Ghost in the Machine

DC Scott Cullen Crime Series, Book 1

By: Ed James

Narrated by: Dave Gillies

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Caroline Adamson's future is looking up...until her mutilated body is found. Her ex-husband is the main suspect. But when one murder becomes three, Edinburgh faces up to the fact that it might have a serial killer in its midst.

Could the answer lie with Schoolbook, the latest social media craze to hit the city? DCI Cullen is determined to prove himself and equally determined to find justice.

©2017 Ed James (P)2017 W. F. Howes Ltd

I hope the rest become audiobooks soon

This was good. I didn't realize right away that this was an early Ed James series of books. This first one was just released on Audible. I hope the rest of them are available as audiobooks soon.

While not as interesting or as well written as the Fenchurch books, this was good. I had a bit of a problem keeping the characters straight. I swear at one point the DI was called MacBain which really threw me. There were a lot of potential false leads and that added to the drama of the story.

Good story but the narration not so much

The story was good and I thought I had another series by this author to get into. It was all I could do to finish it as the narrator was, in my opinion very difficult to listen to. It wasn’t as noticeable when the characters were actually speaking, but you can hear every breath he takes and also there’s a odd unnatural cadence to his voice when he is just speaking, not as a character, but merely narrating the text. It has a funny breath quality like it’s supposed to be suspenseful when the content isn’t suspenseful at that moment at all. Difficult to describe, but I barely made it through it and won’t be listening to anymore books by this narrator.

A good beginning

Think I’ll stick around for more. The DCI being a “ blow hot, blow cold” mental case was a trial but I liked it enough overall to get the next one. I wasn’t sure about the narrator at first and that can be a dealbreaker. But the low voice for Cullen grew on me as things progressed. And his women sounded womanly. A definite plus. Oh and the mystery was interesting. 😊

Narration

My only complaint is that the narrator tends to drop his voice during the narration portions making it hard to hear and necessitating volume changing. Conversation potions are fine.

Just ok.

The narrator, or how the narration was recorded, sometimes talked in a very low tone, only to suddenly talk very loudly throughout the entire book. The beginning story line promised to be interesting, but the interactions between characters were either somewhat immature, or loud and profane/insulting. I enjoyed another series more by this author. Sorry, can't remember the name of it right now, but will have to start this review over again if I leave this page.

I was disappointed

Maybe the book is better but the audible one is not good the Scottish accents are too strong. It is really hard to tell who is talking. I listen to a lot of audio books, this one I would not recommend.

Great read...Don’t miss this one!

Great characters and a thrilling ride! Ed James is a terrific storyteller and edge of your seat ending. For those who love crime thrillers don’t miss out.

Rate

Book is a decent read and it listen. Can't wait for the next book to come out

Good story

Enjoyed the story but the narrator got on my nerves, all the female voices sounded like they were about to cry, but the most irritating part was the actual narration between speaking parts. I appreciate all narrators, it’s not a job that I could do st all, but I’m on the fence as to whether I can listen to the next book in the series or not which is a shame.

Bad tempered

Predictable overall. End was a twist but perp just confessed in the end. Do the police really work so chaotically and spend so much time working against each othe and slagging each other off. Hope not

Great book spoilt by the narrator

a good story but found it really difficult to.listen to.due to the narrator.
Not sure if I can put myself through the rest of the series if the narrative is done in the same manner

sorry couldnt finish it

I sincerely hope the police dont work like this lot. I managed to listen to 2/3 but gave up as the toxic relationship between all the senior police was awful and how they ever solve anything is a mystery as they seem to work against each other. I enjoy books that I like at least 50% of the characters in this I only liked 3. sadly wont be listening to another of these books

Not my cup of tes

All a bit obvious and predictable sadly. Wont be following this author. Im afraid not.

Awful. Dont waste your credits

The narrators voice didn't suit this story. He sound very harsh & aggressive all the time.

The ending was really cringe. The way the 'bad' dude talked, i fully expected him to say '...and I would of gotten away with it too...if it wasnt for you meddling kids'.

I wont be getting book 2.

sound was awful narration erratic

really poor production sound quality. got as biyb1 get one free. narration very erratic too

Story poor to average, narrator rerrible

The story is written as though it is a first attempt at writing a book. I don't know of it is. Because it was written so long ago, the naivety of the police with technology may not be far fetched, hut it is annoying. the police are terrible and very slow at checking the obvious. The story is mundane.

The volume is awful- deep voices are loud and I had to turn down the volume, but then I missed some of the reply because higher voices are quieter. All the female voices sound the same- a whiny woman about to cry.

Over all not a good listen

Couldn't finish it.

The story was promising, but I couldn't listen to it, due to the constant references to how women looked and what the police officers felt about them. Completely inappropriate.

Bad image for senior police officers!

If all senior police officers are like the ones in this book then we are in big trouble - incompetent, lazy and bullies ….. I lost patience listening to their parts of the story. Unfortunately the characters all seemed to be caricatures and so I couldn’t really care what happened to them.