The Book of Souls

By: James Oswald

Narrated by: Ian Hanmore

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of The Book of Souls by James Oswald, read by the actor Ian Hanmore.

Every year for 10 years, a young woman's body was found in Edinburgh at Christmastime: naked, throat slit, body washed clean. The final victim, Kirsty Summers, was Detective Constable Tony McLean's fiancée. But the Christmas Killer made a mistake and McLean put an end to the brutal killing spree.

Twelve years later, and a fellow prisoner has murdered the Christmas Killer. But with the festive season comes a body; naked, washed, her throat cut. Is this a copycat killer? Was the wrong man behind bars all this time? Or is there a more sinister explanation? McLean must revisit his most disturbing case and discover what he missed before the killer strikes again....

©2013 James Oswald (P)2013 Penguin Books Limited

Supernatural element makes the story

I bought this having bought the first in the series and really enjoyed the story and especially the supernatural elements. It kind of reminds me of Stuart MacBrides Logan McRae although not as vivid. I enjoy the character of Tony and supporting characters. The next book has not been released yet and there are some loose ends not tied up so hopefully they will be cleared I will definitely be getting the next book and would really recommend the series.
I felt the narrator was very clear and did not distract from the story.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Creepier and More Sinister . . . In A Good Way!

It was always going to be a big test for James Oswald to follow up on the excellent opener to this series. It's one I think he passes with flying colours and he doesn't pull any punches with another hard-hitting novel. This one puts a slightly higher emphasis on the supernatural element. Fortunately he doesn't make the mistake of neglecting his well rounded characters which were such a strong element of the first book. They are further developed and the lead is put under some intolerable pressure, hounded at every step of course by his less than perfect boss, Dagwood.

What brings these books up to five star status though is the narration by Ian Hanmore, he and Oswald are a marriage made in heaven. Hanmore's cultured Scottish accent literally purrs through descriptive text, chills to the bone when required and yet raises itself handily for some of the lighter moments.

So, an author and a narrator both of whom are well worth watching out for have created a genuinely immersive audiobook experience!

One strong recommendation on this series would be to read them in order. I think you could enjoy them individually but enough of the storyline is continuous to make it worth starting at the beginning.

Bravo Messrs Oswald and Hanmore!

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Good series

I enjoyed this book where we are reunited with Inspector McLean and his team. The narration by Ian Hanmore is quietly hypnotic and draws you right in.
There are more grim murders and without giving anything away several novel twists with a paranormal spin.
The reason I gave this 4 instead of 5 stars overall was that I felt that the plot was slightly samey in one or two places however this did not stop my enjoyment of what is becoming a good series.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Fantastic follow up

If you could sum up The Book of Souls in three words, what would they be?

Gripping, intriguing and exciting.

What did you like best about this story?

As usual Mr Oswalds talent for writing shines through again. The story is dark and at times quite gruesome. Can't wait for book 3!

What about Ian Hanmore’s performance did you like?

Ian Hanmore is totally brilliant as a story teller, the ease with which he goes from one character to another is mind blowing. A very talented man.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A must see!

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend all James Oswalds books. Start at book 1, obviously! You won't be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent!!

What made the experience of listening to The Book of Souls the most enjoyable?

A really good plot- kept me listening into the wee hours when I should have been asleep!

What other book might you compare The Book of Souls to, and why?

His previous one of the series- also a good listen.

What about Ian Hanmore’s performance did you like?

I really enjoy Ian Hanmore and actually seek books read by him

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Too many as one is really a part of everything.

Any additional comments?

I will continue to listen and seek books in this series.One gets fond of the characters.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

second title of a new found author

What made the experience of listening to The Book of Souls the most enjoyable?

following from the first book it was easy to switch into the main character and then absorb the new story line

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Book of Souls?

the ghost like element to the story which was also present in the earlier book

What about Ian Hanmore’s performance did you like?

made the characters come to life in a way that fitted the Edinburgh scene

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

many smiles

Any additional comments?

I listen to the book walking the dog and when driving long distances. I really enjoy the audio experience

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Really enticing

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

Definitely: a story that is very compelling, filled with frustration,confusion love and Loss. Oswald tells a story that Is true to the crime genre with the touch of the supernatural weirdness.

What other book might you compare The Book of Souls to, and why?

Natural causes as this is the sequel book, inspector McLain is featured again still presumed by his job, death, therapy and Dagwood.

Have you listened to any of Ian Hanmore’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Lived the narrator the accent brought the story alive

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The effect of the fires on the inspector

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Another winnr

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

A great story line which really rings true

Who was your favorite character and why?

Obviously the Inspector McLlean

What does Ian Hanmore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

One is brought into the story as if one was there. He transmits the events and you image straight away the characters

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

Could be true but hope not

Any additional comments?

Only critism was that in this second novel nothing was mentioned about the large inheritance that Inspector McLean had received in the first novel. A little strange.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Supernatural flair...

I'm glad I returned Mclean's Edinburgh police station.
Anderson the 'Christmas killer' is dead (his wife's murderer), so why are women turning up around the city with their throats cut, and laid naked in running water, the exact same method as before?
In this sequel you see the stalwart Mclean is close to cracking, put under intolerable pressure, trying to come to terms with Kirstie's death, and having to work thorn in the side 'Dagwood', who at every turn belittles and goads Mclean.
This has even more of a supernatural flair than the prequel, a solid storyline, with dark under currents it made me want to find out more.
Although it's a full story there's questions left unanswered which means I will be hot on the heels of book three which I hope will come out soon.
The strength of this book is the characters, the weaker side did it have to be so very sombre, the light relief when it came was always very welcome..
Still fast becoming a fan of this author..

Wonderful narration by Ian Hanmore, I can't imagine anyone else playing Mcleans character,

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

An excellent sequel

Would you listen to The Book of Souls again? Why?

I'm unlikely to listen again. I never re listen to my books

Who was your favorite character and why?

Inspector McLean. Its hard not to enjoy the main character.

What does Ian Hanmore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Ian Hanmore breathes life into the characters in a way I never could. Having the right accent for the Edinburgh location is a good start of course.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There isn't much to be moved by in a detective novel?

Any additional comments?

Overall this is an enjoyable read and an excellent sequel to Natural causes which it makes sense to read first.DI McLean is a well written character that gets further built upon from our initial introduction in Natural causes. A good and credible storyline topped off with an excellent performance by Ian Hanmore - roll on book 3!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful