Holding

By: Graham Norton

Narrated by: Graham Norton

Graham Norton's masterful debut is an intelligently crafted story of love, secrets and loss.

The remote Irish village of Duneen has known little drama; and yet its inhabitants are troubled. Sergeant PJ Collins hasn't always been this overweight; mother of¬ two Brid Riordan hasn't always been an alcoholic; and elegant Evelyn Ross hasn't always felt that her life was a total waste.

So when human remains are discovered on an old farm, suspected to be that of Tommy Burke - a former¬ love of both Brid and Evelyn - the village's dark past begins to unravel. As the frustrated PJ struggles to solve a genuine case for the first time in his life, he unearths a community's worth of anger and resentments, secrets and regret.

Darkly comic, touching and at times profoundly sad. Graham Norton employs his acerbic wit to breathe life into a host of loveable characters, and explore - with searing honesty - the complexities and contradictions that make us human.

©2016 Graham Norton (P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton

Sublime

I’ve listening to this so very many times, it’s a go to drift off to sleep book. But damn good fully awake too. I love the characters and of course Grahams narration is perfect. Thank you.

A sweet story

Beautifully narrated by Graham Norton. Such a pleasure to listen to his voice. A sweet simple story. Nice escape for a few hours!

Like sitting next to Graham.

How wonderful was this book! It was like sitting next to Graham and having him tell me a story about his family in Ireland. I really enjoyed the mystery of it, I was guessing different people throughout. And I especially liked feeling like I was there with all the details of the town and the people. Can’t wait for the next book!

Great talent.

Mr. Norton is incredibly talented. We know he's funny, and a fun host, but his ability to inhabit each character is fantastic. Great read, interesting story, and the sadness that can be in a human being is well written!

Sweet Little Mystery

3.5 Stars. This is a simple little mystery, nothing too powerful and nothing too grand. It presents lovely village life and introduces some interesting characters. There's nothing too deep about the mystery (nothing that can't be figured out way ahead of time) but it's not a horrible way to spend a few days. I liked the setting quite a lot and the main character, the local policeman who investigates some bones found by a construction crew. Mostly, it shows that, no matter where you live, people have secrets and problems.

It's mostly lovely to learn that my favorite chat show host, Graham Norton, has other talents!

Norton is also the narrator and he does a nice job of it. I still prefer him in the host's chair but this could be a second career for him!

Fantastic

I have come to love all of Graham Norton’s books. Can’t wait to read another.

Loved it!

It reminded me so much of life at home in a small town. Graham Norton is brilliant narrating the story and voicing the characters too.

Loved it!

Very enjoyable murder mystery. Characters you can judge and cheer for at the same time. I am definitely buying his next book!

Amusing is the best word

Neither very funny nor with unexpected resolution, just life in a small town, people of a small town. Predictable but nice way to spend few hours.

So brilliant!

Loved the way the story was told (loved Graham's reading of the story) and the charming characters. Such proficient writing. Well done Graham.