Dying Fall

The Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries, Book 5

By: Elly Griffiths

Narrated by: Clare Corbett

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Ruth Galloway receives a phone call that bears shocking news. A friend of hers from college, Dan Golding, has been killed in a fire at his Lancashire home. Her shock turns to alarm when she gets a letter from Dan. He has made a discovery that will change archaeology forever but he needs Ruth's advice. Even more alarming, he sounds vulnerable and frightened. DCI Harry Nelson is also rediscovering his past. Up north for a holiday, he meets his former colleague Sandy MacLeod, now at Blackpool CID. Sandy tells him there are strange circumstances surrounding Dan Golding's death. Many of those who worked with Dan seem to be afraid.

Many have secrets to hide. Ruth is drawn deep into the mystery, and where she goes, so does her toddler daughter, Kate. This time, it's not just Ruth's life at risk.

©2013 Elly Griffiths (P)2013 Quercus Publishing Plc

Very good! But….

Excellent book as expected! But the narrators voice for the child was annoying enough for me to stop the book at times. When Kate speaks she’s LOUD and startling to the listener. Also maybe it’s just me, but I think the child’s statements were overly childish. I don’t know any children, including my own who spoke like that at ANY age. Overall, great book though!

Disappointing 4th book

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would edit out about 50% of Ruth's infernal, internal discussions. They are endless and silly for a woman who is supposed to be intelligent and sure of herself, and successful in her chosen field. These internal dialogues no longer make sense to me on an emotional level, or on an intellectual level, either. I want her to get over herself and get on with it. I would be less harsh if I hadn't liked her so much in the first book or two.

If you’ve listened to books by Elly Griffiths before, how does this one compare?

I think this is the worst of the lot. I really liked number 1, enjoyed number 2, yawned through three and could barely finish number 4. Success isn't always a great thing for an author, I have decided. At least for that author's 'work'.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I really don't like this narrator. The only voice I liked was Ruth's. I hated (!) Harry's voice...in fact all the men were badly served, I think.

Could you see Dying Fall being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It would be a great TV series and it almost feels that is what Elly Griffiths is fishing around for. I wouldn't watch it, but it would probably be popular enough. It would have to be British actors and they are all so wonderful that I would thinking finding the right people would be fairly easy.

Any additional comments?

I was just disappointed. Now I don't know if I want to listen to any more of these. I'm taking a break for now.

wonderful character development

it's so good to kearn more about these characters. the motivation for the murders is timely, if a bit strained. interesting story, lots of good history and archaeology.

Switch in narrator was tough

I wish they hadn't switched narrators; it really made the first few chapters hard for me. But this narrator is amazing as well and I got used to her. Another great Ruth Galloway novel.

My Favorite so far!!

I really enjoy this series. Very disappointed in the change of narrator even if it’s only 3 books. Clare Corbett did a decent job but it’s a dramatic change from Jane McDowell. I felt like the characters were all new, not the ones I had become familiar with. The story was very good and inspite of Ruth complaining about her weight the story moved along at a great pace and held my interest. Just enough humor too. On another note I’m distraught that the first 4 books are no longer available on audible!!! I like going back and listening again and now it’s not an option. I can’t even find them at my library. What’s the story here??

Great Story, absolutely Terrible Narration

How could the performance have been better?

Go back to Jane McDowell as your narrator. Clare Corbett is irritating right from the beginning but when she starts to do the "voices" of the various characters she becomes unbearable. She is not able to keep the voices consistent with the associated characters and her idea of the local accents is just insulting. I could not finish listening to this book and will read it instead.

Any additional comments?

Change your narrator and a book should be read not performed!!!

Tense irritation

I must remember that Elly Griffiths likes to write in the present tense and I dont like listening to stories written in the present tense. Whilst the story was interesting enough I found that the tense grated on me and I spent more time listening for that than I did for the plotlines. Shame, the premise is good, the locations mean something to me but I wont be getting any more.

Another great Ruth Galloway adventure by Elly!

I just love reading (or listening) to these adventures! Ruth seems like an old friend, pulling me into her investigations.

Needs new narrator

I really enjoy the Ruth Galloway series, but this narrator is absolutely painful to listen to when she tries to do a man’s voice or a regional accent. I might have to take a break from the series as the next few books are unfortunately narrated by the same person.

Good story and enjoyable narration

I hesitated to buy this because of the negative reviews about the narrator, but I'm glad I ended up buying it because the story is solid, and Clare Corbett's narration is great, Her voicing of Kate is spot on, and I like her version of Ruth and Cathbad, as well. I would give both story and narration 4.5.