In This Bright Future

DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 5

By: Peter Grainger

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Two weeks of rest and recuperation - that's what the doctor ordered. Detective Sergeant DC Smith could listen to some music, make some of his own, and maybe even catch up on his reading; he is almost looking forward to it. And then there is a knock on the door. It's only his next-door neighbor, but it is the beginning of a sequence of events that will bring him face to face with some of the darkest episodes and the most dangerous people from his own past. This is Smith's fifth investigation, but this time it's personal.

©2016 Peter Grainger (P)2017 Tantor

Best (so far) of a great series

I have enjoyed this entire series on Audible and was looking forward to this book's release - which was perfectly timed for me being flat on my back for a few days. Alas I finished the book in one day which is the best endorsement I can give. Somewhat different from the rest of the series but an excellent story with usual excellent narration. One of the very few books I gave five stars in each category. Looking forward to the next book.

Best novel in a marvelous detective series!

Detective thrillers do not get better than In the Bright Future! This is Book 5 in the English detective DC Smith series. Smith is on forced leave and he goes to Northern Ireland and deals with people from his past. Gildart Jackson does his usual wonderful job of narration.

If you like the mystery/thriller genre, this is a must listen novel. It's definitely one of the best of the year.

DC Smith is addicting - and this is the best yet!

Peter Grainger's DC Smith series is most similar in feel to Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache's series. Both series are about crimes and detection, but also about issues of politics, family, immigration, love, aging, revenge, death, etc. Both detectives spend time thinking, not just acting or reacting. Both have a strong moral compass. Both are interesting people, and we are compelled to keep reading to know them better.

"In This Bright Future" is the best yet in the series. So good in both performance and story that I just gave up trying to do anything else until I had listened to the end. Hauntingly told entwined stories of life and death in Belfast from the Troubles and today.

Best detective series I’ve read in decades

There are only a few detective series that remain firmly entrenched in heart and brain, and this is one of them. Detective David Smith is a fully developed character with depths and quirks, and a strong sense of honor. The other characters are well fleshed out, with no facile stereotypes, and Gildart Jackson renders them all beautifully. He has become my new favorite narrator. The plots are intricately structured, but never improbable, and even when the events are cruel, one is still left with a sense of well-being - at least as long as Detective Smith and his crew are on the job. Peter Grainger ranks right up there with - no, he is in a class all by himself, which panegyric would probably embarrass him. I like books that make me think long after I’ve put them down, and Peter Grainger’s novels do. I will be sorry to come to the end of this series.

A MUST READ

The best yet. D.C. Smith faces old ghosts from his past. This book covers 30 years his early years and his recent life. Woven together in a riveting story. As always in DC Smith stories are multi layered stories and the characters are well developed.

Brilliant series

this is one of my favorite books in the series. I love the writing. lots of background information and character development. I highly recommend this.

Above average series

Where does In This Bright Future rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best

Who was your favorite character and why?

Its a lovely cast of characters, however, DC is the star

Which character – as performed by Gildart Jackson – was your favorite?

He does them all well

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is an easy going, well written series. No spoilers necessary, just sit back and enjoy the listen.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to the next, hopefully, soon.

Fantastic!

This was so good!

Detective Sergeant Smith's past comes back to haunt him when he's asked to go back to Northern Ireland to help find one of the"disappeared" - the brother of his former lover.

This is very different from previous books but still absolutely fantastic! This series does keep getting better. I want more.

Poignancy Artfully Conveyed

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, but I would also warn them that this is not a heart warming story. It is a story of honest, poignant reflection. Although fiction, it is as real as emotional plumbing gets.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As usual, D C Smith. What charm, insight, and courage.

Which character – as performed by Gildart Jackson – was your favorite?

D. C. Smith. Mr. Jackson is no ordinary narrator. He is stellar.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I don't understand the meaning of tag line? In fact, I think its reference in this context a bit offensive. There is nothing amusing about this story. It is a profound, bitter sweet recounting.

Any additional comments?

I do not ordinarily like fiction. I usually find it, at best, an escape from more important, profound reflection. This entire series is the exception. I will ultimately buy the Kendal editions so that I can more properly note profound reflections.

Best yet.

I like the other books in this series that are available on audible but this one, in my opinion, is the best. I was a teen living in the USA during the riots in Northern Ireland and remember (vaguely) children being sent here so that they could get a break from the fighting. Not only was this a great story but it educated me on what was really happening during that time. I hope another D.C. Smith story is available soon.

Absolute favourite writer & narrator for the genre

Peter Grainger and Gildart Jackson make a perfect partnership. Making different characters really believable is not easy to achieve and Jackson does it with as many voices as Grainger writes with. Great plots too

Wonderful

A brilliant story well researched, well written and narrated. Lovely balance of humour and deep emotions. Love this series!

My Favourite DC Smith Yet!

It is a character that just builds and builds with each book. This is certainly my favourite story to date and as ever the narration of Gildart Jackson is superb. All very understated and yet gripping, moving, funny...excellent!

Just Superb!

A change from the usual crime story, with more detail of DC’s past life emerging from his time in Belfast. Still as sensitive and engaging as ever with more than a hint of danger and maybe reflecting the reality of Belfast in The 21st Century, this book was again compulsive and a pleasure to listen to.

Always fantastic

This may be the best in the series - when we get a huge pay-off in learning about the central character's past - but the whole series is wonderful.

gripping

really enjoyed this . very well researched. excellent narration. looking forward to the next one.

Excellent

Brilliantly narrated novel which is both intriguing in historical terms and also a great narrative.

A change of scene for this instalment

I absolutely love this series and it's main character DC Smith. This time we are visiting Belfast to fill in the gaps of DC's past.Very clever this because it not only admirably does the gap filling it makes a break in the pattern for those of us hooked on the series and listening to one book straight after another. A change of location, time and pace shakes listeners out of their complacency - in this series one book doesn't have exactly the same formula as the others. If you haven't yet discovered this series go back to Book 1 and get started.

Best so far

When the book started I wondered where it was going was DC going to be robbed or even murdered.
In previous books Smith's Northern Ireland experience but now we hear much more and meet his past, its a lovely book with much excitement you really don't want to stop, I did guess something which I found at the end I was correct.
Not so much humour in this one but still the odd laugh out loud moment and a few smiles.
Narration was good no need for a Norfolk accent here still wish he would learn a Norfolk accent for the rest of the books,
I am really not sure how a reviewer thought this book was boring this book as loads of excitement. I really enjoy Smith and please Peter keep him going.

Unexpectedly moving

A fascinating view into the complexities of “the troubles” and how they touched families for generations and still do. This a slow burner but the pace is perfect to provoke contemplation. The main character of the series, DC, is a clever thoughtful man and this book gives an insight into the person he has become. He might be a little like Marmite but I sit squarely in the “love it” camp. If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller then go elsewhere but if you have focus and a little indulgence then you will be roundly rewarded with what I would judge to be the best in this series so far. It is also unexpectedly moving and all the better for it. A final thought on the narration which was very fine indeed. The range of accents must have been daunting but they were handled superbly and the pace and timing were absolutely on point. I wonder if Mr Jackson has met Mr Grainger as there is such empathy in the narrated interpretation. I strongly recommend this book.