The Necessary Deaths: 1

The Delingpole Mysteries

De: David C. Dawson

Narrado por: David C. Dawson

A young man. Unconscious in a hospital bed. His life is in the balance from a drug overdose.

Attempted suicide or attempted murder?

British lawyer Dominic Delingpole investigates, with the help of his larger-than-life partner Jonathan McFadden. Compromising photographs of senior politicians and business chiefs are discovered.

Is the young man a blackmailer?

Dominic and Jonathan uncover a conspiracy that reaches into the highest levels of government and powerful corporations. Three people are murdered, and Dominic and Jonathan struggle for their very survival in this gripping thriller.

©2019 Mr. David C. Dawson (P)2019 Mr. David C. Dawson

GREAT MYSTERY

David C. Dawson brings a re-edited version of “A Delingpole Mystery” starting with “The Necessary Deaths”. He introduces the readers to Dominic Delingpole, Jonathan McFadden and a variety of interesting characters and a complex mystery to go along with them.

Dominic Delingpole is a small time lawyer, with mostly rural county clientele and some large corporations. He by no-means deals with criminal law. He’s shy, mild mannered and tries to keep his life as low-keyed as possible. He lives in Oxfordshire and has a long distance lover in Jonathan McFadden, who lives in Lewes. Dominic isn’t closeted but he’s very cautious when it comes to being in public.

Jonathan McFadden, landscape gardener, actor and singer is Dominic’s lover of two years. Although, both men seem too have wandering eyes, Jonathan is very much in favor of an open relationship. For Dominic an open relationship is not his flavor but he tolerates the situation with Jonathan because he truly has feelings for him.

When there’s a commotion outside Dominic’s apartment door he finds his neighbor, Mrs. Gregory, in distress and learns of her son who has been hospitalized. Samantha Gregory calls Dominic to watch her apartment, but he sees an opportunity to go to Brighton and have a chance to visit Jonathan. In accompanying Samantha to the hospital he meets John Fraser one of Simon’s housemates. Inquiring about Simon, Dominic learns that Simon is studying journalism and media studies, John is studying biochemistry, Gemma is studying English and Jay is a postgrad in pharmacology. John is adamant that Simon doesn’t do drugs and was never suicidal. As Dominic get’s deeper into this mystery he finds there’s high profile individuals involved and it’s more that just photographs and a data chip that has brought danger to them all.

I first read “The Necessary Death’s” when it was published in 2016. I have to say I really enjoyed the re-edited version just as much and even more. David C. Dawson creates a puzzle of a mystery, where a few characters get involved to help solve it. As MC’s: Dominic gradually steps out of his comfort zone in the way of danger. But for Jonathan, he became overbearing and very pushy when it comes to his and Dominic’s relationship. I became difficult in seeing Jonathan and Dominic as a couple.

Dawson also delivers an abundance of characters that peaked my interest from: Simon and John and Jay. Gemma who ways very special. Barrister Miles Torrington and Samantha Gregory. Steve, is an outstanding addition to the storyline. He’s not what he seems and is a wizard with technological expertise. Last but not least, the Natural Family Association and the most diabolical villains, Viktor Krasov and Janet Downpatrick.

There is also, an AUDIO version of “The Necessary Deaths” and is narrated by David C. Dawson himself. Dawson presents this novel in a clear and precise speaking voice with an excellent pace and captures the emotions of every character. There’s also a voice distinction where each character is concerned. Dawson took a chance narrating his own novel but I’m glad he did. I hope he continues to narrate “A Delingpole Mysteries”.

Terrific narration

I wanted to get into this story so hard, but it just didn't capture my attention like I'd hoped. Honestly, the boyfriend, Jonathan, made me so mad during the entire story. He was constantly seeking attention from anyone and everyone.

I thought the author did a brilliant job with the narration! I absolutely would love to hear him narrate more!

For a first book, it was good

I think that the story had great potential, but it failed to deliver it. The plot was weak and the story kept going from funny to serious without never set itself in one of them.

The conspiracy's storyline soon becomes too silly and cliché; I could have dealt with that easily enough, as this kind of plots usually are quite silly, but my main problem is I never manage to warm to the characters.

You would expect that the main character, after whom the series is named would be the one moving the story along but wasn't the case here. Mr Dominic Delingpole is a lawyer who spends a lot of time breaking the law and did not investigate a thing. He seemed to spend a lot of time ogling guys, though. Which brings me to the 'romance' between him and Jonathan McFadden... which I didn't see at all. Mostly because open relationships like this one, in which one partner is free to cruise at his heart's content while the other just accept the situation without liking it one bit, is something I truly don't enjoy reading.

And there were SO MANY characters! And most of them didn't have a logical role in the story, except being eye candy :/

I think that the issue of the romance is resolved at the end of this story, and I'm willing to read the next one to see what happens next with the characters, hoping for a better mystery and a more compact cast of characters.

The narration was really good, which is always a nice surprise when both, author and narrator, are the one and the same.

Entertaining listen

The author really does a great job narrating this and the story is fun and intriguing but there is a lot happening and sometimes it gets a little muddled here are there with so many characters that aren't really fully explained what purpose they serve. My other issue here is with the MCs and their relationship It just never warmed for me. I am intrigued enough to give the next in the series a try and this isn't usually my cup of tea but I did enjoy the listen.

Narration deserves particular commendation

Authors narrating their own fiction can be a hit or miss propostiton, but this author is a superb narrator! I notice that this is his only narration title in Audible but I sincerely hope he continues to narrate his own books and even considers putting himself up to narrate for others. I also enjoyed the story very much and look forward to this becoming a series. I love dark corporate/government conspiracy books and this one which begins with the question of whether a young man's overdose is attempted suicide or attempted murder pulled me right in. I liked the two main characters, but they both need a good knock upside the head to get them to talk more to each other and settle their relationship in some more permanent, stable and healthy manner. I am not sure the way they are left in this story that I would be totally optimistic about their relationship's long term potential. This for me is an HFN novel, not really a HEA one. That should not at all discourage you from listening, however, if only to meet a new narrator I am sure you will adore.