Swanton Morley (DI Tanner #11) by David Blake and narrated by Jonathan Keeble was at once shocking and hilarious in its quick wit and tumultuous twists. I was completely side-swiped as, from the prologue, I was expecting something utterly different, but as each chapter went by, I liked it more and more and more

Tanner is a likable protagonist, not least for his adoration of his new baby daughter, but his wry humour, loyalty to his team, ability to accept his mistakes and relatability. David Blake has created a cast of highly entertaining characters, and the twists of the story take you from hilarity to high drama, to shock, to pondering what on earth just happened.

You think you have it all worked out, but then Blake gives a resounding "Nuh-uh!" and another path of investigations is followed (the final chase with the villain is the stuff of legend. The situation and location of the final confrontation is so suited to the wry humour of the novel that I was chuckling despite the events)

Jonathan Keeble is the perfect narrator for this audiobook, each character having a clear and defined personality

DCI Tanner mysteries are going straight on to my tbr. Highly enjoyable, thrilling and hilarious all at once

Thank you to Netgalley, W.F. Howes Ltd, the author David Blake and narrator Jonathan Keeble for this ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

4.5🌟

I genrally enjoy all types of psychological thrillers, and this detective novel is one that is right up there with this genre, although it is also within its own right, something different. I haven't had the pleasure of reading or listening to the rest of the series. However, this didn't change or alter my experience of this book as it can be read as a stand alone imo.

Detective Tanner has the type of nature you automatically feel like you know him, you can understand his work and his team, also there were some humourous parts along the way of what was a serious gripping novel. The story explores the murders of people who appear on a list high profile names who are on some way shape or form aligned with pedophilia this is what ultimately shapes the full nature of this story with various twists and turns of corruption, sadness, grief and in occasion graphic content.

With all this being said, it was very well written without being extremely triggering, in which some of these types of topics can be to a reader. The message was clear, concise, precise, and not predictable ending, which was very well thought out and captured as if it were all happening in real time as a detective team would be at work.

Narrated well with poignancy, easy listening, and capturing each character as they appeared to be. All in all, really no criticism other than the book description mentions romance, which I failed to find in this particular edition of the series.

A huge thank you to W.F. Howes Ltd & Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an open & honest review.

DI Tanner returns from his honeymoon and newly born baby daughter. So returning to work he could have done without the discovery of a body in an open grave. He will have his work cut out as more deaths occur and the potential culprits elusive.

I really enjoyed every minute of this novel. Well written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Great characters in this crime novel that has plenty of humour in it too. Well paced and plenty of twists, but can the murderer be caught? Read to find out.

I’m new to this series, but the fact that I’ve missed the earlier titles didn’t matter as this works well as a standalone. The initial draw was spotting that it’s narrated by Jonathon Keeble. I’ve been listening to him narrating some 25 hours of MR James stories and he’s outstanding. His delivery in Swanton Morley is superb. Well paced throughout and really added to the pleasure of listening.

As for the story, I’m not familiar with this area, but felt a strong sense of location from the descriptions. It’s a murder mystery that intrigues and it’s sufficiently complex to hold your interest from start to finish. Twists along the way and a very unexpected ending. Although it covers some serious issues, including sex offences, I found it quite relaxing. Definitely cosy crime rather than gory crime and there’s a decent balance of plotting to keep you listening. I’ll be looking at other titles in the series to catch up and I enjoyed this outing.

I have read several of the books in this series and was thrilled to receive a copy of the audiobook in return for an honest opinion. I loved this book and the narrator is excellent. I listened to this book very quickly because it is so well writen. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers.

It seemed like an open-and-shut case. A man, covered in mud and blood - and carrying a knife, comes into the police station shouting that he hasn't killed the man. A body at the bottom of a freshly dug grave at Swanton Morley church - he's been stabbed to death. DCI John Tanner is just back from his honeymoon, which coincided with the birth of his daughter Samantha. You would think he'd be grateful for an easy answer but the words 'perverse' and 'John Tanner' were made for each other. He's sleep-deprived to the point of falling asleep at work but he's determined to keep going - probably because he can't get any sleep at home.

When you're nearly a month away from last being on the north Norfolk coast and ][[Elly Griffiths' Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries in Chronological Order|Elly Griffiths] can't come to your rescue, you end up looking around for Norfolk crime. It was some five years since I'd read the first of the John Tanner books. I hadn't been overly impressed but I wasn't impressed by the first of Ian Rankin's John Rebus books either. As this was book eleven and I'd missed nine of them, I was hoping for a back catalogue to attack gleefully. So how did it stack up?

The plotting is good. I didn't see the ending coming at all. I hadn't with the first book in the series, either so I think we can say that Blake's plotting is strong. He also ticked a lot of boxes for me. I love the area and it's obvious that Blake does too: he brings it to life vividly. I'm pleased to read about the doings of wily politicians and Blake had this perfectly. He didn't overdo it and was completely believable. I was less convinced by the writing which errs on the side of description. I was tired of hearing about the 'depths of his [Tanner's] sailing jacket'. Yes - I know - I'm being picky.

I was lucky enough to be sent an audio download of the book, narrated by Jonathan Keeble. I enjoyed his narration of The Darkness Around Her by Neil White and The Establishment: And how they get away with it by Owen Jones. In the latter I thought that Keeble was a better choice than the author would have been - and it's not often I say that. Keeble didn't disappoint in Swanton Morley. He has an excellent range of voices, which he deployed with skill.

I read the first novel in this series and this audiobook made me go and get the rest of the series as it's a well plotted and gripping story that kept me guessing.
Well developed and interesting characters, a solid mystery
I liked the voice of the narrator and how they read the story
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I requested this arc without realising it was part of a series, I’d not usually be a fan of beginning so far in, however DCI Tanner is written so well that I felt easily acquainted with him and his team. The story was such that I definitely felt it worked as a standalone. I am intrigued to read the others though.

Swanton Morley was excellent. Full of intrigue as the team work towards catching a serial killer whose victims are all named as child sex offenders to the press. Lots of twists and turns and a blow your socks off ending that I did not see coming.

Excellent writing, and the narration was absolutely superb. I’d highly recommend it.

With special thanks to W.F Howes Ltd via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.