whether or not a psychopath is responsible for their actions.

May have been better as a print book

This was a very good story. I did not care for the audiobook's narration at all and it detracted from the book's enjoyment. I also couldn't tell if the poorly written dialogue also contributed to the bad narration. Very possibly.

Like I said, the story itself was interesting. I feel bad when a poor narrator ruins an author's work.

I don't know if I'll read more of this series.

Very predictable

The first chapter gave the game away. It was made clear to the reader whodunnit. The rest of the book saw the detective - smart, tough, beautiful, sexy, happily married, lovely children, admired by colleagues and intimidating to her superiors - painstakingly looking for clues. If only she read the spoiler info in the first chapter. However I’m still giving this three stars because if your expectations are not too high, it would do to pass a rainy afternoon.

Narrator Spoiled Story

The book should have been edited more stringently. The story is okay,but I don’t think the characters are really believable. The narrator is terrible;regardless of the author, I will stay away from anything she narrates!!

Story line was good

Didn’t care for the narrator
Almost didn’t finish but the story was good
Probably won’t listen to another by that author unless a different narrator
Shame

Terrible naration

This is hard to listen to, I only got through the first few chapters. This narrator is awful.

Worst narrator

I'm not sure the story didn't deserve more stars, although the writer's research into psychopathy was a little too much lesson and too little like believable speech from the characters. Nonetheless, the story could have been compelling with a better reader. Normally you get used to bad narrators, but this one made every word grate on my nerves.

Almost Too Good to be True

What made the experience of listening to Dark Crimes the most enjoyable?

It was a very good crime procedural. Seems to have an inside view.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Plot was fairly complicated but came together well.

Which character – as performed by Cat Gould – was your favorite?

Sophie Allen is the lead and she is very good. But she is almost too good to be true. I always need some flaws in my heroes.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Although I did not listen to it in one sitting I could have easily done so.