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Death of a Bookseller

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Death of a Bookseller

By: Alice Slater
Narrated by: Emma Noakes, Victoria Blunt
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About this listen

 WOULD YOU KILL FOR A GOOD STORY?
THE MOST ANTICIPATED DEBUT THRILLER OF 2023, WHICH WILL MAKE YOUR SKIN CRAWL AND YOUR HEART POUND.
'A confident, sassy, pitch-black debut' CAROLINE KEPNES
'Your new obsession' ERIN KELLY
'Savage, witty and all-consuming' ABIGAIL DEAN
'A dark masterpiece. It will work its way under your skin like a splinter' CATRIONA WARD

*****
Roach - bookseller, loner and true crime fanatic- is not interested in making friends. She has all the company she needs in her serial killer books, murder podcasts and her pet snail, Bleep.

That is, until Laura joins the bookshop.

With her cute literary tote bags and sunny smile, she's everyone's favourite bookseller. But beneath the shiny veneer, Roach senses a darkness within Laura, the same darkness Roach possesses.

And as curiosity blooms into morbid obsession, Roach becomes determined to be a part of Laura's story - whether Laura wants her in it or not.
*****

'A spectacularly creepy debut ... a tense and disturbing read' GUARDIAN
'Tense, addictive and sticky underfoot' JULIA ARMFIELD
'A sharp and creepy debut thriller' DAILY MAIL
'Utterly unforgettable' CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD
'Delightfully dark' COSMOPOLITAN, Best New Books

'Engrossing, atmospheric and deliciously dark' WILL DEAN
'Uncomfortable, claustrophobic, and you won't take your eyes off the pages' BELFAST TELEGRAPH

'Impossible to put down' ELIZA CLARK
'A sinister and tense debut that will chill you to the core' PLATINUM MAGAZINE
'Relentlessly creepy and deeply compulsive' HEATHER DARWENT©2023 Alice Slater (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Crime Crime Fiction Domestic Thrillers Murder Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Exciting Scary Emotionally Gripping

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All stars
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The best audio book I’ve read! Absolutely gripping from start to finish and a brilliant performance. The narration is perfect!

Fantastic

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Overall: 3.75 stars; Narration: 5 stars; Story 3.75 stars

This was an impulse purchase after listening to the audio sampler, which had me instantly hooked. There is much to admire here: great writing, a fantastic dual narration, and some very astute observations on the true crime genre; that really leaves you with things to think about.

However, I felt that there was a difficulty in sustaining its pace throughout the 11hrs 58mins duration. There were several points where I felt a lack of propulsion in the plot (despite the fantastic narration);a stalemate, that left me frustrated and/or bored on the verge of walking away. The confrontation and resolution when it unfolded was so quick, but was almost worth the wait


A Debut That Shows Great Promise

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The dual perspectives of Roach and Laura are brilliantly played out; from Roach's grubby and grotty similes, to Laura's righteously indignant reactions. They both evolve artfully through the story, at times relatable and abhorrent.
The narration is perfect for each of the two leads.
Overall an excellent book.

Excellent character-driven narrative

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I enjoyed this book, well worth the credit, kept me listening without being bored, loved the characters, one negative thing i would say is that the ending was a little weak

Very Good

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Great descriptive well written & formed characters, brilliantly narrated. I loved the contrast between the 2 main characters. I listened on some long drives & didnt want the story to end!

Brilliant unusual story. I really loved it!

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First of all let me say how extremely well written this book and the narration is excellent .However, ( you knew this was coming) the subject matter is extremely dark and almost all the characters except the saintly Sharonna, are unlikable. I feel the character of Roach is especially nasty and also quite implausible. Hard to say more without giving spoilers, but considering her upbringing- doesn’t all unpleasantness stem from that?- her lack of empathy and general selfishness to my mind just didn’t ring true. I expect I am not the demographic the book is aimed at as everyone else seems to love it. Hey ho. I stuck it out til the end.

I guess not my cup of tea..

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I came across this story when listening to a true crime podcast… I then came across it again in a different podcast as an advert. When I purchased it, it had no reviews.

The writer describes everything in very specific detail making the story flow very easily, and the narration is truly gripping. However, it will take a little while to get used to. As for some reason both of the narrators sound slightly the same. The first couple of hours of the book are slow, but the backstory is needed, even if it is slightly too long.

I think the book could’ve become a nine hour narration, instead of an 11 hour narration as some points seem to drag on and repeat itself.

I had never heard of the author, and she is very clever in making you think the story will go one way when it will eventually go a complete different direction (e.g. A person not being caught out in a very close counter)

Towards the end, I did want to give up, however, the last three hours seems to kick the story into overdrive and then becomes very quick passing.

I think the story itself isn’t really anything new, and it’s probably only worth three stars. However, the narration of especially Roch works very well making it a very easy listen.

If this author bought out another book, I would definitely give it a go but I wouldn’t be telling people to rush out and buy it.

No spoilers but very long!

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I read a review that said don't read the other reviews so I didn't and just bought the book. it was lot of fun and well narrated. not very grizzly or dark but lots of references to other things, a good pace and uncertainty - absolutely recommended

loved it

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Great narration,the two voices really complement the story . Fascinating read / listen .look forward to the next book from this author .

Bibliophile heaven

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I can’t put my finger on why I didn’t enjoy this book. I think it’s because neither of the main characters are likeable so it’s difficult to care for their outcomes . Sadly anticlimactic

A promising idea, just not the best execution

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