Persons of Interest

DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 4

By: Peter Grainger

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

In the peace and tranquility of the woods at Pinehills on a Saturday afternoon, a mobile phone begins to ring. The phone belongs to DC Smith, and it isn't unusual that the call is from Kings Lake Central police station; what is unusual is the fact that he seems to be the subject of an investigation rather than taking part in one. What can the links be between a prisoner's violent death in another county, the disappearance of two teenagers, and the highest profile case in Kings Lake for many years? As Smith and his team begin to untangle the threads, one thing becomes clear - they are dealing with some of the most dangerous people that they have yet encountered.

©2015 Peter Grainger (P)2017 Tantor

Enjoyable Visit to "DC"'s World

I loved the first three books of this series. The main character is D.C. Smith - an older and much wiser police officer who shares his years of acquired knowledge of the job with younger co-workers.
He's not a "tortured" soul, but he is still learning about life. He has no "demons", but is smart enough to know he doesn't have all the answers. He's an ordinary guy who is very good at his job. And also a pretty good guitar player. And I enjoy reading about his adventures.
The pace in these books is steady. The stories are more about the people and the process than non-stop action. For me that makes the books much more interesting and enjoyable.
Gildart Jackson's narration is flawless.
Book 5 is scheduled for released on July 4th - I've reserved my copy.

Well-crafted, complex & w/o nauseating brutality

Exciting story. Detective experienced clever, humorous, reflective--no desperate broodiness. Action Intense, relationshups complicated. Engaging narration.

Outstanding police procedural series!

Brit Peter Grainger is the author of the wonderful 7 novel DC Smith Investigation series (Books 6 and 7 are not yet available in audio format). Persons of Interest, Book 4 in the series, is not quite as good as the first three, but it is very, very good. Smith is a detective sergeant who is retirement age but not yet retired. He does things his way and thus is not well liked by his peers and their bosses. The series has some humor.

British comedic actor Gildart Jackson narrates beautifully. His voice and timing are perfect for the DC Smith series.

The series is wonderful.

I never tire of listening to the humor and insight of D.C. Smith as written by Mr. Grainger and read so well by Gildart Jackson. The perfect way to spend an evening with an old friend.

I never want this series to end

I can't get enough of DC Smith! I love these books, and these characters, and Grainger's writing, and Jackson's narration. Simply perfect.

This starts at a prison. There's an interesting link to Smith that sets a whole mess of things in motion. In his inimitable way, Smith irritates some and inspires others as they work through a drug investigation and a kidnapping. Great stuff.

And of course there's the interpersonal relationships among the team which I find to be a big part of this series. What decision will Chris make? Will Smith get along with the new RSCU people? Will he be recruited by them? And what about Jo?

Grainger tells this story with the subtle humor that marks each book in this series. I'm glad I can start the next one immediately.

DC Smith Earning Sainthood?

What made the experience of listening to Persons of Interest the most enjoyable?

Listening to all DC Smith novel in order. Am hooked.

What does Gildart Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Gilbert Jackson is excellent as the voice of DC Smith. The character comes alive !

Any additional comments?

The DC Smith books are well written with strong storylines and lots of sarcastic humor. I love the way David Smith mentors the younger members of his team. He also has a healthy effective way of sidestepping authority to solve the cases before him. I'm all for that.

Great series

D C Smith is Virgil Flowers in a London Fog! Great series, getting better all the time!

Another good story

Enjoyed this fourth book in the DC Smith series, as the writing and characters continue to be excellent. Smith himself is a fascinating character—equal parts musing philosopher, humorist, and good copper. As Chris Waters observes, Smith has many personalities “...hanging up inside himself, ready to slip a new one on at a moment’s notice.” One of my favorite Smith observations from this book is, “Experience becomes instinct, in the end.”

It’s now nine months since Smith had to get a new cell phone and number in Book 1, that is, May 2012. Somehow his old phone number turns up among the possessions of Lionel (Lucky) Everett, who is murdered in prison. The plot thickens in engaging, unpredictable ways from there.

One major plot point seemed questionable to me. Would the Regional Serious Crimes Unit really send out 40+ police officers in small teams to see what was happening in the Kings Lake drugs trade, without telling them what was really going on? Wouldn’t such a sudden police presence on the streets just spook the criminals?

And I was bothered by errors: a pivotal event takes place on Saturday, 2nd of May, but that date was not a Saturday in 2012. And the care home from Book 2, Rosemary House, is again called Lily House. Some readers/listeners might not like the way Grainger weaves in plot lines from previous books. Not me—I think it’s great. But you have to get the details right.

Intelligent--subtle humor--excellent characters

Still a wonderful series and never a disappointment. The humor is smart, and the characterization is wonderful. I hope it goes on forever. Narration is fantastic.

Moving on to the next book

I love this DC Smith series. The stories are fantastic, the performance is spot on and the intermingling of characters with all their strengths and weaknesses are hysterically funny. I encourage you to start this series.

Meticulous and well-written

As the fourth of the series this volume might have been repetitious and forgotten about developing the characters. But it’s not. But nor is the investigation really the point of the writing, the exploration of the society of KL and the development of interesting characters is what makes this well worth reading. If you want adventure, read Andy McNab or other such rubbish. If you want an engrossing read then read Peter Grainger.

Persons of Interest

Very compelling book, thoroughly enjoyed it once it got going. Love more of DC Smith!

Ponderous

Story line is uninspiring. I could not bring myself to finish this book. This is a first for me.

Really good listen

I’m getting into Peter Grainger’s books and love the voice of the narrator Gildart Jackson, it really brings out the sardonic humour of the detective.

Hooked!

Totally hooked on Peter Graingers
stories. Highly recommended to crime without the gore and profanities!

Continued excellence!

Thank you, stumbled across this series a little while ago, fantastic! Well written, exceedingly well presented, proper stories full of enjoyment.
Cannot recommend highly enough.

Good stuff

Was a rather interesting and insightful book. It appears to be how investigations proceed in police force.

Continually brilliant

I adore this whole series: character is everything, with intricate mysteries teased open by an utterly compelling central detective. Best modern detective series I know.