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Dead Beat

PI Kate Brannigan, Book 1

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Dead Beat

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Chloe Massey
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About this listen

The stunning first novel in the Kate Brannigan series, from number one Sunday Times best seller Val McDermid.

As a favour, Kate agrees to track down a missing songwriter, Moria Pollock. It was supposed to be a nice simple case, but the search soon leads Kate into the dark underworld of Leeds, Manchester and Bradford – and finally to a shocking confrontation with a killer....

©1992 Val McDermid (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd Crime Fiction Detective Fiction Mystery Private Investigators Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Crime

Critic Reviews

"This is crime writing of the very highest order." (The Times)

"No one can plot or tell a story like McDermid." (Daily Express)

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An easy read. Very light but lacking some character depth and story depth. If this was the first Val McDermid is picked up is probably not read any more of hers which is a shame as she’s a brilliant author. I’m hoping that this series develops. I’ll give one more a try and if it doesn’t then just leave it. I didn’t like her series with the journalist either but from memory that was a better written book than this.

Not up to her normal exceptional standard.

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Thank you Val and Chloe for opening up a new world for me. I am already hooked on Karen's PI universe and into book 2.

A Mancunian blend of Poirot, Holmes, Marple

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I enjoyed this story, with the pedigree of the author l expected something deeper but as this is the first in the line perhaps depth comes in stages. This for me was a light read, but enjoyable, nice pace and not boring. The narration was very good - its a holiday read and yep good enough to buy the next in the series. The main character is a Private investigator and the storyline on what is uncovered (which is more than one thing) comes across as highly credible. Good stuff

First time l have read anything from this author

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Nice topic of murder in music industry . Good first person narrative. Believable and exciting . A good read . Could not put it down

Twists and turns

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Val McDermid always writes great characters who engage you in a tale of suspense and intrigue.

Always a good read

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