Death at the White Hart

A Novel

De: Chris Chibnall

Narrado por: Jessica Gunning

“Layered, human, suspenseful and surprising—this guy knows how to tell a story, that's for sure.”—Lee Child, # 1 New York Times bestselling author

“Fans of Broadchurch are going to LOVE Death at the White Hart! With its compelling pair of detectives and tense, creepy atmosphere, once you start reading, I defy you to stop.”—Shari Lapena

From the internationally award-winning creator of Broadchurch comes a brilliant new detective story following one man’s death and the secrets that unravel in a coastal English village

Nothing keeps a village together like secrets.

The villagers of Fleetcombe like to think of it as one of the most picturesque spots on England’s coast.

But now, it’s a disturbingly macabre crime scene.

A man is found dead, tied to a chair in the middle of the road, a stag’s antlers on his head. The gruesome scene stuns the town, especially when the victim is identified: Jim Tiernan, who ran the White Hart pub. Tiernan’s pub is at the center of village life and he knew everyone’s secrets.

Detective Nicola Bridge grew up in Fleetcombe and has now returned, for the good of her family, from a life away in Liverpool. DC Harry Ward is ten years younger and, despite his newcomer status, determined to earn Nicola’s trust. Because they don’t have long to crack the storybook façade and find out just what the people of Fleetcombe have to hide.

And now, in the place she thought she knew so well, Detective Nicola Bridge is asking questions. Is she ready for what she’s about to find?

©2025 Chris Chibnall (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Broadchurch creator Chibnall flexes his talents for characterization and complex plotting in his engrossing first novel. . . . lived-in and consequential. This deserves a sequel.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Despite the contemporary setting, there’s a classic feel to this police procedural. The mystery is rooted in human emotions, like classic whodunits of a century ago. The cast of suspects is varied and interesting, much more than stereotype or even archetype, but the true delight is the introduction of Nicola and her team, a group of misfits who complement each other with dry humor and absolute commitment to their jobs. Hopefully, this is the start of a beautiful series.”—Kirkus

“A masterclass whodunnit from the creator of Broadchurch—moody, immersive, and surprising too. I didn’t dare hope it would be better than Broadchurch, but it is.”—Gillian McAllister, New York Times bestselling author of Wrong Place, Wrong Time

Not Cozy Not Gritty

The last 15% was really good - I wish the rest of it was as engaging and striking. I feel like this tried to be a classic cozy village mystery AND a modern gritty intrigue … and it didn’t really hit either note. I did like the supporting characters quite a lot, but Nicola was a bit too trite. Overall, I would read another by the author, but with a bit of hesitation.

Annoying use of they/them pronouns

Really? “They bit their lip”?
I found this insistence on honoring non-binary pronoun preference confusing and annoying to the point of wondering if it was intending to be so.

Good Story.

It's a good story, and definitely keeps you guessing. The narrator, on the other hand, was not particularly good. She has a beautiful accent, but her enunciation was bad, so I had to listen again and again to various bits to figure out what she said.

I hope there's another book and it becomes a series because the characters were very likable.

Story and narration

Absorbing addictive mystery that is beautifully narrated. I was hoping for another book by the same author and narrator.

awful

I can't get past the atrocious narration. There is no distinction among characters, no change in voice inflection, and she sounds like she has marbles in her mouth. The narrator does this book no favors. it may have been a good story, but certainly not on audio. yeesh, total mess.