The Somerset Slayings

DI Haig Crime Thrillers, Book 1

De: David J. Gatward

Narrado por: Ruth Urquhart

Book 1 in the thrilling new crime series, by David J. Gatward, author of the DCI Harry Grimm crime series, and set in the hauntingly beautiful Somerset countryside.

©2024 David Gatward (P)2024 David Gatward

Fantastic gripping story narrated by SCOTTISH narrator!

This new series by David J Gatward kicks off with Gordy from the brilliant Harry Grimm series starting a new life in Somerset. I loved it! It’s got everything, suspenseful story, witty writing and great characters. I had to laugh at another review that complained as to why Mr Gatward hadn’t got a Scottish narrator…er Ruth Urquhart is very Scottish as that’s where she’s from! ( clue’s in the name) She narrates in her natural soft Scottish accent and gives Gordy a bit of a Highland inflection. I suppose if you’re from the States you might not know the subtleties of UK accents. Anyhow I think Urquhart is a brilliant fit for this series and can’t wait for the next one! Highly recommend.

Character

I loved Gordie in Harry Grimm and I miss her. I’m so glad I decided to give her story a chance. It is fantastic!

Does not live up to the DCI Harry Grimm series

As an avid fan of Gatward's DCI Harry Grimm series, I was really looking forward to listening to Gordy's series. I must say, I was disappointed. Neither the story nor the narration are of the same high calibre as Grimm. I understand that a lot goes into a first book in a series so that less time is available for the actual mystery. Perhaps, hopefully, the next story will be stronger. The narration, however, leaves me cold. Not only does Gordy not come close to a voice I would have imagined her to have, but I find the narrator to be off-putting. She actually has a very nice voice, but the way she uses it is often grating. In dialog, I don't really have a complaint, but the rest of the time, I actually dislike listening to her.

I already have the next audiobook in the series, but I'm not sure I'm up to it.

Grieving Gordy Gets Going

Gordy Haig has left the Dales. She's left her team and boss/mentor/friend DCI Harry Grimm to embark on a new path. However she was supposed to make this move with her partner but unfortunately, life and the universe had other plans and Gordy lost her partner, but still chose to make the move to Somerset.

For anyone just starting out in the Grimm-universe, this first novel in a new series might not have the same effect for those of us who have been along on the full journey. The level of emotion, the heartbreak, it was all there on the page.

I'm looking forward to getting to know Gordy's team and see her become the leader we've had glimpses of in the Grimm novels.

As far as the crime went, I figured out who did it about halfway or 2/3's through, but that's ok. The crime aspect felt second string this time, and Gordy's personal struggles were the larger storyline. Or at least that's how it felt to me. Loved seeing a character we met a few times in the original series pop in. Think he might be a reoccurring guest star.

I'm an Audible user and I love and adore Aubrey Parsons reading but with Gordy being a woman, a new reader was more appropriate. Ruth Urquhart has done a great job.

Occasionally, lines were delivered in a less Gordy-like way, but I think it’s ok because she’s not actually herself right now. I’d say it’s kind of brilliant on David J Gatward’s part that he created this spin off right at a turbulent time in her life, where one would definitely not be acting their true self, to actually help the audio listener adjust to a new Gordy via Ms. Urquhart.

Not sure about this series yet...

The Harry Grimm series is hands down one of my favorite British crime series and I loved Gordy in all of those books. This was not the best start to a new series ever but I am hoping the next one will be better. Ruth Urquhart did a great job of narration for the most part but I felt like she made Gordy sound a bit too whiney. Will definitely give the next book in the series a listen to see if it gets any better.