You Can't Make Old Friends

Brighton's No. 1 Private Detective

By: Tom Trott

Narrated by: Christopher James Saint John Courtney

Blacklisted by the police. Being sued by a client. And broke.

Things can’t get any worse for Brighton’s No. 1 Private Detective, Joe Grabarz, in this blistering debut novel from award-winning writer Tom Trott.

That’s when his best friend’s body washes up on the beach.

Could it really have been 10 years? What happened? How could his life have ended like this? He needs answers.

But with the city in the grips of organised crime, and struggling to deal with an influx of legal highs, who cares about just another dead drug dealer?

Joe, that’s who. After all, you can’t make old friends.

Warning: this book contains adult language, sex and drug references, and violence (basically, all the good stuff).

©2016 Thomas Trott (P)2018 Thomas Trott

great detective

the book was very and extremely well written I love the story and the the characters the story was very good and enjoyable
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Enter the dark corners of Brighten

What did you love best about You Can't Make Old Friends?

The imagery of a City in transition.... the City of Brighten has had many ups and downs over
the years and is a fitting venue for a murder mystery.

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

No but the writing and the narrator kept my interest to complete the book.

Have you listened to any of Christopher James Saint John Courtney’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but will listen to some of his other books.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When our hero becomes aware that his former friend was murdered.

Any additional comments?

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

So glad there is a book two!

This book is why I love audiobooks. Listening was like watching a movie. A very good movie.

Joe Grabarz, the main character, was complicated and simple and intense and low-key and a whole list of contradictions. Faced with trying to solve the murder of his boyhood friend, this mix of emotions compelled the story. The ending was insane. I'm so glad there is a book two!

The narration was nothing short of perfection. The twists and turns and emotional highs and lows were delivered so well that I forgot I was listening to a book.

Totally creditworthy!

I liked it,.. I hope there is more

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if the friend likes detective stories, noir-esque characters he will be in for a treat.

What did you like best about this story?

'You’re a good man, but not a nice one’ I liked the result oriented, streetwise, gritty main character.

Any additional comments?

Raymond Chandler in Brighton? Mr. Trott has his own style and a great sense of place, I really enjoyed his book.

Not what I expected

It's not that often that you come across a lead character that you don't like. It's not that Joe's a bad person, he;s just very self-serving, for the most part, his one redeeming feature is how he treats Kenny - a homeless man - otherwise it always seems to be about what he wants, or how to get what he wants.

The story has some interesting twists and the overall plot is a good one, I enjoyed listening to it. It does however end quite abruptly, it doesn't feel like an ending, it just stops.

The narration is well done, I liked the character voices and the pacing is well done.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

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A Good read / listen

An intriguing tale, I'm not usually a fan of English PI's but this tale caught hold of me and kept me turning pages. Lots of twists and intrigue.
Narration was good and clear easily understood accents.

A good listen.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.