The Bird That Did Not Sing Audiobook By Alex Gray cover art

The Bird That Did Not Sing

A DCI Lorimer novel

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The Bird That Did Not Sing

By: Alex Gray
Narrated by: Joe Dunlop
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About this listen

2014: The Commonwealth Games are coming to Glasgow and security is extra tight, particularly after a mysterious bomb explodes in nearby rural Stirlingshire. As the opening ceremony for the Games draws ever closer, the police desperately seek the culprits. But Detective Superintendent Lorimer has other concerns on his mind. One is a beautiful red-haired woman from his past whose husband dies suddenly on his watch.

Then there is the body of a young woman found dumped in countryside just south of the city who is proving impossible to identify. Elsewhere in Glasgow people prepare for the events in their own way, whether for financial gain or to welcome home visitors from overseas. And, hiding behind false identities, are those who pose a terrible threat not just to the Games but to the very fabric of society.

Alex Gray's stunning new Lorimer novel, set against the backdrop of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, brings the vibrant city to life in a race to stop the greatest threat the city has ever known.

©2014 Alex Gray (P)2014 Isis Publishing Limited Crime Thrillers Mystery Police Procedurals Thriller & Suspense
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Good writing, solid police procedural plot and good narrator. It's a bit of a dawdle. The pace slows down for a hell of a lot of characters mulling over their various points of view.

My real problem is that I don't want to read a mystery about human trafficking, and that is a good third of the story. The focus is a 15-year-old tricked from her African homeland and held in sexual slavery. I understand these things happen, but I don't want details in what is otherwise an entertaining story. There was nothing about this part of the story in the editor's summary or in the reviews. For me, this is torture, way too upsetting for a light diversion of a so-so thriller.

Not for me

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I really like this author , this story wasn't my cup of tea. Just my opinion

Not as good as others from author

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This book turned out to be a very good listen, but alas, Audible only has a couple more of the books in a much longer series. There are at least half a dozen missing. I, for one, hope they will be added. Chose to listen to this despite it was well into the series (something that often feels risky). I believe there was enough of the back stories of the on-going characters to make it feel like one hasn't just stepped into the middle of confusing people and plot lines. It works well as a stand-alone, even though it's the most recent in the series.

There are several plots that interweave the story, and the point of view changes from time to time to give alternate perspectives and clarify the story. It begins with a threat to the safety of the Comonwealth Games, due to occur some months in the future, but broadens to include a sadder thread dealing with human trafficking, and a personal interest where DCI Lorimer's old girlfriend enters the picture and puts pressure on his marriage as she turns to Lorimer when her husband mysteriously dies. Although they seem disparate threads, they do come together in the end.

I like what I could gather about DCI Lorimer. He seems a decent sort, with a supportive wife, and a man who has a good working relationship with his colleagues. Joe Dunlop's narration was quite good actually. I felt when I got this I might be taking a chance, since only a couple of the earlier episodes are available, so is not possible to start at the beginning. But this turned out to be a pleasant surprise, and I look forward to going back and learning the history of how Lorimer got to this point. Recommend!

Solidly good police procedural!

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However, the story wasn't as strong as the others. I have read each book available on audible in the series and and wait patiently for more. The publishers summary is right on the button without giving the story away.

excellent writing

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What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The narrator was slow and somber, maybe if he had been a little more animated, and had given each character some personality. The story is told in first person for every character, so it gets a little difficult to follow, as the many points of view grew. There was also so many things in the book that did not add up, I know she was trying to create suspense, but each close miss, started to get tedious and a lot boring. It was too long.

Has The Bird That Did Not Sing turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, I love murder mysteries, and I especially love British detective stories. I will just have to try another author.

What didn’t you like about Joe Dunlop’s performance?

He was too monotonous, with no real differentiation between characters.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

Slow and tedious

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