The Devil's Edge

Cooper and Fry, Book 11

By: Stephen Booth

Narrated by: Mike Rogers

The newspapers call them the Savages: a band of home invaders as merciless as they are stealthy. Usually they don't leave a clue. This time, they've left a body.The first victim is found sprawled on her kitchen floor, blood soaking the terracotta tiles. Before long, another corpse is discovered, dead of fright. As the toll rises, it's up to DC Ben Cooper and DS Diane Fry to track down the killers. But the enemy isn't who they think it is. Beneath the sinister shadow of the mountain ridge called the Devil's Edge, a twisted game is in play – a game more ruthless than the detectives can imagine…Packed with nerve-jangling suspense and moody atmosphere, The Devil's Edge is a thriller to rival the very best of Peter Robinson and Peter James.

©2011 Stephen Booth (P)2011 Hachette Digital

Great Story and super characters

I have to caveat this review in that my interest in this story was first piqued by the setting. Having spent time in the Peak District and also having family who live there - it is like a homecoming to read and travel through the villages, towns, and landscape.
This was my introduction to the Cooper/Fry mysteries. While it was obvious to me that there was a history of which i knew nothing i didn't find that it detracted from the enjoyment. Quite the contrary it whet my appetite to get and read the earlier books.
The Devil's Edge takes you (and Ben) around the peak district, on literal cliffs and personal ones.
Following the horrible attacks of a group of toughs dubbed the 'Savages" the search is on to find who did this. On the way you find out just how small a village can be when you have nosy neighbors.
It is a great listen and Mike is very easy to listen to.
It is very frustrating to see earlier books available to audible.co.uk listeners but not in the U.S. It is hoped that this will soon be resolved.
However do not let that stop you from getting this listen. It is worth it!!!!

Great story and narrator

I really enjoyed this book. I Was worried coming into the series so late on that it would detract from the story but it did not. The narrator was perfect I know this area in Derbyshire so it was wonderful to hear it described so well. It was also interesting to see the crime investigation from the point of view of a Detective sergeant and not the usual DI or DCI who are heading up the investigation . I will listen to the next one and then hope Audible can get the rest of the books in the series so the Fran / cooper history will be explained

A modern English Cozy

One of the best books I have "read" in some time. I found the primary and secondary characters engaging and the writing lyrical at times. The setting in the Peaks area is perfect and the author makes the area itself one of the primary characters. Fans of the traditional English cozy shouldn't be too off put by the bits of violence, but should enjoy getting to know the villagers and the police personnel as the story unwinds.

This is my first time with one of Stephen Booth's books. I hope Audible makes available to the U.S. customer the other Booth books as soon as possible (Audible.co.uk has many more selections.) This is a wonderful series -- I look forward to reading it from the beginning.

Mike Rogers performance is "spot on." The voices of the characters are distinctive and his performance enhanced the story.

Amazing "Peak District" atmosphere to murder.

Beautiful descriptions of the English "Peak District" and village life are a major part of the story. I enjoyed Booth's handling of the police procedural side, police inter-office relations, and personal village life. The search for the murder/s is step by step interesting and not a "hard-boiled" gritty murder mystery that makes me depressed after reading. I want to listen to more of Booth's books.

Roger's narration is great for the story. His voices are not distracting but distinctive to the characters and easy to listen to for the duration.