The Reckoning

John Madden, Book 4

By: Rennie Airth

Narrated by: Robert Ian Mackenzie

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Inspector John Madden - who debuted in River of Darkness - returns in a gripping post-World War II murder mystery. On a quiet afternoon in 1947, retired bank manager Oswald Gibson is shot in the head while fishing. In Scotland, a respectable family doctor is killed in the same manner - and with the same gun. What is the connection? Scotland Yard’s Detective Inspector Billy Styles and local detective Vic Chivers are baffled until a letter from Gibson is discovered that might shed some light on the case - a letter concerning former Scotland Yard detective John Madden. Despite Madden’s legendary memory, he has no recollection of meeting Gibson or any idea of what their relationship might have been. Madden is happily retired from police work, but agrees to help his former protégé Styles and the clues they uncover only deepen the mystery. When a third man is killed in a similar fashion, Madden and Styles find themselves in a race against time to find the killer before another man ends up dead. A smart, intricately plotted mystery, this is the fourth title in the critically acclaimed and much-loved John Madden series.

©2014 Rennie Airth (P)2014 Recorded Books

Superb Mystery Writer

I was first introduced to Rennie Airth when I work for a small independent bookseller. I fell in love with his character John Madden and the twists you often don't see coming in the story. This story won't disappoint and as always I learn a little bit more about WWI that I had not given much thought to before. Thank you Mr. Airth for another great story. Excellent narration as well.

More please

Outstanding. I listened to River of Darkness 4 years ago, and have wanted more ever since. I was thrilled to see The Reckoning available. Please please record John Madden books 2 and 3, and make them available to everyone.

Tedious

There are several detectives, each with their own stories, working on this multiple-murders-at-different-times-with-the-same-weapon case. Good news is you don't have to listen too carefully because the information will be repeated to you, often. Bad news is there is a lot of wholly unnecessary detail about what the detectives are wearing, eating, feeling. Unfortunately, it is not the kind of detail that adds to atmosphere or emotional depth. I found the repetition and the fluff very wearing. The case itself and the resolution are interesting.

Excellent Use of a Credit!

I always read the bad reviews first, and I must disagree. This is not boring or tedious. I'm loving it. Can't stop listening. In fact I'm finding it tauter and tighter than his first book, which I love. This one is easier to follow. I'm about 3/4 of the way through. It's a riveting listen. Enjoying every second. Very intriguing mystery and beautifully written.

He gets better and better....

Rennie Airth, that is. Discovered his first John Madden outing purely by chance and was hooked. Liked the pacing, the historical detailing, the protagonist's character - were people really that civilized back then? - and the narrator's delivery. Usually, serial releases tend to loose there oomph over time and so I approached this, the fourth Madden outing with some trepidation. Wrong! This, imo, is Airth's best book yet. While the "surprise" conclusion was not totally broadly unpredictable, it's carefully crafted unfolding I found to be very believeable and yes, quite touching too. Great narration by McKenzie (of Chief Inspector Bruno fame). Kudos all around!

Entertaining without there cookie cutter outline

Great story without the usual cookie cutter outline. Very good who done it with a surprising outline.

Good listen

Somewhat predictable and could be shortened by a couple of hours but exceeded my expectation and I did enjoy it.

A really tough book to finish

The Reckoning begins with an intriguing set of circumstances but quickly turns into a drawn out, boring read. Had the author spent time telling the historically compelling background story then I would have been all in! The storyline was presented through repetitive conversations among mediocre, minimally developed characters. Great premise, disappointing execution. As written, this book has barely enough content for a very short story.