1989 cover art

1989

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1989

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Katie Leung
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About this listen

The second thrilling novel in Val McDermid's new Sunday Times best-selling series

It's 1989, and Allie Burns is back.

Older and maybe wiser, she's running the northern news operation of the Sunday Globe, chafing at losing her role in investigative journalism and at the descent into the gutter of the UK tabloid media.

But there's plenty to keep her occupied. The year begins with the memorial service to the victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, but Allie has barely filed her copy when she stumbles over a story about HIV/AIDS that will shock her into a major change of direction.

The world of newspapers is undergoing a revolution, there's skulduggery in the medical research labs and there are seismic rumblings behind the Iron Curtain. When kidnap and murder are added to this potent mix, Allie is forced to question all her old certainties.

Praise for 1979

'McDermid is at her considerable best' GUARDIAN

'Irresistible' PATRICIA CORNWELL

'A brilliant novel by a supremo of the genre' PETER JAMES

'Outstanding' SPECTATOR

'Another masterpiece' DAVID BALDACCI

'Sensational. One of Britain's most accomplished writers' SUNDAY EXPRESS

©2022 Val McDermid (P)2022 W F Howes
Historical Literature & Fiction Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Exciting Fiction Suspense

Critic Reviews

"McDermid is at her considerable best." (Guardian)

"Irresistible." (Patricia Cornwell)

"A brilliant novel by a supremo of the genre." (Peter James)

All stars
Most relevant  
Another great book from Val McDermid with so many stories within the story! Superbly narrated by Katie Lung. I really enjoyed it

Great Story

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Loved this latest from Val McDermid. Journalism and PI investigations. Berlin drama. With the added bonus of an 80s songlist at the end! Riveting and full of humanity

1989 it was an interesting year

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I like it all a great engaging story with clever inter twinning plots . Allie & Ruby have real personalities & skills

1989- l Loved the use of real events & close history woven into the story & love the characters

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Loved the historical research that went into this book. The narration was excellent. Fast forward to the end and listen to the soundtrack recommendations first. Someone’s compiled a list on Spotify as well.

History and suspense

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This author is always a one click for me. Love that the narrator has a wonderful Scottish brogue. It really brings you into the story.

Val mcdermid always a winner

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This story didn’t work as a crime puzzle. Which is unusual, I usually love McDermid. Part AIDS history , part mediocre love story, Luke warm as a thriller. Very little classic crime , with the clues easy to guess
Also, the narrator’s Mancunian sounded pure Australian. A real miss. Looking forward to the next and better.

An unusual miss.

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