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  • The House in the Woods

  • Atticus Priest, Book 1
  • By: Mark Dawson
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (91 ratings)

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The House in the Woods cover art

The House in the Woods

By: Mark Dawson
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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$16.45/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

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Publisher's Summary

Four murders. Two detectives. One mystifying crime.

On Christmas Eve, DCI Mackenzie Jones is called to a shooting at a remote farmhouse. Ralph Mallender believes his father lies dead inside. When three more bodies are discovered, it's clear a festive family gathering has turned into a gruesome tragedy. 

At first it seems like an open-and-shut case: a murder suicide committed by Ralph's volatile brother Cameron. Then new evidence makes Mack suspect the man who reported the crime is in fact the perpetrator. 

But Mack isn't the only one with a stake in the case. Private investigator Atticus Priest has been hired to get Ralph acquitted. That means unearthing any weaknesses in Mack's evidence.

Irascible, impatient, and unpredictable, Atticus has weaknesses of his own. Mack knows all about them because they share a past - both professionally and personally. This time round, however, they aren't on the same side. And as Atticus picks at the loose ends of the case, everything starts to unravel in a way neither of them could ever have predicted....

©2020 Unputdownable Limited (P)2020 Tantor

What listeners say about The House in the Woods

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Can’t wait for the next one!

I really enjoyed this! Looking forward to whatever Atticus and Mack get up to next... Well-drawn characters with a rewardingly twisty plot!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very intriguing story

This story kept us engrossed while on a 3500klm trip up north of Western Australia.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good storyline

I enjoyed the storyline and especially the character of Bandit. I think the series may grow on me.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A bit slow

I am not sure whether it was the narrator or unnecessary details and dialogue. I guess a combination of both.
The story was ok although not completely original and to a certain extent predictable.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Atticus, far too smart, far too vulnerable

Can't wait to get into the next exciting rollercoaster of a ride that is Atticus

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good crime puzzle

Can’t wait to start book two. Well developed characters. Great plotting with good narration makes for fast paced read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Atmospheric word craft

I felt like I was on the case! I stated to worry about the Jones and respected Mr Priest for his forbearance and investigative brilliance. I was intrigued by the simmering attraction between Mac and Aticus. Mark Dawson takes you on a journey to places where the atmospherics are very strong and sometimes a little scary.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

The narrator

I Did not like the narrator at all. He read without feeling, it was boring.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Elderly PI

The story is slow and boring. The Narrator is obviously elderly so makes all the characters sound old - an old PI, an old DCI etc. I am in my 60s so not an ageist, but a really old cast of characters is too ridiculous for words. With all due respect to the Narrator, the story might have been lifted by an age-appropriate voice. My money was badly spent.

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3 people found this helpful

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.