The Puppet Show

By: M. W. Craven

Narrated by: John Banks

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Shortlisted for the 2019 CWA Gold Dagger Award

Shortlisted for the 2019 Best Crime Novel of the Year in the Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards

A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District's prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless. When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of.

Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.

As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he's ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive.

©2018 M. W. Craven (P)2018 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"Dark, sharp and compelling." (Peter James)

"A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted, and not for the faint hearted!" (David Mark)

"A thrilling curtain raiser for what looks set to be a great new series" (Mick Herron)

That's a good book

I really enjoy it, likeable characters, despicable fiends, an extensive yarn with more twists and turns then a trip though the Moors
Can't wait to start the next one

Excellent!

I loved it! I’ve found another author and series to be obsessed over! Moving on to the next one.

Absolutely Amazing. Twists and Turns!

This was amazing. Tons of twists and turns keeping me off balance throughout the story.
It also helped that the Narrator's voice for Washington Poe sounds like Sean Bean!

Great story excellent narrative

My only criticism of this story was the dialogue between the protagonist and the antagonist towards the end. It branched off in a direction that made no sense.

Great Listen

This story took up most of a 2 day road trip. After the first hour, we couldn't get back into the car fast enough at rest stops. Highly recommend!

excellent

Great mystery. i really enjoyed the read except the character Flynn was a little weak.

A wonderful mystery

A mystery I didn't see coming. Nomral I can guess who the suspect is and have the plot figured out by halfway, but this I hadn't seen coming. Tilly is my favorite character by far. I loved the ending. At first I didn't understand why the story continued but the end wrapped up nicely.

10/10. Best crime novel I’ve read in years.

This is a walk-off home run. I loved it. Full of twists and turns, it’s a gripping detective story. Most fun crime novel I’ve read since a Harry Hole (Nesbo) novel a few years ago. Ordering Book Two now.

Can't Wait for the Next Installment!

Looking for new authors to try out and stumbled on this story. Loved it! Great characters, intriguing story, good narration. I immediately looked for another by the same author but this seems to be his/her first available. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.

It was never about justice.

ALL THE STARS!!!

You dark twisty bitch of a book! I love you! So many threads to neatly bring together, so much mystery and pain, to burn.

This intriguing procedural grabbed me and didn’t let go. The pace was steady, smooth, and unrelenting. The budding dynamic outcasts duo of Poe and Tilly was unmissable.

The ending was a deeply satisfying level of Oh Hell Yes!

All in under 350 Pages!

And did I mention this was 99% Staunch?

I need Black Summer in my hands!

*Audible note: I enjoyed the accents the narrator used, they added to that sense of place.