Beware the Past

De: Joy Ellis

Narrado por: Antony Ferguson

One terrible case always haunted detective Matt Ballard. Now many years later, the killer seems to be back. And this time he's after Matt.

When Matt Ballard was starting out his career, three boys were murdered in the same area, the remote and bleak Gibbet Fen. When the main suspect was killed in a hit-and-run, the killings stopped. But Matt was not satisfied that the real murderer had been caught.

Over 25 years later, Matt gets a photo in an unmarked envelope. It's of the Gibbet Fen crime scene. And the picture was taken before the murder took place. More photos arrive, relating to the historic murders, as well as intimate pictures of Matt's very secret private life.

Then another murder happens, with some of the hallmarks of the old case. Has the killer returned, or is this just a sick copycat determined to ruin Matt's life and reputation?

©2017 Joy Ellis (P)2018 Tantor

A great disappointment

Never thought that I would be so disappointed in a Joy Ellis book. The writing is as good as always but the story is stale up until the ending, which is so unnecessary and unbelievable as to make it ridiculous. Matt and Liz are neither likable nor very smart. The other police officers are pretty inept and the leadership is nonexistent. I have all of Ellis's books but DCI Matt Ballard will not be joining my bookshelf.

excellent

most excellent story, can't wait to go to book 2, I'm from America, so I'm used to our police carrying guns, plus all the other stuff. it's kind of crazy to me that the UK cops only have tasers and clubs. But I still really enjoyed this book, and have already ordered book 2.

Very satisfying ending!

Although I found the narrator difficult to get used to, I persevered because the story was so compelling. Glad I persisted. Hopefully it will be rereleased with a different narrator.

Not typical for Joy Ellis

I love this author’s work but this book was a disappointment.

First of all, it was ruined by a poor narration. I think that’s unfair to the author.

I found the story line of the DCI having an affair with a married subordinate troubling.

Waiting somewhat impatiently for the next Nikki Galena book.

Gritty, Maddening, Sad . . . Victorious

This stand-alone by Joy Ellis had me listening with a range of emotions that many of her others did not . . . first off, let me say, I LOVE this author . . . but I wasn't real happy with the affair between DCI Matt Ballard and his subordinate on the team, Liz, (who is married to a deployed soldier). That it was JUST SEX made me furious. Had I not already listened to all of the Fens series and trusted this author, I'd have stopped listening and returned the book. Very glad that I stuck with it. As in most of her books, things took so many twists and turns that I nearly got whiplash. Delving deep into a case from the past and into Matt Ballard's personal demons, the killer is able to thwart the police at every turn. Stick with the story, you'll be glad you did.

great listen

very suspenseful from beginning to end. will listen to more more books by Joy Ellis.

How to kill a book!

Awful, awful, awful narration.
The story was great but so spoilt by the narrator who couldn’t do any voices well. His attempt at women’s voices came across as patronizing and his regional accents were totally ridiculous. He bought no life to the book it is as if he were reading an instruction manual!
I only persevered with the book as I love the authors work and I bought it! Shame on you for spiking an authors work.

No to the narrator

I enjoyed the story . The narrator not so much. I just pushed onwards.

Disappointing

I have listened to Joy Ellis’ books in the past. The series narrated by Richard Armitage was fantastic. This first book in the Matt Ballard series was very disappointing. It was not so much the writing, but rather the narration that made it a terrible listen. This is by far the worst narration I have ever heard on audible. It is as if a computerized voice has narrated the text and makes it difficult to listen to. She changes the narrator in the following text and I am hoping it makes the books more interesting. Will update when I have listened.

Fantastic

The best of the bunch. Complicated with a twist to get you back on track