Black December

By: Scott Hunter

Narrated by: Wayne Farrell

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the Amazon top 20 best seller The Trespass....

DCI Brendan Moran, world-weary veteran of 1970s Ireland, is recuperating from a near-fatal car crash when a murder is reported at Charnford Abbey.

The abbot and his monks are strangely uncooperative, but when a visitor from the Vatican arrives and an ancient relic goes missing, the truth behind Charnford's pact of silence threatens to expose not only the abbey's haunted secrets, but also the spirits of Moran's own troubled past....

Black December is an atmospheric crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the stunning climax....

©2011 Thomas Scott Hunter (P)2015 Thomas Scott Hunter

Black December

Any additional comments?

This book sucks you in and the ride is great...right up to the end.Actually I'm still not sure about the end.A Monk is killed at a Monastary.In the search for his killer old misdeeds and revenges are made new again.
This is narrated brilliantly by Wayne Farrel.
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com."

Hope this becomes a series

Despite being a little confused by the beginning and having to rewind, I was soon immersed in the story. For a short listen there's a lot going on, there's old murder and new murder at the Abbey school to be solved by DCI Brendan Moran and his sergeant, Phelps, they are getting on with the job when office politics come in to play and Phelps is replaced by a man who sneers at age and experience. At first I expected him to be won over by the lugubrious but clever Moran, but my goodness, did the author have other things in mind for the readers!
That wasn't the only time I was to be proved wrong either, I was convinced of one of the characters' involvement in the dastardly doings, almost to the very end and when I discovered the truth I was actually relieved. Yes, I did get involved in the story!
It's a little difficult to explain without spoilers, but I'll have a go, solving the actual crime wasn't too difficult, what proved to be a real puzzle was the how and why along with working out who was actually involved, there are some many threads to unravel. The story also draws in Morans' friends and his troublesome family, and as Moran is still suffering the ongoing adverse physical effects of an accident, he has many burdens to bear one can't help but feel sorry for him.
I really enjoyed the wonderfully descriptive writing of this story and I look forward to the sequel. This book does make mention of "The Troubles" which may be distressing to some readers.

Narrator
An outstanding narration by Wayne Farrell who has just the voice for mysteries. No overacting here, just telling the story in the way a good narrator should, with perfect timing and pace. Each character was clearly defined and as I never noticed the gender changes, that tells me they were good too. Wayne is now on my favourites list.
This audiobook was provided by the narrator, at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Too many story lines

The characters in this book are likeable but there are too many story lines. They come together a little too neatly.

Very Clever Outstanding Narration

This is a great mystery. The author is careful to develop the characters. I think it is important to have read or listened to this book first. I really loved the twisted ending. The narrator is great. He makes it easy to follow the different characters. This book is a keeper and I look forward to other books in the series as they become available on audible.

Good story

Took a bit to get into but once I did it was a good story

Catholic Boys School with a Past

Would you listen to Black December again? Why?

I would definitely listen again. It was a good story with superb narration.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot did not keep me on the edge of my seat, but it was good. I went in expecting an Irish Da Code, but it was pleasantly very different.

Have you listened to any of Wayne Farrell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Mr. Farrell in the past. This book is just as good (different genre, but just as good)

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com

Black December

Any additional comments?

This is the first of Hunter's books I've read and listen to I plan on reading others from this author. It deals between a cozy and a thriller. Good audiobook.

Wayne Farrell

I got this book because I’ve heard Wayne Farrell narrate two great international spy thrillers by Kathryn Guare, Deceptive Cadence and The Secret Chord. This book wasn’t nearly as good a story as hers, but I love the narration.

DI Moran

Liked the story line…. But found it hard to follow the events and characters at times

An entertaining read.

Any additional comments?

I have to comment about the narrator first because he was brilliant! He made this book so much better. He gave each character their own voice and it was easy to follow who was talking. Being Irish, I know a good Irish accent when I hear it and boy did Wayne Farrell do it perfectly. So well done to him and I will definitely be checking out more narrated by him.

Character wise, I loved DCI Brendan Moran. He had that typical weary Irish attitude. He is intent on finding out what happened at the Abbey, despite the closed ranks of the monks. He has been through the mill and wont be made a fool of. He was smart, cranky and an all round descent human.

The plot was fairly fast paced. There are many layers to the story, that unwind throughout. Some I saw coming but plenty I didn't. I loved that it was set in December too because nothing screams creepy like a snowstorm in an old Abbey!! Speaking of, I loved the Abbey setting. Priests have always been something that are unapproachable and secretive, so to have it set in an Abbey really ramped up the tension.

In all, this was a gripping and entertaining read. It had plenty of twists and kept my attention throughout. I really hope we see more from the cranky Irish detective!!

*I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*