The Doll Maker

A Detective Sophie Whitton Story

By: Claire Highton-Stevenson

Narrated by: Fiona Thraille

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

A body turns up in a field. She’s blonde and her eyes have been gouged out. DI Sophie Whitton knows it's him - The man the press has dubbed: The doll maker. Whitton and her team must act fast if they are to stop anyone else falling victim to the doll maker.

With an innate need to seek the truth and find justice for the dead, DI Whitton risks losing it all, including her long-term relationship with live-in lover, Yvonne, as she strives to find a killer, and maybe even herself along the way.

©2018 Claire Highton-Stevenson (P)2019 Claire Highton-Stevenson

Wow!!!!

Once again I am amazed at Claire Highton-Stevenson's ability to create a work that I put my world on hold to listen to. I enjoyed the suspense as well as the steam that is involved in this novel. The relationship problems and individual character development is believable and engaging. The story line engrossing. I am not going to put a spoiler here....I will however encourage anybody to pick up this wonderful read. This is the first book I have heard Fiona Thraille narrate and her voice and talent are spot on.

Such a twisty book! Love it

This story is one of my favourites, and I was a little hesitant to try the audio version, but I'm so glad I did. I hadn't listened to this narrator before, but she did a great job of bringing this book to life, and I'll certainly be listening again!

Wickedly good thriller!

Let me start by saying I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook, both because of the author's skill and the flawless narration by Fiona Thraille. She was a perfect choice for this book and did a wonderful job In Narrating...with that said I’m still astonished that this is the first time Claire Highton Stevenson dabbled in Murder/Mystery/Thriller. The story is so well written and thought out. The main character “Sophie” is no where near perfect and carry plenty of baggage while trying to do her job. Rachel is the mysterious Nurse who catches Sophie’s eye and yet has some secrets of her own. Then you have the Killer who is wickedly brutal and seeks to tell his story the only way he knows how and that is threw murder and revenge. All the bases for creating such a great thriller is in this book including twist and unexpected turns. It had me turning the pages when I originally read the book. It’s the same with the Audiobook, I found it hard to stop at times and just wanted to listen to it threw the very end. I highly recommend you give this book a listen! I’m also keeping my fingers crossed that will see another Detective Sophie Whitton Story in the near future 🤞

Really well done crime thriller!

Just finished this and oooo - it's a good one. The storyline is engrossing and keeps you on your toes. Detective Inspector Sophie Whitton leads a team trying to track down a serial murderer, while her relationship at home reaches a breaking point. How many will suffer until the sick and methodical assailant is caught? Can her relationship survive all the late nights required for her job? And who is the stunning nurse at the hospital shamelessly flirting with the attractive detective? All certainly worth discovering in this read! Highton-Stevenson nearly gave me a heart attack at one point, but because I was so invested in the outcome and these characters, I'll forgive her. lol Also impressive was narrator Fiona Thraille, who does a great job with the various voices and adds to the overall experience. Definitely recommend! 4.5 stars

Enthralling Chase of a Serial

This work is a very good entry into the tumultuous world of Detective Sophie Whitton and a case that shapes her life. The story is not unlike others in this genre but is told well and builds suspense with each character that is introduced. This is listed within the LGTBQ bucket and there are overtones present but what makes this work so well is that this is no different from the other works in this vertical.

Her relationships all face the same challenges as the normal lead detectives and is held in the same manner by her compatriots. She's a stand up person that's hell bent on honor and justice but is learning to be more than that. This is a great start to a series that should continue to explore the underbelly of those that live amongst us and it'll be a joy to read/listen to that journey.

The narration of the work is very well done and matches the urgency of the case and lives of the characters with the right amount of levity thrown in. I liked the fact that the shift in character wasn't always as clear as i've heard in other books as it tied into the mania of the work itself and what is going on within each. Jumping in and out of characters' minds/voice was something that really added to the work and made the anguish and twist all the more enjoyable.

Creepy

My favorite type of story. With a strong yet vulnerable lead character chasing the bad guy. Sofie Whitton has depth and yet can be so shallow at times. She is a hero. I can’t wait for more. Narration was spot on bathe didn’t make the butch detective sound like a little girl. I recommend this to anyone looking for suspense, mystery or thriller.

Great Listen!

If you're looking for a thriller with a bit of lesfic romance thrown in, this is the book for you. Sophie Whitton is a detective working a series of gruesome murders. There were some cringe worthy moments due to the graphic telling of the crimes committed. The end will leave you gasping. Sophie and Rachel's relationship starts out under not so great circumstances, but it is a very realistic scenario and fits with the characters and the story line. I thought the narrator was fantastic. If you like books with intrigue, crime, mystery, and suspense you will love this one and not want to stop listening.

Very good!

I recommend this read. It was far better than I was expecting. I thought I had it figured out, but had to wait till the end to have my questions answered.

Oh, wow!

I knew this would be difficult for me to read, based on the content, so I put it off for a while. But now was a good time, I guess. I also knew I was going to like it, because it was clearly so well-written. And I was correct.

I'm glad I finally had a good time to "read" it (listen to it!), and it was helpful to listen instead of read, because it was easier to turn it off and on when needed.

The narration is *so* good, too, as well. I can't wait until I'm ready to be able to read the next Sophie Witton story.

best written books in the genre

this is a well written book good characters and a good story. the language draws the image so well that you get still life moments in a scene. I plan on reading all of her novels.

Don't let the Cover deture or frighten you

Don't let the Cover deture or frighten you from listening to this book. It's not a horror story. A great murder mystery story by the talented Claire Highton-Stevenson. Having read this story when it was first released and loved it, I have been waiting for it to released onto audio book with much anticipation and I wasn't disappointed. The story is just as good on audio, fiona is engaging and keeps you listening and the combination of Fionas reading and claires story telling is a addictive combination, you don't want to stop listening and want more. I highly recommend this audio book and if you've never read or listened to any of claires book then you really are missing out on a real talent.

Twists & Turns

This the first time I have listened to a book by this Author. I was not disappointed. It had everything, twist, turns,tears and from me an 'oh no moment'. Definitely got me. Will be listening to more the narrator nailed it.

WOW!!!!!

Fantastic book. Well written and gripping right to the end. The narrater brought the characters to life brilliantly, Rachel being my favourite. Can't wait to listen to "Grave Decision" now

Great puzzle thriller...can't wait for more

An unexpected twist and turn thriller. Drew me in with a series of great story breadcrumbs and clues. Every time I thought I knew what was around the corner I was thrown in another puzzling direction. A great read that I hope becomes a series.

The front cover nearly put me off but....

I do not really like this kind of book, I like romance, not murders and the end was a real shock, nearly did not listen to the end..thank goodness I did Phew...
Good characters, well developed - human, not perfect people