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Better the Blood

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Better the Blood

By: Michael Bennett
Narrated by: Miriama McDowell, Richard Te Are
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About this listen

 'A compelling, atmospheric page turner with an authentic insight into Māori culture' Val McDermid

A DETECTIVE IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH.
A KILLER IN SEARCH OF RETRIBUTION.
A CLASH BETWEEN CULTURE AND DUTY.
THE PAST NEVER TRULY STAYS BURIED.
WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE OF PARADISE.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hana Westerman is a tenacious Māori detective juggling single motherhood and the pressures of her career in Auckland’s Central Investigation Branch. When she’s led to a crime scene by a mysterious video, she discovers a man hanging in a hidden room. With little to go on, Hana knows one thing: the killer is sending her a message.

As a Māori officer, there has always been a clash between duty and culture for Hana, but it is something that she’s found a way to live with. Until now. When more murders follow, Hana realises that her heritage and past are the keys to finding the perpetrator.

Especially when the killer's agenda of revenge may include Hana – and her family . . .


‘As page-turning as it is eye-opening’ Ambrose Parry

‘A remarkable new detective’ Daily Mail

‘[A] highly addictive read’ My Weekly

‘So chilling’ Crime Monthly

‘Opens a unique window onto a fascinating Antipodean society as only world-class crime fiction can’ Deon Meyer

Winner of the Best First Novel Award at the 2023 Ngaio Marsh Awards
Finalist for Best Novel at the 2023 Ngaio Marsh Awards
​Shortlisted for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
Longlisted for the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger
Shortlisted for Audio Book of the Year at the Capital Crime Fingerprint Awards©2022 Michael Bennett (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, UK Crime Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery Police Procedural Thriller Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Revenge Suspense
All stars
Most relevant  
I was fortunate enough to meet the author at his book launch of this book in Rotorua. At the book launch, he mentioned that this will shortly be available in audiobook form. As I am a person with a visual impairment and after he read exit and my wife had also read the book. I was very excited.

My excitement was confirmed and rewarded.

I have been a fan of the author with his previous works in the non-fiction spaces and film and television spaces. before my vision deteriorated to where it is now I was fortunate enough to watch and experience has fabulous works. Now, that my vision has deteriorated to the point where I am unable to enjoy the fruits of his and his colleagues magical work that they produce on screen. I got to experience these live in Carla.

What I can say is that his vision for the screen translates seamlessly to the pin. The images, Voices and heart for the people the land and justice were just at Lee created in my minds eye.



After reading and listening to this book. I believe that this should be a fiction novel that is compulsory with anowl secondary school system.

I also think that this book should always be in the top fiction novels when bookstores are recommending fictions to all walks of life.

I would also like to thank the wonderful performances of our two amazing voices that gave honour and continuous life to the words of our author and the spirit of our amazing indigenous language.

I’ll also like to thank the family of the author for Sharing your husbands and fathers beautiful talent with us.

Lastly thank you Michael and I look forward to experiencing the other gifts that you will share with The world.

PS apologies for the typos. Again as I am a person with a visual impairment. Are use voice recognition technology to help me write my messages. So please pass the typos and see the intention of what I have written above.

My minds eye

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A fascinating story I hooked from start to finish. If you love detective novels, add this to your must-read book list.

Excelente book

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Liked the narrators and the suspense. Great book. Will look for more by this author.

Excellent , loved it. Particularly loved the indigenous content, characters and history.

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Loved this book. Super compelling with a driving narrative and strong characters. Deeply explored the complexity of being Māori in a Pākehā justice system. Ethics and tradition and integrity. Was so cool to hear these tricky questions that i ponder being looked at with such wisdom and clarity. I highly recommend this book. it was entertaining and exciting whilst also being extremely powerful and intelligent. Ngā mihi

awesome book

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Such a great story and really good narration. Couldn’t ’put it down’! Being a kiwi it was so nice being able to picture all the different locations too. Well done!

Fantastic read and listen

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Well presented fascinating fictionalised story of a personal and violent response to a history of colonisation, injustice and settler violence. Beautifully written and narrated with much insightful learning alongside a thrilling read.

Engaging, informative, moving thriller offering insights into Māori culture and loss

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Should be a movie ! Slow start but really enjoyed and gripping and sad ending. Will be reaching for next in series .

Loved the story and the connection to the land and its people .

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.