Songbird

Kings Lake Investigation Series, Book 1

By: Peter Grainger

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 15 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

"He saw a bare arm first, the hand palm up with fingers curled inwards. Then he stopped and took a few breaths. He could hear the two constables making arrangements before they separated, one saying he'd bring the other some tape from the car, and then it was just the summer morning quiet again."

Detective Sergeant Chris Waters got the call at 05.29 that July morning. This is it, said DCI Reeve, you'll be first there, it's all yours, you're the crime scene manager. Suddenly, after months of waiting and wondering, Waters finds himself in at the deep end, and alone at the scene of a puzzling murder.

As the investigation proceeds, the detectives at Kings Lake Central find themselves visiting familiar places and talking to some familiar faces, while old enmities reappear in the incident room. Before this is over, Chris Waters will need to make a career-changing decision, and another member of the CID team will find herself facing an unexpected challenge. And Smith? Gone but not forgotten? Surely, he would say, you cannot write me off with a worn-out cliche like that....

©2019 Peter Grainger (P)2019 Tantor

Absolutely Fabulous

If you have read all the books in series one, you will be pleased with the new series. I was heart broken at the abrupt ending of the last book, but its all good now.

Enjoyable listen,but not a clever story

I enjoyed this audiobook, but have two major issues with it. First, the narrator’s voice is too old for a story which has transitioned to detectives in their 20’s. Second, the plot lines were telegraphed from the very beginning. There were no surprises or twists

Slow to unfold, richly rewarding

Peter Grainger's fiction does not immediately dazzle. I was reminded of this when starting 'Songbird' while on a long drive with a friend. He and his wife love to listen to books by authors like John Sandford and Jo Nesbo. I said, 'well let me introduce you to a writer you are going to love.' A half an hour later, I switched it off. The story got off to such a slow start, something I was painfully aware of as we waited for something, anything, to justify all my praise. My friend was kind but obviously not itching to download the book.
Once I returned to the story on my own, it gained steam as all the King'sLake/DC Smith stories do, until I was savoring every moment and hoping it would never end. But the experience with my friend had reminded me of my slightly lukewarm reaction to the first DC Smith book. Once "Songbird' had concluded, I went back and re-listened to 'An Accidental Death'. Yes, the power and momentum of that story was also slow to gather force. But what a delight to be introduced again to all the series' characters, and to listen to an especially delicious series of meetings of Smith and the supercilious DCI Allan. Such rich humor, wonderful characters - really brilliant stuff. There are good plots in Graingers' books, but its his mastery of characters that makes them truly superior and so rewarding. And Gildart Jackson is the perfect narrator.

police procedural from the junior sergeants perspe

figured out the who and the plot twist fast but enjoyed the characters and the satisfying ending

Stick with it

The first half of this mystery is dry to the point of tedium—I was tempted to return it more than once—but, about halfway through, 2 new characters appear, and things get actually quite lively. The narrator, unfortunately, has a droning voice. Really about 3.5 stars overall.

What a disappointment ...

... that I'm done with the book! I tried to keep from listening to it for as long as I could. The longer I waited to start it, the longer I'd have to savor it. But, couldn't help myself. As with all of Peter Grainger's 'Kings Lake' sagas, this one is a wonderful read. And yes ... when it was all done ... I was disappointed. Disappointed that there's nothing more to move on to. Yet. I can only hope Mr. Grainger can crank out another one. I enjoy this one more than I'd expected to. I just might have to go back to the beginning.

Thoroughly Enjoyable!

Currently, police procedurals are my favorite genre. Songbird is one of the best ones I have read. I have never read anything by Peter Grainger before, so I have a lot to look forward to in the future. The narrator is does a great job, too. I highly recommend this book

Another excellent unheard writer.

Will start back at the beginning of Grainger's writing. Doesn't need unneeded language or sex to capture undivided attention. Completely drawn in. I felt part of the investigation.

Good English mystery - lots of police procedure.

The story/mystery is interesting. However the police procedure detail was too much for me, along with some unrelated detailed sidetracks. Narration was perfect for an English based novel, but I listened at 1.4x speed.

The consummate police procedural

Thorough and achingly precise, this should be required reading for detective squads everywhere. Thank you, Messrs Grainger and Jackson! Eager for the next in the series.