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This Charming Man

By: C. K. McDonnell
Narrated by: Brendan McDonald
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Vampires do not exist. Everyone knows this. So it's particularly annoying when they start popping up around Manchester....

Nobody is pleased about it. Not the Founders, the secret organisation for whom vampires were invented as an allegory, nor the Folk, the magical people hidden in plain sight who only want a quiet life. And definitely not the people of Manchester, because there is nothing more irksome than being murdered by an allegory run amok. Somebody needs to sort this out fast before all hell really breaks loose - step forward the staff of The Stranger Times.

It's not like they don't have enough to be dealing with. Assistant editor Hannah has come back from getting messily divorced to discover that someone is trying to kidnap a member of their staff, and while editor Vincent Banecroft would be delighted to see the back of any of his team, he doesn't like people touching his stuff - it's the principle of the thing.

Throw in a precarious plumbing situation, gambling debts, an entirely new way of swearing and a certain detective inspector with what could be kindly referred to as 'a lot of baggage' and it all adds up to another hectic week in the life of the newspaper committed to reporting the truth that nobody else will touch.

This Charming Man is the second book in the critically acclaimed The Stranger Times series.

©2022 C. K. McDonnell (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"A gag-filled romp...in the spirit of Terry Pratchett." (The Times)

"Great characters, a jet-propelled plot and a winning premise." (Guardian)

"Fresh and genuinely funny." (SFX)

What listeners say about This Charming Man

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Another great yarn

Second instalment in a great series. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

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  • Overall
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rollicking fun, witty

even better than stranger times. love the humor, wit, characters. Hard to wait for next installment.

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1 person found this helpful

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Gothic humour - great tale, beautifully performed!

I've always suspected that living in Manchester might risk my sanity, but C.K. McDonnell's books have convinced me to stay well clear ... hopefully Australia is far enough. A terrifying tale of the occult with tongue firmly in cheek. Despite this serious physical impediment - and despite the various accents of the protagonists, Brendon McDonald has done a great job as narrator, too!

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Another excellent book from Caimh

I’ve listened to all of Caimh’s books multiple times and am excited to have this new one to add to the collection. Fabulous author and excellent narration - would recommend to anyone after a good story that captures your attention all the way through.

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1 person found this helpful

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A fun romp through the supernatural & journalism

I love these books. When the world is getting me down these books make me laugh out loud - and there's not much space for my noisy mind when Baincroft is around. I'm in love with the characters now and really like having them around. There's some interesting twists on the vampire theme here. But really you could listen just for the narrator - his character portrayals and accents are something to behold.

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Brilliantly funny.

Love the humour. Never hestitated getting the second book from Starnger Times. Cast are brilliantly read. I never usually read/listen to acknowledgements.... giggled my way through these too. Many thanks.

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From strength to preternaturally strength

Another brilliant narrative from an author who has rocketed into my top five narrative geniuses. McDonnell manages to use humour, drama and tension together like no other trio of caffeinated chipmunks I've ever seen. Meanwhile, narrator, McDonald (there's almost certainly a conspiracy involving Avril Lavigne to explain the proximity of those two names) brings a full cast of characters into distinguished life.

My review for the first book said that I'd never before wanted to rate a book as 6/5. Well, I'm very happy to report that the brainwashing was a success, and I've found a second title to add to that exclusive cult of titles.

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Rancid Garlic Mayo

I really Really like this series the storyline is fun and interesting but low key, the stakes aren't high (but they are made from old church pews doused in garlic mayo) but you get drawn in to the world just the same. The author is really good at adding just the right amount of little asides and back and forth banter to keep things colourful but not dragging the story out. The performance by the narrator also really helps make this series great he brings the characters to life and with his delivery makes the humour in the book really shine through.

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1 person found this helpful

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Even better than the first Stranger Times

Some great laugh-out-loud moments and subtle social commentary . I look forward to the next in the series (when will it be out pleeeeez?) and to loads more Penguin Audio books performed by Brendan McDonald. Such a talented voice artist. Definitely my current favourite.

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Excellent tone and fun story

Great voice acting to really enjoy the fun banter and well constructed story. Good fun.

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