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The Puppet Show

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The Puppet Show

By: M. W. Craven
Narrated by: John Banks
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About this listen

Shortlisted for the 2019 CWA Gold Dagger Award

Shortlisted for the 2019 Best Crime Novel of the Year in the Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards

A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District's prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless. When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of.

Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.

As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he's ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive.

©2018 M. W. Craven (P)2018 Hachette Audio UK
Crime Thrillers Modern Detectives Mystery Police Procedural Thriller & Suspense Thriller Crime Fiction Suspense

Critic Reviews

"Dark, sharp and compelling." (Peter James)

"A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted, and not for the faint hearted!" (David Mark)

"A thrilling curtain raiser for what looks set to be a great new series" (Mick Herron)

What listeners say about The Puppet Show

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Excellent

Great story. Couldn't stop listening. Lots of clues but I did work out who it was. Disturbing content, how many sick, perverted people are there. Recommend

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1 person found this helpful

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The Puppet Show by M. W. Craven

I Really enjoyed this book about the police solving murder I really liked Detective Poe grate book

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Excellent

What a great story loved it from start to finish. Just loved Tilly though see made the story.and made me laugh our loud.. looking forward to hearing more from this author.. great narration.

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Excellent! A must read

I couldn’t fault it! The plot was excellent with twists and turns that will hold your attention, the characters were well developed and didn’t number too many, and the narration was perfect. I’m now a fan of Craven.

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Slow burn, great story.

Enjoyed this, it was hard to guess until the end which is always a bonus.
Gritty but not gross, with likeable characters.
The ending was great and has left room for more, I will definitely be looking for the next in this series.
Narrator was excellent and did a great job of the different characters without over doing it.
Happy to recommend.

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A riveting read!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were believable and the story unfolded from beginning to the very end.

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Quite exciting!

Horrific crimes in unusual settings, a massive twist in the story, two interesting lead characters and a somewhat gruesome, unhinged and unexpected perp.
What more could you want?
Actually it was a little too dark for me, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to know more about Washington Poe and the delightfully odd Tilly
The second book in the series is in my wish list

I was happy with the narration, I thought John Banks did an excellent job

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So good I immediately be bought the next book

I found this to be a well crafted novel. Some tropes but nothing bad enough worth knocking a star off. Main and supporting characters were very likeable the narrator did a fantastic job. The only thing that nicked a star off the story was that I felt it ended very abruptly. But still I'm in to see the series through at this point

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Upthere with Silence of the Lambs and Dragon tatoo

Not as iconic or original as those two books but more fun than both. Great character interactions and setting. Very good naration.

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Brilliant

Excellent story, well fleshed out characters, great background. All round, a really enjoyable listen. 5 stars.

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