• The First Casualty

  • By: Ben Elton
  • Narrated by: Jack Davenport
  • Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (30 ratings)

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The First Casualty  By  cover art

The First Casualty

By: Ben Elton
Narrated by: Jack Davenport
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Publisher's summary

Flanders, June 1917: a British officer and celebrated poet is shot dead, killed not by German fire, but while recuperating from shell shock well behind the lines. A young English soldier is arrested and, although he protests his innocence, charged with his murder. Douglas Kingsley is a conscientious objector, previously a detective with the London police, now imprisoned for his beliefs. He is released, and sent to France in order to secure a conviction. Forced to conduct his investigations amidst the hell of The Third Battle of Ypres, Kingsley soon discovers that both the evidence and the witnesses he needs are quite literally disappearing into the mud that surrounds him.

Ben Elton's tenth novel is a gut-wrenching historical drama which explores some fundamental questions. What is murder? What is justice in the face of unimaginable daily slaughter? And where is the honour in saving a man from the gallows if he is only to be returned to die in a suicidal battle? As the gap between legally-sanctioned and illegal murder becomes ever more blurred, Kingsley quickly learns that the first casualty when war comes is truth.

©2005 Ben Elton (P)2005 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about The First Casualty

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

clever

A clever story well told with a slight twist. Hold syour interest. Well narrated with some interesting characters. It is subtly done considering the setting of the story

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

love it!!!

fascinating~i really enjoy it!!i bought it for JD's intoxicating baritone but actually the story manifested itself wonderful plot and deep thought as well~love it!!!

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