The Fragile Cage

Cameron Kyle, Book 1

By: Scott Hunter

Narrated by: Aubrey Parsons

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

A brand new series from CWA award-winning author Scott Hunter

April 1968. DC Cameron Kyle is struck by a bullet at a bungled stakeout.

He survives, but it’s clear that his old self didn’t. Once courteous and cautious, he now finds himself uncharacteristically outspoken, impatient, intolerant. His surgeon warns him that, due to the inoperable location of the bullet fragment, Kyle could die anytime; his psychologist’s prognosis isn’t much better–the words she chooses to describe his personality changes include borderline and psychotic.

Kyle is struggling to come to terms with his uncertain new existence when his onetime girlfriend pays him an unexpected visit. Emotionally fragile since Rebecca Wilson’s unexpected decision to ditch him, he is reluctant to see her but immediately picks up on her agitated state of mind. Prison social worker Rebecca explains that she has been tasked with the rehabilitation of a dangerous lifer, convicted killer Kenneth Munday, and is anxious to share her concerns.

Twenty-four hours later, Kyle learns that Munday has escaped and is on the run with Rebecca in tow. Kyle’s old boss, DI Patterson, wants to know all about her visit. What did she want with Kyle? Was Kyle involved? Did Rebecca let slip anything that might have a bearing on Munday’s whereabouts?

Kyle sends Patterson packing with some choice words from his new arsenal of bluntness, but his patience is subsequently stretched to the limit when Rebecca’s lawyer boyfriend, Sven Jörgensen, turns up out of the blue asking for help. When Jörgensen confides that Munday has been directly in touch, Kyle concedes that, having little faith in DI Patterson’s methods, he must set aside his animosity and join Jörgensen in the hunt for Munday. But will he be too late to save Rebecca?

The Fragile Cage is the pilot novel of a brand new crime series featuring ex-DC Cameron Kyle.

How does this sound? A journey back in time to an era of no mobile phones, no internet, no 24/7, no political correctness and great music...oh, and thrilling action and excitement too...

Yep, that's what I thought.

So here it is...

©2022 Scott Hunter (P)2022 Scott Hunter

Amazing!

This was an excellent book, fast-paced, clever, well-written, and the TWISTS, especially at the end... never in a million years saw that coming, and I'm pretty bad about guessing those and being disappointed. I can't recommend this book highly enough!!! I enjoyed it so much and hope the series continues. I loved the author and narrator both so much that I went and bought the author's other first in series, Black December, and one of the narrator's other series, Harry Grimm. Black December had a twist at the end that absolutely cannot be believed.

The Fragile Cage

I enjoyed this book and hope to read others in the series. Aubrey Parsons was a very good narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Give it a shot

This one wasn’t for me but if you like this type give it a shot. I received a free copy and left my honest review

Engaging New Protagonist

This is the first book in the new Cameron Kyle series. Kyle is a British DI who was injured in the line of duty when his partner was killed. Kyle ended up with a bullet fragment in his brain which leaves him in imminent danger of death as well as turning him into a boarderline psychopath. When his old girlfriend is abducted as part of the prison break of a convicted killer, Cameron begins the arduous task of finding her. Double-crosses, hidden secrets, mysterious mobsters and unexplained deaths make this a non-stop ride.

I found this book interesting for a police procedural. The story made a point of highlighting Cameron Kyle’s now psychopathic personality but I did not really feel it in the book. Perhaps this will emerge more in later installments. It was interesting following the British police system and locations. At time following the British titles for officers and slang (e.g. a flashlight being a torch or the movies being flicks) was a bit challenging. Fortunately I was familiar with them from previous British TV.

Aubrey Parsons did an excellent job with the narration and voicing of the characters. He has a very strong regional British accent which I did find hard to understand at times. Otherwise he was enjoyable to listen to.

I enjoyed this book and may follow up with future installments.

***I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my own, unbiased, review.***

Not for me

The story was very slow-paced, very dull. I had to force myself to keep listening, it never gripped me. And it lacked originality.

The audio performance was terrible. This is not someone who should narrate.