To the Lions

A Novel

By: Holly Watt

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Shortlisted for the Steel Dagger Award

Shorlisted for Best Debut, Capital Crime Award

An international thriller featuring a female journalist who stumbles upon a dark conspiracy, and her determination to follow the clues, no matter how far that takes her.

Casey Benedict, star reporter at the Post, has infiltrated the lives and exposed the lies of countless politicians and power players. Using her network of contacts, and her ability to slip into whatever identity suits the situation, Casey is always on the search for the next big story, no matter how much danger this might place her in, or what the cost might be, emotionally.

Tipped off by an overheard conversation at an exclusive London nightclub, she begins to investigate the apparent suicide of a wealthy young British man whose death has left his fiancée and family devastated. The young man's death, however, is only the tipping point of a much more sinister and dangerous scandal involving the world's most powerful leaders and magnates - men who are gathering in Northern Africa for an extreme and secret hunt. With fellow reporter Miranda and combat veteran Ed by her side, Casey's determined hunt for the truth will take her from the glitz of St. Tropez to the deserts of Libya and on to the very darkest corners of the human mind.

©2019 Holly Watt (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"At its heart this is a first-rate Fleet Street novel...equally good on the spy-like ploys used by undercover hacks as it is on tensions and teamwork in the newsroom." (The Sunday Times London)

"[A] superbly plotted debut...frighteningly plausible and utterly unforgettable! This is a rollercoaster of a book.... To the Lions is quite sensational." (Crime Review)

"Watt thoroughly mines her journalism creds, bringing the hectic, often dangerous job of an investigative reporter to vivid life, throwing readers right into the middle of the manic inner workings of a bustling broadsheet before setting them loose in a lawless desert wasteland where human life is cheap. The crime at the heart of this tale is nothing short of horrific, and Watt's narrative sparks and crackles with dread, leading brave readers on a harrowing exploration of unthinkable evil and what it means to bear witness. A terrifying and unforgettable journey." (Kirkus)

"A white-knuckled, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride. Visceral storytelling enhances a harrowing plot that continually ratchets up tension while spotlighting the global refugee crisis, debating journalistic ethics, and contemplating the value of an individual life. Watt is off to a strong start." (Publishers Weekly)

Good reporting, information, and suspense

Everything good about this book was frequently made a little preposterous by the actions of the characters who regularly made unjustifiable choices. Toward the end I found myself yelling at the main character. Nevertheless a pretty enjoyable listen.

Potenial, but No

I was rather excited about this, but it turned out to be a pretty serious let down. The premise of the story is great. But it's ruined by seriously awful, intensely annoying writing. Very self consciously hip, which quickly becomes very, very irritating. Then, every time some plot momentum builds up, it's totally zapped by long achingly pretentious meanderings on the state of the world, war, journalism etc etc. The result is - the story barely had a chance to happen. Add completely unrealistic, and not especially compelling main characters who are also cliches , some really bad time line mistakes and weirdly robotic narration and - well, don't waste the credit. There are waaaay better listens in this genre.