Audible Book Review: An Accidental Death: A DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 1 by Peter Grainger

This is a very good, engaging mystery.

An Accidental Death: A DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 1
Written by: Peter Grainger
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Series: DC Smith, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-26-16
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: British Detective, Crime Fiction, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The story opens with the apparently accidental drowning of a sixth form student in the Norfolk countryside. As a matter of routine, or so it seems, the case passes across the desk of Detective Sergeant Smith, recently returned to work after an internal investigation into another case that has led to tensions between officers at Kings Lake police headquarters. As an ex-DCI, Smith could have retired by now, and it is clear that some of his superiors wish that he would do so. The latest trainee detective to work with him is the son of a member of his former team, and together they begin to unravel the truth about what happened to Wayne Fletcher. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that others are involved - some seem determined to prevent it, some seem to be taking too much interest. In the end, Smith operates alone, having stepped too far outside standard procedures to ask for support. He knows that his own life might be at risk but he has not calculated on the life of his young assistant also being put in danger.
©2013 Peter Grainger (P)2016 Tantor.

Review:
Sergeant Smith is a bit older and old school detective, a former D.C.I. (Detective Chief Inspector) . He isn’t everyone’s favorite detective but many respect his long term, senior experience, particularly his immediate superior, D.I. Reeve. Smith has just returned to the office after a short leave as the result of an internal investigation. Reeve presents him with two tasks: begin the training of a new rookie, Chris Waters, and take a look at and sign off (maybe) on an apparent accidental drowning of a local sixth form student.

The weekend officers gathered the facts, wrote up the report which was ready to be signed. But Reeve spotted a potential issue and slips the file to Smith. Smith is pretty quick to pick up on a discrepancy and he assigns Waters procedural investigative tasks as Smith interviews the mortuary technologist who added an interesting note to the autopsy report.

Smith pursues one clue and lead after another with dogged determination. Even when sneers come from other officers and a potential “stand down” order comes from higher up, Smith insists on pushing on. Smith and Waters are trying to find a witness who has failed to come forward and who may be the last to have seen the victim alive. The investigation leads Smith to a Balkan community in the area and to a possible connection to a former military officer. Smith spots someone following him and he realizes that his inquiries are bringing more risk to him and his young partner.

As he pursues the facts there is an interesting glimpse into his background through his relationship with other officers, including with Waters who happens to be the son of one of Smith’s oldest friends from the force. I thoroughly enjoyed this British police procedural. Smith is a well-developed character whose strengths have created some tension which adds moments of humor as he faces off with the department Superintendent. The well plotted mystery has elements of political animus that is timely. The story moves at a good pace and the emphasis is on hard detective work rather than graphic violence. I would be glad to read more stories featuring Detective Smith. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good police mystery.

Audio Notes: Gildart Jackson provides perfect accent and energy to the narration. He provides unique voices that fit the characters. His performance helped me to enjoy the quick listen. I would be glad to listen to more title narrated by Mr. Jackson.

Source: February 2017 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: You Will Not Have My Hate by Antoine Leiris

This is very well written and narrated, and poignant in it's message.
You Will Not Have My Hate
Written by: Antoine Leiris
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 1 hr and 43 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-25-16
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Personal Memoirs
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Number one international best seller
"On Friday night you stole the life of an exceptional person, the love of my life, the mother of my son, but you will not have my hate."
On November 13, 2015, Antoine Leiris' wife, Hélène Muyal-Leiris, was killed by terrorists while attending a rock concert at the Bataclan Theater in Paris, in the deadliest attack on France since World War II. Three days later Leiris wrote an open letter addressed directly to his wife's killers, which he posted on Facebook. He refused to be cowed or to let his 17-month-old son's life be defined by Hélène's murder. He refused to let the killers have their way: "For as long as he lives, this little boy will insult you with his happiness and freedom." Instantly that short Facebook post caught fire and was reported on by newspapers and television stations all over the world. In his determination to honor the memory of his wife, he became an international hero to everyone searching desperately for a way to deal with the horror of the Paris attacks and the grim shadow cast today by the threat of terrorism.
Now Leiris tells the full story of his grief and struggle. You Will Not Have My Hate is a remarkable, heartbreaking, and indeed beautiful memoir of how he and his baby son, Melvil, endured in the days and weeks after Hélène's murder. With absolute emotional courage and openness, he somehow finds a way to answer that impossible question: How can I go on? He visits Hélène's body at the morgue, has to tell Melvil that Mommy will not be coming home, and buries the woman he had planned to spend the rest of his life with.
Leiris' grief is terrible, but his love for his family is indomitable. This is the rare and unforgettable testimony of a survivor and a universal message of hope and resilience. Leiris confronts an incomprehensible pain with a humbling generosity and grandeur of spirit. He is a guiding star for us all in these perilous times. His message - hate will be vanquished by love - is eternal.
©2016 Antoine Leiris (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Review:
As the blurb states; “Antoine Leiris' wife, Hélène Muyal-Leiris, was killed by terrorists while attending a rock concert at the Bataclan Theater in Paris” on November 13, 2015. Three days after the event Leiris posted a post to refute the damage of the terrorists by declaring they would not have his hate and would not steal the joy of life from his 17 month old son, Melvil.

This story travels through the immediate reactions of Antoine when he hears of the attack at an event that his wife was attending. He is unable to make contact with his wife and slowly comes to the acknowledgement that she is missing … or worse… killed in the attack. Leiris has to become mother as well as father to their son. He shares the raw emotions of grief and the difficulties dealing with well-meaning sympathies.

I totally appreciated the open sharing and especially the strength exhibited in the sharing. I consider this more a sharing than a story. Although Leiris hoped to write a story for Melvil one day, this debut writing is beautiful, poignant and powerful. It reveals grief, love and the strength and determination to go forward in life. I recommend this to anyone who has suffered a tragedy or wants to understand a life affirming response that can result when faced with such a loss.

Audio Notes: Gildart Jackson does an excellent job narrating this memoir. His soft voice and fitting accent make this a gripping audio experience.

This is from my Audible TBR shelf for "Y" in Alphabet Challenge. This also qualifies for Audiobook and Mount TBR challenges.