Dead Man's Land

De: Robert Ryan

Narrado por: Richard Burnip

Deep in the trenches of Flanders Fields, men are dying in their thousands every day. So one more death shouldn't be a surprise.

But then a body turns up with bizarre injuries, and Sherlock Holmes' former sidekick Dr John Watson - unable to fight for his country due to injury but able to serve it through his medical expertise - finds his suspicions raised. The face has a blue-ish tinge, the jaw is clamped shut in a terrible rictus and the eyes are almost popping out of his head, as if the man had seen unimaginable horror. Something is terribly wrong.

But this is just the beginning. Soon more bodies appear, and Watson must discover who is the killer in the trenches. Who can he trust? Who is the enemy? And can he find the perpetrator before he kills again?

Surrounded by unimaginable carnage, amidst a conflict that's ripping the world apart, Watson must for once step out of the shadows and into the limelight if he's to solve the mystery behind the inexplicable deaths.©2012 Robert Ryan (P)2015 Simon & Schuster

Watson is wonderful, amid very grim surroundings

The writing is excellent, the characters are believable and engaging (especially Watson), the mystery is fascinating. And the narration is spot on throughout. Of course you have to be ready to read all about life in the trenches of WWI -- this is far from a cozy mystery. Be aware, also, there is cruelty and violence to animals in the story. (Presumably you're ready for that if you're even thinking about reading a story set in Flanders 1914 ... but forewarned is forearmed.)

a lot going on

WWI was a complicated time, the world changing in all kinds of ways both good and bad . . . ugly warfare leading to changing social mores. This book deals with a lot of this, and it does it well, in an engaging mystery format with familiar characters making their own sort of transitions. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, though the narrator occasionally disappoints, as in when he tries on the voice of one important character who, for some reason, is distinguished by speaking very loudly.

Very good series - on par with Laurie King!

If you could sum up Dead Man's Land in three words, what would they be?

Great start to series.

What about Richard Burnip’s performance did you like?

I am VERY impressed with this narration!

Any additional comments?

This is the start of a series I enjoyed tremendously - the excellent narration and story line kept me listening back to back for all three books. I would be delighted if there is a 4th!!
The combination of Robert Ryan and Richard Burnip make for a fabulous 'read' - on par with Laurie R. King! This is now in my top 3 ranking!

Well done. Any Sherlock Holmes fan will enjoy.

Story follows a good continuing script about Dr. Watson. Very enjoyable. The narrator is very good as well. Any Sherlock Holmes fan will enjoy this book.

One of the best.

The story is captivating, the narrator has an amazing performance, I couldn't put it down after I started it.