In This Bright Future

DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 5

By: Peter Grainger

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Two weeks of rest and recuperation - that's what the doctor ordered. Detective Sergeant DC Smith could listen to some music, make some of his own, and maybe even catch up on his reading; he is almost looking forward to it. And then there is a knock on the door. It's only his next-door neighbor, but it is the beginning of a sequence of events that will bring him face to face with some of the darkest episodes and the most dangerous people from his own past. This is Smith's fifth investigation, but this time it's personal.

©2016 Peter Grainger (P)2017 Tantor

Best detective series I’ve read in decades

There are only a few detective series that remain firmly entrenched in heart and brain, and this is one of them. Detective David Smith is a fully developed character with depths and quirks, and a strong sense of honor. The other characters are well fleshed out, with no facile stereotypes, and Gildart Jackson renders them all beautifully. He has become my new favorite narrator. The plots are intricately structured, but never improbable, and even when the events are cruel, one is still left with a sense of well-being - at least as long as Detective Smith and his crew are on the job. Peter Grainger ranks right up there with - no, he is in a class all by himself, which panegyric would probably embarrass him. I like books that make me think long after I’ve put them down, and Peter Grainger’s novels do. I will be sorry to come to the end of this series.

Brilliant series

this is one of my favorite books in the series. I love the writing. lots of background information and character development. I highly recommend this.

Superb narration!

Enjoying the DC Smith series. The storyline keeps me interested although sometimes I get just a bit weary of DC’s sarcasm. But just a bit. The narrator is top notch and keeps the voices of the characters all distinct helping to follow the dialogue.

A series that Should be in ‘Your Bright Future’

For listeners partial to the genre, Peter Grainger’s Dc Smith series is exceptional. This particular episode as Holmes would say is ‘singular’. Treat yourself to first rate storytelling and narration. Start at the beginning with Book 1 and enjoy a memorable ride in King’s Lake and beyond.

Thought Provoking

I enjoy this Peter Grainger series very much. All the DC Smith books are a lovely diversion. In This Bright Future takes DC Smith back to his early days when he was in the British Army - stationed in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. It is important to have read the books leading up to this story so that you know what a principled man DC is. The revelations is this story are jarring on many levels - and the book itself provides insight into the complex issues of Northern Ireland. I really love the characters in this series and love how their personalities unfold. The narration is spot on. If you love mysteries - start at the beginning of this series. It will provide hours of intelligent and sometimes humorous entertainment!

So good

This series is so good and Peter Grainger never disappoints. Most of this book is set in Belfast as D.C.Smith goes back to where he was stationed with the British army in the 1980s. As always Gildart does a splendid job with his narration. I can't get enough of these.

So far my favorite

The performance first off is outstanding. The story is very different than the normal (although they’re all great), but the personal insight into DC’s past and the many layers that comprise the person he becomes is outstanding.

Different pace and feel

In this Bright Future has a different pace and feel in DC Barton's series than the others, but keeps the surprises coming all the way to the end. It doesn't occur while he's on the job, so that makes sense for the differences. The reader learns about Sgt Smith's time as an undercover agent in Belfast and those he interacted with while there. Those ties were real- friendships and falling in love - all while carrying on with his undercover job. When he mysteriously leaves one night, a beloved brother of his girlfriend also disappears. Now 30 years later she and her siblings still grieve and just want to bring him home to bury him. Her son searched for, finds, and approaches DC to ask him if he knows where Bran is buried. DC doesn't know but decides to head to Belfast to look if the family wants him to.
That journey leads him into reuniting with those from his past that were part of the Northern Irish Alliance radicals and he knows that he won't be a welcome visitor. It's a bumpy journey and his detective skills keep him alive.
It's a good suspense story. Not a police procedural. Will he discover where Bran is buried for the family? Will he be killed in the process of trying? What other things will DC learn on this Belfast journey?
Narrator was good. I continue to enjoy Gildart's narrating. I can't recall his last name at the moment - please forgive me.
A definite recommendation for continuity of this series.

What a story teller this author is!

P Grainger has such a talent in weaving a story, and building characters of such character and humor and detail. Along with Louise Penny, Grainger’s books are at the top of my list.

My Go-To

Good mysteries & great narrator. The performance is spot on. The writing keeps you coming back for more. So happy that this is a series!