The Stranger Times

The Stranger Times, Book 1

By: C. K. McDonnell

Narrated by: Brendan McDonald

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

STOP PRESS! The Stranger Times wins the 2023 British Fantasy Award for Best Audio Work!

There are dark forces at work in our world (and in Manchester in particular), so thank God The Stranger Times is on hand to report them . . .

A weekly newspaper dedicated to the weird and the wonderful (but mostly the weird), it is the go-to publication for the unexplained and inexplicable.

At least that's their pitch. The reality is rather less auspicious. Their editor is a drunken, foul-tempered and foul-mouthed husk of a man who thinks little of the publication he edits. His staff are a ragtag group of misfits. And as for the assistant editor . . . well, that job is a revolving door - and it has just revolved to reveal Hannah Willis, who's got problems of her own.

When tragedy strikes in her first week on the job The Stranger Times is forced to do some serious investigating. What they discover leads to a shocking realisation: some of the stories they'd previously dismissed as nonsense are in fact terrifyingly real. Soon they come face-to-face with darker forces than they could ever have imagined.

The Stranger Times is the first novel from C.K. McDonnell, the pen name of Caimh McDonnell. It combines his distinctive dark wit with his love of the weird and wonderful to deliver a joyous celebration of how truth really can be stranger than fiction.

©2020 C.K. McDonnell (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

A filmic romp with great characters, a jet-propelled plot, and a winning premise. (Eric Brown)

I tore through The Stranger Times. Like an entertaining collision between the worlds of Mick Herron and Charlie Stross, it's a novel that proves ancient eldritch horror is no match for old-school journalism. (CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYRE, bestselling author of Fallen Angel)

There are weird happenings in Manchester; good job the drunk and dysfunctional journalists of The Stranger Times, a newspaper dedicated to paranormal and the unexplained, are on hand . . . terrific, easygoing fun. (Robert Millen)

Comical and Mysterious

This book did not disappoint. The characters are interesting and relatable. The story line did not disappoint A little Sci -fi mixed with myth, legend, and the tabloids I thoroughly enjoyed it. I bought the book and the audible version. The narrator did an excellent job in distinguishing the characters and bringing the story to life. I hope to see more of The Stranger Times and it's living and/or deceased staff of writers and crew!

One of my top favorite reads of 2022

This book came into my reading life at the exact time I needed it to. I was DNFing books what felt like left and right. My friend Ev sent me the audiobook of The Stranger Times narrated by Brendan McDonald and all that changed.

First of all, this book made me laugh aloud so many times. I love all of the characters, even the ones I wasn't supposed to. This urban fantasy tale is about The Stranger Times and its employees - a newspaper that reports on all the unexplained things that go bump in the night....or float around in flying saucers. Could it be a little something...more?

Hannah is a recently divorced woman in search of a job. The hunt for a job isn't going well as she was married to a very rich man previously, right out of school, so she has zip for experience in the job skill category. When she lands the Assistant Editor job at The Stranger Times, she thinks she's struck gold..until Simon turns up dead. Simon, who had told detectives he was a reporter for The Stranger Times, a news rag that most certainly did NOT have him on the payroll.

A whole world begins to emerge as the employees of The Stranger Times begins their own investigation of Simon's death, one that they may not survive.

Amazing. Hilarious. Creative, inventive - what other words do I need to use to get you to read this book? I was only 25% of the way through before I was pausing long enough to buy the second one!

Fun listen

Brilliant narrator and a lot of fun involved with the usual wit of the author.

Great fun

Really enjoyed narration. Story was entertaining
Well worth the time. What else can I say

An entertaining listen

A delightful and entertaining listen, I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys urban fantasy

obsessed

I cheated a bit and listened to the stranger times podcast first. That's how the obsession started. now I'm using every credit I have to purchase every book He's put out! Excellent narrator! Every character is completely distinct from one another, and very well performed.

Fun writing, fun narration!

This was a change of pace and great fun. As someone who once edited a small weekly newspaper I loved the journalistic perspective and found it right-on. As someone who listens to lots of Brit whodunits, it was a great twist on the genre as well. As someone who loves great vocal talent, I’m in awe of the narrator. Good stuff. Thank you.

Great writing, characters, and interesting story

C.K. McDonnell has good writing skills. Best of all, I like that his women characters are strong and intelligent. It's refreshing. This dip into urban fantasy only helps the genre, which has lately had a spate of weak writers trying their hand. The world is described in a grittier fashion than that of Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series, and in my mind's eye everything was dark or grey and cluttered as opposed to bright and orderly. The characters have depth and unique aspects that kept me intrigued. Narration was very good. Looking forward to a sequel.

I want more!!

This was a hilarious, interesting, and un-put-downable tale that I wish did not have to end. I need a book 2!!!

Best of series.

Best narrator and best book and writing of the series. Can’t wait for book 4.