Funeral Note

By: Quintin Jardine

Narrated by: James Bryce, Annie Aldington, Seán Barrett, Garth Cruickshank, Joe Dunlop

Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

After a tip-off, a man's body is exhumed from a shallow grave in Edinburgh. Murder surely, yet he died from natural causes, so, case closed? Indeed was there ever a case? But Chief Constable Skinner and his people keep on digging. Who was the man, why was he buried so reverentially, and by whom? Meanwhile corruption is discovered within the force, and an investigation launched. Immersed in crises, his marriage heading for the rocks, Skinner finds his very career hanging in the balance, its fate beyond his control. Can he win out, or will his life implode?

©2012 Portador Ltd (P)2012 Isis Publishing Ltd

FUNERAL NOTE

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, I would go back to the normal narration system.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bob Skinner as usual

How could the performance have been better?

Some of the people doing the narration, should do something else. it was terrible.

Was Funeral Note worth the listening time?

Not really. I want to return it.

Any additional comments?

As an Scot from Edinburgh, Scotland. The American woman on this recording should be shown a map of Scotland. Her accent was mostly Irish, with some of the Western Isles thrown in. It was murder to listen to. She was not alone.
If you don't have an ear for, or aptitude to speak other accents. Please don't do it!!!!!
We pay a lot of money for these audio books, and expect to enjoy them.
I did not enjoy this one. I can imagine Quentin Jardine never listened to this audio book.

Too many readers

Was surprised that this audio book had so many people taking the parts. Some of them were difficult to listen to. These books are normally read by James Bryce who is excellent to listen to. Not one of the best Quintin Jardine, Bob Skinner story, in my opinion.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Keep James Bryce - drop the others

Sorry, I have to agree with the other reviewers, switching between voices as the book does might be flashy, but irritates rather than enhances. where it really falls down is where characters are speaking while being voiced by some other narrator so central characters can end up being be 'voiced' by all narrators, I'm sure that Bob Skinner has an irish accent at one stage...

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

in total agreement with other reviewers

I have persisted in listening to this book for the sake of continuity. The plot seems week and only pops its head above the life stories of all the main characters. James Bryce is an excellent reader but the rest contribute only annoyance. The American lady tries to imitate a Scottish Accent and it turns out like a bad Irish accent. One saving grace is that all the readers introduce themselves, otherwise it would have been impossible to listen to. Shame it is the Quintin Jardine novel I have enjoyed the lease. Drop the other readers Isis

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Awful, don't bother...

If you've enjoyed James Bryce reading the other Quentin Jardine books DON'T buy this, is simply terrible. The other readers are dreadful and although I've tried, listening to the voices are was unbearable. Deleted..

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Fab apart from appalling accent

The narrator of Sarah had the kind of fake Scottish accent that make me grind my teeth in frustration and pain

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

So very disappointing!

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who does not know the difference between Scottish, Irish, London and American accents.

What will your next listen be?

Not one with multiple readers!

What didn’t you like about the narrators’s performance?

The idea of the story seen through the eyes of the individual characters is fine but why muddle them up like this. The American woman reading the voice of Bob Skinner merely sounds ridiculous. She was the least effective but closely followed by others

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration and disappointment.

Any additional comments?

Impossible listening, please stick with the excellent James Bryce.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A brilliant idea -

- To have a different reader for each of the different characters in this book! And every one superb!
Thank you.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Surprising ending...

I've just completed the Skinner Series, and couldn't believe the ending of this book, being the current last in the series. I actually went looking for the next one, just to be sure it didn't yet exist! Some of the accents are a bit dodgy, but I liked the mix of characters. Bob always steals the show, and his voice is instantly recognisable and heartwarming. I'd recommend the full series to everyone, as it's like a soap opera of characters and crime. Mr Jardine, please hurry up with the next one, because I'm thinking the obvious, isn't probably the case.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

worst novel ever

has Mr Jardine run out of ideas the idea to have multiple voices making some character's sounding deranged and so un scottish made listening like pulling your nails out with pliers
I persisted for continuity purposes

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Funeral note

Although I really enjoyed the story I was disappointed by the narration in some places it would have been better if James Bryce had read all the Skinner dialog

1 of 1 people found this review helpful