Holding

The instant bestseller from the author of FRANKIE

By: Graham Norton

Narrated by: Graham Norton

Duneen is a quiet place, far enough from the big towns to have kept its own rhythms. Its residents include castdown policeman PJ who lives a lonely, uneventful life punctuated only by the next meal - until now; the beautiful and mysterious family of three spinster sisters each with their own secrets and sorrows; and of course, the town's gossip who think she knows the answers. When a grim discovery is made on a building site up by the old school, it becomes the catalyst for long buried secrets and rivalries to come to light and this silent, once innocent and repressed-seeming town is revealed to have a much darker, hungrier undertow.©2016 Graham Norton

Critic reviews

Poised and perceptive (Louis Wise)

Deeply accomplished, with brilliantly observed, entertaining characters and an atmospheric setting

Heartwarming and observant

Strenuously charming...surprisingly tender (Clare Allfree)

One of the more authentic debuts I've read in recent years... A fine novel. (John Boyne)

An undercurrent of black comedy accompanies the ripples that ensue - but with a pathos that makes this deftly plotted story as moving as it is compelling.

charming...thoughtfully done...highly enjoyable.

Full of emotion and tense moments. You will be gripped from the first page.

A sweet story

Beautifully narrated by Graham Norton. Such a pleasure to listen to his voice. A sweet simple story. Nice escape for a few hours!

Sublime

I’ve listening to this so very many times, it’s a go to drift off to sleep book. But damn good fully awake too. I love the characters and of course Grahams narration is perfect. Thank you.

Like sitting next to Graham.

How wonderful was this book! It was like sitting next to Graham and having him tell me a story about his family in Ireland. I really enjoyed the mystery of it, I was guessing different people throughout. And I especially liked feeling like I was there with all the details of the town and the people. Can’t wait for the next book!

Great talent.

Mr. Norton is incredibly talented. We know he's funny, and a fun host, but his ability to inhabit each character is fantastic. Great read, interesting story, and the sadness that can be in a human being is well written!

Sweet Little Mystery

3.5 Stars. This is a simple little mystery, nothing too powerful and nothing too grand. It presents lovely village life and introduces some interesting characters. There's nothing too deep about the mystery (nothing that can't be figured out way ahead of time) but it's not a horrible way to spend a few days. I liked the setting quite a lot and the main character, the local policeman who investigates some bones found by a construction crew. Mostly, it shows that, no matter where you live, people have secrets and problems.

It's mostly lovely to learn that my favorite chat show host, Graham Norton, has other talents!

Norton is also the narrator and he does a nice job of it. I still prefer him in the host's chair but this could be a second career for him!